Free walking tours in Toledo and what to see

Must-sees

Toledo rises on a hill wrapped by the Tagus river, and its old town is a World Heritage Site. The Gothic cathedral keeps paintings by El Greco and others in its sacristy, and in the ambulatory the Transparente, a Baroque altarpiece. The Alcázar, at the very top, houses the Army Museum. The Plaza de Zocodover is the city’s meeting point.

Toledo is known as the city of three cultures. In the old Jewish quarter are the synagogues of Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito, home to the Sephardic Museum. The mosque of Cristo de la Luz dates from Moorish times. In the church of Santo Tomé you can see El Greco’s The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. For the classic view of the city, cross the river to the Mirador del Valle.

Free tours and guided visits

The usual free tour covers the old town in about two hours: Zocodover, the outside of the cathedral, the Jewish quarter and the coexistence of Christians, Jews and Muslims. Night-time legends tours are very popular in Toledo. There are also tours of the underground city, such as Arab baths and caves, although these are usually paid. At the end of the free tour you tip what you like.

A guided visit to the cathedral is worth it for the sheer number of works it holds. Many visitors come from Madrid on a day trip with guide and transport, sometimes combined with Segovia or Ávila. If you’re already in Toledo, you can go to Consuegra to see its windmills.

How long to spend

You can see the main sights in a day, but it feels short. It’s best to spend two days and sleep there, because many groups leave in the afternoon and the streets empty. Day one, a free tour, the cathedral and the Jewish quarter, with a legends tour at night. Day two, Santo Tomé, San Juan de los Reyes, the Alcázar and a walk to the Mirador del Valle.

Where to stay

Stay inside the old town if you can. You save yourself the climbs and can see the city at night without the crowds. The area around Zocodover and the cathedral is the most central, and the Jewish quarter is a little quieter. Outside the walls there are hotels with views and parking, especially around the Valle, but you’ll need a car or taxi. If you arrive by car, there are escalators up from the lower town to the centre.