Madrid and Toledo City Tour – From Madrid.

About this tour in Madrid

• CrewSpanish, English
• Duration7 hours
• CancellationPrivate Day Trips Cancellation Policy.
• Pick-upHotel pick-up available

Itinerary

1. Historical Gran Via and Castellana.

   Gran Via and Castellana are two of Madrid's most iconic and significant streets, each with a distinct character and purpose. Gran Vía is a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub, while Castellana is a grand, institutional boulevard that connects different parts of the city.

   Gran Vía

   • Description: A major commercial and tourist artery in central Madrid, built between 1910 and 1929 to modernize the city.
   • Key features:Architecture: Showcases a mix of early 20th-century styles.
     Entertainment: Features numerous theaters and is a hub for nightlife.
     Shopping: Home to a wide variety of shops, from large international brands to smaller boutiques.

   Castellana

   • Description: One of Madrid's longest avenues, connecting different parts of the city and showcasing a blend of old and modern architecture.
   • Key features: Modern architecture: Lined with skyscrapers and important modern buildings.
     Government and business: Contains the headquarters for several government ministries and embassies.
     Luxury: Includes high-end shopping, hotels, and exclusive residential areas.
     

2. Madrid´s Historical Plazas

   Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcalá, and Plaza de España are all iconic public spaces in Madrid. Puerta del Sol is a central public square known for its Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue, the Kilometre Zero marker, and being the location for Spain's New Year's Eve countdown with its famous clock. Puerta de Alcalá is a triumphal arch, originally a royal gate, with Neoclassical architecture, situated at the entrance to El Retiro Park. Plaza de España is a major public plaza featuring monuments to Miguel de Cervantes and is a popular spot for visitors to relax.

   
   

   Puerta del Sol

   • Symbolism: Known as the "Gate of the Sun," it is the center of the radial network of Spanish roads.
   • Landmarks:The Bear and the Strawberry Tree: A statue representing the coat of arms of Madrid, located at the entrance of Calle Alcalá.
     Kilometre Zero: A plaque on the pavement marking the starting point for measuring distances in Spain.
     The Clock of the Real Casa de Correos: The clock tower that broadcasts the New Year's Eve countdown, a tradition where people eat 12 grapes, one for each chime.
     
   • History: It is the site of a historic New Year's celebration and has been a focal point for the city's transportation and commerce for centuries.

   Puerta de Alcalá

   • Architecture: An impressive Neoclassical triumphal arch designed by Francesco Sabatini and built in 1778.
   • History: Originally a royal gate into Madrid, it was once one of the five gates of the old city.
   • Location: It is situated in the Plaza de la Independencia, at the entrance of the Retiro Park.

   Plaza de España

   • Landmarks: A large public plaza that features monumental statues, most notably a large monument to the writer Miguel de Cervantes.
   • Function: It is a major transportation hub and a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to gather and relax in the city center.

3. Madrid Parks and Recreation.

   Casa de Campo and Retiro are two famous parks in Madrid, Spain, offering different experiences: Retiro is a central, historic park known for its art and formal gardens, while Casa de Campo is a much larger, more natural space with family-friendly attractions like a zoo and amusement park. Both parks are important for recreation and cultural life in the city.

   Retiro Park

   • Location: A central, historic park in the heart of Madrid.
   • Atmosphere: A beautiful "green oasis" for relaxation and strolls, with a blend of nature, art, and recreation.
   • Key attractions: Crystal Palace: A remarkable glass pavilion and conservatory for art exhibitions.
     Retiro Pond: Features a colonnade and monument to King Alfonso XII, where you can row boats.
     Gardens: Includes formal areas like the Jardín de Vivaces and the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez. 
   • Activities: Rollerblading, walking, jogging, and visiting playgrounds.

   Casa de Campo

   • Location: A much larger public park on the outskirts of Madrid.
   • Atmosphere: A vast, more natural space with a wider variety of attractions and a different feel from the more formal Retiro.
   • Key attractions: Zoo and Aquarium: A popular family destination within the park.
     Lake: A large lake for recreation.
     Cable Car: Connects the park with another park on the other side of the Manzanares River. 
   • Activities: Exploring the natural areas, visiting the zoo or amusement park, or taking the cable car for views.
   • Recognition: Designated as a Historic Garden and a non-movable Spanish Cultural Heritage site.

4. Toledo: Church of Santo Tome.

   The Church of St. Tomé (Santo Tomé) in Toledo, Spain, is a medieval church famous for its Mudéjar-style tower and for housing El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Originally built in the 12th century, it was rebuilt in the 14th century, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles that includes Gothic elements alongside its distinctive Mudéjar tower.

   Architecture and history

   • Construction: The church was originally built in the 12th century after the reconquest of Toledo. The Lord of Orgaz, Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, commissioned its 14th-century rebuilding.
   • Mudejar tower: The tower is a notable example of Mudéjar architecture, which blends Islamic and Christian craftsmanship. It features a brick exterior with pointed windows, miniature columns, and arches.
   • Interior: The interior features a mix of styles, including a main chapel with Mudéjar and Flamboyant Gothic influences, and a central dome with painted ribs. It also contains various altarpieces from different periods, a baptism font, and a 12th-century statue of the Virgin Mary.

   El Greco's masterpiece

   • The Burial of the Count of Orgaz: The church is most famous for housing this iconic painting by El Greco.
   • Location: The painting is displayed in the Chapel of La Concepción, near the main altar.
   • Significance: It is considered a masterpiece of both universal painting and El Greco's career.
   • Theme: The work is split into two scenes: the burial on Earth and the soul's ascent to Heaven. St. Stephen and St. Augustine are shown lowering the Count's body, while in the heavenly scene, the Count's soul rises to meet Jesus.
   • Portraits: El Greco included portraits of himself and other contemporaries in the earthly scene, following the contract for the painting.

   Visiting

   • Closures: It is closed on January 1 and December 25.

5. Toledo: Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca.

   The Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca in Toledo, Spain, is a historic building originally built in the 12th century as a synagogue and later converted into a church and now a museum. It is an important example of Mudéjar architecture, featuring a style that blends Islamic and Christian elements, with a ground plan similar to a mosque, five aisles separated by horseshoe arches supported by pillars, and ornate stucco decoration. The building is now owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toledo and is a designated Spanish Cultural Heritage Monument.

   Key facts

   • Original purpose: Built around 1180 by Islamic architects for the Jewish community of Toledo.
   • Architectural style: Mudéjar/Moorish, noted for its five aisles separated by horseshoe arches, and stucco decoration on the pillars, which are topped with motifs like pinecones and volutes.
   • Historical significance: It is considered one of the oldest synagogues still standing in Europe and a symbol of the coexistence of cultures in medieval Spain.
   • Conversion: After a pogrom in 1391, it was converted into a church in 1411 and remained a church until the 16th century, when a church was built within its walls.
   • Current use: It is currently a museum owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toledo, located in the old Jewish quarter of the city.
   • Architectural details: The interior features a basilica layout, with horseshoe arches and pillars decorated with stuccoed capitals and friezes with geometric patterns. The exterior is simple and plain, contrasting with the ornate interior.

What’s included

Good to know before you go

Frequently asked questions