Where to stay in Toledo – A guide to the “City of Three Cultures”
Toledo is the capital of the Spanish Castilla-La Mancha autonomous region. Located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, 67 km south of Madrid and next to the Tagus River, Toledo is famous for its beautiful and well-preserved historic centre, its imposing alcázar (fortress) and its Roman, Medieval, Sephardic and Mudéjar monuments. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay in Toledo, Spain.
Why you should visit Toledo
Toledo is located half an hour by high-speed train from Madrid, which means that many of its visitors come on a day trip, which is a pity because Toledo has much to offer for longer stays. See accommodation in Toledo.
The unique and rich history of the Castilla-La Mancha capital, which involved Celtiberian, Roman, Visigoth, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian peoples, make this enclave a true cultural mosaic.
Thought to be settled around the 5th century BC, the Romans officially founded the city as Toletum. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city became the capital of the Visigothic kingdom of Toledo. From the Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and up until 1492, Toledo lived a flourishing period in the cultural, scientific, and literary fields. During this time, citizens of the three main religions, Christians, Muslims, and Jews, lived together in (relative) harmony. This fact, unprecedented in Europe, originated one the nickname of Toledo as the “City of Three Cultures“.
Its great importance in medieval times and the cultural exchange of its inhabitants left an important architectural heritage clearly visible today in its Historic City Centre. Some of the main attractions in the Old Town include the Toledo Cathedral, the Alcázar of Toledo, the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, the Synagogue of El Transito, and the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz. See accommodation in Toledo’s Old Town.
As the capital of the Spanish Empire, Toledo’s museums are also packed with impressive collections of Medieval and Renaissance art. Both Museo del Greco and the Museum of Santa Cruz exhibit collections mainly dedicated to the works of Doménikos Theotokópoulos, better known as El Greco. Other museums worth mentioning include Museo Taller del Moro, the Sephardic Museum and the Centro de Arte Moderno y Contemporáneo de Castilla-La Mancha Convento de Santa Fe.
Toledo’s Judería is one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish Quarters in Spain. This intricate maze of narrow streets and alleys is home to the city’s beautiful synagogues, the Jewish Museum, and the Casa del Judío museum. This charming central district also has small quaint cafés, local restaurants and designer boutiques. See accommodation in Toledo’s Old Jewish Quarter.
When to visit Toledo
Due to its inland location in the Tagus Basin, Toledo has a Mediterranean climate. The city experiences four seasons with dry and scorching summers and cool winters. In January, temperatures typically range between 1 and 11 °C. On the other hand, the summertime can see average temperatures hover between 18 and 36 °C. Heatwaves with temperatures above 40 ºC are not uncommon in July and August. Because of its usually oppressive summer conditions, the best time to visit Toledo is during the autumn, winter or spring (October through May).
Getting there & moving around
Toledo does not have a commercial airport. To reach the city, the best option is to fly into Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas and then make your way by train to Toledo. Barajas Airport is located 85 kilometres northeast of Toledo. This major international hub, one of the busiest in the world, is the main international gateway to Spain and offers a wide range of connections to the rest of the country and Europe, as well as frequent non-stop flights to Latin America, the US, Canada, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Madrid’s airport is the main hub for several carriers, including Iberia and Air Europa.
The main way to reach Toledo is by far the train. Toledo Station is located 1.5 km east of the city centre and offers frequent non-stop AVE high-speed services to Madrid-Atocha, connecting both cities in just over half an hour. The high-speed corridor to Madrid is, at present, the only train route operating out of Toledo Station. See train routes, schedules & fares.
The best way of moving around the city, especially in the Old Town, is on foot. Toledo’s location atop a steep hill and its narrow winding streets mean travelling by car is not advisable. Toledo’s train station is connected to the city centre by bus, and several public-access escalators link the low-lying areas to the upper town. Plaza de Zocodover is the main bus hub in the city.
Where to stay in Toledo
The best area to stay in Toledo is La Judería. Toledo’s medieval Jewish Quarter occupies the west end of the Old Town and is a charming area filled with historic and cultural attractions, nightlife venues, great restaurants, and some of the best hotels in the city. See accommodation in Toledo’s Old Jewish Quarter.
Other excellent neighbourhoods to keep in mind when choosing the best areas for tourists in Toledo include the Alcázar de Toledo, the Central-North District and near the AVE station.
Keep reading to find more about the best areas to stay in Toledo, Spain.
The Best Areas to Stay in Toledo, Spain
1. Recommended area: Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter of Toledo, is undoubtedly one of the most charming neighbourhoods in the city.
This area is located to the west of the old medieval town and it contains the city’s main Sephardic (Spanish Jew) monuments.
Unlike other European Jewish neighbourhoods, Jews in Toledo were not forced to live in a specific section of town, however, it was around this area where most had their residences, places of worship and businesses.
The main Sephardic monuments in this area include the splendid synagogue Santa María la Blanca, the Sephardic Museum of Toledo (located in the former Synagogue of Transit) or the Casa del Judío museum.
