A Complete Guide to Toledo, Spain

Wander astray into a world woven with thriving tradition, weathered scenery and a huge haul of medieval gems. Spain’s idyllic Imperial City is saturated in a slew of clashing cultures, rich tales and a magnifying modern wave.

Alike the country’s high degree of hyped-up cities like Ibiza, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, Toledo is teeming with a tapestry of bucket-list-worthy things to see.

Situated in Castilla-La Mancha in southcentral Spain, this movie-like mecca is framed by a full spectrum of sweeping scenery. Crowned by churches, mosques, synagogues and convents, only to be topped by tantalising tree-covered mountains and mouth-watering food, Toledo houses history, culture and tradition.

If you’re sifting your way through the seemingly endless stretch of things to do, look no further. Let’s explore the 13 best things to do in this Complete Guide to Toledo, Spain.

Here’s what we cover in this guide:

• Top 13 Things to do in Toledo

• FAQs

• Why Visit Toledo?

13. Old Town of Toledo

Prance through the petite corners and wind through the labyrinth-like streets of Toledo’s Old Town. You'll encounter an eclectic mix of Islamic, Jewish and Christian influences ingrained throughout the eye-catching architecture.

Cemented with hundreds of museums and monuments, this UNESCO-listed site boasts over two millennia of history. Sip on a café con leche on a Gothic-esque terrace, shop for unique finds in a Medieval-made-chic boutique store and learn about the looming background of these ancient alleyways.

Dive deep into the city’s background on a Three Cultures Walking Tour and learn from a local guide. Whether you’re a history buff out on a day trip or a seasoned traveller looking to see this city’s nocturnal charm, a stroll through the Old Town is a must.

12. Puente de San Martín

Step outside the fortified walls and get a spine-tingling snapshot of this mountain-perched paradise. Suspended over the emerald waters of the Tagus River, the Puente de San Martín provides a picture-perfect contrast against Toledo’s pristine surroundings.

Admire the bridge’s back-breaking arches, wind-worn details and soaring crenellated towers. Sip on a sweet horchata drink as you watch the trees sway breeze alongside the river, and try to imagine what life would’ve been like way back when.

11. Toledo Cathedral

Locally known as the Catedral Primada, the Toledo Cathedral is brimming with notorious artwork and Medieval Gothic architecture. As one of the most visited attractions in Toledo, this centuries-old site is well worth your time.

Navigate through the network of noteworthy cloisters, naves and neoteric additions, and don’t forget to catch the colourful light rays penetrating through the stained glass windows.

Learn from a local guide about the unique history and art of Spain’s second-largest cathedral in this Toledo Cathedral Tour. If you’re visiting Toledo for a few days, this former Mosque and the former church are a stellar sight to see.

10. Puerta de Bisagra  

If you don’t know what to do in Toledo, start your visit like a king (or queen). Stroll through the captivating city gates named Bisagra, scale through the ivy-draped stone walls and into the Old Town’s legend-filled landscape.

Keep a keen eye out for the intricately-detailed coat of arms, gaze up at the summit of the defensive towers, and step foot into an ancient city that’s been operating over unfathomable spans of time. 

9. Plaza de Zocodover 

Step foot into the beating heart of city life and experience local living in the Plaza de Zocodover. Listen out for the cheerful chatter in the streets, lock lips with a crunchy bocadillo in the early morning sun, and soak up all the ambience of this former horse market. A panoply of public ceremonies occur throughout the year and this plaza is a pristine spot to witness the mishmash of marvelling concerts, divine costumes and energy-fuelled dances. If you’re looking for something unique to do in Toledo, follow your impulses to Plaza de Zocodover’s fiestas.

8. Mosque of Christ of the Light 

Nestled in the nonpareil Casco Historico is one of Spain’s most treasured pieces of Moorish heritage, the Mosque of Christ of Light. As the oldest building in the historic centre, this is an absolute haven for any architectural buff or history enthusiast.

Peruse the picture-perfect corners, observe the ancient Arabic script and wonder at the mosque’s vaulted ceilings. This history-packed tells the chronicles of culture in more complex times, and it’s a must-see for any essential guide to Toledo. 

7. Alcázar of Toledo

Among all the scintillating scenery in this time-worn town, the Alcázar of Toledo is a standout site. Soaring above the rolling Tagus River, this Renaissance-style building is steeped deep in history. 

As one of the best things to do in Toledo, this former fortress and now army museum offers guests the perfect chance to gaze at the 1800s guns and peruse the deathly-sharp knives and long swords.

