Spain´s capital is a great city to visit even if you are travelling here for work and it can be enjoyed by the whole family. There is so much history and culture in a relatively small capital. This means it is easy to get around with young ones and the well-connected metro is a great transport option if you would prefer not to walk everywhere. Even if you are only here for a short time or are on a work trip there is still so much to see. There are lots of kid-friendly sights with something to please everyone. So in this blog, I am going to discuss some activities that the whole family can enjoy during a short visit. These include key landmarks, museums, food and so much more, meaning you can all make the most of your time here in Madrid.

Firstly, there are a lot of museums in Madrid. There are multiple art museums which are great but might be more suited to adults. There is also the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales that has a lot to offer. This museum is one of the most important scientific research institutes in the country, in the field of natural sciences. The fast amount of information there includes facts on ecology, environmental biology and biodiversity. There is the opportunity to do some crafts for children and often family orientated activities are running. However, if you are wanting something a little different there is the Casa Museo de Ratón Pérez that is only a two-minute walk away from Puerto de Sol. In the UK when a child loses a tooth a fairy comes along and takes it from under their pillow and leaves some money in return. However, this is different in Spain. Here it is a little mouse called El Ratoncito Pérez. So this museum is great for learning about this unique Spanish tradition and it is exciting for children to find out more about El Ratoncito Pérez. There is also a small art exhibit featuring artists´ interpretations of this beloved character.

One of the many great things about Madrid is the parks. With the weather being a lot more reliable than many other places across Europe there are more chances to go to one of the parks. Retiro park is in the centre of Madrid and has so much to offer. If the weather is nice enough you can have a picnic on the grass or go to one of the children’s playgrounds. There is also the opportunity to go and row a boat on the lake in the park. This offers beautiful views and is something very iconic about Retiro.

There is also Casa de Campo which is just on the west side of Madrid and has something very unique. There is the opportunity to get a cable car into the middle of the park from near the metro station called Argüelles. This is on line 3, 4 and 6 so is easy to get to. You get great views of Madrid and the huge park. Also, there is a children’s play area near the drop off point. There are multiple picnic benches and some restaurants near the lake.

Also, there is the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid. This is a theme park on the edge of Casa de Campo that has over 30 attractions for both children and adults. The city’s amusement park is one of the most popular weekend destinations for both locals and tourists. This park offers tranquillity, nature and adventure. In the children’s area, you can enjoy a leisurely boat ride through a truly ‘living’ jungle, get child-size thrills on a mini roller coaster, and even take a trip around the funfair.

After all this exploring everyone will start feeling a little hungry and this is a great opportunity to try a Spanish classic. You can eat churros at a family-run cafe that has been in Madrid for over 100 years, Los Artesanos 1902. It is a great hidden gem that has some of the best churros in Madrid, plus you can see the churros being made as you go in which might be interesting for the children. This place is especially popular with locals and avoids the queues of the more famous churros places while still getting a high-quality snack.

Like I said the great thing about Madrid is how close a lot of the main sites are. So from Los Artesanos, you can walk to the area Ópera where you are close to the Palace, ´Palacio Real de Madrid´. This palace is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area and has a total of 3,418 rooms. So it is a pretty impressive building and if you are lucky enough there might be soldiers outside which the children always love to see. In this area, there is also the opera hall and royal gardens which are both beautiful and it is all in a close distance which is good for those with little legs.

So, I hope you have got a feeling of what family orientated activities there are to do in Madrid. The ones mentioned in this blog only scratch the surface of what you can do, making it a great place for a short break. Now if you are coming here for work you need to find the right balance between getting the job done and seeing the sights.

Therefore here at Canguroidiomas, we are offering a new service. If you have meetings or places to visit that you can´t take your children with you or just simply need a bit of privacy then we are offering English Speaking Babysitters for your children. The service costs €20 per hour and all you need to do is contact us at info@aulaingles.es with your request. Feel free to get in contact with us for more information.

This service will allow you to bring your children along with you for the trip while still getting to those meetings or work events. So your work trip will be easier and more enjoyable meaning you can make the most of your time here in Madrid. We look forward to hearing from you.