With dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe, figuring out where to stay in Madrid with family might seem overwhelming at first. After all, when you’re traveling with kids, there’s so much more you have to consider.
How safe is the neighborhood you have in mind? How close is it to the main sights you want to see? Is it generally a good choice for families—and once you narrow that down, which hotel will you choose?
Never fear—this guide will help you decide where to stay in Madrid with family in tow!
When traveling with kids, having a solid home base is more important than ever. They’ll want to feel at home—and so will you!
Your neighborhood and hotel will be one of the most integral parts of your family trip to Madrid. The best family-friendly accommodations in Madrid offer all the comforts of home and then some.
Here’s where to stay in Madrid with family to ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible.
Barrio Salamanca
Just north of the city center, the gorgeous Salamanca neighborhood features wide, stunningly manicured avenues; beautiful, stately architecture; world-class shopping and an air of class and sophistication. That said, it’s far from snobby!
Residents of Barrio Salamanca know how to live the good life in a laid-back, unpretentious way. This makes it an ideal choice for where to stay in Madrid with family.
Salamanca truly offers the best of both worlds for families. It’s a clean, safe residential area that’s just a stone’s throw from some of the best kid-friendly attractions in Madrid. (Retiro Park just south of the neighborhood is always a winner!)
Additionally, Salamanca boasts a delicious variety of bars and restaurants ranging from the rustic to the revolutionary. As if that weren’t enough, it’s well-served by Madrid’s fabulous public transportation network, making getting around town a breeze.
Suites Barrio de Salamanca
Suites Barrio de Salamanca offers gorgeous, comfortable family suites where everyone will feel at home. They regularly offer special promotional deals for families, and even welcome pets at no additional charge! The hotel is clean and cozy, located in a quiet residential area of the neighborhood with easy access to public transportation.
Tótem Madrid
Tótem is one of Madrid’s top boutique hotels, as well as an excellent choice for a family stay. Their family rooms are accessible via a private entrance for an extra layer of comfort and security. The menu at onsite restaurant El Pimiento Verde offers a delicious variety of both avant-garde and kid-friendly dishes.
NH Madrid Lagasca
Come to NH Madrid Lagasca for the spacious rooms and unbeatable location; stay for the top-notch service that will truly make you feel welcome and at home. The rooms offer stunning views of the surrounding Salamanca neighborhood and the property itself is just steps away from world-class dining and shopping options.
Retiro & Paseo del Prado
Aside from being home to the iconic park of the same name, the Paseo del Prado and the Retiro neighborhood both make a great option for where to stay in Madrid with family. Located just east of the city center, this is a quiet, comfortable area that’s perfect for those traveling with little ones.
Here, you won’t have to deal with nearly as many crowds or traffic as in the center. Instead, simply enjoy a laid-back vibe as you mingle with local families who call this area home for a reason.
In addition to its beautiful green spaces full of playgrounds and walking paths, this corner of Madrid is home to the world-class Prado art museum. (Which, believe it or not, can be quite enjoyable with kids!) It’s also conveniently close to the main Atocha train station, so arriving and departing with your family is as simple as ever.
Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII
This hotel is located in a stunning 19th century palace with sweeping views over the park. Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII offers spacious, comfortable family rooms, stroller rental and welcome gifts for kids. It provides easy access to the park as well as many of Madrid’s best museums.
Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza
Just like its sister hotel above, Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza is one of the most comfortable family-friendly hotels in Madrid. They go above and beyond, however, and offer fully equipped family apartments in addition to a variety of spacious rooms. Stay connected with their free iPads and laptops available at reception, and their free bike rentals make for the start of a perfect family outing in the city.
Huertas (Literary Quarter)
With a perfect location right in the heart of the city, Madrid’s gorgeous Literary Quarter (also known as Huertas) retains a relaxed, authentic vibe that you won’t find in many other central neighborhoods. This area gets its name due to the fact that many of Spain’s most iconic literary figures lived and worked in the neighborhood over the centuries.
In Huertas, you’ll find well-kept streets lined with an endless array of incredible bars and restaurants, making eating out as a family incredibly convenient. Its incredible location also means you’re just steps away from Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, as well as some of Madrid’s best museums.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Madrid with family to be in the heart of the action, you can’t get much better.
Hotel Melia Reina Victoria
You may recognize this famous hotel that towers over beautiful Plaza Santa Ana. Complete with a fun kids’ play area just outside, Hotel Melia Reina Victoria will offer your family all the comforts of home. Don’t forget to enjoy the stunning views from up top, either—it’s home to one of the best rooftop bars in Madrid!
