One Day in Toledo Spain, the City of Tolerance
It is difficult to determine how to best use 24 hours in Toledo Spain, there are so many fun things to see, do, and eat. Toledo is a city of three cultures (Christian, Muslim, and Jewish) resulting in a medieval mix of Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Christian architecture, food, and people. Toledo is like stepping into a museum. The city is full of tiny cobblestoned streets, stone buildings, small hidden squares, medieval gates, city walls, incredible bridges, and is famous for sword making. This day trip itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, Plaza de Zocodover, Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, Church of Santo Tomé, Sinagoga de Santa María La Blanca and Monasterio de San Juan de Los Reyes, and more. Here is how to see the best of Toledo in one day. Enjoy your time out of the office!
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Toledo is an easy day trip from Madrid. Purchase a train ticket online, it is not easy to do at the station. Take the 9:20 train from Madrid’s Atocha station, which is approximately a 30-minute ride to Toledo. Watch the board 20 minutes before departure for the correct gate number.
Plan to spend at least eight hours exploring the 30+ museums and monuments to make the most out of your day trip to Toledo Spain. Many of the museums are closed on Mondays and take siestas, plan your time accordingly. Most of the museums charge a fee and accept cash only, have small bills available. There is a 9 euro tourist bracelet available for purchase at any of the 7 sites included on the admission. The bracelet is good for the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, Church of Santo Tomé, Church of the Jesuit, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, and Church of the Savior.
How to Spend the Perfect Day in Toledo Spain
When you arrive in Toledo, exit the train station and take a taxi to Plaza de Zocodover. Negotiate a stop at the Mirador del Valle viewpoint along the way, it will cost 15 euros. If you choose to walk into town be aware there are a lot of stairs; save your legs and take the multistory escalators up the city wall. The streets are narrow, they wind, it’s confusing and easy to get lost. Google Maps worked well for me throughout the city. It is also possible to pick up a city map from the tourist center or download an offline map.
From Plaza de Zocodover head to Museo De Santa Cruz. Stop at Mirador Del Azor Viewpoint for city views on the way to explore the courtyards of Alcázar de Toledo. View the city from the top floor cafeteria of Biblioteca de Castilla la Mancha. Next, see El Greco’s The Disrobing of Christ at Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo. After lunch see El Greco’s Burial of the Count of Orgaz at Iglesia de Santa Tome and climb the tower for panoramic views. Then, explore the whitewashed columns and arches of Santa Maria la Blanca. Finally, walk the cloister on the terrace of the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes.
Be sure to take the escalators down the hill; photograph Palacio de la Cava and Puerta Del Cambrón on the way to the escalator. Cross the San Martin Bridge and take photos of the city from the base of the hill. The train station is a 10-minute walk from here. Take the 5:50 return train to Madrid and arrive at Atocha station at 6:30. Consider walking across the street to visit Madrid’s Sophia Museum, admission is free 7-9 pm daily.
Looking for more options? Continue reading for additional things to do in Toledo to supplement this itinerary.
Additional Things to Do in Toledo Spain
Have more time? Supplement this day trip itinerary with these additional things to do in Toledo.
- Enjoy the panoramic view from Mirador del Valle
- Browse the Alcazar’s Museum of Suits of Armor and Sword
- Relax with a glass of wine in a café in Zocodover Plaza and people watch
- Wander the Jewish Quarter’s winding alleyways and gaze up at the iron balconies
- Check out the artisan shops of the preserved Jewish Quarter
- Check out the stucco work in the Synagogue of El Transito
- Explore the Jewish artifacts at the Sephardic Museum
- Visit El Greco Museum and browse the Spanish Renaissance paintings
- Enter the city through Puerta de Bisagra Nueva
- Photograph the Puerta del Sol gate
- Walk around the Tagus River for city views
- Buy a Knights of Templar souvenir
- Zipline over the Tagus River
- Eat marzipan, a sweet cake of almond sugar, and honey
- Check out the viewpoint from Paseo del Miradero
- Photograph the Puente de Alcantara
- Taste local wines at Mercado de San Agustín
- Have a glass of wine with a view on the roof of Restaurante Adolfo
- Watch the sword-making process at Mariano Zamorano Swords Factory
- Photograph the Puerta del Cambron
- Spend the night in a castle at Castillo de San Servando
- Take a photo from the terrace of the Victorio Macho Sculpture Museum
- Check out the garden of the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
- See Saint Peter Crying and Sagrada Family at Hospital de Tavera
- Buy a piece of Damascene jewelry, black steel with gold inlay
- Check out the Convento de San Pedro Mártir
- Relax in a Moorish Tea House at Teteria Dar-Al Chai Walk along the narrowest street in Toledo, Callejón Nuncio Viejo
Check the Toledo Spain Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan Your Trip to Toledo Spain
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