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Just Finished an Overnight to Toledo Spain

First visit. Stayed a Hotel Paintor el Greco. Wonderful hotel with great staff. We visited the following:
Toledo Cathedral (allow 1 to 2 hours)
Alcazar library. Free to go to the cafeteria for amazing view of the city.
Hop off Hop on Bus- caught it near the Alcazar. The bus takes you across the river to spectacular views of the city.
El Greco Museum
Santa Maria Blanca
Claustro de San Juan de Los Reyes
Synagogue of El Transito
Iglesia de Santa Tome (my favorite el Greco- the burial of the count of Orgaz)
The last five sites above are in the Jewish quarter of the city and near the hotel.

I enjoyed all of the sites. We could have done so much more in two days, but took time to eat, people watch and wander through the many streets. We took a Renfe train from Madrid and arrived at the Toledo station in less than 30 minutes. We bought tickets ahead of time on the Renfe site. We left Madrid at 10:15 in the morning and returned to Madrid the next day at 1:30 pm. The taxi from the train station was 6 euros and well worth not hauling our small totes up the Toledo hill. The weather on April 1 was low of 35 to a high of 52 f and sunny. The crowds were much sparser than any I have seen in Spain this time of year. We met a few couples from the US and UK, but seems mostly Spanish tourist.

The mask requirements are very strict in Spain, and very good compliance. So glad we made the trip. I feel safe and the mood is calm here. Our hotel staff member told us tourism is picking up, but very slowly. Please considering learning some functional Spanish phrases. I found them useful and appreciated.

Posted by
3961 posts

Thank you for sharing your experience in Toledo. I felt like I was back there again! It was a day trip for us. Thanks for the hotel recommendation in case we return. Until then, I am reminded of Toledo when I look at our photos. Good to hear that tourism is picking up.

Posted by
6447 posts

Appreciate the review! We loved Toledo! Another option for people to see the view from across the river would be a taxi. It cost about 6 euro. We checked out that option when the Hop on Hoff off schedule didn't suit us.

Posted by
9220 posts

Thank you for the review as well as the mention of the hotel.

Posted by
1047 posts

Thank you for your post. My husband and I plan to be in Toledo this October. I had everything scheduled already only to find out from your post that there is a HOHO bus in Toledo. Delighted!

Posted by
4 posts

We were there a few years ago and took some advice from Rick in the guide book at the time. He said to be sure and spend a night there. Most tourists come and go in a day. The evening was calm and we enjoyed a nice dinner and walk about after some wine and cheese on the hotel's roof patio. In the morning we got to the Cathedral when it opened and enjoyed walking around in it before the large crowds descended on the town by mid morning.

Posted by
4 posts

We are seeing that no backpacks are allowed in museums now - did you find that to be true? We use our Rick Steves daypacks and would hate to be without them