Best Things To Do in Toledo

On your trip to Toledo you can visit all its churches, squares and museums and also discover different archaeological sites, including underground synagogues, which are right under local houses, amazing isn't it?

There are many things to visit in the city of the three cultures, that's why to make your choice of activities easier I have selected some of the best things to see and do in Toledo.

This is one of the best bus tours in Toledo, as it allows you to visit the city at your own pace. For example, you can stop at the Toledo City Hall for a short tour and then wait for the next bus to continue your exploration. It also has open seats at the top of the bus that allow you to enjoy the best views of the city while on board.

Some of the places I recommend you to visit if you go on a tourist bus are the Puerta de Bisagra, the Mirador del Valle and the Jewish Quarter. Also, don't forget to stop at the San Martin Bridge and take some epic selfies. Keep in mind that the tour buses run every hour, so keep your eyes peeled to make the most of your time.

Without a doubt, this is another of the best tours in Toledo, so I recommend you to set aside some time to enjoy it. This historical monument is located in the upper part of Toledo, as it was a fortress in Roman times.

The Alcázar of Toledo offers a wide collection of firearms and bladed weapons, in fact, there you can also admire some military relics from several centuries ago.

Nowadays, this site is home to the National Army Museum and, if you go on your own, you can admire each relic for as long as you wish. However, if you go with a guide, you will hear real stories of Toledo as you explore. However, if you prefer guided tours, I recommend booking one that includes entrance to the Alcázar, so you don't have to buy it separately.

Toledo is home to several historical monuments and some of them belong to the Knights Templar. They were a religious order and extremely powerful in their time. In fact, they were the ones who built the first medieval castles.

The Knights Templar had their own emblem, the iconic red eight-pointed cross, one of the things you will enjoy if you do this activity in Toledo. How much do you know about the Knights Templar? Well, in Toledo you will learn details you may not have known about these peculiar warrior monks, especially if you visit the Casa Del Temple Museum.

Generally, this is an activity that can take between 1 and 2 hours, as the idea is to admire in detail the Templar architecture of the period and some of the tools, weapons and costumes.

At night Toledo shines with its colourful houses and the different monuments and churches of the old town. That's why I recommend a night walk through Toledo, where you can learn about the place and enjoy the local houses or monuments illuminated. Remember that Toledo is considered the city of the 3 cultures.

Among the things you should see on this tour are the synagogues, palaces, churches and convents. Toledo was a very active city in the past; luckily, it still retains all its magic.

If you want, start this night walk in the Plaza de Zocodover, where you can take selfies for Instagram or, if you go with a guide, maybe he or she will tell you interesting legends. Another thing you'll see is Toledo's City Hall, which also has many stories and curiosities behind it. Without a doubt, this is one of the best activities if you want to enjoy Toledo at night.

Learn about the mysteries and secrets of Toledo through a walk through places where paranormal phenomena and apparitions have occurred. You can do this activity on your own or you could even do it with a guide, with the advantage that the guide will tell you spooky stories that very few people know about.

There are undoubtedly many haunted houses, dungeons and dark streets to visit in Toledo, and you're sure to enjoy them if you're looking for the spooky side of the town. And at the end of your night-time tour of Toledo, I recommend you try some of the dishes of Castilla de la Mancha. Do you like mystery and local legends? Then you'll be fascinated by this type of activity.

Another activity that I recommend you to do during your visit to Toledo is to visit the Cathedral of Santa María, which is characterised by its Gothic architecture. Its construction began in 1226 during the reign of Fernando III the Saint. You should also know that it is the second largest cathedral in Spain and is considered to be the opera magna of the Gothic style.

There are many things to see in Toledo Cathedral, spaces that most visitors know as the 5 treasures.

• Chapter House: Here you will find a series of portraits of the archbishops of Toledo from the first to the last.
• Sacristy: Contains valuable objects such as the Rich Bible of San Luis and canvases, the most outstanding being "the 15 by the painter Greco".
• The treasury: Here you will find several showcases with objects such as books, croziers, reliquaries, clothing and liturgical elements. You will also see a chalice, a pectoral cross and the monstrance of Enrique de Arfe.
• The choir: You will see the high choir stalls and 2 musical organs, as well as different works of art.
• High Altar: Beneath it is the chapel of the sepulchre, which is a very important monument for the catholic parishioners.

Luckily, the prices to enter the Cathedral of Toledo are not very high, so you can see it without having to spend a lot of money. Also, the opening hours of the Cathedral are quite flexible for visitors.

Another of my favourite activities is to take a walking tour through the underground world of Toledo where you will discover different constructions that will leave you impressed.

For example, in the underground world of Toledo you will find the Caves of Hercules and the Roman baths in the Plaza Amador de los Ríos. If you decide to do this activity with a guide, you will hear real stories that the underground holds or explanations about how the Jews performed their rituals in underground synagogues while deceiving the Catholic Church by pretending to be Christians.

If you are going to be in Toledo for 1 day, I recommend you to do this activity, as it usually lasts only 1 or 2 hours, great isn't it?

