Madrid tells a tale of royalty dating back centuries. Grand palaces and hunting grounds gave way to Spain’s largest city, and you can still find the echoes of its roots just about everywhere. It's also the perfect spot for a family vacation.
There are plenty of things to do in Madrid with kids in tow. You can visit palaces that once housed royalty or the city's best amusement parks. And when their tummies rumble, the whole family can indulge in the best tapas in Madrid.
Casa de Campo Park
This park was once a royal hunting estate. Now, it offers rides, exhibits, and kid-friendly attractions.
1. Zoo Aquarium Madrid
Your family’s urban safari begins at Zoo Aquarium Madrid. It has 3,000 animals from around the world, inviting big smiles and even better memories. Here, giant pandas bumble about between munching on bamboo, Koalas hang out in trees, and cassowaries peck at the ground.
Animals from the land, sea, and air showcase the vast diversity of the animal kingdom as you explore the enclosures, aviary, and aquarium. Zookeepers lead regular talks and elaborate on what makes the animals so special.
2. Parque de Atracciones
Four worlds of whimsy and adventure greet you at Parque de Atracciones, a popular Madrid theme park. Each brings its own charm, themes, and rides. Rides for children are available in each themed area.
The most popular attraction is the Abismo. This roller coaster features mind-blowing twists, turns, and flips along its orange tracks. Younger children delight in meeting their favorite characters, such as Rubble from Paw Patrol and SpongeBob, in Nickelodeon Land.
Venture into Maquinismo, a futuristic area filled with gears and robots. In Naturaleza, you'll find a massive green space dotted with roller coasters, river rides, and a traditional carousel.
Despite its name, Tranquilidad is anything but peaceful. While it has gentle rides for the whole family, other rides provide a thrill. Zombies lurk in The Walking Dead Experience. If you’re not careful, one might jump out and give you the fright of your life.
Barrio de Valdebernardo
Get ready for an unforgettable wildlife excursion that takes you around the world, all within a single park.
3. Faunia
Madrid’s Faunia has an air of mystery and intrigue. The breathtaking settings remind us of the ones in our shows. This natural space holds more than 150 species across four ecosystems. Visitors can traverse through the chilly Antarctic, vibrant Amazon rainforests, and African jungles within a single day.
After a day of spotting your favorite animals, it's time to get up close and personal with some of them. You'll have a chance to interact with a manatee, squirrel monkeys, and a slew of nonvenomous reptiles. A large children’s playground, a climbing wall, and a rope circuit allow your kids to burn off some energy while you take a moment to relax.
San Martín de la Vega
Madrid's history blends with modernity in San Martín de la Vega.
4. Parque Warner Madrid
Parque Warner Madrid brings the wonder of the big screen to kids of all ages. Experience the charming whimsy as Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo wave to your children from their car, or learn to drive like the Flintstones at the Yabba-Dabba-Doo Driving School.
Classic Hollywood favorites and modern film masterpieces blend seamlessly. Find out what it’s like to be in an action film’s shootouts, surrounded by explosions and chaos, at Movie World Studios. Live shows delve into the special effects that complete your favorite movies.
If you’d prefer to plummet through the air like you’re free-falling from a cliff, visit DC Super Heroes World. Action and thrills reign supreme with roller coasters, such as the Shadows of Arkham or the Batman Gotham City Escape. It’s a true paradise for children who love superheroes.
Dare to Be Dazzled!
Adventure awaits in Madrid with high-energy Cirque du Soleil shows. Dive into a world of acrobatics and wonder.
Centro
Venture into Madrid’s city center to visit museums and showstopping palaces.
5. Palacio Real de Madrid
If you have aspiring princes or princesses in your family, they will surely be dazzled by a real-life castle. The Palacio Real de Madrid is the largest of its kind in Western Europe, and even worldwide, few can hold a candle to its robust elegance. It has 3,418 rooms that ooze luxury with rich colors and embellishments.
The splendor of the throne room evokes the solemnity of King Charles III, who heavily influenced its Neapolitan design. The Royal Armory room invokes imagery of gallant knights on horseback, with massive suits of armor, swords, and shields.
While you can visit on your own, a tour may offer the full experience. Take a family trip back in time as you walk through the halls once graced by royalty. A passionate tour guide can lead you through the palace, bringing its stories to life.
Public transportation is the easiest way to get here. The area can get crowded with tourists, making parking difficult to find.
6. Plaza Mayor
Madrid’s story began long before any theme parks or museums lined its streets. Centuries of history whisper in Plaza Mayor, an esplanade in Madrid's heart.
This expanse of open space was designed in the 17th century in the Herrerian style, featuring slate spires and archways. Over the ages, bullfights took place here while royalty sat on the balconies. Although it no longer hosts bullfights, it's still an important fixture.
In the center of the plaza, a larger-than-life statue of King Philip III on horseback overlooks the crowds with a stern expression. Crowds of street performers mean you never know what you may see. A beloved cartoon character may be walking around one day, and a musician might be serenading the plaza the next.
Musicians, actors, and artists highlight the city’s artistic culture, adding a memorable touch to a historic location.
7. Museo Nacional del Prado
Artistry thrums in Madrid. Its world-famous Museo Nacional del Prado is a testament to the rich culture of creativity thriving on these historic streets. Within its stately stone walls, it holds 8,600 paintings and 700 sculptures, including some of the most outstanding Spanish masterpieces.
