Visiting Madrid With Toddlers: A Parent/Grandparent’s Guide

Madrid has always held a special place in our hearts—our son-in-law, Luca was born there (and still has family there) and he and our daughter were married there. Recently, we had the joy of visiting with our daughter, son-in-law, and our toddler grandchildren.

I can honestly say: Madrid is one of the most family-friendly cities we’ve ever been to.

Traveling with toddlers abroad can sound daunting, but once you are there, Madrid makes it easy. The Spanish adore children, and you’ll find patience, smiles, and even a little extra help wherever you go.

As grandparents, we loved slowing down the pace and seeing the city through the kids’ eyes.

Since this is a part of my Sunday Faves with Annie and Cindy, I am including Luca’s paella recipe and a chic outfit that’s on sale at Saks.

Where to Stay: Our Pick in Salamanca

We highly recommend renting an apartment in the Salamanca neighborhood. This was our AirBnB.

It’s elegant yet relaxed, with tree-lined streets, beautiful buildings, and plenty of cafés and shops within walking distance.

Staying in an apartment instead of a hotel gave us a kitchen for quick breakfasts, a washer and dryer (a lifesaver with toddlers), and extra space for everyone to spread out. My husband, Howard and grand-daughter, Louisa would wake up early each morning and I loved listening to their sweet conversations together.

Plus, having playgrounds and grocery stores nearby made daily life feel smooth and familiar.

Toddler-Approved Highlights in Madrid

Retiro Park

This enormous park in the center of Madrid became our go-to spot. It was a bit of a walk from our apartment but I loved the window shopping to get there.

The kids loved the playgrounds and simply running around. Luca and our grand-daughter delighted in feeding the fish in the lake with our leftover bread from breakfast. This was the same thing Luca and his father did when he was a child.

Everyday Moments

Sometimes the best memories weren’t from attractions at all but from simple joys—chasing pigeons in a plaza, stopping for pastries, or wandering through Salamanca’s tree-lined streets. Discover small parks and playgrounds in the neighborhood.

Eating Out And Dining In With Toddlers (Spanish Style)

Dining out in Madrid with little ones is pretty easy. Tapas are naturally toddler-friendly—small bites like tortilla española, croquetas, jamón, and churros.

Meals in Spain are typically later than what toddlers are used to, but we found that having lunch out and simple dinners at home to be the most relaxing. Howard and I babysat one night so Alexandra and Luca could have a leisurely dinner out and they did the same for us.

One night we had a birthday party for Leo. He got a Real Madrid soccer outfit and a soccer ball from the store Decathalon.

Above you can see our grandchildren with their Spanish grandfather.

Getting Around the City

• Strollers: Bring a lightweight stroller—essential for cobblestones and naps on the go.
• Metro: We didn’t have the best luck with this as we couldn’t find elevators and it was very crowded on the weekend. So instead…
• Taxis/Uber: Perfect when little legs (or big ones) are too tired to walk.
• Walking: Honestly, some of our best moments were simply strolling through Salamanca or Retiro, enjoying the slower rhythm.

Grandparent Travel Tips

From one set of grandparents to another, here are a few things that made our trip smoother:

• Keep outings short and sweet.
• Build in downtime for naps or quiet play at the apartment.
• Always have snacks and water handy.
• Don’t over-plan—leave room for spontaneity.
• Share responsibility babysitting with parents and grandparents for adult time out

The goal isn’t to see everything—it’s to enjoy the little moments together.

Shopping For Adults and Kids

When my daughter and I got a few hours to ourselves, we loved shopping in the Retiro area and seeing the great Spanish fashion.

I bought a skirt at Ese O Ese (and wore it out of the store) and an outfit for our one year old grandson, Leo, at Mango.

Mango is a stylish Spanish brand with reasonable prices. There is a 10% off code for new customers. HELLO10

What To Cook: Luca’s Paella

Outfit of the Week To Take Advantage Of The Saks Friends and Family Sale

Here is a outfit that will always look sharp. You may have seen this in a recent email from me.

Wool polo sweater • cashmere wool coat • Saint Laurent sunglasses • Stuart Weitzman leather loafers • soft leather tote (that has a shoulder strap and cute interior) • Theory trousers (I brought these on our trip)

So, if you’re considering a family trip—whether as parents or grandparents—don’t shy away from Madrid. Embrace the slower, more playful pace of travel, and you’ll come home with the sweetest memories like ours.

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