How I Visited Toledo for Only 25 Euro!
Every year Ale and I have gone away for the puente (4 day weekend) in December. Our first trip together was to beautiful Ronda and the second ended up being a weekend in Cadiz.
This year we’d just moved to Madrid and didn’t have the funds for anything big. We’ve both been working hard at starting our businesses, and barely going out. I was dying to do something– especially since all of my private class students had canceled on me! Luckily, there are plenty of incredible day trips from Madrid. We debated between recommendations such as Ávila, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, and other quaint sounding, nearby towns. Finally, we decided on the mountaintop city (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) Toledo.
Getting to Toledo: Your Transportation Options
Toledo is the number one recommended day trip from Madrid so we figured it would be easy to get to. We were right; there are frequent buses and trains to and from the city (even on holidays!).
Train Option: The train leaves from Atocha every one or two hours starting around 7:00 am on weekdays and 9:00 on weekends and holidays. Its last trip back leaves Toledo between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm (depending on the day).
- The train costs 12,90€ for a one-way ticket and 20,60€ for a roundtrip (2018 prices).
- The bus costs 5,47€ for a one-way ticket and 9,78€ for a roundtrip (2018 prices).
Spent so far: 9,00€ per person (11,00 if you include the metro ticket to Plaza Eliptica – in 2011 – though prices haven’t risen much!)
What to Eat in Toledo
Toledo is known for its hearty food. Venison, boar, game birds, stuffed peppers, sausage and eggs…it is the perfect cuisine for a cold winter day! We needed a place where we could try some of Toledo’s typical cuisine but not spend a fortune. Luckily, we stumbled upon the perfect place.
Café Bar Toledo Cervecería Calle Armas, 15
Nervous to eat in a restaurant with the name Bar Toledo (we were afraid it was a tourist trap) we quickly Googled it for reviews. But the only thing that came up for that address was a Bar Zorba so we weren’t sure if it had changed names or owners… and decided to just risk it. It turned out to be a good idea. The restaurant is comfortable and quaint and the food is typical of the region and a good value.
We tried:
Tostada con carne de cerdo, brie, y balsamico: A toast with ground pork, melted brie, and balsamic reduction.
Huevos Rotos con Chistorra: A fried egg on top of fried potatoes with some fried Spanish chistorra sausage (hearty indeed!)
Venado con Salsa de Champiñones: Venison in a mushroom sauce.
Carcamusa: A very typical dish in Toledo! Stewed pork with tomato, peas, and a slightly spicy sauce (Spanish “spicy”)
Ale had two beers and I had a glass of dry white wine. We left stuffed and satisfied. Our food wasn’t life changing, but it warmed us up on a very cold afternoon and the service was friendly.
Lunch cost: 19,50€ (We left 20,00€)
Spent so far: 20,00€ per person
Check here for a more comprehensive guide to eating in Toledo!
Sights to See
Toledo is full of historic monuments (enough for another 10 blog posts– seriously!) and a day trip to Toledo barely scratches the surface, but here are some must see places in Toledo!
La Puerta del Sol
La Catedral Primada
El Río Tajo
Spent so far: Still 20,00€ per person since we didn’t pay to enter in any of the monuments that day (though we can always come back). We loved just exploring the streets and taking some pictures!
What to Buy in Toledo
Swords and sweets! Most people know that Toledo is a famous producer of swords. There are many shops where you can buy your own. They were actually a lot less expensive than I thought (around 150€ for what seemed like a really nice one!) but to Ale’s disappointment they didn’t fit the budget…
Marzipan: Toledo is also famous for its homemade marzipan. Pastry shops and gourmet food stores all over town sell the sweet almond paste. I’ve never been a marzipan person, but I had to try it. It was actually delicious. I tried one with almonds and another with sweetened egg yolk. Both were excellent. We bought a small box for my mother, although I don’t know if they’ll last until Christmas!
Spent so far: 22,50€ per person (A small box of marzipan costs around 5,00€)
And When You’ve Had Enough…
Have a hot coffee in front of one of the many beautiful monuments before heading back to the bus station. We sat down at a heated terrace near the Alcazar.
Spent so far: 25,00€ per person
And there you have it: a really beautiful, inexpensive day trip from Madrid. For only 25 euro you can see Toledo, eat and drink some great food, and even buy your mother a souvenir!
