Explore Toledo through the eyes of American traveler Saul Schwartz as he discovers the best attractions around the Spanish capital. Wondering what are the must-visit attractions in and around Madrid? In this article, Saul explores whether Toledo is worth investing in a full-day itinerary and recommends free walking tours to discover the hidden gems of this World Heritage region.
saul schwarz
Toledo may be the most popular day trip from Madrid, with most visitors arriving at the beautiful train station. Built in 1919, Toledo Train Station reflects the city’s historic architecture. The central part is flanked by two side naves, one of which is adjacent to the clock tower. The interior features beautiful stained glass windows, horseshoe arches and decorated doorways.
It is a very steep mile from the Toledo train station to the city center. The walk is very scenic and crosses the Tagus River, the same river we saw in Lisbon, Portugal. We walked along pre-16th century architecture, including an arched bridge built during the Roman era.
We chose Guru Walk for a free tour with a guide and tips. The tour was called Discover the Historical Toledo and our guide Alberto was from Follow Me Toledo. The tour started at Piazza Zocodover, Toledo’s main square. We passed by a statue of the Spanish writer Cervantes (author of Don Quixote) and entered the square through a massive Moorish arch topped by a clock tower. There are several fast food chains in the square, but there was a very nice supermarket right next to the square where we bought food for dinner.
The tour focused on how three different religions came together in Toledo during different periods of time. Toledo is a special place in part because of its Christian, Jewish, and Islamic roots. We decided to spend some time in front of Toledo Cathedral and explore its interior after the tour.
We especially enjoyed learning about Toledo’s once large Jewish population. Although the Jewish population is now small, the 14th-century synagogue building has been converted into a museum. The Jewish Quarter is where Jews lived in the Middle Ages. We thought it was particularly interesting how the city installed blue and white tile markers on the pavement and ancient walls to identify streets in the Jewish quarter. The marker includes a menorah candlestick and the word life written in Hebrew. At one of the entrances to the Jewish Quarter, there is an inscription on the street that reads “Jewish Quarter” in English, Hebrew and Spanish.
The tour ended with a visit to Casa Palacio Rincon. This 9th-century palace building has been converted into a rental home but retains some of its ancient palace charm.
After our walking tour we decided to visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased at the box office near the cathedral and cost 10 euros per adult. The cathedral is a short walk from Piazza d’Ocodover. The massive Gothic architecture is hard to miss!
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Construction of the church began in the 13th century and was completed in the 15th century. The exterior is a fine example of French Gothic architecture. It is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Spain. The mosque was built on top of a mosque. To the left of the main façade is a tower. During the walking tour we learned that the tower had a large bell that was not working due to cracks. The main facade has three large doors.
The massive interior has lovely stained glass rose windows, ribbed vaults and pointed arches. The artwork inside the church is impressive and includes many works by Spanish artist El Greco. We were also awestruck by the gorgeous ceiling frescoes.
The high-speed train from Madrid’s Atocha station takes only about 30 minutes and costs €22 return. Very comfortable high-speed trains run several times daily. I was unable to purchase advance tickets online on the Renfe website using my US credit card. When we went to Atocha train station to buy our tickets, our options that day were limited.
The large Atocha train station is under construction, making getting around difficult. Adding to the confusion, although there are multiple Renfe ticket offices, only one sells high-speed train tickets. We recommend arriving early in the morning to allow extra time to find a suitable ticket office and to take advantage of more train options.
Saul lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and has lived in the Washington, DC area since 1984. He enjoys traveling throughout Europe with his wife and family, especially interacting with locals and learning about life in those cities and countries.
Saul has previously shared insights about his travels with us. Check out his 4-day city guide to Lisbon Or check out his journey beyond the Acropolis to modern Athens or his fascination with the Vatican: The Pope’s Rome..
