| Important Information about Madrid to Toledo Day Trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 1 Day |
| Best Time to visit | Apr-Jun |
| Type of Trip | Solo, Couples Trip |
| What is Famous for | Forts, Cathedrals, Museums |
Located 72 km south of Madrid, Toledo is an ancient city. Legend has it that Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Christian communities peacefully coexisted in the past, lending Toledo the moniker of ‘The City of Three Cultures’. Sitting high on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha, this quaint museum city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its myriad monumental and cultural heritage. With horseshoe-arched mosques, Sephardic synagogues, and one of Spain’s finest Gothic cathedrals, Toledo is a fairy tale city.
During your trip to Spain, taking a day trip from Madrid to Toledo is an absolute must. Toledo has a myriad of religious sites, museums, restaurants, and shops waiting to be explored. This Madrid to Toledo Day Trip itinerary is just what you need to plan a perfect day in Toledo and make the most of your time. You can also book a rental car to avoid the hassle of taking public transportation. You can even cover more places with a rental car if you have just one day in Toledo. Read on to know how you can go about doing a Madrid to Toledo trip.
Things to do in Toledo, Spain
Visit La Catedral Primada (Toledo’s Cathedral)
Toledo’s Catedral Primada is a striking medieval Gothic structure in the heart of the Old Town. It is the second-largest cathedral in Spain, after the one in Seville, and dominates the city both architecturally and artistically. On the square in front of the cathedral, there is a beautiful piece of art, similar to a pond that fills up with water to give you incredible reflections of the cathedral and surrounding structures. The inside of Catedral Primada is full of implausible details and an art gallery with masterpieces of artists like El Greco, Velázcuez, and Goya.
The exact spot where the cathedral stands today was a site of a former mosque. Long after, the Catedral Primada of Toledo was built on the same ground and it took 267 years to complete. The Cathedral is stunning, with elaborately carved portals, a soaring 300 feet tower, and five naves stretching over 120 meters in length.
The interior is also jaw-dropping. There are so many artistic and religious artifacts! I was blown away by the sparkling gold reliefs, wood sculptures, decorated columns, and stained-glass windows.
Explore Museo de Santa Cruz
Museo de Santa Cruz is Toledo’s most interesting museum and art gallery. The original building was a hospital during the 16th century and was built in the shape of a Greek cross. Besides containing a great art collection and many paintings by El Greco, the building’s beautiful architecture is a draw in itself.
This place is worth visiting even if you are not a big fan of museums. It is also a good choice if you want to skip visiting El Greco Museum, and still want to see some of his famous paintings.
Head to the Alcázar of Toledo
Alcázar de Toledo was originally an Arab fortress sitting on the city’s highest point. Originally, the construction of the fort dates back to Roman times, but today it stands as a military museum. The museum has a huge collection of army-related artifacts, from knights on horseback to modern aviation, toy soldiers, and all things military. It also displays uniforms, medals, and an exhaustive historical section, with an in-depth examination of the nation’s history in Spanish and English. Outside the Alcázar, there is a garden with spectacular views of the river below. And it is also a perfect spot for enjoying the sunset.
See the San Martín Bridge
The San Martín Bridge was built in the Middle Ages and was initially said to have been constructed from ashlars. It is one of 3 Medieval bridges crossing the Tajo river. With two end towers and five arches, the biggest one in the middle has a span of 40 meters wide and 27 meters tall, which is pretty unique. This bridge connects the city of Toledo to the west, and in 1921, it was declared a National Monument. If you are looking for something more adventurous, then you can try the zipline that goes across the river beside the bridge.
Check out El Greco House Museum
Opened in 1911, the El Greco House Museum boasts an extensive collection of paintings by the Spanish Renaissance painter El Greco. It is located in Toledo’s Jewish Quarter and consists of two buildings: a 16th-century house with a courtyard and an extension dating from the early 20th century. The museum features some amazing collections of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.