Toledo
A hilltop city above the Tagus gorge, about 35 minutes from Madrid by fast train, known for its cathedral, its medieval synagogues and the paintings of El Greco.
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Toledo is a city in Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain, on a rocky hill that the Tagus River wraps around on three sides. It was the Visigothic capital, and it remained the seat of the Spanish court until 1561, when Philip II moved the court to Madrid. The old town has a Gothic cathedral, the Alcázar fortress, two medieval synagogues, Mudéjar churches, and Santo Tomé, which holds El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. El Greco worked in the city from the late 1570s.
Toledo works as a day trip from Madrid, about 35 minutes by fast train. Stay one or two nights if you want the streets after the day visitors leave. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since summer afternoons are hot in the narrow streets. Give the main monuments and viewpoints at least one full day, and keep an evening free for a quieter walk through the old town.
Toledo in five
- Take the Avant from Madrid AtochaThe fast train takes about 35 minutes. Toledo station sits below the old town, so expect a short bus ride or a steep walk uphill to Zocodover square.Madrid
- Prioritize the cathedral and Santo ToméThe cathedral is the main interior, and the church of Santo Tomé holds El Greco's Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Each charges its own entry, so check the official sites for hours and tickets.
- Avoid midday in July and AugustToledo is hot, with highs around 34 °C in July, and shade is scarce on the hill. Visit churches between 1pm and 5pm and walk the streets early or after sunset.
- Stay a night for the empty streetsTour groups leave by late afternoon, and the lanes are far quieter in the evening. Walk to the Mirador del Valle across the Tagus for the classic night view.
- Do not squeeze Ávila or Segovia into the same dayBoth are reached through Madrid, so each needs its own day trip. Pair them over a three-day Madrid base.Segovia
Things to do in Toledo
See all attractions in Toledo
Need to know
- Airport
- Madrid-Barajas (MAD), then train from Atocha
- Getting there
- High-speed Avant from Madrid Atocha in about 35 min
- Getting around
- On foot in the old town; steep, cobbled streets
- Best base
- The old town near the cathedral
- Time needed
- 1 long day; a night for sunset and quiet
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh12°Low3°Cold, foggyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cool, dryFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Mild, blossomAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, blossom
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Warm, long daysMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°HotJuneClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low21°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh35°Low21°Very hot, quietAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, quiet
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, goldenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°CoolNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Toledo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Toledo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 32%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Toledo
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue15°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed15°2°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu18°6°5%Thursday: Fog. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri17°7°26%Friday: Rain. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sat16°11°30%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sun17°14°67%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 67%.
Updated 06:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Mayfestivities of San Isidro LabradorMadrid, a day trip
- Jun–SepPHotoESPAÑAMadrid, a day trip
Day trips by train
Before you go to Toledo
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Rules for Toledo, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.
- Non-EU visitors are registered at the Spanish border under the EU Entry/Exit System, which records fingerprints and a facial image. Check the European Commission's EES page.
- Carry your passport or a copy of it while you walk the old town. Police can ask for identification.
Plan around Toledo
Base for Toledo day trips, with the Prado and barrios
Read the guideSegovia travel guideAqueduct and Alcázar, another easy day
Read the guideÁvila travel guideWalls and cold-weather plateau town
Read the guideTrains in SpainRenfe, Iryo and Ouigo compared for Madrid links
Read the guideAll of SpainCities, trains and entry rules for a Spain trip
Read the guideToledo FAQ
Is Toledo worth visiting?
Yes, it is the most layered historic town near Madrid: Christian, Jewish and Muslim monuments packed on one hill. It is crowded at midday, so go early, stay late or sleep a night.
How do you get from Madrid to Toledo?
Take the Avant from Atocha, about 35 minutes. Buses from Madrid are cheaper but slower, and drop at the bus station, a longer walk from the old town.
Can you see Toledo in a day?
Yes. A day covers the cathedral, Santo Tomé, one synagogue and the viewpoints. A night gives you the evening light and fewer crowds, which is the better version of the town.
What is Toledo famous for?
Its hilltop old town, the cathedral, El Greco paintings, damascene steelwork and marzipan. The old quarter was Spain's capital before Madrid, which is why it has so many layers of history.
Toledo or Segovia: which is better as a day trip?
Toledo for depth and views, with more to see and a longer day. Segovia for ease: one landmark, a lighter day and a classic lunch. Choose Toledo if you have time for only one.