Toledo - heart and soul of Spain

What do you think of Toledo?

Like stepping back in time? 

A perfectly preserved medieval town perched high on a hill. Its spires and rooftops dominates the Castilian plain. You expect the streets to be taken over by pedestrians and the sound of cars is miles away The highlights of this city are the streets themselves, which couldn't be more like a labyrinth unless they held an actual Minotaur.You will be entranced by the narrow streets where even on the hottest day the sun doesn't penetrate, and don't worry, you will get lost in the maze-like streets of Toledo.

This is the heart of Spain and was its capital long before Madrid. It is a city built by Moors and Visigoths and its architecture contains mosques, towers and cathedrals. The Cathedral is the home of the primate of all Spain and is very important in the national consciousness. But the highlight will always be wandering the streets and exploring the narrow passageways and alleys of this beautiful city.

The city itself was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Rio Tajo and was not built with motorists in mind. It was primarily built by the Romans for defence and its twisting alleys and streets reflect this. Do not try and drive in Toledo if you can help it as the steep curves and slopes will do terrible damage to your clutch.

The best way to see the city is to walk as you can poke your nose into all its nooks and crannies

Most people visit Toledo on a daytrip to Madrid. This has its advantages, as the bus and train connections are excellent. Trains leave frequently from Madrid's Atocha station and take two hours to reach the city.

Toledo station itself is a magnificent neo-mudejar building but is set underneath the city. At the end of the day train services are more infrequent and you may want to catch a bus back to Madrid. The bus station is not far away, just a few hundred metres along the Paseo de Roseo.

Reaching the city of Toledo means crossing the Tajo on a bridge and then a twenty minute climb from there. Or you can catch a bus from the station up to Plaza Zocovodar in the heart of the city.

Whatever way you choose will be a stunning introduction to this most atmospheric of cities.