[Spain] Essential Tips for a perfect day in Toledo
Thinking about a trip to Spain and wondering if Toledo Spain is worth it? 100% yes! This UNESCO World Heritage city is just a quick 30-minute train ride from Madrid. It will show you its cultural history influences by Roman, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Even if you hope to visit Toledo in one day, this guide will show you the epic viewpoints.
Quick facts about Toledo Spain
Toledo in Spain is a city that tells a story stretching back more than 2,000 years. Traces of Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews, and Christians can all be found here. Most importantly, Toledo was once the capital of Spain until Charles V moved it to Madrid. In 1986, the Historic City of Toledo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You’ll also hear Toledo linked with the name “Castile-La Mancha” ( I remember hearing many times during my time in Spanish language school in Valencia). Spain has 17 autonomous communities and they spaniards have strong sense of “community”. Castile-La Mancha is one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. Toledo is its capital.
Is Toledo worth visiting？
Definitely yes! Toledo is one of the best day trips from Madrid, a city filled with culture, history and well preserved monuments… what are you waiting for?
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Essential Tips for Visiting Toledo Spain
What to expect in Toledo
👟Prepare for Hills: Toledo is a hilly city with uneven streets. Prepare comfortable, sturdy shoes for pleasant exploring.
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🚘Driving is Difficult: The streets in the old town are very narrow and difficult to navigate. Consider alternatives to driving if you are not used to narrow streets driving.
Recommended Trip Duration
Minimum One-Day Visit Recommended:
A quick 5-6 hour visit is not enough to experience everything (according to my visit and what I heard). To fully experience the numerous historic churches, monasteries, and other sights, you should stay for at least one full day. Not to mention this city is hilly!!! To check off items on your list here, it requires a lot of energy.
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Traveling from Madrid to Toledo
There are options to take 🚍Bus or 🚇Train to Toledo. Bus will take at least 50 minutes while Trains takes around half an hour. Both run quite frequently. However, the train is more recommended. It is faster, and there are more hours for you to choose. Most importantly, the historic Toledo train station itself is a National Heritage site that features Neo-Mudéjar architectural style(see below).
🔗You can compare both bus and Train options here.
Madrid to Toledo Spain by train
You don’t have to book everything months ahead. Speedy trains run between Madrid and Toledo almost every hour. The journey takes around 30 minutes. I booked my train in July literally the night before.
Booking Your Ticket:
- Buy Online: Tickets are often slightly cheaper if purchased online rather than at the train station.
- Purchase return ticket in Advance: While tickets may be available the night before, booking in advance for your return ticket is recommended.
When returning, I saw that there were still options for train returning to Madrid, but the time is limited already. - Return ticket Flexibility: Buying a round-trip ticket, although you have to choose your return time already, but you can change the time on spot at the ticket office if needed (I was super surprised that they let me do so without extra fee).
- Link to Spanish train (Renfe) booking platform
Toledo Spain attractions
Here are the lists I saved for my own trip. I couldn’t get to all of them, but sharing them so you can make the most of your visit in Toledo😉
Mirador del Valle & Mirador de Toledo
A scenic viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the entire city of Toledo. This view is just breath-talking. This will be one of the first spots the hop-on-hop-off bus will bring you to. It will be waiting here for 5 minutes so you can capture this. (of course I stayed more than 5 minutes and wait for the next bus to come😂)
If you find Mirador del valle too crowded, you can walk 5 minutes further to Mirador de Toledo, there you will be all by yourself and its also 100% scenic(like these ones I took)
Catedral Primada de Toledo (Spain Toledo cathedral)
There are so many historic places and museums to visit in Toledo Spain. However, if you can only choose one to visit, it should be the Toledo cathedral. It is considered one of the most important Gothic architectural examples in Spain.
💶 Toledo cathedral tickets: €12
🕰️ Toledo cathedral opening hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Last entry at 6 p.m. )
Sunday 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Last entry at 6 p.m. )
👚Toledo cathedral dress code: There IS a dress code for Toledo cathedral, so if you are visiting during summer and want to dress cute, just remember to bring an extra jacket
More rules for visiting, check this link
Toledo Spain Alcázar/ Alcázar of Toledo
The Alcázar of Toledo is a fortress. It sits at the highest point of the city. It was once home to Spanish monarchs and later a military academy. It is famous for the Siege of the Alcázar during the Spanish Civil War. During this time, Colonel José Moscardó and the Nationalists held out for two months under the Republican attack. Even after Moscardó’s son was executed (Moscardó was in the fortress while his son was captured outside), the fortress did not surrender.
