Madrid does the sit-down-and-let-them-run routine well. From big parks to a neighborhood square, a playground or open space sits close to a terrace, so you can order a drink while the kids play. Here's what we checked, from a hilltop kiosk in Vallecas to the terraces of Plaza de Olavide.
Parque de Berlín covers 4.9 hectares around two ponds. In the bigger pond stand three concrete pieces of the Berlin Wall, still carrying their original graffiti, set there in 1990. Around them are children's play areas, sports facilities, lawns, dog areas and an auditorium, plus a Berlin bear statue and a Beethoven monument to find.
It suits families after a green, unhurried hour with some history in it.
Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío is a run of rounded grassy hills, the reason locals call it the Siete Tetas. Kids race up and roll down the slopes, ride the bike lane and picnic on the lawns. The lookout at the top faces the whole city skyline, a popular spot at sunset.
Three playgrounds sit around the edges, and a kiosk with a terrace serves drinks.
Plaza de Olavide is Chamberí's neighborhood square: tree-lined paths around an open center, with café terraces on every side. Parents sit with a drink while kids run, ride scooters and play in the middle.
It suits families who want a long, easy afternoon outside rather than an attraction.
Madrid Río runs more than 10 km along the Manzanares, on land freed up when the M-30 ring road went underground. Kids get 17 play areas built from wood and hemp rope, with spider webs, hanging bridges and a big zip line, plus a hill of giant slides and a summer splash beach. Car-free paths suit bikes and scooters, and birds and fish are back in the river.
El Retiro spreads 125 hectares of lawns, shady paths and formal gardens around a big rowing lake, watched over by the Alfonso XII monument. Kids hunt for the Fallen Angel statue, peer into the restored Monkey Pit from the old royal menagerie, and watch puppets at the Teatro de Títeres. Playgrounds of different sizes are spread through the park, and the wide paved paths suit scooters, skates and bikes.
Madrid does the sit-down-and-let-them-run routine well. From big parks to a neighborhood square, a playground or open space sits close to a terrace, so you can order a drink while the kids play. Here's what we checked, from a hilltop kiosk in Vallecas to the terraces of Plaza de Olavide.
Parque de Berlín covers 4.9 hectares around two ponds. In the bigger pond stand three concrete pieces of the Berlin Wall, still carrying their original graffiti, set there in 1990. Around them are children's play areas, sports facilities, lawns, dog areas and an auditorium, plus a Berlin bear statue and a Beethoven monument to find.
It suits families after a green, unhurried hour with some history in it.
Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío is a run of rounded grassy hills, the reason locals call it the Siete Tetas. Kids race up and roll down the slopes, ride the bike lane and picnic on the lawns. The lookout at the top faces the whole city skyline, a popular spot at sunset.
Three playgrounds sit around the edges, and a kiosk with a terrace serves drinks.
Plaza de Olavide is Chamberí's neighborhood square: tree-lined paths around an open center, with café terraces on every side. Parents sit with a drink while kids run, ride scooters and play in the middle.
It suits families who want a long, easy afternoon outside rather than an attraction.
Madrid Río runs more than 10 km along the Manzanares, on land freed up when the M-30 ring road went underground. Kids get 17 play areas built from wood and hemp rope, with spider webs, hanging bridges and a big zip line, plus a hill of giant slides and a summer splash beach. Car-free paths suit bikes and scooters, and birds and fish are back in the river.
El Retiro spreads 125 hectares of lawns, shady paths and formal gardens around a big rowing lake, watched over by the Alfonso XII monument. Kids hunt for the Fallen Angel statue, peer into the restored Monkey Pit from the old royal menagerie, and watch puppets at the Teatro de Títeres. Playgrounds of different sizes are spread through the park, and the wide paved paths suit scooters, skates and bikes.