Westin Palace
As one of the most iconic hotels in all of Madrid, the famed Westin Palace is also an excellent option for families. Their rooms are spacious and cozy, decorating in a soothing color palette to help promote relaxation. There are multiple dining options onsite as well as nearby.
Chamberí
Chamberí isn’t technically just one neighborhood—it’s actually a conglomeration of six residential districts. However, the entire area is one of the few remaining genuinely authentic central parts of Madrid. Few tourists make it up this way, and the way of life among locals is simple, relaxed and carefree.
Easily accessible from the center, Chamberí lies just north of the popular Malasaña and Chueca neighborhoods. Chamberí itself features many lush green spaces and beautiful, sun-drenched plazas. Parents can enjoy a drink on one of its dozens of terraces while kids play on a nearby playground.
Without a doubt, this is where to stay in Madrid with family if living like a local is at the top of your list!
Leonardo Boutique Hotel
Leonardo Boutique Hotel‘s colorful, beautifully decorated rooms are perfect for family relaxation. They offer a number of family-friendly services, such as free crib rental and babysitting. You can even rent bikes directly from the hotel for a picture-perfect family outing!
Hesperia Madrid
Hyatt Regency’s Hesperia is one of the most complete family friendly hotels in Madrid, especially for families traveling with babies. Ask about their baby kits, which include everything you need to keep your little one comfortable, including a baby monitor. Their family suites are spacious and comfortable, and they also offer babysitting services upon request.
Central Madrid
When it comes to location, central Madrid is the most convenient option for where to stay in Madrid with family. With easy access to the main sights and public transportation, the city center truly has it all.
Keep in mind that some streets in the center can be quite loud, and therefore not ideal for families with babies. However, if your kids are older or heavy sleepers and you don’t mind a bit of an urban soundtrack, central Madrid can be a great choice for a home base.
Hotel Preciados
In addition to its fabulous location right in the center, there’s so much more that makes Hotel Preciados one of our favorite options for where to stay in Madrid with family! The spacious, beautifully decorated rooms at this modern hotel will immediately make your whole family feel at home. Their onsite restaurant serves kid-friendly food in addition to traditional favorites adults will love.
Petit Palace Posada del Peine
Located in a 400-year-old building near Plaza Mayor, Posada del Peine‘s walls are full of stories. However, its modern and recently renovated rooms offer a breath of fresh air. As one of the best family friendly hotels in Madrid, they offer tons of freebies and services children will love, from free iPads to free bike rentals to gifts for the kids and more.
Hotel Quatro Puerta del Sol
In addition to an unrivaled location right around the corner from the iconic plaza, Hotel Quatro Puerta del Sol offers many amenities and services that make it one of our favorite family friendly hotels in Madrid. Its family-style rooms feature stark, contemporary decoration and plenty of space for relaxation. Kids will enjoy eating at the breakfast buffet, and they also offer babysitting services for when you and your partner want to explore the city without the kids in tow.
Iberostar Las Letras – Gran Vía
A unique literary-themed hotel on Madrid’s most famous street, Iberostar Las Letras – Gran Vía makes for a perfect home base. Its comfortable family rooms feature one-of-a-kind decor and plenty of amenities for maximum comfort. The location near one of Madrid’s most family-friendly neighborhoods makes it great for a family stroll, and kids as well as adults will love the jaw-dropping views from the rooftop terrace!
Where to Stay in Madrid with Family FAQs
Yes—in fact, Spain in general is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Europe! Kids are welcomed into all aspects of everyday life, including out at bars and restaurants. Madrid in particular is full of beautiful parks, plazas, and playgrounds where kids can play to their heart’s content.
Some of the Madrid neighborhoods that are most popular with local families are Salamanca, Retiro, and Chamberí. All three are mainly residential areas that are quieter than the city center, yet still offer plenty of shopping, dining, and leisure options.
Madrid is overall a very safe city, even at night. The city is well-lit and there are plenty of locals (including families!) out and about until well after dark. Stay vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings as petty theft such as pickpocketing does occur in popular tourist areas, but violent crime rates are extremely low.
Update Notice: This post was originally published on May 22, 2018 and was updated with new text and photos on July 8, 2021.
Great article. We’re planning a trip to Madrid in the spring and plan to use the tips in this article
So glad it was helpful—enjoy Madrid!