Discover Toledo through the experiences of Saul Schwartz, an American traveler exploring the top attractions around Spain’s capital. Wondering about the must-see spots in and around Madrid? In this piece, Saul evaluates whether Toledo warrants a full day of your travel itinerary and suggests taking a free walking tour to uncover this World Heritage Site’s hidden gems.
Toledo is probably the most popular day trip from Madrid, with most visitors starting at the charming train station. Built in 1919, the Toledo train station showcases the city’s historic architecture, including beautiful stained glass, horseshoe-shaped arches, and ornate doorways. The central part of the station is flanked by two side naves, one next to a clock tower.
From the station, there’s a steep but scenic one-mile walk to the city’s center, crossing the Tagus River, which we had also seen in Lisbon, Portugal. Along the way, you encounter architecture dating back to the 16th century and earlier, including a Roman-era arch bridge.
We opted for a free tour by tip using Guru Walk, guided by Alberto from Follow Me Toledo. The tour, called “Discover the Historical Toledo,” started in Plaza Zocodover, the main square. We passed by a bronze statue of Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, and entered through a large Moorish-style arch topped by a clock tower. Despite the presence of several fast-food chains, we found a nice supermarket just off the square for our dinner supplies.
The tour highlighted how Toledo is unique due to its Christian, Jewish, and Muslim heritage. We spent some time in front of the Toledo Cathedral and decided to explore its interior after the tour. We found it fascinating to learn about Toledo’s historical Jewish population. Though small today, the Jewish quarter features a 14th-century synagogue turned museum. Blue and white tile markers with menorahs and Hebrew inscriptions line the pavement and ancient walls, marking the Jewish quarter’s streets. One entrance even has inscriptions in English, Hebrew, and Spanish stating “The Jewish Quarter.”
The tour concluded with a visit to Casa Palacio Rincon, a 9th-century palace now converted into rental units that still retains some historical charm.
After the walking tour, we visited the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Tickets cost 10 Euros per adult and are available at a ticket office near the Cathedral, a short walk from Plaza Zocodover. The Gothic structure is a stunning example of French Gothic architecture, built from the 13th to the 15th century atop a Muslim mosque. To the left of the facade, there’s a tower containing a large, cracked bell that no longer functions. The interior boasts beautiful stained glass rose windows, ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and impressive works of art by El Greco, along with colorful ceiling frescoes.
Getting to Toledo from Madrid’s Atocha station is easy with a high-speed train that takes about thirty minutes and costs 22 Euros round trip. Although we couldn’t buy tickets online in advance due to a credit card issue, we managed to get them at Atocha station. Note that Atocha can be confusing due to ongoing construction and multiple Renfe ticket offices, so it’s wise to arrive early to sort out tickets and have more train options available.
Saul, from Alexandria, Virginia, has lived in the Washington, D.C. area since 1984. He enjoys traveling throughout Europe with his wife and family, engaging with locals, and learning about their lives and cultures.
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