A Day in Toledo, Spain

1-Aug-2018 • Toledo Spain

On our second full day in Madrid, we took the train from Atocha Railway Station to Toledo. Back during my time, the train ride took over an hour. Today, it was just 45 minutes. I made sure Marc, my partner, got to see this gem of a city this time around. He had been to Spain twice with me but he had never been to this city. To think it was just 45 minutes away, there was no excuse this time around. I sure am glad we went.

The Atocha Train Station. What a building! I have traveled through this station many times. I have seen it transform itself many times. Today, it is a busy, modern train station replete with travelers going in and out of Madrid. I do miss the old days though!

This was a view of the train we took to travel to Toledo.

A view of the Alcazar on top of the hill. So glad to see this once again. Taken on the bridge on the way to the city center.

Here it is, the Alcazar in all its splendor. Been here three times but this time, it has turned into a museum with lots of galleries and exhibits inside. I remember its hallways being empty before. Just walkways to the top of the building.

A view of the city from the Alcazar

Toledo continues to be a very beautiful city. Since my last trip here took place exactly 30 years ago, I most certainly had forgotten the city's layout but thanks to pictures I had taken during my previous two visits, I still remembered the Alcazar, the cathedral, and the city hall. Some of the musuems I visited here before we were not able to visit anymore due to time lack of time. But no sweat, we saw the major sights.

In front of the cathedral of Toledo. Unlike in the old days when visitors were able to enter free of charge, today there is an admission fee, 10 Euros, per person.

The façade of Toledo's City Hall. I realize many Spanish cities truly celebrate Pride Month seriously just like we do in San Francisco. The rainbow flags were everywhere.

No city is complete without ham for sale in many restaurants.

A street scene

How would you like to buy your train ticket from this counter? Pretty neat, eh? Taken inside the historic Toledo train station.

Colorful tiles adorned the walls of the train station