Toledo – Spain’s Original Capital City
We decided to escape Madrid’s rainy weather by visiting the neighbouring town of Toledo, which is Spain’s original capital. There’s public transport that takes you from the train station to the main Plaza de Zocodover in the heart of the old city, but we walked up the hill. At first we thought we were in for a miserable day trudging around in the wet and cold.
But it didn’t take long for the clouds to clear and the blue skies stayed with us for most of our visit.
The closest entrance if you’re coming from the railway station is across a bridge that leads you up a hill and through the city entrance below.
If you walk further round the city walls there’s actually steps and an escalator that offers you a less strenuous alternative.
We walked across the bridge and up the hill to the city, but exited through a different gate which brought us out near the escalators. From here, it’s a much longer walk to the train station.
Wandering around Toledo’s Old Town
Old doors and windows are a common sight in Toledo, and you can just feel the history oozing from every piece of stone in the building’s walls.
Row after row of narrow lanes lead to into a labyrinth of cobbled streets and courtyards. Some buzzing with tourists, and others completely deserted.
We steered clear of the restaurants and bars around Toledo’s main square, and went in search of a tapas or lunch place, and stumbled across Cafe del Fin. An unassuming little bistro with a set menu. We weren’t that hungry so we ordered one set lunch and shared it. The Menu Diario (menu of the day) included a choice of starters, main course, and a glass or wine or beer for 12 Euro, I ordered a red which which was 1.50 Euro. Not only value for money, but a cozy but modern setting with friendly wait staff. #Highlyrecommended.
Visiting Toledo by Train
The high-speed train from Toledo to Madrid takes about 30 minutes and costs about 10 Euros. We booked our outbound ticket the night before, because we’d read that some trains got sold out during peak times.
We only booked a one-way because we weren’t sure how long we wanted to spend in Toledo, and we were a little worried that our return train would be sold out. But we arrived back at the station about 20 minutes before the next train and had no trouble booking a ticket back to Madrid on the next train.
It’s an hourly service, but during peak summer months advance booking is recommended because Toledo is a popular day trip from Madrid, and the trains aren’t very long.
We spent 4 hours in Toledo and that was plenty of time to wander the streets to explore the old town and linger over lunch. We didn’t go around any of the sights, so if there’s something you’re keen to tour, you’ll need to factor that time in.
I head so much about Toledo, that it’s a nice day trip from Madrid. I didn’t know it used to be the capital, but I’ve seen this moving capital concept in South America too.
I didn’t dig into why the capital moved from Toledo, but that would be an interesting nugget to read more about.
Brought back my memories of the day trip to Toledo. It is so beautiful and historic. What I loved most was strolling on the ancient stone bridges over the river and the views of the Mirador valley.
It’s a wonderful old city to wander around, and a perfect size for a day trip.
That place is steeped in history. How amazing must it have been in it’s heyday? You can just feel the experiences and adventures oozing out of those walls and doors.
Yes you’re right, as we were walking around it LeeAnn, it was so easy to lose yourself in the modern day and imagine how it must have been when it was the Capital.
I’ve done a weekend trip to Madrid before but never gone further afield. This old capital is so different from Madrid. I wish I’d taken the time to visit it.
Well if you decide to visit the Madrid area again, I’d definitely recommend a day trip to Toledo … so close, and yet so far from the capital in look and feel.
Ok. We will go and spend 2 nights. What the heck! Cheers!
🙂 … glad to hear it! Make sure you wander away from the squares to discover the little Tapas bars off the beaten path.
Will do. Thanks for the tips!
It’s only a small town so you can easily do a circuit to see where you fancy eating. There’s some great little restaurants that do a lunch special .. bargain price, for good quality home made food.
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Enjoyed reading through your blog that refreshed my memories of visiting Toledo a few years ago. I loved those narrow cobblestone streets and how the expert drivers maneuvered their cars through some of them! The place has a magic of its own with its history and bridges that it charms all its tourists! 🙂
Yes there’s something so mesmerizing about walking on the same cobbled streets that you know have been walked on for hundreds and hundreds of years.
I missed Toledo from Madrid due to lack of time but after reading your posts, I am now regretting. I love such historic sites and that bridge leading to Old town is truly photogenic. Doors are worth capturing here
Yep Yukti … doors and windows! Love capturing both of them.
I absolutely adored Toledo when I visited. Until my sister had tipped me off about it, I never even knew the old capital existed. Like you, I also went by train, the station at the Toledo end is so pretty, I’m glad you shared a photo of that, as it’s one of my vivid memories of the place. did you see the super cute cork house just outside of the city walls? So many people miss it.
Hi Becki … no I didn’t see the cork house … I was another person who missed it!! 😉