Embarking on a Madrid to Toledo day trip is a wonderful way to see a quieter side to Spain. Here’s what you need to know!
Toledo is nicknamed the city of three cultures and is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. All throughout the city, you can feel the historical and unique co-existence of Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures that have graced Toledo’s streets over the centuries. Not to mention, the bulk of Toledo sits atop a hillside overlooking the passing Tagus River offering scenic views that can’t be beaten.
If you’re spending any significant amount of time in Madrid, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Toledo. And conveniently, it’s just a 30 minute train ride from the Atocha station in Madrid, making it all too easy to experience the charm and beauty of Toledo in one day.
This guide shares top attractions, where to eat, and more so you don’t miss the city’s most beautiful spots on your day trip to Toledo from Madrid!
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Toledo is surrounded by a beautiful landscape
How to Get to Toledo From Madrid
To get to Toledo, you can take a bus or a train from Madrid. The high-speed train through Renfe is the fastest and most convenient. Here’s more of what to know when traveling to Toledo from Madrid:
- Trains leave from the Atocha Train Station in Madrid about every hour. There are departures to and from Toledo in the early morning to the evening so you’ll have a lot of options!
- Toledo is about 43 miles (70 km) from Madrid which means it is only about a 35-minute train ride.
- You can purchase your tickets at www.renfe.com for about 20 euros round trip. Their website is in English for those who don’t speak Spanish.
- Have fun!
If you don’t want to fuss over public transportation, GetYourGuide has a Madrid to Toledo Day Tour that’s not much more than the cost of the train (€27 per person) and includes a guided walking tour!
Is a day trip to Toledo worth it?
Yes! Toledo is often considered one of the best day trips from Madrid, not only because of how easy it is to get there, but also because of how pretty it is! Plus, Toledo is an extremely walkable city with charming narrow streets and tons of countryside views offering a nice escape from the crowds of Madrid.
I do recommend trying to avoid visiting on a Monday however, as many Toledo attractions are closed on Mondays.
The Toledo Tourist Wristband
The Toledo Tourist Wristband is something to consider purchasing when visiting Toledo. It costs €10.00, and provides access to many of Toledo’s top spots for a day. Most of the attractions that this tourist wristband provides access to have an admission fee of about €3. So, it’s definitely worth it if you’re planning on visiting more than three of these local spots.
The Tourist Wristband allows free entry into: Real Colegio de Doncellas Nobles Museum, Church of the Jesuits, San Juan de los Reyes Monastery, Cristo de la Luz Mosque, Santo Tomé Church, the Church of El Salvador and the Santa María la Blanca Synagogue.
The Best Things to Do in Toledo in One Day
1. Alcázar of Toledo
Admission: €5
The Alcazar of Toledo is an impressive stone fortification perched above the city. It was once the site of a Roman palace, but was restored in the 16th century by the then king of Spain. Soon after, the grounds were destroyed during a historically important battle of the Spanish Civil War.
Today, it’s once again been renovated and is noted for its massive size and four spires that tower from each corner. It’s open to the public for viewing and tours every day except for Wednesdays. The fort also offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscape.
2. Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo
Admission: €10 standard, €12.50 for the bell tower
The Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo or Toledo Cathedral, dates back to the 13th century and offers a prime example of High Gothic architecture in Spain with Mudéjar influences. The interior is incredibly ornate and some top things to see while inside include the High Alter, the Altarpiece, and the Sacristy.
I also loved that the beautiful church spire could be spotted from many different alleyways and street throughout Toledo, it was a pretty sight to see! It’s open to the public everyday of the week, although closed to visitors during services. The hours are rather specific as well so I recommend checking before your visit.
Spotted: Toledo Cathedral
3. The Jewish Quarter + the Puerta del Sol
The Jewish Quarter in Toledo is a part of the city where the bulk of the Jewish community chose to live during the Middle Ages. The district is accessed via a gate, with the main being the Puerta de Assulca and is noted for its markets, ancient bathing sites, and places of worship.
