Madrid or Milan for family weekend in late October?

54and56

Hi all,

We've a family tradition of going away somewhere we've never been before during the school mid term break for Haloween and doing so on a relatively small budget. The travelling party is two adults, one 15 year old and one 11 year old.

We like to explore the local areas on bike tours, visit museums and iconic/historic local buildings, eat where the locals eat and generally try and immerse ourselves in the area for a few days often using local travel passes for trains, buses and trams etc.

This year we want to depart Friday Oct 28th early morning and return Monday the 31st late afternoon/early evening.

ATM the best return flights I can find for for under €500 for the 4 of us are to Milan and Madrid.

I've three questions which I'd appreciate seasoned travellers on here helping me with:-

1. Which of the two cities would be best suited to what we want to do i.e. bike tours, museums, local culture, food etc?

2. Are there any other locations I should be thinking of which will cost less than +/- €500 return for the four of us?

3. Recommendations for accommodation, preferably city centre, in Milan or Madrid? I've trawled the usual Hotels.com/Booking.com/AirBNB etc so I can see plenty of choice (and lots of good looking value) but I'd value personal recommendations from people here.

Cheers.

thejaguar

For me - Madrid has a lot more to do along the lines you're thinking than Milan. There's all the eating and drinking you could want and there are plenty of cultural options, museums, parks, historical areas that you can visit.

I was in Madrid last November - it was freezing, but I loved it. I stayed in a little hotel just off the Puerta Del Sol - the Petit Palace Londres. It's in a great location, with a nice little rooftop area for breakfast if I remember correctly. I'd recommend it on location - I can't remember the price but it wouldn't have been expensive - I'd say we got it on booking.com or somewhere like that.

I've been in Milan a couple of times - generally with work, and I didn't think there was as much to do as Madrid - or at least not as easily accessible.

That's my two cents worth.

54and56

Thanks and damn you TheJaguar!!

I've a personal preference for Milan as despite travelling for work and leisure for over 20 years and living abroad including Asia for a few years I've never stepped foot in Italy whereas I've been to Spain (but not Madrid) several times.

I was afraid Madrid would come out on top viz viz our criteria and you've confirmed it :-(

I guess Milan will have to wait.

Strumms

Madrid for me too hands down. More things to do and see and also a much cheaper city for everything than Milan.

coylemj

I've been to Madrid and Milan more than once and can say it's not as one-sided as thejaguar is saying. There is plenty of culture in both cities plus both are the homes of two top flight soccer clubs so there's certain to be a big match on at the weekend you'll be there. In Madrid, culture means the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen galleries, none of which would appeal to 11 and 15 year olds, ditto the Brera in Milan. A quick visit to Leonardo's 'Last Supper' in Milan would probably be as much culture as your kids could handle!

There is a metro and loads of good shops and restaurants in both cities. I have a personal preference for Italian food over Spanish but even still I'd say both cities are very close in terms of the totality of what they offer the visitor. While Madrid is the capital city of the country, Milan is the capital of the region of Lombardy and is the undisputed fashion and financial capital of Italy.

The big issue I'd highlight about Madrid specifically with regard to children is that restaurants open very late in the evening and you may have a problem organising a family meal (other than fast food) before it's bedtime for the 11 year old.

I stayed in this Milan hotel a few years ago, it's very close to a metro station and the Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral square which is the tourist epicentre of Milan. Check recent Tripadvisor reviews to see if it's still worth visiting.... http://www.ducadiyork.com/

I'll try to remember the hotel I stayed in in Madrid, I've been there three times so stay tuned...

54and56

coylemj wrote: »

I've been to Madrid and Milan more than once and can say it's not as one-sided as thejaguar is saying.

The big issue I'd highlight about Madrid specifically with regard to children is that restaurants open very late in the evening and you may have a problem organising a family meal (other than fast food) before it's bedtime for the 11 year old.

Thanks MJ, your points are much appreciated particularly the late opening of restaurants which had never crossed my mind. I guess we'll end up doing some sort of early bird (which might mean 9pm there) if such options exist.

