Kate
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There is a lot to see depending upon your interests.
If you are into art, go to the "golden triangle": Prado Museum, Reina Sofia and Museo Thyssen. You can go on foot from one to the other, but you should devote a whole day to them. If you like art, a day-trip to Toledo (some 100 km to the South) if really worth it.
If you just want sightseeing, there is a hop-on hop-off bus service. It has three lines and will take you to the most important places.
Puerta del Sol - Given that Madrid is a metropolis of about 5 million people, its centre, where many objects of interest are located, is relatively compact. In the middle of it there is Puerta del Sol, a popular meeting point for Madrid natives and tourists alike. Puerta del Sol is also a symbolic point from which all distances in Spain are calculated, as shown by the Kilometro Cero, or the Zero Kilometre, stone plaque placed beneath the clock tower.
Old Town - Madrid's Old Town comprises two squares and their neighbourhoods: the 15th century Plaza de la Villa and the 17th century Plaza Mayor. In the past, Plaza Mayor would see all sorts of important events, be they canonisations, corridas or public executions. Today it is full of shops and restaurants. The city's main tourist information point is located there as well. Madrid's distant, but important, Islamic past is evoked by the so-called Moorish quarter, one of the oldest districts in the city. That Muslims would once rule the country can be traced by many of the place names in Madrid, like the church of La Almudena, the name comig from the Arabic word al-mudaina, meaning the wall. Arguably the most beautiful Madrid church is enormous San Francisco el Grande, with interiors decorated by paintings from Goya.
Parque del Buen Retiro - The cultural events are aplenty. Their peak is possibly the week-long celebrations of St. Isidore, the patron of the city. The fiesta also marks the beginning of the controversial corrida season. On the very opposite end of the scale from bullfighting there is a possibility of taking a walk in Parque del Buen Retiro, a vast green area with an artificial lake (boats are on hire).
Santiago Bernabeu - If corrida is not your type of entertainment but you still want to feel the excitement amidst a lively and excited crowd, then Madrid is home to one of the most widely known sporting phenomena: the Real Madrid football club. Despite the criticism of making their line up a little bit too studded with somewhat disappointing stars like Beckham, Real is the world's most recognisable club and one that has won most trophies. A visit to the club's museum at their equally famous stadium Santiago Bernabeu and then seeing a league game against the archrivals Barcelona, if possible -- is a good way to end your Madrid adventure with gusto.
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