Finally again … Spain! Anyone who has been following me for a while knows how much I have already written about Spain here on this blog. This trip however was different from my previous ones: I’ve often been to Spain on my own, as well as with my husband, then baby and later both small children.
This time, however, it was going to be just Liam, my older son, and me: Five days at the end of October is the perfect time to go on a cultural city trip to Madrid and Toledo (yes, you can do both and also with a child – you just have to adapt a little).
Liam looking at Toledo from the Mirador del Valle lookout point.
Travelling to and from Madrid (including luggage tips).
“Mum, how far is it to Madrid?” – “About two thousand and five hundred kilometres from Vienna. So three hours by plane or … about three days by car, bus or train, my darling.” – “And by coach?” – “Well let me think… I would say three weeks perhaps. At least!” – “Wow.”
While Liam is still pondering the distance between Vienna and Madrid, he is already asleep – for many children, a flight like this often involves a long nap on both the outward and return flights.
Nevertheless, arriving at the somewhat huge Madrid Barajas International Airport (Madrid is a hub to the whole world, especially South American destinations) is easy, orientation simple and many areas very much geared to families. We celebrate the mini indoor playground at the K-gate area – and the priority we enjoy at security.
Enjoying the Iberian peninsula clouds from up top …
… while there is always something to do for my little travel companion.
At Madrid Barajas airport we loved noticing this little indoor playground at the flight gates.
Here’s what we took as luggage for five days = 1x large, checked travel rucksack for both of us, 1x pushchair suitable for hand luggage, 1x small rucksack for me, 1x small rucksack with toys for Liam. It’s more than enough.
Our travel highlights: Toma Café, Feli Shop and a visit to the roastery!
My friend Patricia and her husband founded the now well-known Toma Cafés Madrid (check it out here: www.tomacafe.es); they also have their own roastery and a speciality shop (Feli), which we didn’t even know about yet.
We spent our relatively short time in Madrid (Liam and I were mainly in Toledo on this trip to Spain) together with Patricia, her two children and some of her almost 30-strong staff. Liam is fascinated by the large roasting machine, which processes coffee from Central and South America as well as Africa and exudes wonderful aromas.
Arrival in Madrid: We meet in Calle Feliciana in Barrio Iglesias, one of the now three different Toma Cafés of my friend.
Liam really likes it here from the start!
Classic Spanish breakfast: bread with tomatoes and Iberian ham, delicious coffee, muesli and fruit.
Right next doors, we shop for souvenirs and specialties at Feli …
… as well as visiting the roastery for all three cafés: A wonderful and new experience for Liam.
Thank you so much for welcoming us, dear team at Toma Café!
Madrid off the beaten track: Plaza de Olavide (Barrio de Iglesia).
The Plaza de Olavide, close to one of the Toma cafés and friend Patricia’s flat, is typical of what Madrid and all its neighbourhoods are all about: cheerfulness, conviviality and like a big meeting point – from the old people in the bar to the youngsters in the playground. All mixed together, many of them loud, cheerful, colourful and inviting. Oh, how I love Madrid!
My theory is that the Spaniards here in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula use all that sunshine as their main source of (extra) energy. “The Spanish are loud, fun and often late“, my little son soon crows happily after me.
Plaza de Olavide playground in the heart of the Barrio Iglesia district in Madrid.
Nearby, we enjoy the typical Spanish croquetas, croquettes filled with meat, fish or vegetables and a kind of béchamel sauce.
More travel tips for Madrid and beyond
In 2005, I lived in Madrid for half a year (which is why I actually speak Spanish fluently). Since then, I have never left the Iberian Peninsula for long and have written extensively about both Spain and Portugal here on my travel blog.
I can give you the following travel tips and recommendations for Madrid (and Spain in general) (also for travelling with a baby and toddler):
- Madrid with baby, day trip to El Escorial & Toma Café.
- Going to Valencia with kids: 6 good travel reasons for the autumn season.
- Catalonia is not Spain! My take on culture travel #InCostaBrava
- Slow (and Solo) Travel on the Camino del Norte in Cantabria, Spain : My personal pilgrimage account.
- Almería, a different kind of Andalusia. A colourful travel tale from Southern Spain.
Take the AVE from Madrid to Toledo in just 35 minutes
From Madrid, Liam and I boarded the Spanish high-speed train AVE (Tren de Alta Velocidad) at Atocha station (centrally located, well connected by bus and metro); the journey between Toledo and Madrid only takes 35 minutes thanks to the fast train connection. Another plus point compared to travelling by car: the ticket for my son Liam only costs €10.
I would say that for children, just the feeling of travelling on such a modern and fast train is a great adventure! That’s why I recommend the AVE.
What travelling looks like on board the AVE high speed train in Spain.
In my next post, I’ll tell you more about the city of Toledo, one of the oldest and most important historical cities in Spain about an hour south of Madrid, as well as the neighbouring, pretty little town of Talavera de la Reina, famous for its tile art.
Both towns are perfect for travelling with (small) children too!
Have you ever been to Spain (with children)? What did you particularly like about it?