Madrid may not have a beach, but it does have a river lined with playgrounds, green spaces and play areas; a viewpoint from which to admire the city from above; famous residents such as Pérez the Mouse; ceremonial guard changes reminiscent of the 19th century; and a wealth of experiences designed to help families make the most of the destination.

The world of Warner Bros comes to life at this theme park in San Martín de la Vega, around 30 kilometres from Madrid. Films, cartoons and superheroes all come together at Parque Warner Madrid, where you can watch a show, feel the adrenaline rush on one of its roller coasters or step inside the homes of some of the studio’s best-known characters.

There are options for all ages across five themed areas: Cartoon Village, dedicated to the lovable Looney Tunes; Old West Territory, where the American Wild West becomes a reality; DC Super Heroes World, where you will discover that Gotham City and Metropolis really do exist; Movie World Studios, which recreates the world of film studios; and Hollywood Boulevard, where you can unleash your inner film star.

The Faro de Moncloa offers a completely different perspective of the city. A panoramic lift travels 92 metres up to its observation deck, located inside a 110-metre-high tower. Through its vast windows, you can spot the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, the Telefónica Building and the Four Towers, with the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama in the distance.

An information panel around the viewing area helps visitors identify some of the main buildings and landmarks visible from above. Tickets are allocated for a specific time, and access may be affected by weather conditions, so it is advisable to check availability before visiting.

In the district of Vicálvaro, you will find a jungle. You will also find a temperate forest, an African forest and the polar regions. What you will actually find is Faunia, a nature and wildlife park home to more than 1,200 animals, spread across four ecosystems and 15 themed areas.

These spaces have been designed to recreate the animals’ natural habitats as faithfully as possible. During your visit, you may encounter penguins, manatees, lemurs, crocodiles, reptiles and numerous species of birds, while also learning about different conservation and environmental education initiatives.

Yes, even in Madrid, despite the light pollution. The Madrid Planetarium offers projections, exhibitions and workshops, many of which are designed especially for families.

The centre’s main attraction is undoubtedly its enormous projection hall, covered by a 17.5-metre-wide hemispherical screen. The universe comes to life just a few metres from your seat. On selected weekends, public holidays and school-free days, it also runs hour-long children’s workshops, such as Pequeños Astrónomos 2.0, for children aged 6 to 9, and El Camino del Sol, part of the Generación Planetario programme for children aged 10 to 12. It is advisable to check the programme and book tickets in advance.

It is not only that museums organise workshops and activities for younger visitors. By their very nature, many of these institutions are guaranteed to leave children wide-eyed with wonder.

There is the Museum of Illusions, with its interactive visual games; Sweet Space, where art, creativity and sweets come together to create immersive experiences; the National Museum of Natural Sciences, with its impressive dinosaur skeletons; the Naval Museum, whose beautifully detailed models are sure to fascinate curious minds and the Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics, with its extensive collection of aircraft and exhibits charting the history of aviation. 

You may also discover that you never want to leave them, which is hardly surprising given the many worlds hidden within them.

El Retiro is a vast green space filled with gardens, flowerbeds and fountains, where you can hire a rowing boat beneath the watchful gaze of the monument to Alfonso XII. The Temple of Debod is home to an authentic Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BC, which can be visited. The playground in Plaza de España features towering swings and unusually shaped slides that make every descent fast and exciting.

Quinta de los Molinos is especially worth visiting in spring, when its almond trees blossom and the entire park turns white. Then there is El Capricho. Not only is it home to a Spanish Civil War bunker that can be explored on guided tours on selected dates, but it also contains small temples, chapels, fountains, squares and even the Palace of the Dukes of Osuna.

It may not be the largest river you will ever see, but the Manzanares flows faithfully through the city every day, becoming particularly interesting in the south, where you will find the area known as Madrid Río.

Stretching from the Puente de los Franceses to Matadero Madrid, this large riverside park features children’s areas with playground equipment made from sustainable materials and designed for different age groups, a zone with giant slides, spaces for skating and skateboarding, places to stop for refreshments and plenty of grass on which to relax.

It feels like stepping back in time. The most impressive ceremony, the Solemn Changing of the Guard, is scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month, except in January, August and September, and recreates the ceremonial tradition followed during the reigns of Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII.

The performance lasts around 50 minutes, beginning with a troop inspection in Plaza de la Armería and ending with the departing guard’s parade, featuring lancers, halberdiers, rifle companies and other units.

In addition, every Wednesday and Saturday, the Royal Guard performs a changing of the guard ceremony at Puerta del Príncipe, during which palace sentries are relieved to the sound of military marches played on fife and drum. Both the Solemn Changing of the Guard and the regular ceremonies may be altered or cancelled due to official events or weather conditions, so it is advisable to check the official calendar before visiting.

After a day spent discovering parks, museums and activities for all ages, it is time to unwind. Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque is an ideal choice for those who want to stay close to the city centre and continue exploring Madrid on foot. Sercotel Alcalá 611 offers a peaceful, well-connected base, while Sercotel Madrid Aeropuerto is particularly convenient for families looking for comfortable accommodation near the airport. Three excellent options for recharging your batteries before continuing your Madrid adventure the following day.