Something to do with my mother-in-law in Madrid
 

I've been to Madrid with my husband several times, and we usually check out the same areas, with something different each time too, usually a day trip.

In a few weeks, we are going again, taking my 79-year-old mother-in-law (who gets around fine) and meeting my 24-year-old daughter. We'll be in Madrid only a few days, and we'll take them to the familiar places - the museums, the palace, the Retiro, Plaza Mayor, Sol and environs.

But on a Saturday afternoon, husband and daughter are going to a futbol game, so they won't be with us for probably 4 or 5 hours, and I need to figure out what to do with my mother-in-law. We can't go to the above-mentioned places because the others will want to see them. Any suggestions? Maybe a neighborhood with shops (nothing fancy) and/or a market? She likes gardens, but I'm thinking the Retiro will fill that slot.

Something near Bernabeu Stadium would be good, so maybe we could meet up with them after the game. I've been in the immediate area once and didn't see anything worth going back for. But I could have been a block away from something cool and not known it!

Thanks for your help!

I guess if you are doing Plaza Mayor, you will be doing the market, near there, San Miguel?

Why don't you go to the Lavapies or Huertas neighborhood? Then you can visit the Mercadeo de Anton Martin. see
https://madridfoodtour.com/the-top-5-markets-in-madrid/

or the San Fernando market in Lavapies
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...s-madrid-spain
I don't know, maybe that's too hipster and young, and wouldn't be of much interest outside that market (which has a lot of beer, actually).

The Salamanca neighborhood mentioned on there for the market does have shops, but they are more upscale, so doesn't sound like what you want.

How about the Royal botanical gardens? That sounds like a good idea for her. The entrance is next to the Prado.
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/jardin-botanico.html

http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/?len=en

The game should take only a couple of hours. I would take her window shopping in Salamanca district which isn't too far from the stadium. Calle Serrano, Velasquez, Goys, etc. It's always intesting to see what the rich are buying. Meet them at Alfredo's Barbacoa at calle Conde de Aranda, 4, or at calle Lagasca, 5. Good food at good prices.

Excellent suggestions and just what I was looking for. Thank you!

Go see the Goya frescoes at San Antonio de la Florida? Pretty wonderful!

https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-...-de-la-florida

How about the Temple de Debod, if you don't get there at sunset which is wonderful.

Both combined would only take a few hours or less. Although Temple de Debod should really be seen at sunset or night!

stroll around Plaza Mayor, check out the San Miguel market and then dinner at El Botin the oldest restaurant in the world

A stroll through the #Retiro would be a perfect devirsion for your mother-in-law. You could follow it up with a great small plates lunch across the street at one of the outstanding bars/restaurants the area is becoming well known for. Leave Botin for others.

Congrats on taking your in-law !

The Temple of Denod, San Antonio de la Florida, and the Royal Palace are together but are far from the stadium. Plus the OP doesn't want to visit such sites without the presence of the two who will be at the game !

Bedar, the OP made no mention of the Temple de Debod nor San Antonio de la Florida as being on the list for all to visit. Nor does the OP state the suggestions must be in the area of the stadium.

Please reread the OP's post and be clear of their request before you criticize other's suggestions.

And where did you read someone suggesting the Royal Palace in the above responses???

I think you'd better reread what the OP wrote. They are going to the palace as a group. My point was that Debod and Florida are nearby. She did say she'd like to be near the stadium. Reread it.

More good suggestions - thank you again.

Somehow, I was not aware of San Antonio de la Florida, and it sounds like something I'd very much like to see! Not sure what my mother-in-law will think, but I'll run it past her.

The Temple de Debod never appealed to me much, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say. Yes, it's cool to see an Egyptian temple, but it seemed a bit removed from the city center (still close, I know), and I wasn't sure it was worth the excursion. But I've always kind of wondered about it and the surrounding park. Now, my interest is piqued. Thank you again!