We headed for the very heart of Spain, to Toledo, or Toledo to keep things local! The city's highly religious past is still evident in its many churches, convents and superb cathedral. But visiting Toledo in 2 days, or even 3 days, also means discovering numerous museums and period relics. In short, we visited so many things that three days even seemed a bit short. If you like religious art, you'll need a bit more time. However, we've put together a short itinerary of the best things to do in Toledo in 2 or 3 days to help you out!
Day 1: What can you do in Toledo in 2 days? Cathedral, Alcázar, museum and mosque
Our weekend visits to Toledo start right in the heart of the city!
Discover Toledo's most important streets and squares on this guided walking tour, which takes in the city's jewel, the cathedral.
Morning: St Mary of Toledo Cathedral and Alcazar
We began our tour with one of the must-sees in Toledo: the St Mary's Cathedral. What splendour! The immense nave literally took our breath away, especially the magnificent colourful stained glass windows, which never fail to impress. The sacristy was also a complete surprise: paintings by Greco, Goya, Velázquez... you name it! From the gold and silver jewellery to the pretty chapel, everything here seemed to tell us a beautiful story. If you have to visit only one religious building in Toledo, this is it!
On the way out, it was just a few steps to the Alcázar, so imposing on its hill. Here we discovered some superb Renaissance architecture, adorned with crenellated towers and massive facades. Inside, we visited the Army Museum. On the programme: uniforms, old weapons, scale models, it's all there in clear succession! In short, an intense half-day, full of discoveries and emotions!
To book toledo: Explore Toledo by booking this audio tour on a buswith multiple stops. You hop on and off whenever you like on an itinerary that takes you to the city's main attractions and monuments.
Afternoon: Santa Cruz Museum and Cristo de la Luz Mosque
After a quick lunch, we continued our 2-day tour of Toledo with the Museo de Santa Cruz, housed in the former 16th-century hospital. The plateresque façade and patio alone are worth a visit! As you enter, you can't help but be struck by the beauty of the Mudejar and Renaissance coffered ceilings. The mix is as surprising as it is successful! Then there's the collection, which is just as dazzling:
- roman, Visigoth and Arab archaeology,
- paintings by El Greco and other masters of the Golden Age,
- popular arts such as ceramics and glassware.
A stone's throw from the museum, we then headed for the Cristo de la Luz mosque. We were thrilled to enter this building, which dates back to 999 and has survived almost intact! Its brick façade and arches reminded us a little of our trip to Cordoba, but it was above all its nine small vaults that caught our astonished eye. The atmosphere is intimate, but also full of history and legends... We were thinking in particular ofAlfonso VI, who discovered a Christ hidden behind a wall here, lit by a simple oil lamp... chills guaranteed!
Good to knowthese two visits will give you the chance to stroll around Zocodover square and discover the city's historic gates, a little further north: Bisagra, Valmardón and the majestic Puerta del Sol. A great way to get a feel for the city's medieval character!
Day 2: What can you do in Toledo in 2 days? Cave of Hercules, museums and religious buildings
Want to explore Toledo's secrets? Book this night tour and discover the lesser-known and more intriguing side of the city.
There's still plenty to do in Toledo in 2 days. The heart of the city offers a wealth of wonderful discoveries!
Morning: Cave of Hercules and Museum of the Councils
Just north of Toledo Cathedral, we found the astonishing Grotto of Hercules. There really is something mysterious about the place... We descended, discovering underground galleries steeped in history, used in turn as Roman cisterns, then as a chapel. It's a modest place, but we felt a unique atmosphere: the brick vaults, the coolness of the stones, the silence that seems to hang in the air... It's enough to give free rein to the imagination and almost hear the footsteps of the ancient inhabitants of Toledo!
A little further on, there's a complete change of atmosphere at the Museum of the Councils, housed in the Mudejar church of San Román. What a wonderful discovery! The building itself, with its 13th-century Romanesque frescoes, is well worth a visit. But from our point of view, the real treasure is hidden in its display cabinets: archaeological finds, gold and silverware, paintings, documents... a whole Visigothic heritage is revealed. Special mention should be made of the reproductions of the crowns from Guarrazar's treasure... You'll come away with a head full of images, as if a whole section of history had been revealed before your very eyes!
Afternoon: Taller del Moro museum, Santo Tome church, Santa Isabel de los Reyes convent
After a hearty local meal of carcamusas and mazapán, we branched off to the Taller del Moro museum, housed in a 14thᵉ century Mudéjar nobleman's house. In this somewhat timeless place, delicate plasterwork and elaborate wooden ceilings mingle. A fairly short and free visit (we never say no!), punctuated by explanatory panels to decipher the Mudéjar motifs.
