travelmamana

Hi. We are a family of 4 (2 kids ages 11 and 15). Going to be in Madrid for 6 nights. I'm usually the planner and do much in advance but I just booked today for next week! Help!! Favorite things to do? Must do's? Things teens would like?

Christina

Madrid has some great museums, of course, it is well-known for that (I especially like the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen, of course, and a small one which was the home of Spanish painter Sorolla). Otherwise, the palace is a must, and otherwise, I just enjoyed wandering around the Old Town area, the Opera area, and things like that. I really liked some day trips I did to Toledo and Segovia, especially, if you are there for 6 nights, you have time for things like that, of course. I enjoyed both of them immensely, more than El Escorial, where you can go real easily, also. It's interesting to go to one of their big covered markets, also, like Mercado San Miguel.

use www.gomadrid.com, it's got all kinds of good info

Christina

oh, what teens would like, can't help you on that one, depends on the kid

IMDonehere

To echo what Christina said Toledo and Segovia are excellent day trips. The buses and trains are excellent.

If the kids are interested in soccer see if Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid are playing.

Take them to tapas bars where they can chose what they like and the portions are small.

Retiro is a beautiful park in the middle of the city.

If you are in Madrid on a Sunday go to The Rastro which is probably the largest flea market in Europe.

And as Christina wrote, please report back as to what any teenager liked.

And get a copy of Time Out Madrid, the hippest guide with a large variety of suggestions.

kimhe

Last year my brother and some friends took their kids (both girls and boys, age 10 to 16) to the best flamenco tablao in Spain, Casa Patas in Madrid, and they were all mesmerized. In your week Raquela Ortega and Miguel Télles dance and Saray Muñoz sings.
Raquela Ortega in Casa Patas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VdXTfWACNM

Pehaps have lunch in Casa Granada, on the top of an apartment block and a great terrace overlooking Plaza Tirso de Molina: http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html

One of the world's two-three best soccer teams Real Madrid plays Borussia Dortmund in the quarter final of Champions league on April 2. If you don't get tickets, the city will anyhow be on its head in all bars and cafes. Cristiano Ronaldo was recently voted the best player in the world and is the team's big star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThHAz8YS74

kja

Of the half dozen or so guidebooks I used in planning my trip to the area, I found the Rough Guide most useful. Enjoy!

travelmamana

Thank you all for your helpful comments. The kids are do excited they are speaking to each other only in Spanish to practice! They are laid back, just want to eat all the good food, take in the sites and soak it all in. I am going to take them to the bullfight on Sunday. I am hoping I can just get tickets after I get there? Will do a flamenco show/dinner with them. Definitely tapas! Our hotel is near the Prado. So I think we'll take advantage of that in the eves. Will plan for palace and the park as well. Sounds like I would have time for one day trip - Toledo? What is the best way to get there from the train? I don't think our hotel is too far from where the train is but then I read it may be at a different station than the the usual ATV trains?
Thanks again for helping!

Sassafrass

You will find Madrid is easy to get around and you can do a lot without feeling rushed. I think once we went to the Palace for a couple of hours, then the Prado, then Retiro Park in the late afternoon.

I do know that once with friends, we went to the Prado very early, then the palace, lunch and the late afternoon in Toledo. That was a bit much for me, and I would rather get to Toledo early in the day when shops are open.

With six nights, five days, you will probably easily have time for two days trips, so do include Segovia. It is
wonderful for walking and the castle is charming. It is a great contrast with both Madrid and Toledo.

The train to Toledo takes less than half an hour, but I do not remember which station. The cathedral in
Toledo is astonishingly beautiful. Allow plenty of time for it.

Congrats on having kids so excited about Speaking Spanish - way to go Mom!

kimhe

<Will do a flamenco show/dinner with them>

I recommend Casa Patas, arguably the best tablao in Spain in recent years. The food is fine, and the performance take place in another room after the dinner. A huge advantage both for the food and the flamenco. Excellent atmosphere. Many people also have dinner at another place and come directly for the performance. Reservations is a must. http://www.casapatas.com/

For excellent and local atmosphere tapas bars and restaurants, you should go to the Retiro district, just east of the wonderful Retiro park on the other side of the Prado museum. Maribel suggests several places here, in C/ Mallorca, Ibiza, Narváez and Doctor Castelo: http://maribelsguides.com/mg_madriddining.pdf

I never leave Madrid without having some tapas at Casa Revuelta, excellent little place just off Plaza Mayor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html

Be also sure to have the quintessential Madrid speciality, Bocadillo de Calamares. Many other tasty bocadillo variants also on offer. A hearty and typical Madrid lunch for some 3€. Some recommended places: http://www.eleconomista.es/evasion/g...ku8WMgUlJE3aUJ

