Wondering where to wander near Madrid? Look no further than Toledo, a medieval, walled city still brimming with the charm of times gone by that is only an hour from Madrid. With a storybook castle and enough swords and knights to please King Arthur, you won't be disappointed by Toledo.
The Alcazar sits at the highest point in Toledo, giving the visitor views for miles, the kind of views that make you stop in your tracks and take it all in. It is so old that it was once used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century. Today it serves as a military museum. It is a must-see when you visit Toledo.
Toledo Cathedral contains so much gold that you'll wonder why you never heard of it before. Set up a personal tour to get the most out of your visit and be sure to ask about the famous gold and silver monstrance which is still brought out for the Corpus Christi parade every year. It stands more than 10 feet tall and apparently is made from some of the first gold and silver to be brought back from the Americas. You won't believe they carry it out in public in a parade because it looks like a museum piece.
The bridges entering the city take you over the river and maintain the medieval feel that matches the age and distinction of the wall around the city. There is something about crossing through a large stone gate, walking over a stone medieval bridge, and entering another gate on the other side to get into the city. And to add a modern touch, you can now zipline across the river to get to the other side.
Damascene - Toledo is famous and well-known for the beautiful technique that produces Damascene decorative gold and black artwork on plates, swords, and jewelry as a start. You will find items to buy in many, many stores and this type of souvenir would truly be a special memory from Toledo.
Swords, knives and knights - Keeping with the medieval theme, you will find many shops selling swords, knives and knight-related items. There are actually sword makers that offer tours and workshops as well. Be sure to check what you purchase to make sure it is authentic to Toledo if that is important to you.
Mirador del Valle sits across the river from Toledo and offers an incredible view of the city. Take a moment to pull over, get out and snap some pictures or take it all in. It's a great place for that group photo you've been wanting from your trip.
Restaurante Parador del Toledo - All over Spain you will find paradors, which are typically sprawling mansion-sized hotels and restaurants, which used to belong to a family, but were purchased by the government when the property became too much for the family to maintain. The Toledo Parador Restaurant offers a very large outdoor patio where you can share food and drinks with friends and family while enjoying probably the most incredible view of Toledo that you can find. It sits a little higher on the mountain above Mirador del Valle and it is a great way to finish out the day before heading back to Madrid. The views are expansive. This one made me curious about paradors throughout the rest of Spain.
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