Taking kids on vacation to Madrid needn't be a fight between what you want to see and what the kids want to do. There is plenty to do in Madrid for all the family.
See also: 100 Things to Do in Madrid
Real Madrid is officially the most successful soccer team in Europe. A visit to their Santiago Bernabeu grounds will appeal to any sports fan.
For a guided tour of Santiago Bernabeu (combined with a bus tour of Madrid) click here: Madrid and Santiago Bernabeu Tour (buy direct)
Museums don't have to be boring. It's a good start if the museums are of interest to children. Try this list of museums I believe might trigger your kids' imagination. Check out these kid-friendly museums:
Madrid Museums for KidsMadrid has several sights where children can get nose to nose with some of the world's most amazing animals.
Madrid has two theme parks within easy reach of the city.
Madrid is infamous for its stiflingly hot summers - so what better way is there to cool down than to visit one the city's numerous water parks?
6. Visit the Xanadu Leisure Complex
Xanadu brings an artificial ski slop, a karting track and a mini-golf course all under one room.Do your kids like chocolate? Indulge their sweet tooth in this traditional sweet breakfast/snack.
Taking this open-top hop-on-hop-off bus is the perfect way for the adults to get their bearings and for the kids to, well, ride on an open top bus!
The Retiro is Madrid's huge park, right in the center of the city. Take a rowboat out into the lake, say hello to Mickey Mouse (he can usually be found near the lake at the weeknds), go for an ice cream and maybe buy a balloon.
10. Faro and Teleferico
Give the children a good view of the city from the 'faro' (lighthouse) near Moncloa. Alternatively, there's a teleferico (cable car) from near Plaza España to Casa de Campo.
