This adventure is part of a larger trip to Spain with girlfriends and an organized tour. We added Toledo to see a bit more of Spain before the organized tour.

Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims and Jews in the art and architecture of the city. In some places you will see them mixed together!

Toledo is a fascinating walled medieval city overlaid with modern life. The streets are a maze, and it is incredible that people drive cars here, because the streets are very narrow in places. On some walls you can see where someone tried to squeeze through!

I am a huge fan of Rick Steves’ travel books. His suggested walks and points-of-interest for Toledo are spot on. You can do your own walking tour with his descriptions of each location.

We took the fast train to Toledo, just 30 minutes to get there! We arrived early morning as things were opening up. We took the time to get ourselves oriented and get a map (always a worthwhile effort). Walking from the train station, it was not obvious that we needed to cross the bridge to enter the city — maybe we missed a sign (you can go up the escalator and skip the bridge, but then you miss a great view). Once over the bridge there is a steep set of steps to the city. It is worth the effort — the view is great from this entrance.

Built as a synagogue, but never used as one, the Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca is a beautiful example of Moorish design. It was used as a church and then horse stables. The light in this space was just gorgeous! We are loving the architectural details of this space!

The El Greco Museum is built near El Greco’s original home. Besides being full of great art, it has nice landscaping and interesting tile accents everywhere you look. Like most places in Spain, the stone and tile work is just beautiful. The various textures and designs are visually interesing and create spaces that are inviting and comfortable.

The Cathedral in Toledo is just amazing — it is so over the top! It has very high vaulted ceilings and so much art and sculpture — every turn reveals even more! There is a decorated hole in the ceiling called a Transparent. It was added to let a sunbeam brighten Mass! Get the self-guided tour — it is on a headset and you go at your own pace. The tour is chock full of great information.

We had trouble finding the Museo Santa Cruz — but the delay got us there in time to get in for free! The building is off the beaten path and around a corner. There was a tile display in one of the galleries Which was of great interest to us. And of course more works by Grecco, or his apprentices!

Our favorite architectural trend in Spain is the inner courtyard. You see them in private homes, public places and apartment buildings. These wonderful spaces are full of plants and often have running water. It is a natural oasis and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the doors. You can forget you are in an urban environment when you are in these  relaxing places.

And don’t forget to look up — the ceilings often have as much, or more, going on as the floors!

The convents in Toledo are famous for their marzipan, which you can find all over town in fanciful shapes with nuts and fillings.

We took the escalator route back to the train station for an express ride back to Madrid. We will be back at the train station tomorrow for a ride to Málaga. We were pleased that we are now familiar with the walk to the station and that we knew how to find the right train (and seats).

Back in Madrid we found a deal on paella for two with a bottle of wine for 28 Euros! We added a salad and had more than enough for all three of us. Very delicious and a wonderful goodbye to Madrid!

Make your own footprints…

Try the public transportation system

Toledo was quite a distance from Madrid, but taking the fast train made it the perfect day trip. I don’t think you need to see everything a country has to offer (I like quality over quantity) but don’t skip something because it is a little more complicated to get there. We did some research and were thrilled to discover the fast train, because we didn’t want to add two days to the trip to see Toledo, but had heard it was worthwhile.

There are often other modes of travel that let you relax and enjoy the scenery while getting in one more location. Subways, buses, boats, trains, even local planes, can make something a day trip.

Enjoy the journey!
Karin