Madrid with Kids City Guide
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MADRID WITH KIDS CITY GUIDE Madrid isn’t just a favorite of tapas lovers, night owls and soccer fans; it’s also a paradise for kids and families. The Spanish capital is rich in culture and buzzes with energy, and yet it’s easy to get around and therefore totally tackleable with little ones . Kids are welcome just about anywhere – museums, restaurants, cafes, shops and playgrounds crop up around nearly every corner. LA DANIELA LATERAL EAT Cuchilleros, 9 T. +34 91 366 2018 Plaza de Santa Ana, 12 T. +34 91 420 1582 (check website for other locations) (check website for other locations) Ask ten different people what the best restaurant in Madrid is and you are sure Visiting in the colder months of the year? From traditional tapas to more eclectic to get ten different answers. Be sure to try Madrid’s typical dish, and international plates, Lateral pretty much cocido madrileño. La Daniela serves covers all the foodie bases. Go there for Nevertheless, here are a few of our it traditional-style, “a los tres vuelcos,” the pleases-everyone food, the reasonable favorites. Our criteria? Delicious food, or in three steps. First, the stock with prices, or for the locations (of which there local flair, casual atmosphere, kid-friendly noodles; second, the chickpeas and veggies; are six!), such as the picture-perfect outdoor hours (most of our picks offer continuous and finally, the meats. It’s a slow and hearty terrace in super-central Plaza de Santa Ana. service) and cuisine that will appeal to meal that will bring you closer to the local lifestyle -- and warm you up. children and adults alike. MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL MERCADO DE SAN FERNANDO CASA MINGO Plaza de San Miguel, s/n T. +34 91 542 4936 Calle Embajadores, 41 Paseo de la Florida, 34 T. +34 91 547 7918 Avoid peak hours (12-4pm and 7-11pm) If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path This old-school cider house dates back and indulge in this multi-sensory, experience, San Fernando Market, to 1888, therefore it’s quite a time-tested market-meets-tapas bar experience. in the Lavapies neighborhood, is for you. Madrid favorite. While the roasted It’s where you should go to find Quirky shops, good bites from around chicken, the chorizo sausage and the cider a giant selection of yumminess in the world (the Japanese joint is are indeed tasty (don’t bother with one place -- we’re talking seafood, olives, our favorite!), a beer place that specializes the salad), it’s the nostalgic feeling that paella, sangria, cured meats, and more. in micro-brews, and eccentric weekend captivates Madrileños. Not far from Touristy? Yes. But absolutely worth it. performances all make this old-fashioned the Egyptian Templo de Debod, and only neighborhood market a memorable stop a few steps from the Manzanares River, for kids and adults alike. Casa Mingo is a convenient stop after a day of touring. EL CORTE INGLÉS LAMUCCA FILANDON GOURMET EXPERIENCE Calle del Prado, 16 T. +34 91 521 0000 Carretera Fuencarral-El Pardo C/ Serrano, 52 - 7th floors El Pardo (M - 612) – Km. 1,9 T. +34 91 734 3826 (check website for other locations) Get your shopping fix at El Corte Ingles Continuous service (from 1pm to 1am) Top quality seafood that comes with a side on Calle Serrano and then head up to and an extensive menu (the truffle pizza of attentive service and a beautiful the Gourmet Experience to satisfy your is pretty much to die for) make this countryside setting. Enjoy a nice meal and epicurean appetite. StreetXO, a reliable go-to in the Spanish capital. savor that glass of wine as you let the kids owned by three-Michelin-starred chef The ideal locations only seal the deal: run free and explore the playground. David Muñoz, and the gourmet ice cream there’s one in the hip neighborhood of A favorite among affluent Madrid families stand inspired by the acclaimed restaurant Malasaña, another just blocks from the and soccer stars with their children, Celler de Can Roca, are currently the Museo del Prado, and a third in the locally Filandon feels like a fancy break for hottest spots. If gourmet ice cream doesn’t popular area around Alonso Martinez. everyone. And though it’s not centrally cut it for your kids, a ride in the carrousel located, once you dine there across the street should. you’ll be glad you made the effort. IBEROSTAR LAS LETRAS GRAN VIA HOTEL URBAN SLEEP Spacious rooms, friendly staff and Have kids but still long for hip and cool? scrumptious breakfast. Hotel de las Letras Hotel Urban