Toledo’s Jewish Quarter also contains some of the most emblematic attractions in town, including the Gothic Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, the Church of Santo Tomé, the Casa del Greco Museum and the Taller del Moro Museum.
The nearby Puerta del Cambrión, former access to the walled city, connects with the city’s west side, San Martín bridge and Toledo’s cigarrales, formerly recreational villas, many of which they are currently restaurants and luxury hotels.
The Jewish quarter and the west of the old centre are excellent areas to stay in Toledo thanks to its multitude of cultural monuments.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Toledo, Spain:
- Medieval quarter
- Museo de El Greco
- Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca
- Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
- Very centrally located
- Shopping streets and restaurants
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso VI
The Alfonso VI is a traditional hotel located in the historic centre of Toledo, opposite the Alcazar and 300 meters from the Cathedral. It has rooms with air conditioning and views of the city.
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Budget
Eurico
Eurico Hotel is located in the historic centre of Toledo, surrounded by medieval and steep streets, and just 50 meters from the cathedral. The rooms have air conditioning, free internet access and satellite TV. Almost all offer views of the cathedral.
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Luxury
Eugenia de Montijo, Autograph Collection
This former palace of the Empress Eugenia de Montijo offers elegant and comfortable accommodation in the heart of Toledo, 200 meters from the cathedral. Free WiFi is available. Access to the spa comes at an additional cost.
2. Around the Alcázar
The Alcázar de Toledo and its surrounding area is another of the best areas to stay within the walled city of Toledo.
Located on the highest hill in the city, the Alcázar building is one of the most representative and photogenic landmarks in the city.
This imposing and robust fortress occupies the place where once stood a Roman palace and a Moor castle. Currently, it houses the Army Museum (Museo del Ejército) and the Public Library of Castilla-La Mancha.
In the vicinity of the fortress, you can find Zocodover, Toledo’s main square and public transport hub.
A little further to the west is the splendid Cathedral of Toledo, which, with its impressive bell tower, is considered the masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Spain.
Other attractions in the area include several Roman remains, the sober Cristo de la Luz Mosque, the Holy Cross Museum, the Puerta del Sol, and the Alcántara bridge.
For business travelers, Toledo Convention Centre “El Greco” is also in this area.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Toledo:
- Very centrally located
- Best area for business travellers
- Alcázar of Toledo
- Cathedral
- Cristo de la Cruz Mosque
- Toledo’s Convention Centre
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso VI
The Alfonso VI is a traditional hotel located in the historic centre of Toledo, opposite the Alcazar and 300 meters from the Cathedral. It has rooms with air conditioning and views of the city.
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Budget
Agapo Home
Agapo Home in Toledo, located 2.2 km from the Seminario, offers a range of services, such as a terrace. The property is 300 meters from Puerta del Sol de Toledo. The property is 1.8 km from El Greco House-Museum and 2.5 km from Toledo city center.
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Luxury
Hotel Boutique Adolfo
Hotel Boutique Adolfo offers free WiFi, a concierge service and a tour desk in Toledo, 700 meters from the Seminar. The hotel has a terrace and restaurant and enjoys a privileged location in the center of Toledo, 200 meters from the Puerta del Sol in Toledo.
3. Central-North District
North of Toledo’s old walls are some modern neighbourhoods, product of the expansion of Toledo over the centuries. This huge district holds, among others, the areas of San Antón, Santa Teresa, Reconquista or Circo Romano.
The north of Toledo is characterized by being quieter and more residential than the Historic Centre.
As expected, the southern area of the district, which borders the Historic Centre, is older and the streets get wider and the buildings more modern as you move north.
Although the north of the city does not have the same charm as the old town, this district is home to some secondary attractions, such as the Roman Circus, the Talavera Hospital, Toledo’s bullring and the largest parks in the city; namely Tres Culturas and Crucero.
On the other hand, having a better road infrastructure than the Historic Centre, the North-Central district also boasts several bus lines that connect it to Zocodover square.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Toledo, Spain:
- Roman Circus
- Residential area
- Connected by bus
4. Near Toledo Train Station (AVE)
Toledo Train Station is located east of the Historic Centre, near the Alcantara bridge and the Santa Bárbara neighbourhood.
This beautiful neo-Mudejar style station dates from the early twentieth century and is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.
From here you can get, in less than half an hour, to Atocha station, right in the centre of Madrid, thanks to the frequent high-speed trains connecting Toledo capital to the Spanish capital.
For this reason, staying near Toledo Train Station is an excellent option, particularly if you are travelling around Spain and need to access the connections that Atocha offers in order to travel to the rest of the country.
Because it is close to the Palacio de Congresos de Toledo, staying near the AVE station is also an excellent alternative for business travellers to the city.
The best part is that the train station also has bus connections to Zocodover square and, if you prefer to walk, you can reach the Centro Histórico in about 20 minutes on foot.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Toledo:
- AVE Train Station
- Half an hour to Madrid
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|ES| Las mejores zonas donde alojarse en Toledo, España
