We have a 7 hour break between our arrival in Madrid and departure to Malaga, all via Iberia. We hope to be able to leave the airport to see some major sites in Madrid for a few hours (we have never been there and don't know when we will be back this way). Is this at all possible? Should we go around in a cab or have a guide pick us up? Maybe we could take a shuttle/cab to the center of the city and take a 2-3 hour introductory tour around the city? Please help with some sound advice. And if a trip to the city isn't feasible, can anyone recommend any places in the airport where we can pass the time (including where to eat lunch)?

It may be possible; but, frankly, I do not think is would be worth while. Madrid is more a city to experience the ambiance than "see the sights." (Really, the same thing can be said of most of Spain.) Although we have been in Madrid a couple of times, I do not remember a single outdoor "sight." The Prado is very much worth a visit -- but inside. The plazas and parks can be enjoyable, but they are nothing special to ride through or past. Don't get me wrong, I like Madrid, but a few hours is not much time to enjoy it. I haven't been there in several years -- so there may be rapid transit at the airport that, when last I saw it, was still under construction.

With only a few hours, go on the tourist bus. It takes you all over the city. Just adjust the headphones to english.

Were it me, I would go to the Prado. Period. Somebody else would go to the Royal Palace. Period. But I would only attempt one thing.

Even though the metro system from the airport is very good I suggest you use taxis since you have never been to Madrid.

You are always taking a risk when you do someting like this. What you need to decide in advance is that by Xpm, you will head back to the airport no matter what. Give yourself a healthy margin of time for a traffic jam, etc.

The Metro is cheap -- you can get a 10-ride ticket and share the ticket. However part of the Metro that links the airport to the city center was being worked on in August. So you'd have to take a slower line (or switch as well -- I can't remember).

If that's the case, the taxi will be well worth it. I took the Metro into the city, but I took the taxi for the airport.

If you're interested in museums, certainly go to the Prado. But otherwise being at Sol and Plaza Mayor would also give you a sense of Madrid.