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Spain

What to visit in Toledo, the City of the 3 Cultures

Toledo is the city that made us fall in love with Spain. If there’s one place in Spain I’d go back to with all my heart, it’s Toledo.

I had seen and read a lot about Toledo before we visited it. However, nothing compares to the feeling of satisfaction you get when you set foot on the streets of this museum-city.

With a history that stretches back to Roman times and beyond, Toledo still has the power to fascinate, stir the imagination and captivate you simply by remaining as it once was.

If you want to find out what to see in Toledo, what to do or where to eat well, read below because we tell you everything you need to know!

Contents:

Where is Toledo?
10 Toledo attractions
Toledo Bracelet – Single Visit Ticket
Things to do in Toledo
Where to eat well in Toledo?

Where is Toledo and how to get here?

Toledo is 75 km from Madrid, about an hour’s drive away.

We had already rented a car for our stay in Spain, so it was easy to get around everywhere we wanted. But if you don’t have a rental car, don’t stress. There are many trains running between Madrid and Toledo. So you can get there easily.

About parking, if you come by car, you should know that before entering the old town area, after the train station, there are many free parking lots.

Must-See Toledo tourist attractions

Toledo is a treasure trove of cultural and historical sights. The former capital of Spain until 1563, Toledo was the focal point of many different and interesting cultures: Moors, Jews and Christians.

From the Visigothic capital of Spain, to the Caliphate of Cordoba and royal court for Christian monarchs, Toledo has remained a historical landmark of bygone times.

Since Toledo’s sights are everywhere, here’s how we’ve organized ourselves to visit the most important attractions.

Toledo Bracelet – single ticket to visit the sights of Toledo

We knew we wanted to see Toledo Cathedral and the Alcazar. But there’s plenty more to see in Toledo.

So, we found out that there is a single ticket offering entry to 7 historical monuments. The ticket costs 12 euros per person, which makes it a great option if you want to see inside the buildings, not just the outside.

We purchased this ticket on the GetYourGuide platform and went to the meeting point (Real Colegio de Doncellas Nobles) to pick up our wristbands which gave us access to these attractions.

Along with the bracelet, you’ll also receive a map of the sights to help you find your way around. Now let’s show you the order in which we visited them, by proximity.

Here is what we visited in Toledo in just one day!

1. Royal College of Noble Maidens

This is the first tourist attraction we visited inside and the place where we also picked up the access wristbands purchased from here.

The Royal College of Noble Maidens is one of the 7 attractions in Toledo included in the Toledo bracelet. It was a girls’ school founded in 1551 by Cardinal Juan Martínez Silíceo. Both girls from modest backgrounds and girls from more affluent families could study here. Right next to the college, a chapel has also been erected, which you will see as soon as you step inside the building. Indeed, you can’t fail to be impressed by the marvelous baroque style the interior evokes.

2. The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes toledo

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes was the second tourist attraction in Toledo we visited. It’s included in the list of 7 attractions. It is just a 5-minute walk from the Royal College of Noble Maidens. By the time you actually reach the monastery, you’ll find a panoramic spot where you’ll be able to take some great pictures.

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes was built between 1477-1504 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon to celebrate an important victory against Alfonso V of Portugal. It’s a Franciscan monastery, intended to be the burial place of the kings of Spain, but plans were later changed. On the outside you’ll see iron shackles worn by Christians taken prisoner by the Moors in the 15th century and later freed.

3. St. Martin’s Bridge

If you’ve made it to The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes it’s a pitty not to go and see the Puente de San Martin. This is one of the old stone bridges crossing the Tagus River, which forms a natural barrier around Toledo.

The bridge was built in the 14th century and was at the time one of the longest in the world. Defense towers were erected on each side of the bridge in the 16th century. Nearby, there’s a great viewpoint – the Mirador de Puente San Martin. Also here, you can get your adrenaline pumping with a zip-line flight over the Tagus River. More details can be found in the Toledo Activities section of this article.

4. Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

Just a few steps away from Puente de San Martin is Toledo’s third tourist attraction included in the access bracelet – the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca.

It was built in the 12th century and is one of the oldest synagogues in the whole of Europe. The 12th and 13th centuries were characterized by a flourishing Jewish community in Toledo, reflected in the number of synagogues. The style is called Mudéjar or Moorish. Basically, the Jews borrowed a characteristic Muslim style for their places of worship. It is now a museum, not used for religious purposes.

5. Saint Tome Church

Saint Tome Church is close to the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. As you can easily see, it was built in the 14th century on the site of a former mosque. In fact, this is not just specific to Toledo, but to the whole of Spain. The Christian conquerors did not demolish the former mosques built by the Moors, but reconfigured them to serve as churches.

The church tower stands on the site of the former minaret of the mosque, but retains the same Moorish style with keyhole windows. Saint Tome Church is famous for the artwork ‘The Burial of the Count of Organz’, painted by El Greco himself.

Things to do in Toledo

In addition to sightseeing, Toledo offers a variety of cultural and recreational activities. Some we knew about in advance, others we found out on the spot.