If you travel from Madrid to Toledo on a day trip, you cannot miss this hill-perched highlight.

6. Puente de Alcántara 

Cross the plant-fringed Puente de Alcántara and catch a glimpse at the glittering Tagus River below. Long-standing since the mighty Roman era, bury your feet below the Baroque-style triumphal arch to appreciate Toledo’s teeming towers and time-told walls in painting the backdrop.

If you want a panoramic perspective on this 3,000-year-old city, don’t miss the chance to board a scenic hot-air balloon ride over Toledo. Launch into the misty clouds, devour some delightful Spanish nibbles, toast over a glass of cava and lose yourself in the lucent landscapes below.

5. House Museum of El Greco

Straddling stunning art from Spain’s Golden Age, El Greco Museum offers an intriguing insight into the life accomplishments of El Greco. Appreciate the divinely coloured canvases, observe the antique furniture, and notice the pottery collection. Situated in the vibrant Jewish Quarter of Toledo, this museum is spread throughout a 16th-century house, a 20th-century extension and a green-lined garden. If you’re a spirited explorer and lover of the arts, this museum is the top thing to see in Toledo.

4. Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes

If you’ve ever travelled through Europe’s endless list of historic sites, you’ll know that the ample architectural gems can get tiring. But here’s one exquisite exception.

This Spanish city is packed to the brim with attractions and activities, and the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes should be at the top of any travel guide to Toledo.

This magical 15th-century monastery sits at the western end of the buzzing Casco Historico, nearby the Bridge of San Martín. Adorned with a granite façade, Gothic cloister, towering walls, refreshing courtyard and beautiful main chapel, the intricacy seeps into every nook of this Toledo attraction.

3. Tapas in Toledo  

This ultimate travel guide to Toledo dabbles in the delightful depths of things to do and see, and you can bet your bottom dollar it includes a slice of the city’s best bites to eat. 

Quench your insatiable cravings for authentic tapas with a panoply of the city’s most palatable plates. Known as the ‘City of Three Cultures’, Toledo’s cultural influences can be seen in its ample architecture and mouth-watering cuisine.

Relish in the flavours of traditional carcamusas and enjoy the combination of salty slow-cooked pork, peas and tomatoes. Slurp a hearty venison stew and indulge in aged sheep’s milk cheeses. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a speciality known as marzipan, made from almonds, egg yolks and sugar.

2. Iglesia de San Ildefonso 

After frolicking around the vibrant streets of Toledo, pop into the centuries-old Iglesia de San Ildefonso. This baffling Baroque masterpiece straddles saline-white interior walls and an intriguing interplay of light in the high alter and mood-inducing, dark side chapels.

Admire the hundreds of thousands of bricks that fit perfectly into place, marvel at the bold golden features and rediscover the values of culture from long ago.

1. Mirador del Valle

Perched on the cusp of the River Tagus, Mirador del Valle boasts veritable vistas and sweeping sights perfect for any sunset picnic. Pop open a bottle of Spanish wine and spark a striking conversation as Toledo's myriad monuments become awash with orange and yellow hues.

Straddling the Carretera de Circunvalación, this lookout offers travellers a glimpse at the unique interplay of city life and its sublime surroundings. Bask in all the beauty of this flourishing landscape, and save this soul-filling spot for your Toledo travel guide.  

FAQS

How many days is enough for Toledo, Spain?

While most travellers opt for a day trip to Toledo, you could easily spend anywhere between 4 to 5 days. With low-key vibes, local cuisine and endless attractions, Toledo is full of character and charm.

How many hours is enough for Toledo?

Although that depends on your travel preferences and plans, 6 to 12 hours is an ideal time to explore Toledo. You can take things slow and spread stuff across the entire day or tick off the highlights in a few hours. It’s all up to you!

How do I spend a day in Toledo, Spain?

Toledo is teeming with highlights, and if you’ve only got one day to explore, make sure you see the following: Santa Cruz Museum, Alcazar Fortress and Toledo Cathedral.

Is a day trip to Toledo worth it?

Although Spain’s bustling cities offer a buzz that can’t be beaten, Toledo is a town with its own unique flair. Flaunting ancient ruins and an old-world charm, this destination is seriously underrated.

Why Visit Toledo?

Replete with a rich tapestry of revelling things to do and see, Toledo is a hilltop hideaway that's beaten time's tendency to obliterate. Taste the mouth-watering flavours of authentic Spanish tapas, discover time-worn monuments and wander astray in Toledo's ample alleyways and history-packed streets.

If you’re planning an epic trip to Europe, save this Complete Travel Guide to Toledo, Spain, for later.