Why does all of Toledo close down at 6pm

They'll be back tomorrow:

https://www.facebook.com/palenciadelara/videos/2276693679148859

[edited to add: why would anyone imagine that they'd find dinner at 6pm? ]

In cooler months Spaniards may spend their siesta time shopping or at outdoor cafes. In the heat of summer, they'll all be inside, curtains drawn, in front of fans—AC if they're lucky. Summer siestas are longer, and the languid, celebratory vibe on the streets when everyone comes back out is uniquely, deliciously Spanish. (And it's a shame that so many tourists miss it— putting on PJ's while locals are getting dressed to emerge.)

The first time I visited Toledo I did it as a day trip from Madrid and thought I have to go back and spend the night. A few years later I did in March and the city shut down at 7p; everything closed. I was the only person walking on the street so I went back to my room. What a boring place this city is at night. I do not recommend spending the night there.

We found that it reopened around 9pm when the sun down and it was cooler. Many restaurants don't open until around 8, 9 pm. That was pre-pandemic so there could be other changes.

Seems about right. That’s about the time the tourist attractions and many stores would close and most restaurants won’t open until about 8-8:30pm. It’s a great time to wander the streets and see sights like the bitter well (pozo amargo), the bridges of San Martín and Alcántara, the Roman Circus ruins, and the old city gates without all the day trippers. There are legends surrounding the bitter well and the bridge of San Martín. If she was starving, there’s always the McDonalds at Plaza Zocodover as a last resort. Just up the street from it were a few cafeterias that catered mostly to tourists but had decent menús del día. They always seemed to be open.

Toledo comes to life with locals about 9 PM. We found it to be a delightful place with great restaurants, folks walking around the now lit fabulous cathedral. But you have to be on Spanish time to appreciate it. We were so glad we got to spend the night.

Is it vacation month for the residents?

Yes, August is when many Spaniards close up shop and go on holiday, even in the big cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

I was in Toledo around Christmas in 2018 (when many return to visit family in hometowns) and after dark it was very lively with Christmas markets populating the various squares.

Also dinner service does not start in Spain until 8:30 pm at the very earliest.

Yep, agree with everyone here who says there’s lots to do in the evening. 6pm is definitely too early for dinner but a great time for wandering.

We’ve been to Toledo several times for multi-night stays, most recently last December. We made ourselves go back to the apartment at midnight; could have stayed out much later if we wanted to. Crowds of people on the streets, Christmas markets, lots of folks just walking and socializing. Loved it.

Seriously? Things to do late into the evening? All day? Toledo never sleeps, my friend.

Wash Cannonball E-bike (sissy bike) tour, and more. Much more:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g51048-Activities-Toledo_Ohio.html

Thank you. And you're welcome.

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe this isn't a normal summer. She says they went back out at 9:30 and no restaurants were open and nobody on the streets. Maybe that FB post about August 3rd was right. Toledo doesn't sound fun like Madrid, Grenada and Seville.

Several tour companies have walks that start from Zocodover plaza around 7:30pm or 8pm, not least so that when you are done with the tour, it's almost time for dinner.

Everyone leaves the city by train.

This is a feature, not a bug.

avirosemail, I'd be starving by then, followed by having trouble sleeping following a late dinner.

BigMike -- the Rickster himself often says that you can eat with the tourists early or you can eat with the locals, both can be good so long as you recognize what you're doing -- I've mentioned before how a review of one of the best (imho) restaurants in Sevilla by a Brit said that they don't know what all the high ratings are for because when they were there at 7:30pm the place was mostly empty, and the service was nothing to write home (or TripAdvisor) about -- the commenter clearly didn't recognize what they were doing.

Spanish habits happen to blend well with my own -- 6pm is a great time for a nap, I say. Especially in the summer.

avirosemail, good thoughts. We're all different. I can't nap much or it messes me up for sleep that night, and at my age I'm regrettably locked into sleep mode from 2300 to 0600 give or take. I guess I'm just not made for southern Europe!

The other mistake visitors (well North Americans) also make in Spain is eating a big hotel breakfast buffet, skipping lunch or snacking at Noon, then trying to eat heavy at 7:00 PM. You really need to adapt, light breakfast, main meal at 1:00 or 2:00 PM, then you can survive on tapas early evening or a meal later evening (or both)...you know, the whole "living like a local" mantra.

Well, she found out from her tour guide (a daytime guide) today that closing at 6pm is particular to Toledo. They don't open up late like most of Spain because most people are daytrippers ( much like Venice) so they close up early in summer. Stuff like convenience stores and grocery stores stay open, as well as a few souvenir shops.Some small ethnic food restaurants were open so they ate Syrian tonight. It's not like Madrid.

Barb, I believe your daughter. When I spent the night in Toledo this city shut down at 7p. It was obvious restaurant staff wanted to go home since no one made my sister and I feel welcomed. We did eat bad tapas at a place that were cleaning up and the potato chips tasted better than what we ordered. Furthermore, it did not look like it was going to be revived in two hours. The streets were dark and she and I were the only two walking around so we called it a night. I do not believe this city picks up again at 9p.

Oh well, now we all know.

Well said, Paul. It pays off to do a little research before traveling.

MaryPat, there is quite the nightlife in Toledo if you know where to go. El Ultimo for example. I did some things there that I should have gotten arrested for.