If you are looking for the best views of the medieval city of Toledo, I recommend this activity. It is a ride over the city of Toledo in a hot air balloon. From the top you can admire the monuments, squares and streets. You can even see the Tagus River and the surroundings of the city.

It is worth mentioning that hot air balloon tours in Toledo are one of the most popular activities. During the activity you can take the best pictures of the city and the flight.

On the other hand, one of the monuments you will be able to see from above is the Alcázar of Toledo. And, of course, you will be able to marvel at the views of the city's skyline. You may also be able to see the sunrise, depending on the time you do the activity.

As you can imagine, there is a lot of history in Toledo, since 3 different cultures lived there, Christian, Muslim and Hebrew. Therefore, I recommend you to live an unforgettable experience learning about the historical monuments of the 3 cultures.

One of the historical sites of the 3 cultures that you must see is the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, which in the Muslim era was an oratory of their religion. Also, visit the Church of Sto. Tomé, which is a Catholic church now, but used to be a mosque.

Another site I can highlight from the 3 cultures is the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, of Hebrew origin but now belonging to the Catholic Church. Undoubtedly, these monuments of varied origins you will only see in Toledo.

45 minutes from Toledo is the emblematic town of Aranjuez, where you can explore by boat and admire the surroundings of the Prince's Park from the Tagus River, including beautiful gardens that have been declared a World Heritage Site. In ancient times this site was only admired by nobles and kings.

As you can see, this is an excellent activity to get to know historical aspects of Aranjuez, one of the destinations you should not miss if you are visiting Toledo for at least 2 days. Bear in mind that Aranjuez is nearby, 46 km from the centre of Toledo.

Finally, you should know that the boat trips usually last between 45 and 60 minutes, so it won't take much of your time. At the end of the activity you can stroll freely around Aranjuez and eat local dishes.

An activity you can't miss on your visit to Toledo is a historical tour of all its most emblematic monuments, this is a city with a long past to tell.

Among the different monuments that you must see in Toledo, the excellent work of El Greco stands out: the Burial of the Lord of Orgaz. This is a painting measuring 4.80 x 3.60 metres which can be found in the Santo Tomé Church in Toledo.

Also, you have to see the Roman Baths of the ancient Toletum, which will make you feel like you are in the 1st century AD, when the Roman Empire dominated different cities in Spain. Similarly, Toledo is home to the Museum of Councils and Visigothic Culture, which is housed in the Church of San Roman.

Now, here is an activity that you can do at any time of the year, even if you go to Toledo in winter. The Santo Tomé Confectionery offers marzipan, the typical sweet of Toledo, all year round. They have been making marzipan from Toledo since 1856, preserving the traditional way of preparing it and, of course, its incomparable flavour.

This sweet is mainly made with almonds and icing sugar, so you can imagine its rich flavour. But what does it contain apart from icing sugar and almonds? Well, I won't tell you, you'd better go to the Santo Tomé Confectionery on your own, you're sure to love tasting the original marzipan made by experts.

Something characteristic of Toledo marzipan is that it has different shapes, depending on the imagination of the artisan, so you can always find it in different sizes and shapes to choose the one you like the most. Moreover, this activity will be great fun if you are in Toledo with children, as they will love marzipan.

If you are in Toledo for 3 days or more, don't forget to visit this museum. There you will find sculptures, paintings and antique furniture that will take you back in time. You should also know that temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year. These exhibitions make it worthwhile to visit the museum several times a year.

It is also worth mentioning that the El Greco Museum holds lectures on a variety of subjects, workshops, art classes and other activities. Some of the sculptures, such as the Crucified Christ and the Head of Agrippina Minor, will leave you amazed, as will the paintings of different saints.

On the other hand, I would like to inform you that the Toledo Pass will help you save on entrance fees to monuments and museums.

If you are in Toledo in summer, you might want to cool off a bit, especially after a walk in the sun. Therefore, I recommend you to go to the Arab Baths Medina Mudéjar. This is a spa in the city where you can find Arab style baths and relaxing massages, an ideal environment to meet the Arab culture of Toledo.

The Arabic theme of the spa will take you to the Orient, as the place is designed with Moroccan Riads in mind. Moreover, if you want, you can experience the spa individually or as a duo. In other words, you can invite a special someone, for example your partner, to relax with you in these crystal clear pools.

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes today is a Catholic temple where marriages, baptisms, communions, funerals and other Christian events are usually held. It is believed that this monastery was built between 1476 and 1478 on the occasion of the victory of Toro and the birth of Prince John.

The monument has Elizabethan Gothic architecture, so when you see it you will enjoy an incredible design. Also, if you are a religious person, you can take advantage of your visit to ask the advice of a priest or reflect on the past and the life of the Franciscan monks. Without a doubt, this ancient monastery can provide you with a different spiritual experience.

In addition, if you visit Toledo at Christmas time, you can enjoy artistic and religious activities such as Christmas songs.