Madrid is a wonderful city to visit with kids. As a capital city it feels safe and is perfect for a wander through. There are some great things to do in Spain’s capital city with kids too. We have rounded up the very best things to do in Madrid with kids. It’s a city we love. Whether you’re looking for family friendly playgrounds or museums children will love we have found the top choices for you. All of our activities in Madrid for kids are designed to give you a fun trip. Ensuring kids in Madrid will have the best holiday. Check out our family activities in Madrid and let us know how you get on! Our suggestions for Madrid kids activities and experiences have been thoroughly researched and wherever possible experienced first hand.
Read more: Our ultimate guide to Spain with kids
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Visit the Prado Museum – things to do in Madrid with kids
The Prado museum is a world famous art museum that is well worth a visit with kids.
It is packed full of amazing art which is so inspiring on a visit with children.
It’s a big museum and can feel overwhelming so our advice is to pick a couple of key pieces to look at and then see whatever else you see along the way. Particularly pieces of interest are Las Meninas, probably the most famous piece by Diego Velázquez, any of the works by Heironymous Bosch which will appeal to all ages and the other Mona Lisa by one of Leonardo da Vinci’s students.
There’s a cafe here and the whole museum is a great place to get out of the heat of a Madrid summer or the cold of its winter.
Please note on the ticket link below that children under 18 do not need a ticket to enter the museum. So only book for the adults in your party.
Book your skip-the-queue Prado Museum tickets here
Browse El Rastro Market for treasures – Madrid kids activities
El Rastro Market takes place every Sunday in Madrid. It is a fantastic place to visit with kids or without.
El Rastro translates as the trail and is named after the trail of blood left by animals dragged through the streets to the slaughterhouse.
Today the market is far less bloody!
Stalls have everything from watches and Jewellery to toys and books. There are people selling food and music is played by buskers giving it a lively, happy air. It’s the perfect place for a Sunday morning wander.
Real Madrid Studio Tour
Football fans will love the opportunity to have a studio tour at the Real Madrid stadium.
Enjoy the chance to find out the history of the club at the Bernabéu Stadium. Learn about all the cups Real Madrid have won, see videos of their best matches and view a huge selection of the club’s memorabilia.
Children under five go free.
Book your Real Madrid tickets here
Eat churros at one of the oldest chocolate cafes – Madrid for kids
Churros are a Spanish staple. These hot, long fried sticks of dough are absolutely delicious and can be found all across the city.
They are best dipped in chocolate and are sure to make any kids visiting the city happy.
Take a trip to ChocolaterÃa San Ginés, one of the oldest chocolate shops in Madrid, having first sold churros and chocolate in the mid 1890s.
Hop On Hop Off Bus – kids in Madrid
We love the hop on hop off buses that are all around the world. They’re a great way to get about the city, learn a little of the history and rest tired feet.
The Madrid hop on hop off bus is no exception.
Book for one or two days and see everything from the Royal Palace to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Watch the sites from the comfort of your seat or jump off to explore some more. It’s a great way to see Madrid and travel around the city.
Book your Hop on Hop off bus tickets here
See a live Flamenco Show – things to do in Madrid with kids
Seeing Flamenco in Spain, where it originates from is a really uplifting experience and great for nearly all ages.
The experience of seeing live dancing is very atmospheric and a great thing to do in Madrid with kids.
Most Flamenco shows start late (usually after 9pm) so it’s a good one with older children. Or a great activity if you’re going to be jetlagged and can keep children up a bit later.
Book your Flamenco show tickets here
Run around in El Retiro Park
El Retiro is Madrid’s best park.
First opened to the public in 1868 it is the perfect place to wander and find other, local families doing the same.
There’s a huge boating lake here, cafes and plenty of ice cream stands.
There are playgrounds, the world’s only public monument to the devil, a puppet theatre and the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) to explore.
The park is free to enter although you can take a tour to show you all the top sites (it is absolutely huge).
Book your El Retiro guided tour here
Sightseeing by tuk tuk for 4 people – family activities in Madrid
Kids will love the chance to see Madrid by the comfort of your own private electric tuk tuk. Your booking is a great way to get your bearings in this vast city.
Up to four people can travel by tuk tuk and your guide will take you past the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Plaza Mayor Explore. As well as through the Las Letras and La Latina neighborhoods.
Book your tuk tuk tickets here
Visit the Royal Palace – things to do in Madrid with kids
The Royal Palace of Madrid allows you to take a journey through the history of Spain and its monarchy.
Set in the Centre of the city this beautiful palace is wonderful to take a wander through.
Although it is no longer used as a home for any of the royal family it is still their official residence.
There is so much to see in this huge building. Highlights of which are the kitchens, the painting gallery with its works of art and the throne room.
Visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays to see the changing of the guard.
Book your skip-the-queue royal Palace tickets here
Half day Spanish cooking course – Madrid kids activities
Spanish food is absolutely delicious and full of variety.
One of the best things to do in Madrid with kids (or without) is to have a go at cooking some of it yourself.
From paella to Spanish omelette to other, less well known dishes this course will give you a chance to make your own. What better gift to bring home from Spain than a chance to learn how to cook up all the regional dishes.
Book your Spanish cookery course tickets here
Have fun at the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is great fun and works with absolutely all ages.
Come and test your mind with pictures and illusions to baffle you.
This is a really good place to visit for some laughs and lighthearted entertainment.
Educate yourself in how the human mind works and test your brain to the limit with puzzles to perplex.
Book your Museum of Illusions tickets here
Explore Madrid’s street art on this private tour
The street art in Madrid is fantastic.
Pretty much everywhere you walk through the centre you will come across work by different artists.
This is a great chance to learn a little about some of the great street artists operating in Madrid at the moment and see if you can spot their work as you wander.
One of our favourites is Yipi Yipi Yeah who changes some of the traffic signs to incorporate fun pictures.
You can also book a tour where a guide will travel around by foot with you and tell you about some of the street art you’ll see as you walk.
Book your tour to explore Madrid’s street art here
Eat tapas at Mercado de San Miguel – Madrid for kids
Mercado de San Miguel is a beautiful historic building set just off the main Plaza Mayor.
It is such an inviting space with huge glass windows and beautiful wrought iron.
For over 100 years it has served the city as a market.
This is such a great place to come for tapas in Madrid as there are so many different stalls. They aim to provide food and tastes for all across Spain so you can eat everything from shellfish which is brought in fresh from Galicia each day to cheeses from Castile, Asturias and the Basque Country.
With more than 20 stands you can pick and choose whatever you fancy trying. And there are plenty of sweet treats available too.
A really fun experience.
Take a guided cycling tour through Madrid city
Proficient cyclists will love this opportunity to get out and about on two wheels to explore Madrid.
Open to all age of cyclists you can opt to join the regular tour or have a private tour through the city.
For either two or three hours you can visit sites such as the Templo de Debod, the Cathedral of La Almudena, the Plaza de la Villa, the Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, Plaza de España and more.
It’s a really fun way to see the city and one of the great things to do in Madrid with kids.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best things to do in Madrid with kids and are ready to start your own adventure. Do let us know if you have any questions or just to let us know how you get on with your own trip. Why not check out our ultimate guide to Spain with kids for lots more inspiration and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear the best of family travel news.
