Madrid - any recent experiences?

Google free walking tours. I can't remember the name of the company we went with but I think they are all pretty similar. Great way to get an overview of the city.
Puerto del Sol Is quite central. Eating out is cheap compared with London. Just avoid the main touristy streets and go into the small bars. We were never disappointed, the darker and more basic looking the better the experience, we found.
Once you're in the centre everything you need to see is walking distance.
It will be HOT so my advice is not to try to do too much.

No! Do not do one of those walking tours! They walk so fast for one thing. Just wander. And use Trip Advisor. Or the bloke on the hotel reception.

I like Madrid.

Thank you. Yes, I have been looking at the temperatures. We are prepared for hot. We have been to Seville a few times and are assuming it will be a similar sort of place.

I want to go to Seville.

We love Seville. I think we've been four times. A very pretty place, very Spanish (if that makes sense). Not many people speak English. It's geared very much for the Spanish people which is what we like.

We've been! We loved it. What a beautiful city. Thanks for the info. Even the 43 degree temperature was bearable in such a lovely place (well, just about) [smile}

I recently had a splendid weekend in Madrid which had a theme on the Civil War led by an amazing young woman called Almudena Cros (Las Maotras de la Republica) her email details are: www.acrossmadrid.com
she organises other themed tours too (including those aimed at children!). It is so helpful to have a local who can share their love of their city and their knowledge of its history. Whilst there, do make sure you visit the Botanical Gardens for a bit of quiet and shade.