We are here from Today, Wednesday 19th, until Saturday.

Are there any recommendations for places to see, things to do?

We are thinking to do a guided city tour by bicycle. Not sure if this is feasible

If he likes football what about a stadium tour of the Bernabeu?

Museum of Ham. Mmmmm jamon!!!

We’ve just done a city tour with timbikes.

Stadium tour is a disaster at the moment. They are doing massive works. Trophy room is supposed to be like being ushered into a broom cupboard. Unless they are finished then avoid.

How do you feel about food and alcohol? Mercado de san miguel. Some amazing food stalls, drink stalls and general night time goings on. Would be quite civilised and interesting for a 16yr old to have a little drink with his dad in that environment.

There is the obvious palace which was amazing. Honestly couldnt believe how close you got to everything.

There are hundreds of electric scooters for hire which would be cool with your boy.

Legally he can’t drink, not even with a meal. I don’t suppose a waiter would bother asking for ID so it’s up to you if you want to try.

You do seem to have picked a bad weekend for it as it’s pissing down, and forecast to carry on until Monday…

Anyway, a few ideas:

The rooftop bar in the hotel on Plaza España is fun, with some glass floors a long way up for scary entertainment. Not ideal in the rain, but presumably there won’t be any queues!

VOSE films at the cinema (VOSE – original version with subtitles in Spanish). Something you could obviously do in the UK, but given the weather…

The Retiro park on Sunday morning is quite fun, as is the Rastro. Keep an eye on your wallet.

There are loads of restaurants north of Gran Via, and they’re generally a bit less touristy than the ones to the south. Although if you’re hungry (and eat meat) you could try a “cachopo” in Casa Antonio in La Latina. Cheap and cheerful and filling. The cafe at the top of El Corte Ingles next to FNAC is reasonable value and IIRC it has some nice views.

FNAC is probably about the best you’ll get for shopping with a 16 year old. Computers, games, books, that kind of thing.

Parque de Atracciones is an amusement park but I’m not sure how amusing that would be in the rain.

Take a train out to Avila, Toledo or Segovia.

If he likes football, go to a game – Madrid, Atletico or Rayo should be at home.

Find a Vaquita Argentina steakhouse for a chargrilled steak like you couldn’t dream of

Day trip to Toledo ?

Buy a Time Out guide to Madrid, loads of off beat suggestions in there.

Day trip to Toledo would be a good call. Get a bus from station and it drops you at bottom of hill. Walled city is above you. Lots of swords etc to look at. Segovia has Roman remains and again can be reached on a bus. It’s been a while since we went but we caught Athletico v Barcelona in Cope del Rey which was a great experience.

If the weather’s bad I d go for chocolate and churros at San gines. I haven’t been to Madrid for a while, but above tips are v similar to Barcelona, e.g., el corte ingles rooftop restaurant with views, fnac for tech.

Get some culture in him – the Prado is one of the best galleries in the world.

The Thyssen would be better with a 16 year old, or the Reina Sofia.

or the Reina Sofia.

Go and see Guernica

So today we went to the Museo de Jamón, there are many. Then the Museo de la Reina Sofia to catch a few Picasso’s. Tomorrow we plan to tour a few Barrios by metro, although a trip to Toledo sounds good too

or the Reina Sofia.

Go and see Guernica

Oh yes please

+1 for Prado, it is incredible.

Prado and the other gallery I’ve forgotten is good too

Prado is good. Took me a while to search for all the masters paintings from the leaflet provided when I went.

The royal palace with the armour displays was interesting as well

Tomorrow we plan to tour a few Barrios by metro

Get the metro out to Ventas, then walk back down Calle Alcala towards the centre. There are a couple of very Spanish bars/cafes near Ventas (on the RH side of the road; lots of bullfighting stuff…), then you head through the most expensive part of Madrid (around Goya), the Retiro Park and the monumental arch of Puerta de Alcala, Cibeles (where Real Madrid celebrates its wins), then you can either head back up into the centre, or turn left down to the Prado / Thyssen.

Look for the statue of the fallen angel in Retiro park. 👹

Bookmarked

Haven’t been for a while, but this,

Go and see Guernica

and this

Mercado de san miguel.

Today was San Gines chocolatería and Toledo

Not sure where we’ll go for dinner but Ventas de sounds good

Calle Alcalá was a win, especially on a Friday night. Although we nearly missed the whole lot by walking down Calle O’Donnell instead.