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City in Castilla–La Mancha, Spain
Photo: orvalrochefort from Belgium, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Toledo is a historic city in Castilla La Mancha, sitting majestically above the Tagus River and denoted a UNESCO heritage site in 1986. It is a very worthwhile day-trip from Madrid, only half an hour by train.
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It is the centrepiece of Toledo. It sits on top of the hill and is deceptively large. When you enter you will be confronted by sparkling gold reliefs, huge oil paintings and portraits of all of the Toledo Cardinals going back at least 500 years. The baroque Transparente, behind the main altar, is like nothing you have ever seen. The Cathedral also has a great art gallery with works by Raphael, Rubens, Goya, Titian, and one of El Greco's major works, The Disrobing of Christ.
It offers great views of Toledo and the surrounding region from its twin spires. It is set in the highest location in the city. (Oct-Mar 10:00-17:45, Apr-Sep 10:00-18:45)
It was built 1000 years ago as a small mosque, but 200 years later was converted to a church. The building itself is a mix of the two styles, with a primarily Mudejar architecture, and early Christian paintings on the walls. (mid Oct-Feb 10:00-17:45, Mar-mid Oct 10:00-18:45, closed on weekdays from 14:00-15:30)
It was like the Mezquita Cristo de la Luz converted from a mosque into a church, though in this case the architecture of the building is more varied, combining Mudejar, Visigoth, and Roman-style architecture. (mid Oct-Feb 10:00-17:45, Mar-mid Oct 10:00-18:45, closed on Fridays from 14:45-16:00).
One of El Greco's most famous and recognized works, it's housed in Iglesia de Santo Tomé. (Mid Oct-Feb 10:00-17:45, Mar-Mid Oct 10:00-18:45)
It's one of the three synagogues that remain in Spain from before the expulsion of the Jews in the 16th century, two of which are in Toledo (the third is in Córdoba). (mid Oct-Feb 10:00-17:45, Mar-mid Oct 10:00-18:45)
It's a beautiful 16th century church in the Jewish quarter that was built by Ferdinand and Isabella to house their tombs. Upon the conquest of Granada, they decided to be buried there instead, but it is still easily worth the visit. (mid Oct-Feb 10:00-17:45, Mar-mid Oct 10:00-18:45).
The second of Toledo's remaining pre-16th century synagogues, it hosts the Sefardi Museum.
A large square building on the outskirts of the old city. It looks across the river at Franco's old military barracks. The origin of the building dates back to the presence of a Roman camp in the 3rd century. The Muslims built there a keep transformed later by Alfonso VI and Alfonso X, which was the first Alcazar.
The El Greco Museum offers an intimate look into the life and work of Doménikos Theotokópoulos, showcasing a collection of his paintings alongside period furnishings in a reconstructed 16th-century Toledo setting.
The Museum of the Army is housed in the imposing Alcázar of Toledo, a historic fortress overlooking the city. It presents the history of the Spanish Army from its early origins to the modern era, with exhibits ranging from medieval weapons to contemporary military artefacts.
Europe's longest urban zip line. Traverses the Tagus.
Variety of baked potatoes, cooked differently than elsewhere. They have vegan options and they are super friendly. The attention and the atmosphere are unbeatable, the site is very nice.
Family tavern where details and flavors are taken care of without nonsense. A good place to eat typical Toledo food. Good carcamusas with their spicy touch.
Typical Castilian food and very familiar and pleasant treatment. Mostly locals inside. Quaint and unassuming.
Local food, simple and delicious, wonderful waiters and gluten-free options. Very nice place and good atmosphere.
A small and cozy place, with a good menu of tapas. Very good are the typical carcamusas from Toledo and the casserole. Awesome burgers and good service.
Excellent little place down a back alley. Extensive menu, incredible flavors, very kind treatment.
Super homemade tapas. Very goodh cocretah and paellah. Nice atmosphere and treatment.
Everything is super tasty. The waiters are super attentive and friendly. Extensive menu.
A charming place. Great treatment, great food and a good atmosphere. Curiously appetizing.
Delicious pizzas, spectacular dough, super fast and good service.
It is a cafeteria with a large terrace. Everything is simple. A quality tapas bar.
Great food, great service, not so cheap, but it is worthy. Dishes include; lomo de orza, pork tenderloin; migas, a traditional Spanish breadcrumb dish served with lamb sweetbreads; roast suckling lamb and pig; partridge on arroz meloso; and vanilla-infused fried milk pudding. Wine list of 100 wines.
All organic food with vegan and vegetarian offerings, smoothies, and an organic wine list.
These are glazed, and sometimes decorated with pine nuts (piñones). The most famous bakery making this sweet in all of Spain is arguably the Confiteria Santo Tomé, which is particularly crowded just before Christmas when shoppers from all over Spain come to Toledo to buy some Mazapán for their Christmas parties.
Try Domas beer. Made in Toledo. IPA is a fusion & quite good.
New, clean, safe and very central
Upmarket hostel with kitchen and fantastic terrace, 12.5 euro peak season
Clean and classy hotel. Priced quite reasonably. Located on the river for impressive views but an up hill climb to through the city. Park on the street if available or on site garage. Incredible breakfast is included. Wifi works great.
this newly refurbished hotel offers comfortable rooms and is located a short distance from the city centre. Many famous tourist attractions are in walking distance.
4-star hotel 10 km from Toledo. The complex has a golf course and swimming pools.
This hotel offers the best views of the town.
By bus
Buses run between Toledo and Madrid's Plaza Elíptica bus station (on the grey Circular metro line) every half hour until 21:30. The company is Alsa.75.
By car
From Madrid, Toledo is about 70 km southwest on the A-42 freeway, which is marked "Toledo" on all road signs.
By car
Parking on the narrow cobbled streets of inner Toledo is virtually impossible except for short loading/unloading stops, but there's a big garage in Calle de Santa Úrsula, right in the centre.
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