Greater Madrid with the family

Getaways based on history, sport and environmental awareness in the area around Madrid: perfect plans for family summer fun that you can enjoy from 9,000 Avios (return flight).

In contact with nature

Water sports in the San Juan Reservoir

These 15 km of beach are in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, less than an hour from the centre of Madrid. The San Juan Reservoir is perfect for enjoying a dip to escape the oppressive heat of Madrid’s summer. The Ocio y Aventura en el Pantano de San Juan company organises different water activities and even offers sailing classes. For children of ten years and older, there are canoes, donuts and bananas. Adults shouldn’t miss the flyboarding and water skiing and, for the entire family, there are boat trips.

El Pantano de San Juan, perfecto para un chapuzón en familia y realizar cualquier tipo de actividad acuática este verano — Enjoy riding in a canoe with the kids on Madrid’s beach – Image courtesy of Ocio y Aventura en el Pantano de San Juan

The Enchanted Forest: a different kind of botanical garden

Just a few minutes from the reservoir, you’ll find the Enchanted Forest, a truly singular botanical garden filled with mazes in which both children and adults can get lost. It features more than 300 plant sculptures, 500 plant species from the world over, exhibitions of bonsais, cacti and aromatic plants, and the Barbellido Waterfall.

El Bosque Encantado, a unos kilómentros de Madrid, es un jardín botánico único ideal para perderse con los más pequeños de la familia — During the summer, on Fridays and Saturdays, El Bosque Encantado stays open until 12 midnight

The game for learning about history

Time travel through the history of Spain

A show with more than 185 actors – including equestrians and acrobats – interpreting the most important moments in Spain’s history will debut on 30 August in Toledo, located just over a half an hour from Madrid. This original way of understanding the events of the country’s past will also include local collaborations. The El Arrabal restaurant will serve traditional dishes from the Middle Ages.

“El sueño de Toledo” se estrena el 30 de agosto como anticipo de la próxima apertura en 2021 del parque temático Puy du Fou. — Toledo’s Dream is an early look at what will be the future opening (2021) of the Puy du Fou, a theme park with live performances all based on history that originated in France in 1978.

Trains with history

Riding the Felipe II for 50 minutes from Charmartín Station to El Escorial in a 1940s historical train is a different way to learn about history. The locomotive dates back the 1960s and the cars (restored) back to the 1940s.

El Felipe II realiza un trayecto de 50 minutos desde la estación de Chamartín hasta El Escorial en un tren histórico de los años 40 — During July and August, the Felipe II train departs on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

To go even further... The Zorrilla train also departs Chamartín Station on Saturdays. During the trip, passengers learn about the life of the Romantic poet, his hometown and the destination of the trip, Valladolid, through a theatrical presentation.

Raising awareness

Madrid is surrounded by areas that are ideal for teaching children about ecotourism. The Sierra Norte y Oeste, Guadarrama and the plains of the Tagus and Jarama rivers offer innumerable natural spots perfect for hiking, animal and plant watching and educational activities related to sustainable tourism. Companies like Graellsia organise eco-friendly plans for the entire family: guided tours, expeditions, mountain-climbing classes and environmental education workshops are just some of the options.