Exploring the Hispanic Capital with Kids and Grandparents
As we have gotten older, my parents struggled to think of gift ideas for us so a few years ago they decided to just take their kids and grandkids on a trip to a fun, new destination for our annual everything gift (Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries). This year, we went to Spain for our family trip.
The challenge with a multi-generational family is finding things that the kids (8 and 12 years old) and my parents in their mid 70s can all enjoy. Even more challenging is finding something that my parents haven’t done. Since my mom retired almost a decade ago, my parents have been going on multiple trips a year all over the world – from Italy to Morocco to China and even the Amazon! Although they had been to Spain, I was able to design a trip with new experiences for everyone to enjoy. We started our trip off in Madrid, the capital of Spain, with a rich history and so much cultural flair throughout the city.
Where we stayed: Gran Via
We wanted to stay somewhere that was central, walkable, and had all the conveniences nearby. We landed at an Airbnb in Gran Via. The location was just a short walk to many of Madrid’s most famous landmarks (more on this below) and so many great food options – Iberico ham, bacadillo de jamon, manchego cheese, paella, and so much more!
Day 1: Madrid Walking tour
I always like to start out at a new destination with a walking tour of the city to get our bearings and see where we want to go back to during our stay. Our tour started in Puerto del Sol and weaved us through the city to major stops like Plaza Mayor, La Latina, San Miguel Mercado, and Plaza de la Villa to end at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
On the tour, we walked past Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world. Of course we had to go back to eat there later in the week to try their signature dish, the suckling pig. The history of the restaurant combined with the tender meat and crispy skin of the sucking pig makes this place a must try when you’re in Madrid!
Day 2: Segovia and Toledo
We took a day trip outside of Madrid to see two UNESCO World Heritage cities. Segovia is a beautiful town that is built around an impressive Roman aqueduct from the 1st century AD. It is also home to the Alcazar of Segovia, a medieval castle that inspired Walt Disney’s design of the castle in Snow White.
Toledo was the former capital of Spain that brought together three very distinct communities – Christian, Muslim, and Jewish – into one city. The narrow cobblestone streets and old historic buildings make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Day 3: Bernabeu stadium tour
My dad is a big European football fan and my niece and nephew both play travel soccer so of course we had to take a stadium tour of home of one of the greatest football clubs – Real Madrid. For any sports fan, this tour is a must! Not only do they take you through the history of the club and see the many trophies that the club has earned through the museum in the stadium, but you get to experience the stadium virtually empty and get to see what it’s like to sit in the VIP seats. For non-soccer fans (like my husband), the architecture and science behind the renovation is pretty unreal – a retractable pitch system is equipped with a subterranean greenhouse is used to store and groom the grass between games and allows for the stadium to be used for other events like concerts (Taylor Swift anyone?) and other sports like basketball or tennis.
Day 3: Flamenco show
You can’t get the full Spain cultural experience without watching an authentic Flamenco show. We went to the Teatro Flamenco Madrid to experience the passionate, highly expressive art form originating in southern Spain (known as Andalusia). Flamenco blends influences from multiple cultures – including Spanish, Arabic, and Jewish – and combines singing, guitar, intricate dance, and rhythmic handclaps to create a unique show every time!
After a fun 4 days in Madrid, we hopped on a train to Barcelona to experience the Spanish coast. Pro-tip: Choose a direct train in Europe over a flight anytime. The seats are spacious, you can get up and walk around, there is wi-fi, and you only need to get there ~30 min before your train departs.
Check out what we did in Barcelona – Spain for Every Age: Barcelona
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