Ok, so we will be in Madrid for the Turkish "Sacrifice Holiday" in 3 week's time. Will be hubby, 10 year old, and me. We will be staying a stone's throw from the Opera Metro station and my better half has this obsession that he will only walk to places when he travels. We've done the Prado and the Reina Sofia, the Retiro and the flea market on Sunday and the little one has a limited attention span. What kind of favorite places can y'all recommend for this time around? We've got a good 4 days....

Oh, better half is interested in seeing a bullfight though that sounds kinda gross to me. Yea or nay?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Even though your "better half" is only into walking, I highly recommend the double decker Madrid Vision city tours. You can get on and off and there are a few routes. Headphones in your language to explain sites and pretty cool to sit up top for a 10 year old.

I totally agree that the Madrid Vision bus is great for a good view of the city, and it is especially cool for your 10 year old. Going to the templo de debod is also something unusual and really nice for photos. That is definitely walkable from the Opera House area.

The Retiro park is great too. Make sure you go for Chocolate and Churros at Chocolatería San Ginés (very close to the Opera too!) enjoy!!!

The Palacio Real and Plaza de Oriente (Statues of the Visgoth Kings of Spain); Plaza de Espana w/ Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

I will second the Plaza de España, and Parque del Oeste, around parque de la Montaña, an extension see the Debod Egyptian pyramid.

Reguarding Debod Egyptian pyramid, it's quite stunning at sunset! Nice views to the south as well.

Ahhhh, I actually went to the Egyptian temple in high school, forgot about it till now! Holy Toledo! Yes, that's a big redo!

We did do the San Gines chocolate con churros last winter, though it was wayyyy to rich for the lil one. She really liked the ... in Turkish they are called palmiyer cookies, dipped in chocolate, at the pasteleria on the plaza del sol.

Keep hearing about the Plaza de Espana, will take a look at that online, as well as the other recommendations.

Bus tour would be a tough sell to Mr Walkaholic though I have always secretly wanted to try one of them.

OK, so we'll be there next Tues to Fri (16th to 19th), can anyone tell me if there's any special events on that a 10 year old girl won't roll her eyes at?

OK So what's the story on Parque Tierno Galvá

Is it cool or lame? And how are the Planetarium shows?

Anyone been?

with, a girl of 10 years old, you can go to Faunia http://www.faunia.es/
but, you lose one day in that
Tierno Galván Park, I would not recommend it