As your children marvel at Diego Velázquez's Las Meninas and numerous pieces by Francisco Goya, they'll learn the universality of art over the ages. Interactive tours aimed at children open their minds to the stories immortalized by some of the greatest artists of all time.
8. Parque Madrid Río
Amid the twisting streets of the Spanish capital, Parque Madrid Río offers a quiet reprieve in nature. It’s a beloved leisure and cultural spot alongside the Manzanares River. Within expansive green spaces, your children’s imaginations can run as wildly as they do.
Playgrounds entice children to climb towers and fly down slides surrounded by shady trees. It’s the perfect destination for leisurely fun after a day of structured activities.
9. Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions challenges your children to think about the world around them. At first glance, nothing at this interactive museum is what it seems to be.
Optical illusions bombard your senses from all angles, and the laws of physics appear to fade away as you work through the exhibits. Each exhibit offers unique photo opportunities. In one, your children appear to stand on the ceiling. In others, they’re infinitely replicated in mirrors all around them.
We’re particularly fond of the Vortex Tunnel. Here, you walk across a stationary bridge, but it sure doesn't feel that way. With special effects we can certainly appreciate, this tunnel will have your mind convinced it’s spinning. Brace yourself and prepare to feel like you’ve done a few too many flips through the air.
Retiro
Feel the warm breeze and soak in the natural sights in Retiro, the city’s hub for outdoor green spaces that weave together with Madrid’s thriving arts scene.
10. El Retiro Park
El Retiro Park was built in the mid-17th century for King Philip IV and served as the center hub for the Habsburg family’s court life. The Glass Palace within is an impressive feat of architectural genius now owned and preserved by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. From a distance, its frame seems to float like a ghost, thanks to its glass plate walls.
While much of the historic park was destroyed during the Peninsular War in the early 1800s, it was restored and deemed a public park by the late 19th century. Plays for the royal family often took place here, and today, this is echoed in the weekend puppet theater for children.
With awe-inspiring structures and statues alongside stunning gardens, ponds, and other attractions, this park has something for everyone.
Chamartín
The district of Chamartín may be an administrative hub within Madrid, but for families, it’s a treasure trove of cultural experiences.
11. Tour Bernabéu
We know the pressure of performing in front of thousands of fans. The same passion that keeps us striving for excellence applies to sports. If you have a budding athlete or little sports fan in your midst, the Tour Bernabéu is worth adding to your itinerary.
This stadium houses the city’s official basketball and football teams, including Real Madrid. The tour takes you through the Santiago Bernabéu Museum, where you'll learn about significant events in the city’s sports history.
12. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Capturing the wonders of the world is no easy feat, but the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid manages to do it. Created in 1771, it boasts a robust collection of artifacts. From bezoars to ancient bronze tools and art, it showcases the history of humanity and the entire planet.
Adults appreciate the endless expanse of knowledge available here, but children’s minds flourish as they delve into scientific discovery. Activities get children and families to engage in hands-on experiments and learning.
Ciudad Lineal
In Ciudad Lineal, the bustle of city life fades into something more leisurely.
13. Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos
A hidden gem of splendor, Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos isn’t one of the most popular parks in Madrid, but it's one you don't want to miss. It was classified as a historic park in 1997, filled with families playing underneath the foliage.
The park's northern section offers a romantic landscape blanketed by pink blossoms in the spring. Green spaces are filled with pine, olive, eucalyptus, and almond trees, delighting children with beauty and perhaps inspiring whimsical games and imagination.
Moncloa-Aravaca
Moncloa-Aravaca’s origins date back centuries, but it's an outdoor haven today.
14. Teleférico de Madrid
If you want to glimpse Madrid from a sky-high vantage point that would make our performers sing joyfully, hop onto the Teleférico de Madrid. This cable car takes you 40 meters into the air over sweeping green spaces with stunning city skyline views.
Just a note: This beloved attraction is being remodeled and won't reopen until 2026.
Fuencarral-El Pardo
History unfolds in the heart of Fuencarral-El Pardo.
15. Palacio Real de El Pardo
As you enter the Palacio Real de El Pardo, your family will feel like you've leaped back in time. This elegant building owes its stately facade to several Spanish rulers over the centuries. In the 1400s, the kings of Castile wanted a small castle built on Mount El Pardo where they could stay during royal hunting trips.
However, it wasn't grand enough for Charles V, who hired architect Luis de Vega to transform it into a castle. Today, it serves as the Official Residence of Foreign Heads of State, welcoming some of the most powerful people in the world.
When not in use, the general public can visit the palace. Delve into history as you follow in the footsteps of royalty. Each room feels more opulent than the last, with breathtaking artwork and tapestries adorning the walls.
Embracing Family Fun in Madrid: A World of Adventure for Kids
Traveling with children opens up their minds to the world at large. Their faces light up as they absorb the sheer scale of grandeur this royal city offers. If the history of kings and queens isn't enough, we’re here to fill in the gaps.
Our shows in Madrid embrace the city’s artistic culture and make it our own. Incredible acrobatics will have you on the edge of your seat. Take our hand and step into our big top, where a whimsical world awaits.