Madrid??

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

DH has some airmiles to use up. It's proving to be close to impossible to actually book anything, but we've worked out that we could fly to Madrid. There are four of us - me, DH, DS (10) and DD (8). I've never been - would this be a good choice for a half term city break? Lots to do and see? We haven't done an abroad city break with the DC, so I guess there'd be a bit of age appropriate sight-seeing, eating and mooching around. TIA.

Yes, we went last May with DS`s aged 10 & 8! Weather was lovely. We stayed 3 nights. Metro really easy to use. Madridians seemed very tolerant of kids being in and around their rush hour commutes. Things we did:
Cable car trip over the city
Picnic in the "Rio" area - large landscaped riverside beach area, lots of play areas and fountains.
Football stadium tour.
Lots of street and park mooching.
Plenty of evening tapas bar hopping.
There's lots of pretty good shopping too, if that's your thing.
We had a great time!

Ooh that sounds great! Thanks

Love Madrid.

Never taken any DC though We tend to just wander around, eat and drink. Have visited the main museums/galleries too.

It's a really easy city to get to and navigate.

When are you going? February will be cold. Perhaps a little warmer than here, but it does get snow and cool temps.

My favourite months are May and September - so pretty warm (for the wandering) yet not stiflingly hot as it is in high summer.

I once went in November, and it was cold and wet.

Yes, I wouldn't mind a DC-free trip, but that's not on the cards this time We would be going in May half term, so that sounds like a good time to go weather-wise.

I took DS (12) last winter for the weekend. The Prado and the Reine Sofia art galleries both have times when it's free entry, so we did an hour in each - great to compare the heavy old religious oils with the bonkers Picassos, Miros and Dalis!

San Mercado market is fab in the evening for snacks and people- watching.

Sunday morning El Rastro flea market is fascinating and there's lots of cafes nearby for breakfast churros.

Guideca (Jewish quarter) is interesting, now has large gay population and bizarre shops, lots of cafes and an excellent indoor market with a roof terrace bar/restaurant.

I took DS when he was 9. He loved the Palacio Real and the zoo. We hired bicycles to ride along the river and did a bit of shoe shopping for me round Chueca. It was a lovely break

You can hire a boat in Retiro park and there are turtles in the Water there too.

This is the boating lake, and where the turtles are, by the crystal palace

I had forgotten about the turtles in the railway station.

And the boating lake in the park is great.

Thanks for sharing your pictures msrisotto.

Ah yes, the train station is a great tourist destination! Love the turtles there too and the indoor 'forest' thing!

If you like upscale markets, the Mercado de San Miguel is really interesting, and they spray out vapourised water to keep you cool!

This is great, thanks very much - lovely photos. Going to book the flights tonight and have found some great-looking central appartments. Can't wait now

I generally really rate Eyewitness travel guides. Haven't seen the one for Madrid, but have a few others. They have lots of inspiring photos. Have fun, I really love Madrid!

We liked Madrid because its quite a compact city and very friendly. We were there for the changing of the guard at the palace (can't remember if it happens weekly or monthly, our hotel told us to go). We had a great viewing point from the church overlooking the courtyard.

We went to Toledo on the train for the day. It was easy to get there but buying tickets at the station was a nightmare because we were trying to use the touchscreens and needed to go to the ticket office.

I stayed in a great and cheap apartment when I went just off to bed but let me link it tomorrow. Best hot chocolate ever in Madrid !

We stayed here www.homeaway.co.uk/p408936?uni_id=1347836. It wasn't overly spacious, but it had two bedrooms, was brilliantly located and was very reasonable.

I loved Madrid, much more to see than I thought. I went without DS or DH with a friend, but I think it would be very possible to organise a child friendly visit with less emphasis on the museums and more on the outdoor parks. Check out the free museum opening hours, that way you can grab some quick culture - think DCs might like the intricacy and goriness of the Heronymous Bosch paintings, if they are that way inclined!

Food was cheap and plentiful, there's a wonderful indoor tapas market just off the main square that your DCs will love if they are adventurous eaters.

We also went to a one hour flamenco show that was good, but maybe a bit intense for DCs.

Good to get a guide before you go, we used the Top 10 and found it very helpful, plus the map was invaluable.

Flights booked, Madrid, here we come! Thanks for all the tips!