Where to Stay in Toledo on a Budget
Although we headed back to Madrid, spending the night in Toledo would be beautiful, and allow you to soak in the village-like ambiance in the evenings. Despite being a fairly large city, Toledo’s historic center feels like a village to me! Here are some great options for budget hotels in Toledo. I like using this site to book because you can usually reserve various places without any deposit due or cancellation fees. Very helpful when comparing lots of prices!
Do you have any travel tips for day trips from Madrid? Or maybe you have a suggestion for a day trip to Toledo? Leave any suggestions as a comment!
Click here to see my top 5 food-focused day trips from Madrid!
And don’t miss 8 cheap weekend breaks from Madrid too!
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Emma
Hola,
I am planning to rent a car from Madrid to Toledo on Saturday morning & stay there whole day & overnight, then on Sunday leaving directly to Madrid airport. Does it make sense? Will the traffic be ok on Saturday & it’s late October.
Thanks
Lauren Aloise
Sounds fine– I don’t drive but I don’t think traffic could be too bad! Enjoy!!
Yasmin
Hola, can we book the bus tickets few days in advance from Madrid?
Thanks and Regards,
Yasmin
Lauren Aloise
Yes, just go to the bus station!
Ron
Thank you, Lauren! Keep your smile!
tundikt
Such a nice article about Toledo! I’m planning a few days trip around Madrid, and friends told me that Toledo is really close, so one day could be there… But what I dont know, what is the best way to get from the airport to madrid city centre? I don’t want to lose much time of travelling and getting lost… How are the taxis? And the transfers? Is the public transport easy enough? Thank you a lot!
Lauren Aloise
Both train and bus are very easy!
Marcele
Catch the emt bus from Terminal 1 to Cobbles central Madrid for 5€.
Marcele
*Cibeles
Jennifer
Heading to Toledo tomorrow – thanks for the great suggestions!
Frank
This was really helpful! Thanks.
aimi Iylia
hey there! Since I also will take the bus from Madrid, so I’ve been wandering whether I should take the city tour bus or op on hop off buses instead of just walk to the city.. What do you recommend?
Chanel @ La Viajera Morena
Beyond helpful. Going to Toledo tomorrow, so muchas gracias! 😀
Christina
We spent the whole time we had for in Toledo in the first restaurant you happen upon drinking the best Sangria and they made us the most delicious stew and they were so friendly. It was the most memorable experience in Spain!
tiles torrevieja spain
Hello! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!
tobyo
I too have been to Toledo….many times but the pic of Puerta del Sol does not look familiar to me 🙁 I will put it on my list for next time tho!
If you’ve not heard of Maribel’s guides, there’s alot of good advice in them. altho it’s labeled “for the sophisticated traveller”, I am certainly not one of those and found them helpful. here’s the link to her Toledo guide: http://maribelsguides.com/mg_toledo.pdf
and another day trip from Madrid to consider (if you haven’t already) is Segovia. Here’s Maribel’s guide for Segovia:
http://maribelsguides.com/mg_segovia.pdf
just added your blog to my favorites!!
Lauren Aloise
Thanks so much! I haven’t been to Segovia yet… it’s on my list! I’ll check out her guides!
tobyo
you’re welcome, my pleasure. maybe you already know tripadvisor.com? lots of good info there and they have a forum for just about every city in Spain! I have written reviews there and participate on some forums. I have always wanted to go to Avila as a day trip from Madrid too. another idea for you. enjoy!!
Cassandra
Good job on the budget travel! I’ve been to Toledo twice but haven’t ever seen their Puerta del Sol.
Lauren Aloise
Really? I’ll bet you have! It’s the entrance to the city center and you can climb up the tiny stairs…
Kaley [Y Mucho Más]
Fun! I studied in Toledo in 2008 and have such great memories. I remember this great mazapán cake we had at a restaurant off Plaza Zocodover. Yum! Also, the great tinto de verano and tapas (for free! a new concept back then!). Thanks for giving me a blast from the past.
Lauren Aloise
Mmm, now that I love Marzipan a cake sounds delicious. Christmas time is so delicious lol!
Phaedra
The marzipan will last. At my house we always just put it in the fridge for just in case, but in mexico it’s out all day and last forever! 😛
Lauren Aloise
Good! I couldn’t believe how good it was! In Mexico does it taste the same? I didn’t realize it was typical there too!