Madrid to Toledo: A Complete Travel Guide
It’s quick and easy to take a trip from Madrid to Toledo, Spain, and you’ll love what you find on the old medieval streets!
Toledo is known as the “City of Three Cultures” because of its historical coexistence of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities.
I love the narrow, winding streets that lead to the city’s famous cathedral, past shops and restaurants, and down to bridges which cross the Tagus River.
Key Info on Visiting Toledo from Madrid
- Trains depart hourly from Madrid to Toledo.
- The ride takes about 40 minutes.
- It’s a mile from the train station to town.
- You’ll always find taxis waiting if you don’t want to walk.
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Where to Stay in Toledo, Spain
Toledo is worth spending at least a night in, during your trip to Spain. Personally, I enjoy my time in smaller cities like Toledo or Cordoba, than I do in a hub like Madrid.
You can enter your dates on this interactive map to see the availability of rentals and hotels in Toledo(from the best reputable companies like Booking, Hotels.com, and VRBO). It’s easiest to use on a desktop:
The Train from Madrid to Toledo
The Renfe trains run multiple times a day from Madrid to Toledo, sometimes every hour. It’s a direct route, which takes 40 minutes.
Train Tickets to Toledo from Madrid
Train tickets will run about $16 each way.
Rather than buying them at the Renfe kiosks in the train station, I’ve switched to using Trainline.
➡️ CLICK to Book Trains in Spain
Their search tool is easy to use, and the results, options, times, and fares are laid out nicely. It allows you to choose your seats on the train. Then you’ll get a QR code texted and emailed to you, which you’ll have scanned at the station.
💡 PRO TIP: Buy your train tickets to Toledo at least a day in advance. Seats can fill up, especially during peak seasons!
Madrid’s Atocha Train Station
You’re most likely to catch the train to Toledo from Madrid’s nicely renovated Atocha Station.
It’s clean and easy to maneuver through. Plus there’s a botanical garden with towering tropical plants to check out while you wait for your train.
Toledo’s Train Station
The train station in Toledo is the perfect welcome to this historic town. It was built in 1916, and is impressive enough inside to stop a lot of tourists in their tracks as soon as they get off the train.
The station is about one mile from the center of the old city. It’s an easy walk, if you’re not carrying much.
Otherwise, you’ll always find a fleet of taxis waiting outside to take you into Toledo. We paid less than $10.
The Bus from Madrid to Toledo
You can also take the bus to Toledo from Madrid. The Alsa buses usually depart every half hour from Madrid’s Plaza Eliptica Station.
The bus ride to Toledo is slightly longer than the train. It’ll take about an hour to get there from Madrid.
You will save some money. Tickets are usually about $8 each way, and you can buy them right on the Also website.
The Best Sites to See in Toledo, Spain
The best part of a visit to Toledo is just strolling along the winding, narrow streets.
If you’d like a professional guide to show you the history, I’d recommend this tour with excellent reviews:
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Here’s a list of the best sites in the city:
Puente de San Martin
There are a few bridges over the river. This one is one of Toledo’s major landmarks.
The medieval bridge was built in the 14th Century, and is flanked on both ends by defensive towers.
The Puente de San Martin used to have drawbridges and gates, but these days is wide open for visitors to walk across and enjoy.
There are pathways across the bridge, which lead down to the river.
Hiking & Walking Paths Along the Tagus River
The trails along the river in Toledo are known as Via del Tajo de Toledo. They’re easy to follow, and provide some of the most beautiful views of the city.
Plaza de Zocodover
The plaza is a gathering spot for tours. It’s loud, and full of kids on school trips, so you might not want to spend a whole lot of time there.
But it’s a good place to stop if you’re looking for a guide. You’ll find a few wandering around offering their services.
Toledo Cathedral (Catedral de Toledo)
Toledo has one of the largest cathedrals in Spain.
The Catedral de Toledo took 250 years to build, beginning in the 13th Century.
The entry fee is 12 Euros, with discounts for students and seniors.
Calle del Comercio
This is one of the many streets in Toledo, lined with stores. You’ll notice many of them sell swords and other medieval items.
Toledo has a long history of being known as a sword-making capital, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Alcazar
Alcazar is a fortress, dating back to Roman times when it was originally built as a palace.
The Moors turned Alcazar into a fortress, due to its strategic location at the top of the hill.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (who backed Christopher Columbus’ expedition) got married here in 1469.
Museo del Greco
Dedicated to the famous painter, El Greco, the museum houses a collection of his works, and provides insight into his life.
