London or Paris or Madrid with DS 14 in April

[sunshinechaser]

I'm looking for ideas for a city break with me, DH and DS age 14. Every Easter holiday for the last few years we've gone to London and absolutely loved it. We've done so much-shopping, shows, cinema, boat trips, climbed the O2, Churchill museum, Seven Dials market etc etc etc. We love it so much and it has something for everyone (Marylebone High street shopping especially for me).
We are planning next year's holidays at the moment and my DS is still leaning towards London which is fine but part of me thinks I should try and broaden our horizons and go somewhere different.
He's not loving the idea of Paris and we are going to Spain for our summer holidays so he's not massively up for Madrid either.
Has anyone been to all 3 and would recommend one over the other for teens? We're all not really that into going to museums and much prefer modern culture so I'm not sure if Paris would be wasted on us. I'm maybe just a bit groaning at the thought of the same holiday again!

Out of the three I prefer Madrid, I find it spacious, I love the food markets and there is lots to do.

If you wanted to go further then Prague might be good for you - river , modern history, loads to see and I love the food.

Thanks @Slol. I actually hadn't really thought of Prague. I'll check that out.

Madrid is amazing. London is great, and I was slightly underwhelmed by Paris. But there’s so much to see and do in Madrid.

What about Copenhagen?

Thanks @AgentProvocateur my DH and I went to Paris about 20 years ago and both didn't love it. I found the French really unwelcoming and surly-sweeping statement I know! Would a teen like Madrid do you think? I would LOVE to go.

@lonelyweather I would love to go to Copenhagen too but the flight times aren't great. We would be flying from Edinburgh and the only flights are around either 3pm or 8pm. I feel I would waste a day travelling.

I have two teenagers and we went to Madrid for a city break earlier this year. They both absolutely loved it.

Thanks @Hazey19. What was the highlight of the trip? Trying to sell it to DS!

We often do an Easter break with our DS (now 15) and have really enjoyed Berlin and Amsterdam at that time of year. Not so keen on Paris, always love London but can more easily do that for a weekend any time. What kinds of things does your DS enjoy?

Do they like football? If they do it’s a no brainer as there’s lots of football things to do. There’s obviously the football stadiums and a great football museum too. Mine also really loved the tuk tuk ride and the massive park. There are loads of cultural things to do too if they like museums and things like that. A visit to the palace too was good. They also liked the chilled cafe culture and the tapas. As did I! The year before we did a city break to London and they loved that too actually so either but I would recommend Madrid to anyone!

I do want to take mine to Berlin next. I absolutely loved it when I went a few years ago. So much history.

I would go for Madrid of the three, but what about Barcelona? It's such a cool city, lots to see without needing to go to museums. I'd also suggest Amsterdam... although possibly best experienced with your mates rather than your parents 😂

I love Paris but it doesn't sound quite right for what you want.

Copenhagen highlights - we loved the boat tour, modern museums (architecture / design), very walkable city, very ‘cool’ vibe for teens, hiring bikes and cycling round, good quality mooching basically.

Thanks all. My DS loves cars so really enjoyed luxury car spotting in London and loved the F1 cafe. He also likes high end trainer shopping and eating! He's not that into football.
I would love to go to Barcelona-we went years ago pre kids and really liked it. However his Spanish teacher in school has put him off Barcelona as she said it's really tacky and touristy 🙄

How about Rome. I went there with ds at 16 and he absolutely loved it. Its a fantastic city and great food is a bonus. He also like Barcelona but Rome was the best.

Munich with a visit to the BMW world? Also lots more to see and do!

@Mumsntfan1 thanks. He would love that but I'm looking at places that I can easily fly to from Glasgow. Can't fly to Munich from Glasgow. I can go from Edinburgh but the times are later in the afternoon so we'd lose almost a day. I know I'm being picky but we're only going for 4 night so I'd love to fly direct from Glasgow or Edinburgh on an early morning flight to make the most of the short time we have.

Definitely wouldn't go to Paris. Chances are he will go there another time anyway but it can be underwhelming for teens.

Madrid would be good. Billund? Berlin? If you are flying there must be lots of options

We were in Madrid last year, it's the mutt's nuts! Big parks - Retiro is great, rent a bike. The Moncloa 'lighthouse' (faro) viewpoint you go up in an outside glass lift, amazing views of the city. Museums are all great. Fab food, great people. Never felt dodgy or ripped off. We didn't do any shopping as we're not really into that, and we already live in the country so can buy everything locally (el corte ingles!) The metro is good and cheap, buses reliable great views going down the Gran Via.

Never been to Paris, so can't comment there. Barcelona is fine for a visit. Avoid Las Ramblas, hit Gracia.

@elQuintoConyo sounds amazing! Thanks

I've lived in all three cities, Madrid feels more modern and less cramped than Paris so I'd go with that.

It sounds like you would like Berlin too, very cool city with lots of "activities" as opposed to stuffy museums and feels pretty geared towards teens.

@Aroastdinnerisnotahumanright you're very lucky to have lived in all of these cities! I'm definitely leaning towards Madrid and DS is checking it out on TikTok and think he's keen to go too. I would really love to go to Berlin and lots of people have suggested it. I've never been to Germany at all but would love to. The flight times aren't great for us in April though as we're flying from Scotland. I'll keep an eye though as they may improve in the summer. Thanks for the info.

DH and i are going to Madrid for 5 nights in April flying from Edinburgh. Im really looking forward to it.

Great @ApolloandDaphne we might end up on the same flight!

We have done Madrid recently and also Nice with a trip to Monaco.

Both loved by my teen son!

Like you we have done London to death but still one of our fave cities