When the air turns crisp, Madrid changes colour. Leaves crunch underfoot, the afternoon light goes golden and it's the perfect excuse to grab a jacket and a scarf and head out… even if only for a little while.
Here are five short walks for families with children aged 6 to 9. Each one fits into a morning or an afternoon, has something to discover and comes with a game for the way. The grown-up picks the spot and sets the pace; the kids bring the sharp eyes.
Before you go: the practical bits
- Dress in layers. An autumn morning in Madrid can start cold and end in the sun. An extra layer in the bag never hurts.
- A snack and some water. A short walk stretches much better when there's a plan for the stop.
- A paper bag and a notebook. For a few fallen leaves and for writing down what you find.
- Check before you go. Opening times change with the season, and parks can close in strong winds. Each place's official website or esmadrid.com will tell you.
5 autumn walks in Madrid
1. Campo del Moro: the palace from below
The Campo del Moro gardens sit at the foot of the Royal Palace, on its west side, and are run by Patrimonio Nacional. The main entrance is on Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto, and from the big lawn you can see the palace at the far end, behind a long green carpet. Peacocks wander freely along the paths, and on the way you'll pass two large fountains: the Fountain of the Shells (Conchas) and the Fountain of the Tritons (Tritones).
Game for the way: who spots a peacock first? The first to see one wins… but only if they point without shouting, so it doesn't get scared. Bonus point if someone sees one with its tail fanned out.
2. Parque del Oeste: slopes and winding paths
Parque del Oeste is an English-style garden full of slopes and curving paths that rise and dip between the trees. In autumn those slopes fill with leaves and every bend hides a new corner. It runs alongside Paseo del Pintor Rosales and is very close to the Temple of Debod, so you can start at one and finish at the other.
Game for the way: the colour ladder. Find a green leaf, then a yellow one, then orange, then red and finally brown. Whoever completes the ladder picks the next path. The grown-up decides when you cross and how far down you go.
3. Casa de Campo: a loop around the lake
Casa de Campo is the largest urban park in Spain, with more than 1,700 hectares of holm oaks and pines to the south-west of the city. For a short walk you don't need to go deep: a loop around the lake is enough, with rowing boats and kayaks on the water and cafés on the shore for a snack. Lago metro station, on line 10, drops you close by.
Game for the way: the water detective. Before you start the loop, everyone guesses how many different things they'll see on or by the water: ducks, boats, reflections, floating leaves… Whoever carries the notebook writes the guesses down. At the end of the loop, who came closest?
4. Real Jardín Botánico: three terraces to explore slowly
The Royal Botanical Garden, run by Spain's research council (CSIC), is on Paseo del Prado, opposite the Prado Museum, with its entrance on Plaza de Murillo. It's laid out on three terraces at different heights and holds more than 5,000 plant species, plus greenhouses. It's a garden for slowing down and looking closely. There is an entry ticket; check its website before you go.
Game for the way: the strangest plant. Everyone, the grown-up included, picks the most curious plant or tree they can find and draws it in the notebook. Then, together, you give it a name and a story. The funniest one earns the title of "plant of the day".
5. El Capricho: a garden with a maze
El Capricho park, in the Alameda de Osuna neighbourhood, was the pleasure garden of the Dukes of Osuna, and above all of the Duchess, who did most to create it. Today it's a historic garden with fountains, little squares, a landing stage and a laurel maze that follows the layout of the one planted in the Duchess's day. El Capricho metro station, on line 5, is very close.
Two things worth knowing: it only opens on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and inside you can't eat, ride bikes or skates, or play ball games. Check the opening times on esmadrid.com before you go and save the snack for afterwards.
Game for the way: in and out of the maze. Before going in, everyone guesses how many turns it will take to reach the exit. A different child decides at each junction; everyone else counts. The grown-up walks behind and gives no clues, even when asked.
Tips to make it work
- One place per outing. A short walk that leaves you wanting more beats three in a row in a rush.
- A stop with a reward. A sunny bench, some roast chestnuts or choosing the way home.
- Leaves for later. With the ones you've collected, you can make a collage, a crown or a bookmark at home.
- If someone gets tired, head back. A walk doesn't have to be finished to have gone well.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see autumn colours in Madrid?
It depends on the year and the weather. Generally, leaves change through October and November. If you notice the trees on your own street turning, it's a good sign to head out.
What if it rains?
A short walk in raincoats still counts: puddles and the smell of wet earth are part of autumn too. If it's very windy, save it for another day, as parks may close.
Any more ideas for El Retiro?
Yes, there's a whole morning of plans in Retiro Park with kids.
How we see it at Paseo y Pista
If you'd like your next walk to come with a mystery ready to solve, the “Misterios del centro” pack brings four adventures to solve on foot around Madrid: El Retiro, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod, and the Barrio de las Letras. With illustrated booklets, role cards for the kids and a challenge for the grown-up. For children aged 6 to 9 with an adult. You'll find it at paseoypista.com.
Keep reading: Screen-free family walks: 8 observation games and The Almudena long weekend in Madrid with kids.