Pretty photo spots all throughout Toledo
4. Zip Lining with Fly Toledo
Cost: €10
I highly recommend taking the time to go zip lining via the company Fly Toledo! It’s cheap and a cool way to see the amazing landscape and the Puente de San Martín. For only 10 euros, we were able to go twice! What a deal!
We actually purchased our tickets from a convenience store inside the city and even received a free photo from the trip across. Who wouldn’t want to experience “the longest urban zip-line in Europe”? You can visit their website at www.flytoledo.com for more info!
This was actually so freaking fun!
5. Mirador del Valle
This was definitely my favorite part of the day! From the Mirador del Valle, you get the absolute best views of the entire city. I was fortunate to have been traveling with such lovely ladies who patiently followed me on the much longer than expected journey to this lookout point!
After promising a short one mile walk to get there, all in all I think it ended up being about three miles from the Puente de San Martín back to the entrance of the city. Oops!
If you’re not up for such a long walk, opt for Toledo’s hop-on hop-off tour instead which stops at this lookout point.
Look at that stunning Toledo city view!
6. Cristo de la Luz Mosque
Admission: €3
The Cristo de la Luz Mosque stands as a testament to the Moorish period that flourished in Toledo in 999. Incredibly, this landmark still stands in close to its original state when it was founded. That means visitors can marvel at the distinctly Moor-ish style of architecture that is commonly found in other Muslim countries.
The Mosque is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
7. Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
Admission: €3
The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes is up there as one of the best things to do in Toledo and is a gorgeous example of Isabelline Gothic architecture. The monastery was originally built to celebrate the birth of King Ferdinand II of Aragon’s son.
While the exterior is a sight to see, the courtyard with ornate spires is truly the star of this attraction.
8. El Greco Museum
Admission: €3
The El Greco Museum is an art museum dedicated to showcasing the various works of the famous Greek painter El Greco. He lived in the 16th-17th centuries and is known for his Spanish Renaissance style work. His work wasn’t appreciated during his time, but came to be recognized for its skill later on.
9. The Bridges of Toledo: Puente de Alcántara + Puente de San Martín
Puente de Alcántara is a bridge that provides the classic Toledo view complete with the passing Tagus River and striking fort in the background. This bridge has elements that date back to the Romans and medieval periods.
Puente de San Martín can be found on the other side of the city and also boasts an excellent view. This is the bridge you see if you decide to do the Fly Toledo zip line tour.
Other Things To do in Toledo, Spain
The bulk of Toledo’s top attractions include historic religious buildings, in fact there are a total of 15 in this relatively small Spanish city! If you have more time on your hands, here are some other noteworthy places to visit during your one day in Toledo.
- Mosque of Christ of the Light dates back to 999 CE and was previously a mosque now turned Christian Church.
- Iglesia de Santo Tomé a 14th century church home to a famous El Greco painting.
- Iglesia de San Ildefonso a Baroque church known for its intricate works of art.
- Synagogue of El Tránsito has been restored and showcases classic Mudéjar design.
Best Restaurants in Toledo
When hunger strikes, check out these top-rated restaurants in Toledo:
- Restaurante Adolfo: Upscale dining in Toledo serving classic Spanish dishes surrounded by lush gardens.
- Tobiko Restaurante: Mediterranean restaurant with great reviews.
- Street & Soul: A relaxed vegan joint in the heart of the city.
- La Mar Salá: A popular seafood restaurant in Toledo.
- La Fábrica de Harinas: The place to try Toledo’s suckling pig, drink wine, and enjoy tapas.
Where to Stay in Toledo – Best Toledo Hotels
As easy of a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, you may find yourself wanting to spend the night. One night in Toledo provides that much more time to soak up this ancient city’s beautiful sites. The best area to stay is within the city center near to the top attractions.
If this sounds interesting to you, here are some Toledo hotel recommendations and where to stay.
Upscale Toledo hotel: Entre Dos Aguas Hotel Boutique
Homey Toledo guesthouse: Casa Palacio Rincón de la Catedral
Affordable hotel in Toledo with a view: Hotel Santa Isabel
Airy Toledo vacation rental: Azotea de la Catedral