Scholars from all over the world visit the Spanish capital city year after year. They’re usually between 12 and 18 years old, and willing to have fun with their teachers/educators. However, how many of those group coodinators focus their school trip to Madrid planning and organization to discover alternative things to do with teenagers?
On one side, there will always be a classic part of our history to visit, including museums, parks or other major tourist attractions such as Plaza Mayor or Puerta del Sol. On the other side, we’ll inform you about off the beaten path experiences. They will let you immerse in the local culture at its most in a responsible and sustainable way.
Please note that the following list of activities for children and teenagers may take place in English or French language, but if you’re looking for a complete practice, then we’d recommend you to hire our guides to lead the tour in Spanish.
What are the must visit places for an alternative school trip in Madrid?
Whether you count, or not, with a private bus/coach for your placement in town, all locations that we’re about to recommend you are easily accesible on public transport. Wouldn’t that be alligned with sustainability and responsability? Here you may find further information to organize a school trip in Madrid with a different touch.
The following list of things to do include pricing and details of how you could spend 3 -4 -5 days in town alternatively. All suggested activities are led by professionals on the field, Bachelors of Art, art historias or graffiti & street artists. We all love what we do.
Furthermore, you should take into consideration that our team of licensed and certified guides could always take you to Prado & Reina Sofia Museums or the Royal Palace. Above all, we always suggest participating with your students, at least, at one of these experiences.
The street art around Lavapiés and/or Malasaña districts
These two are the most colorful and multicultural districts in the city center. However, some people may say that they’re very gentrified, and that many famous brands are opening their stores there. According to their word, and several other facts that we’ve analyzed, residents are forced to move out of the city center because of the rental pricing. Let us explain you about it during the school trip in Madrid.
Both Lavapiés and Malasaña count with street art festivals, so it’s very easy to find urban artworks painted on walls, metal shutters and other type of surfaces. There even exist two events that promote logal paintings and decorations. Consequently, our conversation will also deal about the ficticious fight that exists between urban artists and illegal graffiti writers.
What are the spots that you should expect to visit with us while participating at a street art tour around these areas?
- Urban gardens: Esta es una Plaza & Solar Antonio Grilo
- Local community related projects and other cultural associations.
- Contemporary art galleries and modern art centers.
Bike tours for a school trip in Madrid
Later, if you decided to join our alternative touts and school trips in Madrid, you should know that yours wouldn’t be the first group of students who joined our bike experiences. Please note that we count with a modern fleet and different sizes. However, the guided visit only fits for groups where all participants know how to ride a bike. Specially suggested to kids older than 16 years old.
As you may expect, all minors have to mandatorily use the helmets provided. At most, the suggested route will share pavement with cars; except the ride along Gran Via street which counts with a dedicated bike lane. Something to take into account is that we’ve set a maximum number of 10 participants per each tour leader.
Moreover, al groups will be accompanied by an adult.
Meeting point for the bike tour is located by the entrance of Carrefour Supermarket (Calle Montera, 32). You should expect to visit some of the most colorful street art murals around Embajadores, Universidad and Centro districts. The guided visit will also take you to discover other important touristic highlights.
The best panoramic views at an unknown park for travellers
Another surprise that we have prepared for your school trip in Madrid will totally catch the attention and interest from the group. That’s to say, we will take them to a panoramic tour that will start at Parque de las Siete Tetas.
Although it might be unknown to travellers, it’s one of the locals’ favourite park for sunrise and sunset.
It’s located in Vallecas, near Buenos Aires metro station, and it’s a no-frills and non-gentrification area. Before arriving to the spot, we’d like to point out that there are no convenience stores nearby. Consequently, make sure you bring a snack or drinks From there, you’ll see Torres Quio, El Pirulí (former telecommunication Tower) or Palacio Vistalegre.
The opposite idea would be paying an entrance ticket to Hotel RIU (Plaza de España) in order to observe the views from its fooftop. It costs 5€ (weekdays and mornings) or 10€ (week days’ afternoons + weekends). The difference between them is that from the Park you will photograph Madrid from the outskirts, while you’ll get a closer Downtown view.
Where could you take a group on a school trip in Madrid in case it rains?
As you may imagine, no one would expect rain on the tours’ dates while planning a school trip in Madrid with months in advance. However, it has happened to our groups before, and it will surely continue happening. That’s the reason why we’ll suggest you to have a plan B in case it rains cats and dogs. You don’t want your plans ruined. Do you?
For your information, there are many plans that fit children and teenagers. You may find free things to do, as well as tailored experiences. In that sense, museums and cultural centers might be explained by professional and licensed guides, while it’s raining outside. On the other hand, you may also hire our services to develop a street art and graffiti workshop. Does it sound interesting to you? Keep on reading!
In any case, please be aware that we charge for our services in advance. In order to block the date in our calendars you’ll have to pay 50% of the total budget. Later, on the week before the event takes place, we’ll contact you so that the remaining balance is processed. You may use bank transfer or credit/debit card for paypament purposes. Alternatively, Paypal works.
Graffiti workshops with local emergent artists
Our first suggestion would be participating at an indoors experience. If you already joined our street art tour around Lavapiés or Malasaña districts, then the next step would be a hands on activity for your school trip in Madrid. Just imagine how excited your students would be if they had the opportunity to spray paint away from the classroom setting.
The experience could be developed in a real wall, over a 100% cotton 4×2 meters canvas, or painting on tote bags which would be decorated with recycled stencils and markers. Moreover, each participant could receive a pack of 10 stickers which they would have to decorate being as creative as they could.
Similarly to what happens with our walking tours, there is a set rate for participants and guides. We generally suggest that for each of our professionals, there are no more than 12-15 teenagers/kids. As it happens on an educational setting, the fewer ratio, the better instruction. Don’t you think so? Still, please take into consideration that this is just a recommendation and we will adjust to your budget.
A real flamenco experience for your school trip in Madrid
Although the activity is not directly run by our team, we partner with a local project which will also offer you a unique Spanish culturally related experience. That’s to say, a private flamenco show at a spot called Centro Cultural Flamenco Madrid. Furthermore, you should forget about the dinner + show for your school trip in Madrid. Focus on a 45 minutes performance in which you’ll enjoy a real musical act.
There will be two dancers, one guitar player, a singer and another musician playing the box drum. All of it will be performed at a theatre style venue in the city center. Please note that there is a maximum attendance of 25 people per show, including teachers. At the end of the play, you could request a tailored miniclass for those interested in practicing.
Not to be missed cultural venues
Last but not least, our official and certified guides could take you to any of the following spots to lead a full detailed explanation:
- Tabacalera Promoción del Arte. A former tobacco factory from the XIX century, where you’ll check the exhibition through artworks painted by young emergent artists, as well as long standing ones.
- La Neomudejar, which is another XIX century warehouse, formerly used as a railway factory and now turned into an avant garde center.
- Coleccion SOLO, a contemporary private art collection located right next to Puerta de Alcalá and Retiro Park. Unique venue in town.
Cooltourspain’s opinion about the organization of a school trip in Madrid
It’s been 6 years that we’ve been organizing activities for school trips in Madrid, and we still enjoy as the first day. FYI, Javier Garcia, Cooltourspain’s CEO, is a former teacher with over 8 years of teaching experience in England, Sweden, United States and Spain. He worked at the elementary school level, teaching subjects such as art. No wonder that the graffiti activity was his students’ favourite.
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