Family friendly in Madrid

[MoreProsecco]

A quick check of flights has shown up ridiculously cheap flights to Madrid, which would be our family summer holiday.

Last time I went was as a couple on a city break, and I'm not sure how family friendly it is.

Any recommendations for a family with 2 young children (8&5) in July? Ideally would like self-catering, a pool, etc.

No-one?

Are you interested in sightseeing? Will you hire a car?

You could look for an Airbnb in the Sierra De Madrid (mountains) - Manzanares del Real is beautiful. Many houses up there have pools and the families who live there will be away at the beach or in cooler places. Very nice for walking, picnics, etc. and a cute village with bars where you can eat, grab a coffee or beer, etc.

If you get in the car, you can go to the water park (Aquopolis) or theme parks (Parque Warner, Parque de Atraciones in Casa Dr Campo), or sightseeing at places like El Escorial.

To come in the city, drive down the 607 to El Goloso station where you can park for free and get on the local train to the city centre (Sol or Atocha stations) to go to the museums, and city sights such as Parque Retiro where you can hire a rowboat on the lake. Or go to Nuevos Ministerios to walk to Bernabéu for the stadium tour (and the possibility of exhibition matches going on in summer like Real Madrid legends).

City centre Airbnb less likely to have a pool (although some buildings do have shares ones). There are municipal pools. Aircon is a must if you're not used to the heat. Shops close between approx. 2pm and 6pm (siesta time) and some shops, restaurants, etc. will be closed completely in August when the city is very quiet. Dinner in restaurants is also late in summer as it's too hot to feel hungry until later. However there are family/tourist places where you can eat earlier, plus self-catering of course.

Thanks, these are good options. The DC will like the zoo & water parks; I like the idea of the mountains. Unfortunately the DC are not into sightseeing

I'd definitely stay in the mountains then, and hire a car. Look at Manzanares Del Real, Miraflores, Guadalix de la Sierra.

N.B. The zoo is in Casa de Campo too.

This might be useful reading www.takethefamily.com/features/family-holidays-europe-madrid-city-break

Thanks everyone, great suggestions. My kids would love the water park.

The water parks are called Aquopolis.

There's one near San Fernando de Henares (east of Madrid, near Álcala) and one on the west side of the city at Villanueva de la Cañada, which I think is the original one. I've been to the latter; it's good and not expensive. You can go by bus (from Moncloa station), but with kids it would be preferable to drive.

We went on a city break to Madrid in may and it was fabulous! However it was really warm, lovely sunny weather and we all commented on how hot it would be in the summer