💶 Alcázar of Toledo Tickets: €8 (with audio guide)
🕰️ Alcázar of Toledo opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Book your Alcázar guided tour here (remember to use code “OHWANDERLIN5” for 5 % off)
Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
A 15th-century Gothic-style monastery built to celebrate the birth of a prince and a military victory. Known as another top example of Gothic architecture in Spain.
For me, it feels like entering the scene of game of thrones, definitely resembles Dominican Monastery in Dubrovnik. If GOT were to be shot in Spain, it would definitely be here.
| Check also: Tips for booking your hotel in Dubrovnik |
Look at the impressive Dome of this Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.
Second floor of Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
💶 Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes tickets: €4
🕰️ Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes opening hours:
Summer hour (March 1st to October 15th): 10:00 – 18:45
Winter hour (October 16th to February 28th): 10:00 – 17:45
Ticket office closes 20 minutes before closing
Sinagoga del Tránsito
Another example of Mudéjar architecture in Toledo, blending Hispano-Islamic art with Jewish tradition.
Sinagoga de Santa María La Blanca
Built in the 12th century as a synagogue, it was later converted into a church. It is one of the oldest and most significant synagogue buildings in Europe.
Iglesia de los Jesuitas (San Ildefonso)
A Baroque church built on the birthplace of San Ildefonso, the city’s patron saint. Climb the tower and you will get incredible views of Toledo’s medieval rooftops and the Main Cathedral.
Real Colegio de Doncellas Nobles (College of Noble Maidens)
A historic college founded to provide education and Christian values to young women from low-income families in the Toledo area. Later it started to accept girls outside of Toledo, and in 1990s was repurposed as a university residence. Its iron Art nouveau passageway is another highlight that shouldn’t be missed.
Getting around Toledo
No Uber in Toledo! : Services like Uber and Bolt are not available in the area. Plan to use local taxis, public transport, or walk.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Toledo
If you are not with a car, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus is definitely not a bad choice. You can catch one right at the train station when arriving to Toledo.
Ticket Price: A tour ticket costs €45 (if you purchase ticket on spot from Toledo Train station)
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Included Access: The ticket includes entrance to the Main Cathedral of Toledo, but you MUST enter with the tour group at the scheduled time.
You can use the ticket for 24 hours and the driver will drive you to the major attractions and it comes with an audio guide in several languages.
Language Options: The tour is available in several languages, including Spanish, English, and Chinese.
Photo Stops: If the location is scenic(such as Mirador del Valle), the driver will stay 5 minutes at the spot for you to hop off and get some shots.
Tips📌
- If you want to stay longer than 5 minutes at a stop, you can simply catch the next bus, which arrives approximately every 20 minutes.
- If you are staying in Toledo for more than a day, its not a bad idea to take this ride multiple times (such as once in the day and once for sunset)
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Toledo Spain Hotels
Parador de Toledo
Book via Agoda | Booking.com | Klook ($17 discount applied already)
If you are traveling around Spain, I have to share a secret about Spain with you. Parador hotels are a Spanish government-run chain, usually set inside stunning historic buildings or in the most scenic spots. Besides memorable stay, their kitchen also made me speechless. Spain got regional cuisines, more often than not they are non-vegetarian, but the Parador we visited were able to make it vegetarian! So when I see they got Parador in Toledo, I know I have to recommend it to you!
Casa Palacio Rincón de la Catedral
🏨Book via Agoda | Booking.com
If you’re looking for Toledo Spain hotels inside the historic center, this hotel is a gem located one minute away from the must visit Toledo cathedral. This 9th-century house is right in the historic center, and has been recognized with the highest heritage rating by the officials, “P,” for private houses. Inside, you’ll find a patio of Islamic origins, stone columns, and a gallery with a carved inscription dating back to 1555. Staying here means you will be living in a piece of Toledo’s history.
Hotel Carlos V
🏨Book via Agoda | Booking.com
Hotel Carlos V is one of the oldest hotels in Toledo, opening its doors since 1951. Originally planned as a hospital, was built in beautiful Mudéjar architectural style. On the 5th floor of Hotel Carlos V, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Toledo from their rooftop terrace-Azotea. You can relax with some cocktails or dishes there.
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