La Ideal on a little side-street to Plaza Mayor itself is my favourite place for a Bocadillo de Calamares: http://www.tripadvisor.es/ShowUserRe...al-Madrid.html

spanishsarah47

Great location for your hotel! I recommend buying the Paseo del Arte for 21,60 euro, this will allow you to "museum hop" between the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen. All excellent museums, but definitely do a little research and know what you're looking for, otherwise you could spend literally hours wandering around!
I 1000000% recommend a day trip to Toledo and if you have the time, Segovia is another great day trip! Both are historic and absolutely gorgeous cities.
I am not certain that there will be bullfighting this time of year (there aren't any fights in Seville until April) but if the kids are prepared for what they will see, by all means it is certainly a cultural experience.

jelopez33

Trains to Toledo depart from Atocha station.always possible go to the station and buy tickets for the next train, but we prefer buying one or two days before, much better and you can do a better planning.
IMO Toledo is a full day trip, of course you will return in time to refresh and have a stroll and tapas at night.
Segovia is a wonderful also, better than Toledo IMO, If you go, don't miss cochinillo, roasted suckling pig, and ponche segoviano(alsoknown as tarta de segovia if I an not wrong), great desert.

Enjoy your planning and trip!

chapla

2 kids 11/15 going to a bullfight.....................!

amer_can

A bull fight will definitely be a "cultural experience" maybe have kleenex and barf bags in hand..Too young??probably for the 11yr old!! It will not be a "computer game"!!!

IMDonehere

I for one, I am glad you are taking the kids to a bullfight, and let them decide whether they like it or not. They should read a bit about the spectacle, so they will understand it better.

Also give them the guidebooks, so they can participate as well.

For events for them and all ages, look at Time Out Madrid on-line.

There are a few stores called Museo de Jamon around Madrid. Their senses will be filled by that store.

http://www.museodeljamon.es/madrid/?lang=en

One of my favorite stores is just off the Plaza Mayor called Casa Hernanz. They sell manner of hemp, except that. One time the guy on line in front of me bought thick rope that they use to dock large boats. Very old and interesting store.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-hernanz-madrid

travelmamana

Spanishsarah, I was thinking of taking them to a bullfight (season started yesterday) since I've always thought of it as a cultural experience. The more I read I'm learning that most Spaniards disapprove of it so I am still debating whether to go. As for the museums, I was thinking of taking advantage of them in the eve when they are free to keep costs down. I am hoping that next week is not a very busy touristy season for it to be overcrowded in the evenings.

Kimhe, thanks for those links. I will be looking them up tonight!

Sassafrass, their excitement is contagious. I can hardly wait to go. There is something to be said for spontaneity! I am going to work both those towns in 2 day trips, thank you. Looks like they are at 2 different train stations but fairly easy to get to.

travelmamana

Amer_can & IMDonehere - I definitely plan on having them read up on it. But for my sake and theirs, I will choose the higher tier seats if we go. Sunny side is less expensive but I don't think a hot sun on a Sunday eve in April is going to be a big deal. Are there any other downsides to getting those seats over the shade? Is the shade covered in case of rain?

Pegontheroad

One of my favorite days in Madrid was a Sunday when I strolled through Retiro Park. It was pleasantly crowded with all kinds of musicians and entertainment--singers, bands, puppet shows.

My favorite music was a group called "Runa Marka," which played music of the Andes. So rhythmical and engaging that people started dancing.

I think your two kids would enjoy it as much as you would.

Revulgo

Teens would like:
* The Royal Armoury is one of the most significant collections of its kind, comprising weapons and armour worn by the Kings of Spain and other members of the Royal Family since the 13th century.
http://photos.worldisround.com/photos/26/183/303_o.jpg

* To eat cochinillo (roast suckling pig) at Botín, a restaurant founded in 1725 and considered to be the oldest restaurant in the world, registered as such in the Guiness Book of Records.
http://www.botin.es/?q=en/node/10

* A tapas crawl in Cava Baja and nearby: Lamiak, Txirimiri, Juana la loca…
http://goo.gl/maps/weziE

* Bullfight season not started yet, but you can tour the bullring.
http://www.lasventastour.com/en/index.php

* For soccer fans: Real Madrid Stadium tour
http://www.realmadrid.com/en/tickets/bernabeu-tour

* A daytrip to Segovia
http://visitsegovia.turismodesegovia.com/

Revulgo

…and don't miss the chocolate con churros at San Ginés
http://www.chocolateriasangines.com/...San_Gines.html

Robert2533

As far as I know, no one under the age of 16 is allow to enter a bullring in Spain, so taking children to a bullfight is a mute question.