The Top 24 Things to Do in Toledo, Spain

Toledo’s cathedral is one of the most important places to visit in this beautiful city. This grand monument is one of the best and most impressive examples of gothic architecture in the entire country. It was finished towards the end of the 15th century, more than 200 years after construction began. Tickets to visit the cathedral and its museums range from €10 to €12.50 (£9.15-11.45), or you could book a guided tour of the city that includes skip-the-line entry to the cathedral.

The Alcázar, built on the city’s highest point for military and strategic benefits, is a great place to learn about the area’s history and culture and offers striking panoramic views. Its roots date back to the third century when there was a Roman palace on the site. In the 10th century, the Moors, who had a very strong influence in the city, constructed the fortress, before it was passed to some of Spain’s royalty. Today, it’s a museum with various exhibitions that centre around the evolution of military strategy and weapons. Visit the Alcázar on a tour with a licensed guide to learn all about its fascinating origins.

La Juderia, which translates to “the city of Jews”, was once the city’s Jewish quarter, and today, it’s a beautiful district with some excellently preserved buildings. A tour through La Juderia will allow you to learn what life was like for Jews under Muslim and Christian domination, as well as explore their culture and architecture.

Toledo’s cuisine is a delectable mix of different cultures. Jews, Christians and Muslims all lived here together at some point or other, giving Toledo the title of the City of the Three Cultures, something which is reflected in its cuisine. Apart from some excellent international restaurants, Toledo also offers typical Spanish fare, such as succulent suckling pig, which is the city’s speciality. Book a tapas and wine tasting tour to discover the best culinary hidden gems in town.

The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes is a Franciscan monastery built under the reign of Isabella I of Castile, one of Spain’s most powerful queens. It was meant to be a royal mausoleum and serve as a memorial for their victory at the Battle of Toro. The structure is a stunning example of the Isabelline style that was predominant in Spain under the monarch’s reign. Long and narrow, it features many side chapels, and the Mudéjar-style ceiling is particularly remarkable.

If the views from the Puente de San Martín are not enough, you can also visit the splendid Mirador del Valle, a fantastic viewpoint with vistas of the entire city. From here, you can see magnificent panoramas of the river, the imposing Alcázar, the tiny winding streets and the cathedral. The walk to the Mirador is also a sight in itself, as it passes numerous important buildings, including the Museum of Santa Cruz, the San Roman Church and the city walls. This is one of many stops on the city’s hop-on hop-off bus tour.

One of the most memorable things to do in Toledo is to explore it by night when it takes on a completely different air. The lights turn on and point to the main buildings, creating beautiful shadows, while the noise from the hustle and bustle of the day dies down. Also, the unbearable heat during the summer days cools slightly, creating the perfect atmosphere for a walk around the city. Several guided tours are available after dark, so after visiting the interiors of Toledo’s buildings and enjoying its museums, why not learn about the history behind it all while talking a breezy walk?

A magnificent construction that provides access to the city, the Puerta de Bisagra dates back to the Moors, and while it was reconstructed in the 16th century, some of the original elements are visible today. The name comes from the Arabic Bab-Shagra, meaning something along the lines of “the door that leads to the field”. The exterior comprises an arch of triumph, accompanied by two beautiful semi-circular towers, and crowned by the city’s imperial coat of arms.

This medieval bridge built over the River Tagus is a Toledo landmark and a very romantic place to go for an evening walk, complete with views of the old town. In the bridge’s middle arch, there is a small, weathered statue of a woman, representing the wife of the bridge’s architect. According to legend, the architect realised days before the inauguration that he had wrongly calculated the weight and length of the bridge. He thought it would collapse upon the removal of the scaffolding, so to protect her husband, she burnt it down at night during a horrible thunderstorm, making the villagers believe it was struck down by lightning.

The Museo del Greco is dedicated to one of the most important and influential Spanish Renaissance artists of all time. It aims to introduce the general public to El Greco not only as a painter but also as an individual, exploring the profound influence that he had in the shaping of Toledo’s history in the 17th century. The renovated historic building in the Jewish quarter also displays works by other artists, including paintings, sculptures and furniture.

This stunning place of worship dates all the way back to 1356. Less than 150 years later the Jewish population was expelled from the city and the building was converted into a church. Today is has been converted into a museum exploring the fascinating history of Jewish culture in medieval Toledo, and indeed southern Spain in general. Join a guided tour with a local archaeologist to learn more about the synagogue as well as some of Toledo’s most historic landmarks and ruins.

Explore Toledo’s Muslim past at this ancient mosque within the Old Town, an important monument that combines Moorish and Spanish traditions to impressive effect. It was formerly known by the Arabic name of Bab al-Mardum, named after the nearby gates of the walled city. The structure features on the city’s incredibly interesting underground walking tour. Recommended from Clare Speak.

See Toledo from a different perspective with Fly Toledo, by flying over part of the Tajo River on a zipline. It might look a little scary, but it’s a short line and the speed is pretty low. You get your photo taken and a video of your ride included in the ticket price. Or you could even take it up a notch and book a scenic hot-air balloon ride. Recommended from Clare Speak.

Another way to experience Arabic culture in Toledo is through the ancient tradition of bath houses such as this one. The Medina Mudejar Banos Arabes is still very much functional, and you can relax in the hot and cold pool circuit and enjoy a massage, as well as Arabic mint tea and biscuits. Recommended from Clare Speak.

The scenic town of Aranjuez, a former site of a royal summer palace and hunting grounds, is today a Unesco World Heritage Site filled with dreamlike gardens and majestic architecture that rivals even that of Madrid. The town is also surrounded by lush green fields filled with strawberry plants, making for a scenic drive from Toledo.

Famous for windmills and the work of Cervantes, this town has been famous locally since the 16th century. It’s known as the setting of a famous scene in Don Quixote, in which the knight errant battles with windmills he’d mistaken for giants. The town also has an impressive castle and a renaissance-style town hall.