Finding Our Rhythm in Spain: A Family Love Letter to Madrid and the South (Copy)

Spain isn’t new to us.
It’s familiar — in the best way.

My daughter first went to Spain when she was just 17 months old. Back then, travel looked very different: naps in strollers, snacks on repeat, slow mornings by necessity. I didn’t know it at the time, but that first trip quietly set the tone for how we would keep returning — again and again — as she grew.

Now she’s 9, and Spain has grown with her.

Each visit feels like another chapter rather than a repeat. She notices more. She asks better questions. She remembers things. And somehow, Spain always meets her right where she is.

Madrid

Most of our trips begin in Madrid, which feels like an easy landing place for families. After arriving, we often take the train from Atocha straight into Sol, and just like that, you’re in the centre of it all. Sol really is the heartbeat of the city — streets branching out, music drifting through plazas, people lingering instead of rushing. It feels alive without feeling overwhelming.

Madrid is one of those cities where family life blends seamlessly into daily life. We’ve done the zoo, wandered endlessly through El Retiro Park, and rented a little boat on the lake — one of those simple experiences that somehow becomes a core memory. My daughter loves the freedom of it: space to move, to observe, to just be.

Some of our favorite moments come from wandering into unexpected places, like the rooftop at Casa Suecia, tucked inside a hotel and quietly hovering above the city. Sitting there with tea, watching Madrid stretch out below us, felt like a pause button — a reminder that travel doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful.

Food has always been one of the easiest ways for my daughter to connect with Spain. When she was younger, tapas made things simple. Now, they make things fun. We always start there — small plates, no pressure, lots of trying. In many traditional spots, you order a drink and receive a small dish alongside it, which is perfect for kids who want to explore without committing to a full meal.

As she’s grown, so has our curiosity about Madrid’s neighbourhoods;

• We love La Latina, especially on Sundays when El Rastro takes over the streets — busy, colorful, and full of surprises.

• Chueca feels energetic and expressive.

• Malasaña invites wandering with no plan at all.
  

• Huertas is a favorite for quiet walks and literary details etched into the streets.
  

• Lavapiés reflects Madrid’s multicultural heartbeat, full of diverse shops and flavors.
  

• Austrias, the city’s oldest area, feels timeless.
  

• And Salamanca is where we slow down and window shop, letting the city come to us.

Heading south always deepens the experience

That’s where we truly leaned into siesta culture — not as an inconvenience, but as a gift. Full mornings, restful afternoons, ice cream stops, local parks, and then evenings that stretch on. Dinner at 8pm became normal, even joyful. My daughter adapted faster than I did.

One of the most powerful experiences for her has been seeing flamenco — the emotion, the movement, the storytelling without words. Even as a child, she felt it. Those moments opened the door to conversations about history, expression, and culture in ways that felt natural, not forced.

Traveling Spain repeatedly has taught us to think practically, too. In places like Granada, for example, it helps to understand that shopping and restaurants aren’t near the Alhambra. Free buses make getting there easy, but going early matters — especially without a guide. These are the small planning details that make traveling with kids smoother and more enjoyable.

Looking back, Spain hasn’t just been a destination for us. It’s been a constant. A place that has allowed my daughter to grow into herself while learning how to exist comfortably in the world.

If You’re a Parent Wanting to Do This Too

If Spain feels intimidating as a family destination, it doesn’t have to be. The beauty of traveling Spain with kids is that so much of daily life is already designed with families in mind — you just have to meet it where it is.

A few gentle tips if you’re considering a similar trip:

• Choose one home base. Madrid is an easy place to land and explore without moving around too much. Fewer hotel changes = happier kids.

• Use public transportation. Trains and buses are efficient, affordable, and part of the experience. The Atocha-to-Sol train alone makes arriving feel simple and exciting.

• Plan mornings, protect afternoons. Embrace siesta culture. Rest isn’t lost time — it’s what makes evenings enjoyable.

• Start with tapas. Small plates mean less pressure and more curiosity. Let kids sample instead of commit.

• Think neighborhoods, not attractions. Parks, plazas, markets, and local streets often create the most meaningful memories.

• Account for distance. Check how far activities are from where you’re staying (especially in cities like Granada) and use public buses when available.

• Leave room for wonder. Some of the best moments come from wandering into a park, a rooftop, a quiet street, or a place you didn’t plan for.

Spain doesn’t require families to rush or perform. It rewards slowing down, being present, and letting kids experience the world as it unfolds — one neighbourhood, one meal, one walk at a time.

And that’s what makes it such a beautiful place to begin.