Here’s what interesting activities in Toledo caught our eye:

Guided tour through Toledo

Yes, there is the possibility to take a guided tour through Toledo. Its a great way to discover its stories.

Explorează secretele orașului subteran

Explorează secretele Toledo-ului subteran într-un tur exclusivist care dezvăluie istoria ascunsă a acestui oraș fascinant.

Ziplining in Toledo

This is one of the activities we discovered walking through the streets of Toledo. Right at the base of the San Martin Bridge, FlyToledo is ready to equip you for an experience you’ll always remember. The Tiroliana crosses the River Tagus and in less than an adrenaline-packed minute you’re on the other side.

Bus tour in Toledo

You can also opt for a bus ride around the city. Basically, you’ll walk around the Old Town, during which time you can listen to an audio guide about the sights you can see from a distance. It’s a HOP-ON/ HOP-OFF bus, so you

6. Church of the Savior

Continue the tour with a visit to another of Toledo’s major attractions – The Church of the Savior. This church was a real surprise for us. It is a small but very old place of worship, built in 1159. Like many other Christian churches in Toledo, it was built on the site of a former 11th-century mosque. But more interestingly, even the mosque was built on the site of a Visigothic temple. A carved pilaster remains from that period, with scenes from the life of Jesus – the healing of the blind man, the resurrection of Lazarus or the Samaritan woman.

Here you can also walk down some steps to see what remains of the ancient foundations of the Visigothic temple and mosque built on this site in the centuries before.

7. Jesuit Church (San Ildefonso)

Church of the Jesuits (San Ildefonso) toledo

Along with The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, this is the most impressive church included on the entrance bracelet. The Jesuit Church is built in a richly ornate Baroque style, typical of the 17th century.

The church was inaugurated in 1718, but not completed until 1765. Interestingly, this is where you can climb up to reach the upper balcony where you can better admire the architectural beauty of the building. And if you’re not afraid of heights, you can climb even higher to enjoy the city views.

8. Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz

This monumental building is the last one included on the admission ticket, but it offers a superb panoramic view of the surroundings. Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz is a tiny chapel built in 999 as a mosque. But it’s the beautiful green courtyard overlooking the Tajo River that surrounds the city of Toledo that impresses.

The area of the city where the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz is located was once called Medina, the home of wealthy Muslims. After the Reconquista (the military campaigns by Christian monarchs to drive Muslims out from the Iberian Peninsula), almost all mosques were converted into Christian churches.

9. Toledo Cathedral

The Toledo Cathedral is perhaps the city’s most impressive tourist attraction. It is one of Spain’s three massive 13th-century Gothic cathedrals and is considered the pinnacle of the Spanish Gothic style. Construction began in the 13th century and was completed in the 15th century. It too was built on the site of a former mosque.

Inside is a chapel of the Mozarabic rite, characterized by the combination of Christian and Muslim faiths. To visit inside, remember to get here by 6 pm at the latest, as it generally closes at 6:30 pm. Tickets for this cathedral alone cost 12 euros/person.

10. Alcazar of Toledo

The Alcazar was among the last Toledo attractions we visited. Alcazar de Toledo is an ancient stone fortress located on one of the highest points in Toledo. It is a square-shaped building, 60m long/60m wide. Each corner is flanked by a tall tower with a cycular fomula. What’s interesting is that the history of the building dates back to the 3rd century, when a Roman palace stood on the site.

Used as a fortress, prison and storehouse, the Alcazar became a focal point in the city’s history, especially after the events of the Spanish Civil War. The Civil War took place between 1936-1939 and was characterized by bloody battles between the Republicans and the nationalist-fascists led by General Franco. The Alcazar was besieged by the Republicans because it was considered the headquarters of the nationalists led by Franco. Between July and September 1936, Toledo was marked by a veritable massacre. After these battles, the Alcazar had to be almost completely rebuilt because it had been destroyed.

Other tourist attractions in Toledo to put on your list

We’ve listed above some of the most impressive sights in Toledo.

Of course, besides these, Toledo has many other fascinating places. In fact, the city itself is an architectural gem. And if you just stroll through the narrow stone alleyways, you’ll discover a lot about the city of 3 cultures.

Here’s what else we visited in Toledo that we liked:

Plaza de Zocodover – Toledo’s central square, home to numerous terraces, bars and souvenir shops.

Puente de Alcantara – We crossed this impressive stone bridge, built in Roman times, shortly after the city was founded. This was the place where all the monks entered the city.

El Greco Museum – We didn’t visit it, but it’s a good place to put on your list. It is a museum presenting the art and life of El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos, 1541-1614), who lived most of his life in Toledo.

Where to eat well in Toledo?

When it comes to food, we have to admit that Spain is not superlative. We had to research beforehand where to eat well in Toledo in order to have an experience to remember.

That’s how we ended up in La Marmita, a restaurant with a terrace next to the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. We needed to be in the shade, because it was a sunny day, and here we found the perfect place.

We chose the menu of the day, a custom in Spain, as we later discovered. The average price for a menu including main course, main course, water/beer or wine, bread and dessert is approx. 18 euros in Toledo. We had a very good meal here and would love to come back anytime.