Nine days Madrid

Have been to Madrid three times.

Why are you considering Granada? It's kinda far. There are lots of day trips from Madrid you can do, such as Toledo, Cuenca, Segovia,...etc. Salamanca requires an overnight stay.

So, the 2-year-old definitely changes the calculus. With a toddler, I'd normally say stay focused and don't undertake the hassle of a relocation and then back again. On the other hand, filling nine days in Madrid with toddler-friendly activities might be a tall order. WE (two adults; no kids) could easily spend nine days in Madrid with all the museums, plus daytrips to Avilla, Toledo, Segovia, Siguenza, etc. And I would definitely devote a day to going down to Cordoba and back again, rather than relocating to Granada. (Personally, I thought The Great Mosque of Córdoba was more moving and informative than The Alhambra, but that's certainly open to debate!) Bottom line: It might be helpful to know what kinds of activities you are looking for to fill the time, whether it is one city or two...

No ideas regarding an airport hotel with kitchenette, but having just stayed near the airport, my reaction to the area was that it is isolated and a bit barren. I have stayed at a number of hotels in Asia and Europe with airport locations; I am not convinced I would repeat the experience near Barajas. That said, my hotel, Crowne Plaza, was quite fine with on site restaurant and for-pay shuttle service. There were young children there with their parents during my stay.

If you are already booked into a Madrid hotel, I think I would be more inclined to remain in that hotel and to ask them to book a taxi to the airport for me. Otherwise, are you looking at a train trip to the airport, shuttle or taxi to a hotel for the night, then another shuttle or taxi from the hotel to the airport for your flight home?

Nine days is a bit much for Madrid, even with doing day trips to Segovia and Toledo.

Staying near the airport is not a good idea, except for perhaps the last night. Having to commute into the city would waste time and money.

Others have pointed out that Granada is far away from Madrid. Recommend staying closer.

Further, if you want to do museums with a toddler, you might find that young kids don't handle museums that well. Of course, you child may be well behaved. When I took my family decades ago and had a five year old he was ready to leave after 15 minutes.

Thanks for the responses. Here is the problem we are facing. We are two families, 5 adults and toddler. Four of the adults have traveled to Europe many times. This is the first time for the toddler and father.

The other family with toddler are hell bent on spending a day in Gibraltar. Since we are all traveling together as a “family”, I am trying to find the best way to make a circle, include Gibraltar, and then end back up in Madrid for night before flight.

We all love the outdoors, hiking, exploring, only some care about museums and art, love history etc. Prefer public transport.

One idea the other two with small child came up with was to spend the following nights this way:

Madrid 3 nights - day trip to Toledo

Cordoba 3 nights

Marbella or Malaga 2 nights - day trip to Gibraltar

Madrid - 1 night to fly back home early next day.

It’s quite a mad trip, but we did agree to go along for the toddler’s first trip to Europe. Three of us will be flying out to Frankfurt without the young couple with toddler as they will be returning to the US, and we will continue our trip in Germany..at a much better pace! :-)

Hope this helps you to help me.

Got it. The airport hotel makes sense for your final night as you lay out this plan.

I enjoyed Gibraltar - I was there for longer than a day trip, but unique place. I wonder if 3 nights in Cordoba will be one too many? Easy to see Mezquita and wander the Jewish quarter in one full, relaxed day. Would switching one of those nights to Malaga with the Gibraltar day trip work better, perhaps making things more relaxed?

Or, another possibility (?), I did a day trip from Cordoba to Seville. Most on this board would say a day trip isn't enough for Seville, but I comfortably saw the Alcazar, Cathedral, Barrio Santa Cruz, and Plaza de España. Of course, no toddler and I prefer moving around to relaxing and enjoying the many Seville cafes. Mine is not everyone's pace or choice, but thought I'd mention the possibility of seeing something of Seville as a day trip from Cordoba if of interest to anyone in your family.

Sounds like you have diplomatic as well as a logistical issues to consider. I'm sure you will enjoy in the end!

I can't edit - have you checked on public transport into Gibraltar? I don't know that there are great options, but my info could be out of date.

Hi, I have been toying with the idea of 3 nights in Malaga and just 2 in Cordoba. I just have to find a way to suggest this change.

Did you do Caminato del Rey? If we were travelling without extended family, I would have gone for longer, and stayed in the places that made more sense to me. Alas, this is a different type of trip, and I’m letting them call some shots, with the gentlest of suggestions. Thanks so much for your feedback.