In general, we appreciate staying in smaller communities rather than big cities, hence our tenure in Toledo. It’s only a quick 30 minute train ride into the capital, and we figured that would be good for a few day trips. But Madrid might have been an exception — next time, we’ll stay there! It’s quite a lovely big city. Clean, easy transportation options, safe, and chock full of things to do.
Our first visit, we explored their big city park. Big. City park. It entertained us all day. (Well, until the police closed the park because the heat was too extreme. It was 109, so we understood.)
I suppose folks who know New York and Central Park wouldn’t be surprised by this massive green space, but it was sure a treat for us!
There’s a pond where you can go paddling, and Tessa made a bark raft (which little ducklings actually used as an island). And a few repurposed buildings that are now free art exhibitions or libraries or the like. There are still a couple peacocks from the abandoned menagerie, and we saw evidence of bats, and turtles and cats and black swans. Plus a statue (at 666 m above sea level) of Lucifer.
Bill took the girls to the Prado museum for a massive art scavenger hunt another day. And it was such a success that we did the same thing touring the Royal Palace on our next trip.
Plus we availed ourselves of the variety of metropolitan restaurants, ice cream makers, and (air conditioned) shops. Thanks, Madrid, for the taste, and giving us something to look forward to next time!
Magrilless 
I’ve now an even greater desire for a trip to the Iberian peninsula. It all sounds wonderful.
Such adventures.