It's time for us to head off to thesanto Tomé churchchurch, just next door. We enter, and already the silence mingles with the soft light that filters through: the Mudéjar décor, the woodwork, everything seems subtle and steeped in history!
Finally, we head for the convent of Santa Isabel de los Reyes, one of Toledo's must-see religious buildings. Founded in 1477 by Doña María Suárez, it combines Mudejar palaces from the XIVᵉ century with a Gothic church rebuilt under Charles V. Inside, the wooden ceilings, altarpieces dating from 1572, sculptures and plateresque decorations literally won us over!
Discover Toledo'sSanto Tomé church, Santa María La Blanca synagogue and San Juan de los Reyes monastery on this guided tour of Toledo.
Day 3: What to do in Toledo in 3 days Sephardic and El Greco Museums, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes... + surprise!
What luck! You won't be looking for what to do in Toledo in 2 days... but in 3!
Morning: Sephardic Museum and El Greco Museum
Discovering the Sephardic Museum was one of the highlights of our weekend in Toledo. Housed in the former Tránsito synagogue, it is adorned with magnificent Mudéjar decorations (again! But how can you get enough of them?). The setting is set! But the real treasure is hidden in the rooms:
- mesopotamian objects,
- coins,
- marriage contracts
- models,
- archaeological remains...
Each window told us a fragment of Jewish history in Spain, from Roman times to the expulsion by the Catholic Monarchs.
While we were in the area, we took the opportunity to visit the El Greco museum, where we fell in love! Comfortably housed in a 16th-century house with a patio, it offers the perfect setting for admiring the painter's genius. His later works are on display, alongside canvases by other artists from the Golden Age. Between the elongated portraits, vibrant colours and distinctive light of his paintings, the experience was truly unique.
Good to know: be careful if you extend your weekend on Monday, as the El Greco museum is closed on that day.
Afternoon: Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, Palacio de la Cava and Tyrolean traverse
A visit to the monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes will remain engraved in our memories! Commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs to celebrate their victory in the Battle of Toro, the building immediately put us in the mood... with its chains hanging from the façade, symbols of the freed prisoners. Inside, the choir, adorned with the royal coat of arms, is supported by large eagles, adding yet another touch of emotion to this unusual visit. Our favourite part? The Gothic cloister! With its light, silence and lacy stonework, it was a truly magical experience!
Not far away, we were able to admire the Palacio de la Cava, shrouded in legend and mystery. Tales of forbidden love affairs and conspiracies are told here, enough to arouse the curiosity of young and old alike!
Finally, we have a little surprise in store for you! We wanted to end our 3-day weekend in Toledo on an unusual note. So we headed for the San Martín bridgeto take a zip-line ride over the Tagus! Thrills guaranteed, and a fun and unforgettable way to discover Toledo from the air.
Tip from Petit Futé : if you're travelling with children, you can skip some of the visits that may seem boring to them, and devote your third day to the Puy du Fou in Toledo by booking right here (including the night show "El Sueño de Toledo").
Where to stay in Toledo for 2 or 3 days? Our selection of the best hotels
If you find accommodation near Toledo Cathedral or the Cave of Hercules, you're sure to be able to do everything on foot: it's very central!
- The most practical
TheHotel Casona de la Reyna is ideally located, close to the cathedral and the Alcazar. The decor is simple but warm, ideal for spending 2 days in Toledo. The big plus? Private parking! Click here to book your room.
- The best value for money
Bookable here, theAbad Toledo is a hotel that combines old-world charm with modern comforts. A real favourite! As a bonus, you can enjoy an excellent breakfast before setting off to visit Toledo.
- The most authentic
At La Posada de Manolo, you won't be jealous! All the cultures that have left their mark on Toledo are represented here! The decor, authentic and full of charm, offers a complete change of scenery. Book your cheap hotel in Toledo here.
Still looking for inspiration? Find all the best weekend accommodation in Toledo here.
The article to read: The 10 most beautiful medieval cities to discover in Europe in 2025
One thing's for sure: we'll be back to visit Toledo on our next trip to Spain. There are so many museums and religious and historical buildings here that we feel we've left a bit too much behind us... At least we've seen the essentials! Now it's time to explore Spain'sother must-sees... which look just as tasty!
Below you'll find the hottest things to do in Toledo:
