Madrid & Sevilla 8 Days With Tweens

In Madrid, my children enjoyed Retiro Park and the armory portion of the palace. They both thoroughly enjoyed going to a bullfight. It was in the very small town La Puebla de Montalbán outside of Toledo, not in Madrid’s bullring. They hated the Prado. In Sevilla they liked the cathedral and Giralda Tower.

Highly recommend the Seville Cathedral rooftop tour.

I'm guessing the boys would like the armor museum at the Royal Palace in Madrid. Two stories and the entrance is easy to miss. It comes with lots of horse armor too. In Seville Carbonara a flamenco bar. They won't like the sound of going to flamenco show but once they are at the venue they will love it. Long picnic tables, small ground level stage, and lots of foot stomping fun. For me I would try to bump up your nights in Sevilla. J

Aside from the magnificent art museums, I prefer Seville to Madrid and think your sons will find it more "different" and therefore more interesting. However, if this is a summer trip, Seville will be even hotter than Madrid, and that should be taken into consideration.

The Temple of Debod, a legit Egyptian temple, might be of interest. it's in Madrid, not far at all from the Royal Palace.

When I visited Madrid in 2016 the local tourist office ran a walking tour of the historic center. It was very reasonably priced, and I always feel as if I can rely on the information provided by guides on such tours. I'm not at all sure the guides on so-called "free" tours don't over-dramatize things in an effort to more entertaining and get larger tips. Incidentally, you need to tip those "free"-tour guides generously, because they have to pay the organizing company several euros for each person who takes the tour.

I would save the Flamenco show for Seville, specifically Casa de la Memoria. The show there was excellent.

I’d recommend Segovia as a day trip from Madrid. Segovia has a really interesting Roman aqueduct that I think your two boys might find fun to see. In addition, there is a medieval castle – Alcazar de Segovia – that they would probably enjoy.

Wow! Thanks so much, all. These are all amazing recs. Spent so much time there when younger. Almost a year. Alas, that was decades ago! We are going next month.

Was thinking of adding an extra night in Sevilla. Love idea of another day trip. They’re good travelers and will be able to bang out lots in Madrid across a few long days, I would guess.

What would be a good neighborhood to stay in in Madrid. Something with a cool, fun, vibe perhaps?

Ty!!