"Day trip from Madrid" Toledo by unaS

Toledo Travel Guide: 663 reviews and 1,744 photos

Twice the national Capital and 3X regional Capital

An easy day trip from Madrid, one can travel to Toledo by either bus or by train. The train is much faster (only 1/2 an hour). The bus is cheaper but takes 1 1/2 hours to make the trip and leaves from the new bus station at Eliptica.

From the train station in Toledo one can take the HOHO bus which meets the train, or walk up to the town. The shuttle from the train is a small one deck bus, but it stops at the Alcazar first and one can change there for a double decker - no extra charge.

Toledo was the capitol of Spain until the 1500's so it has many spots worth visiting. The town itself is beautiful. A true living museum. During those years it was a haven of peace and cooperation between the three religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.

The Santa Maria La Blanca a 12th century synagogue that was turned into a church after the Expulsion of 1492 appears architecturally more like a mosque than either a synagogue or a church. It has been all three. Post cards in the gift shop here are a good deal less expensive than anywhere else in Spain - only 30 Euro cents each.

The University is built in the old style. Wandered around for an hour or so and visited the Visigoth Art Museum. Please correct me if I am wrong, but the impression I got is that this is a Jesuit College.

There are a number of churches, a mosque and a couple of synagogues that have been restored after being made into churches following the Expulsion.

The Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada, is 700 years old. It contains great wealth in beautiful icons, religious objects and art. The museum of period ceremonial clothing and the cloisters are worth a visit as well. It is considered one of the most remarkable churches in Christendom. If you visit on Sunday you may attend the mass and view the pomp and ceremony.

Don't miss the Iglesia De Santo Tome, with the burial of Senor De Orgaz by El Greco.

For good background info read this:
Wikipedia on Toledo

Pleasant stop for a snack or a drink.

Next door to the Santa Maria de Blanca is the Cafe-Bar Farolite, Plaza Barrio Nuevo 2.
Outside tables off the street and under trees.
Lovely place to stop for a coffee or a beer on a warm day.

Toledo is the only place that when I asked for a cafe con leche they brought me a cortado. This happened twice in 2 different places. Third time I learned to say "Cafe con leche por favore, no cortado, grande"

Walk, walk, walk

If there is one place that it is a pleasure to get lost, it is Toledo.
Every street, every corner, every unexpected Plaza is interesting.

Old, very old and new - a marvelous conglomeration of fascinating architecture. Gorgeous tiles, old empty dilapidated buildings with lots of renovation going on.

Turn another corner and you are faced with Gothic and/or Renaissance buildings, different styles of towers and spires. Many of the buildings have a combination of styles from renovations over the centuries.

Over all I do recommend an overnight in Toledo if you can manage it. One day is simply not enough to see all of the sites there.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful historic town
Cons:Very hilly
In a nutshell:Would have loved to spend another day there.

Last visit to Toledo: Oct 2009
Intro Updated Nov 15, 2010
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Reviews (11)

The bus stops at good observation points too. - Toledo

Walking is good but... Transportation (3)

The HopOn/HopOff bus in Toledo is very convenient and very inexpensive. I paid Euro 2.50 from the train station with the... more travel advice

If budget is your priority... Transportation (3)

One can also travel to Toledo from Madrid by coach. The trip however is 3 times as long - 1 1/2 hours. The coach... more travel advice

Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada Things to Do (6)

Built in the 13th century, the Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada, is 700 years old. The style is High Gothic. It has 5... more travel advice

Wander... Off The Beaten Path (1)

One of the beauties of Toledo is the combination of the old and the modern. Take the time to just walk and wander the... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Great prices

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Comments (4)

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willy_wonka Apr 8, 2011 at 5:07 AM

i would love to visit toledo, hope to one day. like your photos and tips!
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ymf888 Dec 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM

May I know which bus will bring us to the observation point at the other side of the river
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Nemorino Sep 14, 2010 at 3:17 PM

Fine tips on Toledo, with beautiful photos. I once got lost in the labyrinth of little streets on a winter night when groups of students were walking around and singing. I don't think there was a Sefarad Museum back then -- Franco was still in power.
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wise23girl Dec 13, 2009 at 12:50 AM

We have been to Barcelona and to Tenerife and would love to see more of Spain Marg