Banos Arabes de Tenerias
The remnants of the Arab baths date back to the 11th Century, when water from the Tagus River was pumped up and warmed for public bathing.
Something to Note
You may hear what sounds like rapid fire during the day and night on a visit to Toledo. It’s from the military academy across the river. The sound of the gunfire really travels!
If you spend the night in Toledo, you may hear the music played each morning to wake the troops up.
One Day in Toledo: A Day Trip Itinerary
While I’d recommend staying in Toledo for at least one night on a trip to Spain, it’s worth a day trip from Madrid if you’re limited on time.
The 40-minute train ride each way makes it possible!
Here’s how I’d spend one day in Toledo, after arriving and taking a taxi from the train station.
Puerta de Bisagra: Walk toward the Puerta de Bisagra, one of the main gates of the city. This gate serves as a symbolic entrance to Toledo’s historic center.
Zocodover Square: From Puerta de Bisagra, make your way to Zocodover Square, a bustling plaza with cafes where you can grab a drink and snack while you people watch.
Toledo Cathedral: From Zocodover Square, head toward the Toledo Cathedral, and go inside if you’d like.
Alcázar of Toledo: After visiting the cathedral, make your way to the fortress overlooking the city.
Santa María la Blanca Synagogue: Descend from the Alcázar and head toward this former synagogue, which is now a museum highlighting Toledo’s multicultural history.
San Juan de los Reyes Monastery: The Monastery is another stunning Gothic building constructed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
Puente de San Martín: Finally, make your way to the Puente de San Martín, a medieval bridge spanning the Tagus River. If time allows, take a path down to the river and walk along its banks until it’s time to head back to the train station.
Restaurants in Toledo, Spain
The streets of Toledo are full of small restaurants, so you’ll have plenty of options.
Terraza Quiosco de Caracena
This is a favorite outdoor patio dining spot of ours. They serve a light breakfast in the morning, and they’ll be one of a few early coffee options for you.
They’re also one of just a couple of options late at night. Glasses of wine are only $3, and the lights provide a nice ambiance for winding down your day in Toledo.
Local Favorites in Toledo
The consensus, based on our conversations, is that a few local restaurants stand out in Toledo. They’re all grouped together in the same area:
- Alfileritos 24
- Abadia
- Manjares
The Best Time to Visit Toledo
If you prefer mild weather and smaller crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn. April and October are my favorite options.
Really, the weather is relatively mild year-round, though it can get quite hot in the summer.
The Weather in Toledo, Spain: Month by Month
- January: High temperatures: 45°F to 55°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- February: High temperatures: 47°F to 57°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- March: High temperatures: 52°F to 63°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- April: High temperatures: 56°F to 67°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- May: High temperatures: 63°F to 75°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- June: High temperatures: 75°F to 83°F. Average rainfall is around 1 inch.
- July: High temperatures: 80°F to 90°F, with only a trace of rain.
- August: High temperatures: 80°F to 90°F, with less than an inch of rain.
- September: High temperatures: 70°F to 83°F. Average rainfall is around 1 inch.
- October: High temperatures: 61°F to 73°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- November: High temperatures: 52°F to 63°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
- December: High temperatures: 47°F to 57°F. Average rainfall is around 2 inches.
FAQs on a Trip from Madrid to Toledo
Let’s tackle a few frequently-asked-questions about Toledo. Many of these were already answered up above.
How far is it from Madrid to Toledo?
Driving, it’s only about 55 miles from Madrid to Toledo. The quickest way to get there is by train.
How long is the train from Madrid to Toledo?
The train ride takes 40 minutes or less between Madrid’s Atocha Station and Toledo.
How much are train tickets from Madrid to Toledo?
Train tickets usually run about $16 each way. Be sure to buy them a day early to ensure you get seats on your desired departure. If it’s sold out, the good news is: the trains from Madrid to Toledo usually depart once an hour.
What’s the cheapest way to get to Toledo from Madrid?
Bus tickets on Also buses are about $8 each way between Madrid and Toledo.
Can you make a day trip from Madrid to Toledo?
Yes, thanks to the close proximity between the two cities (only about 55 miles) it’s easy to take a day trip to Toledo from Madrid. The efficiency of the train system helps make it possible.
Wrap: Is Toledo Worth Visiting?
There are so many things that make a trip from Madrid to Toledo worth your time on a trip to Spain!
If you’re not into history, you’ll love the views or the winding stone streets, lined with shops and restaurants.
Plus, it’s one of the most convenient commutes between any tourist destinations in all of Spain.
