Toledo (Spain)
Travel Guide > Europe > Spain > Castile-La Mancha > Toledo
In this Article
- Introduction
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Toledo is one of Spain's most popular destinations, and with good reason: it has a rich heritage and a long, proud history. It served as the capital of Visigothic Spain between the 4th and 8th centuries AD, flourished under the empire of the Moors, and became the home of the royal court of the Kingdom of Castille during the Middle Ages.
Embraced on three sides by the Tagus River, Toledo's walled old city has a historic charm, even if the thriving tourist trade has diminished the experience somewhat. The town's most popular attractions are the Alcázar and the Cathedral, but walking the narrow cobbled streets is in itself a rewarding experience. The presence of mosques and synagogues emphasises the cultural diversity of Toledo's past.
Toledo has a population of around 77,000 and is located in the heart of Spain, just 70 km south of Madrid in the region of Castile-La Mancha.
Sights and Activities
The Old City
The Old City is nicknamed the city of the three religions, as once Catholics, Jewish and Islamic people coexisted here without many troubles. It is also the former capital of Spain, until Felipe II, moved the seat of power to the new capital Madrid, where he could get away from the powerful Catholic church, which in his eyes had become too powerful. The Old city is a maze of small streets, and a couple of squares, including the central Plaza de Zocodover. In the old city there are numerous sights one can visit, including the Cathedral, The Synagogue del Transito and many old churches.
Events and Festivals
Getting There
By Train
Coming from Madrid (Atocha) you can reach Toledo in 30 minutes. Check the Renfe Spanish Railway for current timetables, or for details on how to get from Toledo to other cities.
By Car
The A42 motorway connects Toledo to Madrid. From Toledo you can take several motorways to other cities in Spain.
By Bus
Long distance buses are very common in Spain, so it is likely that you can get a busline to take you to Toledo from a lot of place. If you want to visit Toledo while you are visiting Madrid, you can go to the bus station near the metrostation of Méndez Alvaro. The journey to Toledo takes one hour.
Getting Around
By Car
Only people with a permit can enter the old city, so if you go by car, you have to park your car somewhere outside the city walls.
By Public Transport
There are busses going from the train and busstation to the old city. It's best to get out at the plaza de Zocodover, one of the bigger squares in the town, and to venture into old Toledo from here.
By Foot
From the bus station or the train station it's only a short walk to the old city. If you don't want to make the climb, there are escalators that can take you to the old city. The old part is a maze of small streets, making it difficult to find your way.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment Doncellas | Calle del Colegio de Doncellas 2 | Guesthouse | 100 |
| Hostal Sol | C/ Azacanes 8 | Guesthouse | 84 |
| Hotel Sol | Azacanes 15 | Hotel | 89 |
| Hotel Toledo Imperial | Horno de los Bizcochos, 5 | Hotel | 85 |
| Kris Domenico | Cerro del Emperador S/N Carretera de Cobisa | Hotel | 82 |
Mid-Range
Upscale
This is version 18. Last edited at 22:41 on Sep 9, 09 by Herr Bert (+569). 4 articles link to this page.
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