How to Spend One Day in Toledo, Spain
For a day trip, while I was in Madrid, we took the Renfe train from Madrid’s Atocha station to Toledo, Spain. Toledo is a beautiful historical city and one of the most popular day trips from Madrid. It’s only about a 30-minute train ride, thanks to the high-speed train from Madrid, and a very easy way to get there.
When you drive up to the town, you will pass an overlook view of the city (called Mirador del Valle) which is a great place to get stunning photos. You’ll see a panoramic view of the city and the winding Tagus River, a breathtaking site. Toledo is a mix of medieval churches, synagogues, mosques, and fortresses. When you visit, you’ll find a blend of rich history with some more modern tourist sites, like gift shops and food stands. I can’t explain in words how rich this city is, but it’s worth a day or more to see the beauty and uniqueness of this city.
Toledo is also a Unesco World Heritage site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its outstanding cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance to humanity. The goal of these sites is to protect and preserve them for future generations. Once you visit Toledo, you’ll understand why this exquisite place should remain preserved.
In this post, I’ll walk you through all the sites we saw in Toledo to make it a wonderful day.
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Guided Tours in Toledo
For our trip to Toledo, we booked a private guided tour. Our guide met us at the train station and had all transportation arranged. This was a worthwhile experience as our guide was amazing. She was a local to the town, very kind, and walked us through the best places to see. We booked an early morning tour, which was amazing as we could see and walk the city in the early morning alone. Toledo becomes crowded with people in the afternoon.
The tour was very much self-paced and our guide was amazingly informative. She allowed us the flexibility to change the tour based on what we wanted (like a detour into a beautiful ceramics shop). Overall I think a private tour was worth it and a great experience.
Top Sites in Toledo
1. Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
Our first stop, after our scenic ride up to the town, was at the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. We weren’t able to go in that day, but our guide told us about the history of this serene place. We started our tour early, so we got to enjoy it with no other people around. The Monastery is a great example of the beautiful Spanish Gothic architecture Spain is known for. Today, it is used for many cultural events, educational tours, and religious services, and apparently, the waitlist is very long if you want to get married here.
2. Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca
Our second stop on the guided walking tour was the Synagogue of Saint Mary the White in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo. Before entering, you’ll pass through a courtyard and a gift shop where we purchased tickets. This historic Jewish synagogue has an amazing architecture and a fascinating history. We learned this was constructed in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century. It is known to be the oldest standing synagogue building in Europe. The architectural style of the synagogue blends Islamic, Christian, and Mudejar influences, reflecting the diverse cultural and religious interactions of medieval Spain. Inside, the synagogue is truly impressive, featuring pristine white pillars, magnificent arches, and intricate decorations
3. El entierro del señor de Orgaz
When you’re in Toledo, you must stop and see El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz (The Burial of Count Orgaz) located in the Church of Santo Tomé. This piece is considered El Greco’s most important work and is known for its spiritual intensity and artistic innovation. The painting depicts a legendary event that supposedly took place in the Spanish city of Toledo in the 14th century.
4. Cathedral of Toledo or Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo
The Cathedral of Toledo is one of the must-see spots while here. It is a stunning Gothic cathedral and one of the most important in Spain. We were amazed inside as there was so much beautiful, intricate stonework, stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and sculptures.
Must-see sites in the Cathedral:
The Monstrance of Enrique de Arfe
When you’re in the cathedral, stop in the room where the Monstrance of Enrique de Arfe is located. I found this to be a stunning piece of art. It stands about ten feet tall, is crafted from silver and gold, and is lined with colorful gemstones throughout its center. The Spanish goldsmith Enrique de Arfe crafted the piece in the 16th century and it still shines unbelievably in gold and silver.
The Choir
The Choir room is another remarkably intricate area in the Cathedral of Toledo. The room is known for its elaborate wooden carvings, which left an impression on me right away. In particular, the beautiful wooden choir stalls that provide seating for the cathedral’s choir members and clergy. One of the most prominent features in the Choir is the statue of the Virgin Mary, known as The Virgin Blanca, or White Virgin. I found this statue to be quite beautiful based on the expression on Mary’s face. The statue depicts her joy which is rare to see a smiling statue of the Virgin Mary.
Capilla Mayor or Main Chapel
The Main Chapel today serves as the focal point for major religious ceremonies and functions. The design of this chapel is quite amazing. We had to view the altar behind bars as the chapel was closed off. We were told, the altar was created by different artists over several centuries and is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance art.
5. Plaza De Zocodover (Zocodover Square)
The last place we walked to and said goodbye to our tour guide was Plaza de Zocodover. This historic square is filled with shops and restaurants (you’ll even find fast food here like McDonalds and Burger King). After visiting the square, we wandered the streets of Toledo. We walked into many gift shops selling amazing Damascene jewelry and plates, some handmade and some not. We also found beautiful ceramic shops and stores offering a variety of kitschy gifts.
6. Lunch at La Azotea de Carlos (Gastro Azotea)
After our tour, we headed to La Azotea de Carlos, a rooftop tapas bar with amazing views. We had reservations here, which I would recommend, as we were able to get seating overlooking the beautiful town and hills of Toledo. We enjoyed incredible tapas here and delicious Aperol Spritz. For the views alone, I highly recommend coming here.
7. Walk Back to the Train Station
We chose to walk back (vs. get a taxi) to the train station after lunch, which is about a 20-minute walk (plan for longer though, as you’ll want to stop for pictures). The walk is worth it if you’re up for it, as the scenery is amazing. You’ll pass by centuries-old buildings, and picturesque landscapes, and go over a beautiful bridge called Alcantara Bridge. It’s worth the extra steps, though our feet hurt after our tour and walk down! The train felt great once we got on.
Other Things to Do in Toledo
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