Everywhere we go there's always something that throws us a bit but that's part of the whole experience. I don't think the 11 year old will mind having to stay up late to eat. She's 11 going on 17 if you know what I mean!! She'll be Snapchatting her pals all about how she's out for dinner at 11pm etc

Wyldwood

With an 11 year old in tow I would head to Madrid. There's not a lot for kids in Milan. Once you've seen the cathedral and the Last Supper mural in Santa Maria delle Grazie there's not much more. Madrid should also have better weather in October and offer better value, Italy is quite expensive (I'm just back from Lombardy). Usually, I would opt for Italy over Spain but not in your situation.

54and56

FYI I went for Madrid and got 4 X return flights with Aer Lingus for €375. I also sussed out a nice 3 bedroom apartment in the city centre on AirBnB (https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/4789922) for €360 for the three nights we're there so we're all set. I haven't used AirBnB before but now the kids are a bit older it's probably time to start being a bit more adventurous than just going with a standard hotel.

Things I know we'll do straight off the bat:-

1. A cycling tour of the city - http://www.trixi.com/madrid/bike/bikes
2. A walking tour of the city - http://ogotours.com/madrid-free-walking-tour
3. Take in a football match, preferably a Real Madrid game but if not an Atletico Madrid game.

I'll check the usual references for other things to do such as Lonely Planet and Time Out etc but if anyone has any personal recommendations for things to do or particular places to eat, visit etc please let me know.

Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated.

Dodge

Madrid has two theme parks which the kids may enjoy.

Parque Warner is the better themed one
http://parquewarner.com/en/plan-your-visit/how-to-get-here

Parque attractions is closer to the city centre (can be reached by Metro)
http://parquedeatracciones.es/en/how-to-get-here

thejaguar

Make sure you visit San Gines Chocolateria for some Chocolate Con Churros. The queue is ridiculous, it's probably overpriced and it doesn't exactly taste amazing or anything - but it's an institution and it's fun!

It's not far from the Plaza Mayor where there are plenty of restaurants, we went there for dessert one evening after dinner.

Living Off The Splash

Madrid. Stay near the Atocha train station. Beside park and botanical park. Get train to Toledo from Atocha and stay for lunch.

coylemj

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

Madrid. Stay near the Atocha train station. Beside park and botanical park. Get train to Toledo from Atocha and stay for lunch.

OP would have his work cut out trying to entertain a 15 and 11 year old in Toledo, it's wall to wall cultural (i.e. older) tourists, nothing that I recall that would appeal to anyone under 20 or even 50!

54and56

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

Madrid. Stay near the Atocha train station. Beside park and botanical park. Get train to Toledo from Atocha and stay for lunch.

Thanks for the suggestions LOTS but we've already booked an apartment near Plaza de San Ildefonso and whilst we enjoy museums, particularly natural history and science rather than art museums we're not that into historical monuments and definitely not into old religious statues or buildings unless they form a major part of how the city developed which may well be the case in Madrid!!

We generally prefer to immerse ourselves in the current culture, try to find local family restaurants, go to the local markets etc

thejaguar

If the weather is nice, El Retiro is a nice park to visit. The botanical gardens are right beside it, the Crystal Palace is in the park itself and there's a little lake where you can rent row boats.

Strumms

El Retiro is indeed a lovely park as are the botanical gardens close by. I'd recommend the zoo also which is in another lovely yet massive park called Casa De Campo, should your kid be interested in that type of thing that is.

As for markets I'm sure you will stumble by The San Miguel Market beside Plaza Mayor which although not the cheapest has a lovely array of food and indeed drinks to sample in a really nice atmosphere...

Shint0

El Rastro is the big flea market on Sundays but can get very crowded. El Retiro is also worth going to on Sundays as there are usually lots of activities going on.

As mentioned the zoo in Casa de Campo which also has an aquarium. There is an amusement park nearby and you can also take a cable car ride in that same area with great views of Madrid. You might want to shield the younger child's eyes in that area as there are often lots of 'ladies of the night (or any time of day)' hanging out around the park.

If your children are interested in skiing there is an indoor skiing slope in Xanadu shopping centre just outside Madrid where you can also do snowboarding. You can just hire the equipment there. It's less than half an hour by bus from Principe Pio bus station although you might have enough to keep you occupied in the centre if you are just there for a weekend.

Try out the famous churro shops and also a great bakery/chocolate shop called La Mallorquina which is just right on the corner of Puerta del Sol. It's always so jam-packed you almost have to jostle your way at the counter to get served but definitely worth it.

