EAster in Madrid - central apartment recommendations for a family

[Sandgroper]

Hi

DH wants to go to Madrid for a short break with DS's (9, 6) this Easter.

Looking for a 2 bed apartment in a central location but not sure what areas are best for a family. Walking distance to bars, restaurants and the metro if poss.

Been searching but seem to be going round in circles so any help/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Calle Gran Via is very central for shops, bars and restaurants. We stayed there recently and the metro is fantastic so you can get to all the attractions really easily!

Near to the Retiro would be good with a family. Opera is also nice, close to the palace. I would avoid Sol as it will be really noisy/busy at nights. Pretty much everywhere in Madrid is close to bars/restaurants ??. I lived there for 18 months and love the city, it's my favourite place in the world.

We stayed here. Twas excellent

Huertas (close to where PP above stayed) is lovely too

Thanks for all the fab info, very helpful.

carol decker that apartment is exactly what we are looking for, will check into it.??

DH wants to go over the Easter weekend (from 2-8 April) assume that lots of stuff will be closed due to good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday. am sure bars etc will be open and lots of religious parades etc, but shops, museums are they likely to be closed?

For some reason, Easter Monday isn't a public holiday in Madrid so you shouldn't have any problems then. Some things are likely to be closed on Good Friday and the day before but most things will be open. Have a look on the websites of the museums but I've just had a quick look at the Reina Sofia and they have normal opening times over Easter.

Wow that was quick. Thanks for that.

weird dates are due to DH getting a good flight deal and as I am keen to "pin him down literally" to book a holiday wanted to make sure we didn't end up in a city that was "shut" though I suspect that may never be the case in Madrid!

PS ar you by any chance a fellow Aussie - "public holiday" instead of bank Holiday?

Yeah Madrid never really seems to close down in the way that other European cities do over public holidays, there's always something to see and do! It will be a lovely time to go as it should be getting warmer but won't be too hot like it can be in the summer.

Excellent that is just what I wanted to hear can't wait now it's been on my travel wish list for ages...

Thanks

Haha no I'm English but have spent a lot of time living all over Europe and tend to call them public holidays as they don't use the term 'bank holiday' abroad .

Hi

Another question re getting from airport to the apartment we booked with Spain Select (Moratin in Cortes)

thanks carol decker for the recommendation, the one you stayed in wasn't available but we found this one. Perfect and just what we were looking for.

They can collect us are quoting €70 one way for 2 adults 2 kids and 3 or 4 bags. Does that seem like a lot?

Wondering if the metro goes from the airport to near where we are staying. How far away is the airport from the centre of Madrid time wise? not sure what would be the least hassle with the kids.

Thanks

The last time I went to Madrid - a taxi from the airport was around 30 Euros.

As we travel just as a couple - we try and use the Metro if time permits. It WAS 2 euros, but I think it's increased a little.

70 Euros each way is quite a lot I would say - although with the Euro rate being so good for us at the moment it isn't too bad.

Taxis are freely available outside the arrivals hall at the airport.

Thanks iwantgin it sounded a lot to me but I wasn't sure of the actual distance of the airport to downtown Madrid.

The metro is a lot cheaper just got to work out if the hassle factor with 2 small kids, bags etc is worth it! we arrive in the early evening on a Wed so not sure if it's peak hour or not.

great to know taxis are outside the airport and that price sounds much better than the concierge price being offered to us.