Madrid Questions

Based on the premise that you have your 13 year old son with you....
1) Two to 2.5 hours should be plenty of time for the Royal Palace. Make sure you take him into the royal dispensary (near the entrance/exit) to see the past remedies they used, along with some interesting medical instruments and instructions. For the Prado, remember it's largely an art museum, so no ancient textiles or archaeological finds like you'd see at the Louvre. I would set aside 3 hours, but take a break halfway thru so he doesn't get too bored. There's a cafeteria there where you can take him for a drink and a snack. With my kids years ago, I managed to keep them interested by telling them to watch for the changes in painting styles over the centuries...colour, depth perception, subject matter, etc.
3) Tapas crawl? Absolutely!
2) I'll preface this my saying I'm no big fan of bullfights. But you have to ask yourself if your son has some romantic notions of bullfights based upon what he's seen on TV or read about. To me, it's simply a public display of machismo, at the end of which a relatively-defenceless animal is put to death in front of a crowd. IMO, it's really an event for adults only.

allow 4 hours each including travel to and from, check to see what day they have the military horse- back parade at the royal palace.

I have been to two bullfights and have left disgusted each time, there are better things to do why ruin a day feling bad after viewing a bloody killng.

tapas crawling would be fun,watch out for the seafood
if it is not iced down, we have gotten sick from this, so be careful.

I saw a bullfight in Spain when I was 14 - I'm no better or worse for it - I don't really remember it in vivid detail. The spectacle of the bull fighters was impressive and entertaining... it is a part of their culture. But at the end, you have a stumbling, tortured, bleeding, barely conscious bull meet its end with a swift sword down its spine. Violent, yes... but you're in a stadium hundreds of feet away from the bull - which provides a healthy disconnect from the gore. I think its fine for him to see it... it won't do him any harm, and it seems he already has his heart set on it.

As for the rest... the Royal Palace only takes a couple of hours. I was there last winter... not that impressed.

However, The Prado, for a 13 year old, could be agony. I hated art museums as a child. Perhaps you could trade the bull-fight for a few whine-free hours at the Prado for your enjoyment.

Tapas crawls would be perfect... the early hours (7ish to 10) will be pretty tame, with lots of other families and tourists. I've had tapas in Spain numerous times at different points in my life... its always been fun... and you'll probably make a friend or two.

For Dad and son, the Naval museum is just up the block from the Prado. The commentaries are in Spanish only, but it's still fascinating.
A better option might be the Army museum (Museo del Ejercito) which goes back to Moorish times. Lots of swords, armour, and the like. It's also only steps from the Prado.
For a wider historical perspective, the National Archeological Musuem has artifacts dating back thousands of years, including replicas of the 25,000 year old cave paintings found at Altamira. This one is a little farther away....about 8-10 blocks from the Prado, north of Calle Alcala...or go to metro stop Serrano and walk south 1 1/2 blocks.

Thank you all for your insight. I was worried that a tapas crawl was more like a bar hopping event, but am glad to hear it's not.

I may spare my son the Prado and let him and dad do something else while I enjoy it myself. I know he'll love the Royal Palace.

I've decided against the bullfight. I just can't support the torture and killing of an animal for entertainment...cultural or not.

Maybe a matter of definition but my tapas crawls have always been bar hopping. You go from bar to bar, always includes a class of wine or two, and the tapas. Tapas are almost always served at the bar. What am I missing here when someone suggests that it is not bar hopping.

On the bull fighting question: if your 13 year old son REALLY wants to see it, I say go with him, BUT explain that you find it unethical, but recognize that different cultures define right and wrong differently sometimes. Providing he agrees to do a little reading beforehand--maybe why many Spaniards continue to think it's okay, and why others are opposed to it on moral grounds--why not take the kid, let him experience it with you right there, and form his own opinion on the matter? As a teacher who works with teens, not bringing him, depending on the kid, could just make it that much more intriguing, but based on ignorance and never having seen it live. Just a thought!

I still have the poster from the one and only bull fight I went to when I lived in Madrid as a college student. I agree that it's cruel. However, for me, I wanted to see one for the cultural aspect. and one was enough and I'm glad I got to witness it. I am returning to Spain this May and we won't be seeing a bullfight. I would like to visit a bull ring somewhere, haven't decided which one as yet.

I too wondered about taking my 10 year old on a tapas crawl so I'm glad to see the responses here that it's perfectly fine.

Enjoy your trip!!

Once you're in Madrid, have your hotel check to see if the palace is going to be closed for an official function on any of the days you are there. It can closr without warning. Also, if your son is interested in bullfighting, go to the Torre del Oro Bar Andalu for a drink & a tapa. It's located on Plaza Mayor. The walls are covered with photos of bullfights, famous bull heads, etc. You will want to go to Plaza Mayor at least one afternoon or evening.

The Royal Palace -- each trip I have been there at the wrong time to go inside...friends did and said it was wonderful...about 2 hours...but see the Cathederal next to it if it is closed!!

Prado - I can spend most of a day there, almost to the point of over-indulgence...be sure to see the Cloister on the top of the ticket area. Go early to avoid the crowds...nice restaurant/cafe inside.

Tapas crawl..he and you will enjoy it!! New things to see and experience.

Suggest a day trip (at least) to Toledo 1/2 hour via the high speed train, take the city bus (outside the taxi and tour bus area) to the top of the city and explore!

Bullfight -- I have not gone, so no comment.

Madrid is a vibrant city, full of life, even at 2 30 in the morning!!

While you do go from bar to bar for tapas, it's not the same as barhopping in the US. You would be going more for the food, and don't have to drink alcohol. And in Spain it's common to see children and teens with their parents at the bars.

As for the bullfight, even my Spanish friends refuse to go to them because they find them cruel. I would never go, either. You might want to check out YouTube for bullfighting videos to get an idea of what you will see. To me, the pageantry and cultural aspects are far outweighed by the cruelty.

I agree completely with Nancy. Not drinking alcohol is no problem at tapas bars…you won’t feel out of place with a Coke or Fanta. I didn’t see many kids out during the work week, but there were lots of families with children on Saturday night…more than welcome at tapas bars. In Madrid, my favorite place has to be Casa Toni.