Go to Palacio Real and for excellent pastries La Mallorquina at Puerta del Sol.

I stayed with locals who took us to amazing restaurants that were so cheap! Try the Arroz Negro (paella with squid ink - surprisingly yummy). I loved the city - there was so much to see and it was so clean!

Don't expect the streets to go where you think they will.  You can't just head in the general direction you want to go and expect to get there in a straight shot.  This is an old old city, and the streets meander and wander.  I know from experience this can lead to sore feet, thirstiness, and a slight annoyance at your older brother for trusting his sense of direction!

Tapas are amazing if you have them with a drink, beer or wine. Here are some of the best places:
El Boca?to: c/ Libertad, 6. Ph 915 23 12 19. Tapas in the cool Chueca neighborhood.
Taberna Bilbao: c/ Costanilla de San Andr?s, 8.
La Taberna de los cien vinos. c/Nuncio, 17. Ph 913 65 47 Juana la Loca. Plaza Puerta de Moros, 4. Ph 913 64 02 25.
Casa Lucas. c/Cava Baja, 30. Ph 913 65 08 04.
El Bonanno. Plaza del Humilladero, 4. Ph 913 66 68 86.
Delic. c/Costanilla de San Andr?s, 14. Ph 913 64 54 50.

be extreeeeemly careful on the metro.. they are a thiefs paradise.. keep your bags close and be weary with your pockets!!!

make sure to give yourself at least a couple days to check out all the sights in the city, and at least 1-2 days for day trips... Toledo is a must-see (it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Segovia is another one you shouldn't miss. Toledo is only a 1/2 hr train ride (AVE...Spain's high speed train) from the center of Madrid. Go to the Puerta de Atocha station and get your tix. they leave pretty much every hr-every two hrs (depending on the day the time of the day). You can also get tix to Segovia that leave from Puerta de Atocha... that train ride is about an hr long.

One of the most beautiful places to visit however, do be careful of pick pockets!

Madrid is great, especially Retiro, Plaza Mayor, the Reina Sophia museum with the lovely Miros, Picassos and - of course - Dalis. The Prado was alright, but I suppose I expected too much. The nicest things to do are to stroll through the streets with your sweetheart and absorb the Spanish vibes. Go for a hot chocolate at the chocolateria, or some fish at Principe Pio. The Palace is also stunning, especially the gardens. I stayed out at Vallecas once; a bit of a trip with the metro, but definitely worth it. You get a fully equiped appartment with WiFi and kitchenette for about €75 per night - double room nota bene. I will never forget Madrid....

Stay at the Oasis Madrid Albufera - great place just on the outskirts of Madrid for half the price. Only about a half an hour with the metro, so it's worth it. Vallecas itself isn't too great. The town center, however, is not bad. It's just when you come out of the metro station to your right. Go for some lunch or dinner at the Cafe just across the road - vis-a-vis the church.

The subway system in Madrid is great and goes right to the airport, but some of the inner city stations have many stairs to cart luggage up and down. Don't expect to eat dinner until 9pm, since most of the restaurants close for the afternoon.