is for you. offers great value for your money. Though the rooms aren’t terribly spacious, The location is excellent, right in the heart they are as modern and sleek as the hotel of Madrid, but be sure to ask for rooms itself. But it’s the rooftop pool that makes Whether your budget facing the courtyard for quieter nights. Hotel Urban a kid-friendly option, is big or small, here are a few chic Don’t forget to head up to the rooftop especially during hot summer months. but family-friendly lodging terrace for spectacular views of the city. In the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle options in the heart of Madrid. (see Explore section) you will have Madrid’s main attractions within close reach. THE WESTIN PALACE ROOM MATE LAURA RENTAL APARTMENTS Those that prefer their accommodations Room Mate Laura is one of four Madrid If you have time (and a bit of patience) to a touch more sophisticated will feel right at hotels that belong to the Spanish Room research, rental apartments can really home at The Palace. Mate Hotels chain. A short walk from pay off. We recommend Airbnb, Think Victorian-style decor, and a giant tea Puerta del Sol and the bohemian district VRBO and love to see the family-focused room bathed in light from a stained-glass of La Latina, Room Mate Laura has a hip, websites, such as Kid&Coe, expanding ceiling dome. The Palace gets rave reviews yet inviting feel. Besides, it is both kid and their portfolio. Check for selections in the for its top-notch customer service, budget-friendly. The three other locations Center, Cortes or Malasaña or, and wins the prize for its prime location, in Madrid are equally cool, but the duplex for a quieter location, Retiro Park. situated a short and kid-friendly walk from apartments make Room Mate Laura the all the big sights. best option for families. MADRID DE LOS AUSTRIAS RETIRO PARK THE HISTORIC CENTER OF MADRID With loads of playgrounds, cafes, Walk through the oldest and arguably a man-made lake with row boats, a garden most picturesque part of Madrid. with peacocks running free, large grassy Start at Puerta del Sol, passing by patches for relaxing, and numerous the balcony-surrounded Plaza Mayor hawkers and performers, Retiro is a place before ducking into the aforementioned EXPLORE where you can can easily spend a good San Miguel Market for a snack. portion of a day. Be sure to stop by the Then make your way to Plaza de la Villa Crystal Palace – it looks like it’s straight out as you head towards Plaza de Oriente, of a fairytale – and often hosts intriguing where you can visit the Royal Palace and Like any big city, Madrid offers plenty of temporary exhibitions. the Almudena Cathedral. family-friendly activities. Here are a few of If visiting the palace, skip the tour and our favorites that provide a glimpse just explore. Kids will love the red velvet thrones, massive dining room and into Madrid’s history, culture and lifestyle. the suits of armor worn by kings and princes (and their horses and dogs!). CHURROS COOKIES MADRID RIO AT CHOCOLATERIA SAN GINES FROM CLOISTERED NUNS No visit to Madrid is complete without Between Plaza de la Villa and A bit farther from the city center, a taste of the country’s beloved churros. San Miguel Market, there’s a small square and absolutely worth a visit, is Madrid Rio, These deep-fried, fresh-from-the-frier called Plazuela del Conde de Miranda. a truly impressive 10 kilometer-long park pastries are best accompanied by – and On that square you will find the Corpus that spans an old freeway path. dipped in – a cup of thick, dark, and strong Christi Convent, which is a closed order, With 17 play areas, including 65 different hot chocolate. Take note, though: churros and whose Carbonera nuns make and sell pieces of equipment, the kids are sure are found everywhere, but they are not cookies and pastries. Find the old wooden not to get bored. The most popular play created equally. That’s why you’ll want to door with a “VENTA DE DULCES” sign, zones include the tree trunk jungle, make a stop at the classic churros where you’ll have to ring the bell and tell the super zip-line, and the slides hill, purveyor, San Gines, which opened them what you want before they will which has at least eight slides of varying in 1894 and serves up the famous sweets open the door for you. heights and lengths. If you’re in Madrid around the clock. They sell cookies from 9:30am to 1pm during warmer months, don’t miss and from 4pm to 6:30pm. the urban beach, formed by A kids’ favorite and certainly three oval-shaped water areas with very memorable.