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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Tips for Madrid with a baby please

15 replies

whinegums · 02/02/2009 14:51

Hi, in a moment of madness I've just booked a short break (3 nights) to Madrid in March for me, DP and DS who will be almost 9 months. The hotel looks quite central, just off the Gran Via. We're flying BA via Heathrow.

Wondered if anyone has any tips, suggestions, etc, especially about travelling from the airport. I want to avoid taking the car seat, does that sound feasible?? We are happy to walk when we're there, will have a baby carrier and a buggy.

Cheers!

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MorocconOil · 02/02/2009 15:00

We went when the DSs were 2 and 8 months, 6 years ago. We hired a car, but there will be a coach you can get from the airport into town. You probably won't need the car seat.

Beware! we had my bag stolen in Plaza Sol with our passports in it. It was hanging on the push chair. We then had to spend 2 days going to the embassy to get new temporary passports.

We still had a good time though. Took the DSs to the Hard Rock Cafe, a lovely park(can't remember name, and one of those bus tours.

Original poster

whinegums · 02/02/2009 18:31

Thanks mimizan. That's crap about your handbag - will definitely tuck our valuables and stuff out of sight.

Anyone else?

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peachygirl · 02/02/2009 18:48

We took DD to Madrid in the summer She's a bit older than your DD and was 17 months at the time but it is a great city to go with little ones.

There is a big department store - El Cortes Ingles by the Sol underground station Thers is a supermarket in the basement with lots to buy.

Madrid is very walkable, at least we found it so, we stayed on the Calle de Alcala 10 minutes one way was Sol and the shops and 15 mins the other was the museums.

Look out for VIPs restaurants It certainly isn't gormet spanish cuisine but they do burgers and salads and have plenty of high chairs.

We didn't take a chair seat and simply held onto DD in the taxi.

Look out for the days you go they have free entrance to the museums on certain days and the royal palace too. In the end we only paid to go in one of them.

if you have any other questions do sk or you can CAT me.

MorocconOil · 02/02/2009 19:11

You could always go on a day trip to Segovia, a lovely, quaint old town in the mountains north of Madrid. You can get a train there.

Original poster

whinegums · 02/02/2009 20:35

Cheers peachygirl, that all sounds good. Mimizan, a trip out would be good, but we'll only be there a few days anyway, so maybe next time (if this time turns out ok!).

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MorocconOil · 04/02/2009 18:37

Just thought if the weather's not too good it's a dry way to spend the day. Hope the weather is good for you though.

wahwah1270 · 05/02/2009 22:15

we're off to madrid in 2 weeks with dd 7 months - does anyone know a good baby friendly hotel pleasde

Original poster

whinegums · 08/02/2009 10:34

Hi wahwah - have a look on TripAdvisor for the Madrid forum - someone may be able to help you on there.

Will you post again after your trip and give me your top tips?!

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AnnaVR · 16/02/2009 15:09

We fancy Madrid too in September, when DS will be almost 2. Hotel recommendations very much appreciated - have Googled child friendly hotels and all the results seem to be huge huge hotels, would like something a bit smaller. Also what did you do about bedtime and dinner - I think they tend to eat late in Madrid?
Thanks

Original poster

whinegums · 27/02/2009 11:03

Bumping - 2 weeks til we go now! Wahwah, if you're still around, please tell me how your trip went? Cheers!

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wahwah1270 · 11/03/2009 10:55

hi whinegums,

trip went reat thanks, ba and our hotel really accomodating of la nina and she slept on plane both ways

, i would not reomend metro as most have stairs, but buses are leaning like london so easy to get buggy on, plus taxis are reasonable.

re meals i just gave her lumps of bread et c much to amusement of locals

all in all the madrilenos seem to adore babies, so fuss over babe leadibng to happy babe and happy you

wahwah1270 · 11/03/2009 12:03

also from airport to centre a taxi will be about eur 25, or metro which takes about an hour 15 eur per adult.
t took the buggy.
you dont really need a car seat esp if you are staying around the centre, we just took the buggy.

oh and chocolate and churros on sunday morning is a must for you and dp...

Original poster

whinegums · 12/03/2009 10:36

Hi wahwah, thanks for that - so you can get on the buses without folding the buggy then? That's excellent. And ok in taxis too? Are they like black cabs where you can put the buggy in the wheelchair space, or does nino/nina travel on your knee? Also, what did you do in the evenings - any nice places to eat that were not super smoky, or did you do the pavement cafe thing? Ah so many questions!!!

Chocolate and churros are definitely on the list, and no doubt DS will want his share too!

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Rosa · 12/03/2009 10:39

Madrid airport in the new terminal has the best child facilities I have ever seen. It is near the central group of shops and is superb . We had a changeover of about 3 hrs and spent 2 hrs of that in there..... Its free you just have to show your passport.

Original poster

whinegums · 12/03/2009 11:05

Ooh, Rosa that sounds good. We don't have a changeover, but will definitely check that out.

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