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 , 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 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- 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. options intheheartofMadrid. but family-friendlylodging is bigorsmall,here are afewchic Whether yourbudget SLEEP terrace forspectacularviewsofthecity. Don’t forget toheaduptherooftop facing thecourtyard forquieternights. of Madrid,butbesure toaskforrooms The locationisexcellent,rightintheheart offers great valueforyourmoney. scrumptious breakfast. HoteldelasLetras Spacious rooms, friendlystaff and Iberostar lasetragranvia close reach. Madrid’s mainattractionswithin (see Explore section)youwillhave In theheartofcity’s GoldenTriangle especially duringhotsummermonths. Hotel Urbanakid-friendlyoption, itself. Butit’s therooftop poolthatmakes they are asmodern andsleekasthehotel Though therooms aren’t terribly spacious, Hotel Urbanisforyou. Have kidsbutstilllongforhipandcool? Hotel Urban

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 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, or Malasaña or, and wins the prize for its prime location, in Madrid are equally cool, but the duplex for a quieter location, 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. different effects. Just be sure you bring along bathing suits or extra outfits. Parque del Oeste, The Golden Triangle of Art Museo TelefÉrico El Prado, Reina Sofia & del Ferrocarril and Templo de Debod Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums (Railway Museum)

Though Retiro wins the park popularity With three world-renowned options, With an impressive collection of vintage contest, Parque del Oeste (the Park of the you can’t really go wrong here. rolling stock, an outside ride-on train, West) shouldn’t be overlooked. But, of course, since museums can be and a cafe located inside a 1930s Not only does it offer amazing views tiring and overwhelming for kids, restaurant coach, the Museo del Ferrocarril of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral the secret is to keep visits short and sweet. checks all the happy-family boxes. and countryside beyond the city, but it’s Note that the Thyssen has a fantastic Visit the website before going, as there are also home to a proper Egyptian temple – family program, which caters to children often activities and events taking place the Templo de Debod – gifted to between 6 and 12, along with their (including the Mercado de Motores, by Egypt in 1968. And if that countryside – parents. The guided visits are offered in an awesome market selling funky finds, called – looks tempting, English and take place Saturdays and during which you can visit the museum get a closer look by floating above it in and Sundays at 11am, for free). If you’re in Madrid in spring or the teleférico (cable car), which stops a November through June. fall, buy tickets to ride El Tren de la Fresa convenient 15-minute walk from the city’s (the Strawberry Train), which makes amusement park (Parque de Atracciones). a scenic 1 hour run from Madrid to the World Heritage city of Aranjuez. Chueca and Malasaña Santiago BernabÉu Stadium Child-friendly Cafés

There’s no better way to get a feel Traveling with a soccer fan? Being able to enjoy a cup of coffee for these hip and cool neighborhoods than You won’t want to miss a visit to the (or a glass of wine) while the kids play in to just walk around. Wander the maze iconic home of Real Madrid. a safe and welcoming space might be of streets, such as shop-filled The self-guided tour includes a stop at the a luxury in most places around the world. Calle Fuencarral, make foodie stops dugouts and technical area, the players’ Not in Madrid. Here, family-friendly cafes at the San Ildefonso and San Anton tunnel, changing rooms, press room and abound. A few, such as Baby Deli near markets, and relax in Plaza Dos de Mayo, plenty of interactive displays. Fun for kids – Retiro Park or Grey Elephant in La Latina, which is packed with several playgrounds big and small! are children-focused and offer workshops and a slew of outdoor terrazas for children of all ages. Others, while not (dining areas). designed for little ones, are just as (or more) fun. A few of our favorites? Magasand for healthy juices, sandwiches and salads; El Huerto de Lucas, a beautiful organic market and cantina; La Central de Callao for tasty bites surrounded by books; The Place for delicious breakfasts, attentive service and adorable decor; or Celicioso for that gluten-free treat. EXPLORE SLEEP EAT 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 19 20 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Celicioso The Place La CentraldeCallao El HuertodeLucas Magasand Grey Elephant Baby Deli Santiago BernabeuStadium Chueca andMalasana Museo delFerrocarril Thyssen-Bornemisza Reina SofiaMuseum Prado Museum Teleferico andTemplo deDebod Parque delOeste, Madrid Rio Cookies from Cloistered Nuns Churros atChocolateriaSanGines Madrid delosAustrias Retiro Park Hotel SantoDomingo The Westin Palace Hotel Urban Hotel delasLetras Filandon Lamucca El CorteInglés Casa Mingo Mercado deSanFernando Mercado deSanMiguel Lateral La Daniela