54and56

thejaguar wrote: »

If the weather is nice, El Retiro is a nice park to visit. The botanical gardens are right beside it, the Crystal Palace is in the park itself and there's a little lake where you can rent row boats.

Great suggestion TheJaguar, we do like visiting zoo's and gardens.

crafty dodger

Retiro is a great place for a little rest after the bustle of the city streets>
Hire a rowing boat and go up the lake in the centre and then have an ice cream after!
Still warm enough (usually ) to do this

54and56

Shint0 wrote: »

El Rastro is the big flea market on Sundays but can get very crowded. El Retiro is also worth going to on Sundays as there are usually lots of activities going on.

Perfect, that's definitely on the to-do list.

Shint0 wrote: »

As mentioned the zoo in Casa de Campo which also has an aquarium.

Thanks, we love zoos and aquariums. I have my own 500 litre aquarium at home with 40 fish in it so that's definitely on the to-do list also.

Shint0 wrote: »

There is an amusement park nearby and you can also take a cable car ride in that same area with great views of Madrid. You might want to shield the younger child's eyes in that area as there are often lots of 'ladies of the night (or any time of day)' hanging out around the park.

Too late for that I'm afraid. We lived in Bangkok for three years not far away from a street called "Soi 33" which anyone familiar with the ex-pat scene in Bangkok will know is populated almost exclusively by scantily clad girls sitting or standing outside bars and massage parlours luring customers in. Once you've been exposed to that you can never un-ring that bell!!

Shint0 wrote: »

If your children are interested in skiing there is an indoor skiing slope in Xanadu shopping centre just outside Madrid where you can also do snowboarding. You can just hire the equipment there. It's less than half an hour by bus from Principe Pio bus station although you might have enough to keep you occupied in the centre if you are just there for a weekend.

My son learned to ski on a trip we took a few years ago to Rovaniemi in Finland http://www.visitrovaniemi.fi when the kids were younger to see Santa. If you ever get the chance I'd strongly recommend it. I brought the two kids, it wasn't a charter or organised trip. We got cheap EasyJet flights to Helisinki, took an overnight train (the bunk bed cabins were so cool) to Rovaniemi which is right on the Artic circle and stayed there for 3 days before reversing the trip home. Absolutely amazing for the kids. They'll never forget it and it wasn't expensive.

Shint0 wrote: »

Try out the famous churro shops and also a great bakery/chocolate shop called La Mallorquina which is just right on the corner of Puerta del Sol. It's always so jam-packed you almost have to jostle your way at the counter to get served but definitely worth it.

We love our coffees and pastries so that's also on the to-do list.

The to-do list is getting quite full.

Thank you all so much, this is what I love about Boards and sharing info with others. Much better than guide books and trip advisor etc.

Spanish Eyes

Madrid no question. Of all the places in Italy for a short break Milan would be bottom of my list.

54and56

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Madrid no question. Of all the places in Italy for a short break Milan would be bottom of my list.

So says "Spanish Eyes"

pjproby

Have a day out in Toledo.

coylemj

pjproby wrote: »

Have a day out in Toledo.

What is there in Toledo for a 15 and 11 year old?

54and56

pjproby wrote: »

Have a day out in Toledo.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that would interest us much actually. We're not religious (I won't use the "A" word) and don't really have any appreciation for ancient religious statues or monuments. We do like old churches for their architecture but that's about it.

Living Off The Splash

You can visit Toledo and enjoy the narrow streets, atmosphere, restaurants etc without "religion" playing any part.

Dodge

There's more than enough to do in Madrid without having to go to Toledo.

Living Off The Splash

Dodge wrote: »

There's more than enough to do in Madrid without having to go to Toledo.

I suppose it depends on how long you will be staying for. We enjoyed Madrid, Toledo and Segovia.

54and56

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I suppose it depends on how long you will be staying for. We enjoyed Madrid, Toledo and Segovia.

Arriving Friday @ 10:00 departing Monday @ 20:00.

I'll see how our itinerary is filling out. If it looks like we have a spare day I'd say it'll be a choice between Toledo (which has been recommended a couple of times now) and Parque de Atracciones de Madrid. If I give the two kids a full vote I think I know which will win!!