Since we had seen what we wanted in Madrid, we took the opportunity to do an unplanned day trip to Toledo. Some of co-workers had mentioned that there wasn’t much in Madrid and if we had time we should visit Toledo and Segovia. As my travel partner had wanted to visit Toledo but couldn’t figure out how to accommodate the visit, this was our choice for the day visit.
Toledo Train Station
Toledo is maybe a half-hour to 45 minute train ride from Madrid and was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. It’s a world heritage site because it has extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish empire.
We arrived at their beautiful train station and decided to take the bus up to the central square. It was too steep of a hill to climb in the 40 degree (Celsius) heat. Once we arrived in the central square we took a quick walk around, stopping in a few of the stores before exploring some of the attractions around the square.
There was a bus / tram tour around Toledo and we bought tickets just in time to jump on the next tour. It was neat 45 minute tram ride starting from the main square and circles around and through Toledo. There is an audio component giving some history of the city and pointing out neat features and stories regarding the Toledo and its buildings. It was great tour for 4 / 5 euros.
Once we returned to the main square we cooled off in one the cafés with a cup of coffee and people watched. After trying to cool off in the shade and in the café, we headed back down to the train station. It took a good part of the day to see Toledo. It was a great spur of the moment day trip.
