Explore
We are thrilled that our guests will have time to explore the beautiful, historic city of Toledo and perhaps even other parts of Spain. Below are some of our favorite places to explore and things to do in Toledo and Madrid.
Toledo
Toledo is one of Spain’s oldest cities, and was its original capital; today it is known as the “city of three cultures” because of its centuries-long history with Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths.
There’s an overwhelming amount of things to do in Toledo and the surrounding areas, so we’ve listed just a few of our suggestions below – but we encourage everyone to do some research and see what experiences in Toledo interest you most!
Toledo Walking Tour
The best way to experience the historic center of Toledo is by foot! We recommend booking through your hotel and asking for Melanie from Hello Toledo Guided Tours! Most walking tours start at the Plaza Zocodover, and cover the main sights of Toledo: the cathedral, the alcazar, the historic synagogues, the Jewish Quarter, etc. Most walking tours are flexible and customizable, so if you tell your tour guide you’d like to spend more time in the Jewish Quarter, for example, they can tailor the tour accordingly. Toledo’s streets are primarily cobblestone and many streets are uphill, so please bring comfortable walking shoes if you choose a walking tour!
The Alcazar & Spanish Military Museum
Pretty much any picture you see of Toledo will include the imposing silhouette of the Alcazar. It’s an old fortress that was used for centuries to defend the city and was the seat of the Spanish crown, and now contains a museum of the Spanish military, as well as an archaeological site dating back to the 3rd century. Even if you’re not interested in the museum, the Alcazar is still worth a visit; the gardens around the second floor have stunning views of the valleys and the modern Spanish military academy, and you can climb one of the towers for the best views over the old city.
Toledo Wristband
The tourism wristband gives you access to 7 attractions in Toledo, and only costs about $15. This gets you access inside: Church of Santo Tome, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Church of El Salvador, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, Church of the Jesuits, and the College of Noble Maidens.
Museo Del Greco
Visit the small museum and (recreated) house of the mannerist painter El Greco, who lived most of his life in Toledo, with a large collection of his work.
Don Quixote Windmills
One of the most iconic scenes of any Spanish novel is that of Don Quixote fighting off “giants” in the countryside outside of Toledo. To see the windmills that inspired Miguel de Cervantes, take a trip out to Consuegra and walk through the “giants” yourself!
Nearby Vineyards
The Castilla la Mancha region surrounding Toledo is one of Spain’s largest wine production areas. There are lots of small vineyards in the nearby hills that are well worth a visit, such as Bodegas Martue and Bodegas Pinuaga. These vineyards tend to be small and family owned however, so they require a reservation in advance to visit.
Puy Du Fou
An amusement park on the outskirts of Toledo dedicated to Spanish history – think of it more as a massive Renaissance Fair than an American amusement park. During the day, Puy Du Fou is a great place for families – they have replicas of Columbus’s ship you can climb aboard, and displays of sword-making and knight battles. At night, there is a production at their outdoor amphitheater that goes through Spain’s history from the early medieval times through to the 20th century using music, dancing, and visual effects. We can personally attest this show is amazing, and you’ll be in awe the whole time. If you don’t speak Spanish, bring headphones to the show – there is an app you can download and connect your headphones to which translates the show in real time into English as you watch.
Swords
Toledo is the world-capitol for sword making. Even if you’re not interested in taking one home, browsing the shops and watching demonstrations of swords being made is a great way to get the feel of the city. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll be in luck here. Toledo was contracted to make all the set swords used in the filming of all three movies, and many shops display and sell copies of the characters' swords.
Restaurants & Bars
There are tons of amazing Spanish restaurants throughout Toledo - you really can’t go wrong anywhere. We’ve listed a few of our favorites below:
**Note: Dinner starts late in Spain. Most restaurants won't open their kitchen until 8:00 PM.**
La Ermitaña: the best view of the city you can get with some exceptional dishes! If you come for a meal here, we recommend downloading the Google Translate app on your phone first - their menu is incredible and extensive, but they only have Spanish copies!
Cerverceria la Abadia: a local brewery and restaurant with ancient ruins in the basement. They welcome walk-ins, but if you make a reservation in advance you can eat in the basement, surrounded by excavated ruins. Get the sangria!
Taberna el Botero: El Botero is a local favorite specializing in Spanish cuisine including tapas, croquettes and bao. A great place for dessert lovers, they are famous for their gelato and panna cotta.
Taberna Skala: a simple and affordable restaurant that offers traditional Spanish cuisine. It is a good place to brush up on your Spanish because it is popular with locals.
Restaurante la Orza: Michelin guide lists this as one of the best places to eat in Toledo!
El Trebol: A great place for simple bites and excellent drinks. It’s right next to Plaza de Zocodover, so a great place to go before or after a walking tour because most start and end nearby. It is also open early (before 8:00 pm) for dinner.
Madrid
It’s hard to capture everything there is to do in Madrid since there is so much, but we’ve included some of the top tourist attractions and our recommendations below. If you’re only planning a day or two in Madrid, the NY Times 36 Hours in Madrid is a great starting point for planning your trip!
Museo Del Prado
The Prado Museum, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It is widely considered to house one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish royal collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art.The numerous works by Francisco Goya, the single most extensively represented artist, as well as by Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, are some of the highlights of the collection.
Palacio Real de Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid or Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest Palace for a Head of State in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world.
El Retiro Park
Covering over 125 hectares and comprising more than 15,000 trees, El Retiro Park–recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site–is a green oasis in the heart of the city. In it you’ll find all kinds of interesting monuments and gardens, including the Jardín de Vivaces, the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez (Andalusian-inspired classicistic gardens), the Jardines del Arquitecto Herrero Palacios, the Rosaleda rose garden and the Parterre Francés, which holds a Mexican conifer that is nearly 400 years old and is believed to be Madrid’s oldest tree.
In addition to its role as one of the city’s green lungs, it is also a popular spot among Madrileños who like to go there for a stroll, to do some sport, visit an exhibition or take the kids to a puppet show. The park is home to a large artificial lake, where you can rent a rowing boat, and to the Velázquez Palace and Glass Palace which are both currently used as exhibition halls by the Reina Sofía Museum. The latter is a beautiful glass pavilion built in 1887 to house exotic plants for an exhibition on the Philippines. It is one the finest examples of cast-iron architecture in Spain.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art. It is located in Madrid, near the Atocha train and metro stations, at the southern end of the so-called Golden Triangle of Art (located along the Paseo del Prado and also comprising the Museo del Prado and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza).
The museum is mainly dedicated to Spanish art. Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain's two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. The most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso's 1937 painting Guernica. Along with its extensive collection, the museum offers a mixture of national and international temporary exhibitions in its many galleries, making it one of the world's largest museums for modern and contemporary art.
Plaza Mayor
Madrid’s grand central square, Plaza Mayor, is found in the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the oldest part of the city. Steeped in history, the bustling plaza is the perfect place to begin your stroll through one of Madrid’s most charming districts. While you’re there, have a bite to eat or a coffee at one of the sunny terraces, buy yourself a souvenir in any of the time-honoured shops, watch street musicians and artists working their magic, and soak up the city’s rich history. The square also plays host to events such as the drum parade at Easter, outdoor concerts, and the city's Christmas market in December, so be sure to check the calendar when you're visiting.
Real Madrid Stadium
Real Madrid is one of our city’s three professional football teams, together with Atlético de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Holder of multiple European and international titles, the club opens its doors 363 days a year for football and sports fans to explore its historic stadium, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, an absolute must on your trip to Madrid. Unfortunately, the football season will not be on during the wedding.
Massimo Dutti
One of our favorite clothing brands -Massimo Dutti is a Spanish premium clothing retailer specializing in cashmere and wool products, established in 1985. They have stores throughout Madrid and the country.
Other Information
Planning to travel after the wedding?
Whether you’re traveling around Spain or jetting off to somewhere else in Europe, your first step will likely be to return to Madrid for transport to your next destination. In Madrid, you’ll have easy access to the Madrid Barajas Airport, which has many direct flights to other major European capitals and cities, and to the extensive Spanish rail network, RENFE, which you can take for access to Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, or Bilbao, depending on your itinerary!
The fastest way to get back to Madrid is via the high-speed rail. It runs multiple times a day direct between Madrid and Toledo, and takes about 30 minutes in total travel time. If you’re heading to the airport, you can transfer in Madrid for a local train out to the airport for an easy connection.
I don’t speak Spanish, will I have problems communicating or ordering food?
Toledo is one of Spain’s top tourist destinations, so many people throughout the city speak English. Most of the sites and restaurants we’ve included above have brochures and menus in English to accommodate English-speaking guests. If you ever encounter a place without English, however, we recommend downloading the Google Translate app - its photo feature is great for quickly translating menus!
In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you should have no problem finding English. As Spain’s two biggest attractions, you’ll find English spoken almost as commonly as Spanish. In smaller cities, however, we recommend a Spanish phrase book to help you get by!
If you’d like to practice or brush up on your Spanish some before the wedding, let us know! Anna will be forcing Brandon to practice Spanish every week for the next 11 months with Spanish movies, books, tv shows, and music; so if you need any recommendations, we’ve got ‘em!