I Visited Toledo—the Former Capital of Spain

It's not what I expected.

A few weeks ago, I hiked Las Cárcavas with a large group I found on MeetUps. It was the perfect opportunity to explore and make new friends, but it was pricey.

Consequently, a few of us decided to explore again but forfeit the cost of hiring guides. Alicia, the only Spaniard in our group, recommended going to Toledo, the former capital of Spain.

Our journey from Madrid started at Puerta de Atocha.

Atocha is the main train station in Madrid. It’s also one of the oldest and regularly voted among the most beautiful. The green space inside the station is like a little rainforest in the city.

A sign there says it once hosted wildlife, but the station removed the animals when people started abandoning their exotic fish and turtles in the ponds.

We arrived in Toledo about half an hour later.

The journey from Madrid to Toledo is relatively short by train. There’s also a bus line that runs there, but that would have taken about two hours.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived. I generally don’t look up new places before visiting because I like the surprise. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

According to Britannica, Toledo was the capital of Spain until 1560, when Phillip II moved it to Madrid. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the town is generally considered one of the most authentic representations of Spanish culture.

We crossed the bridge into the city.

Because we had no guide, we could wander aimlessly at our own pace. The town was fascinating, with cobblestone streets and Gothic architecture juxtaposed against rugged mountain ranges and a river.

First, we explored the innards of the city, including a stunning cathedral:

Photos of Toledo in Spain

Next, we went hiking along the river and had a small picnic.

Photos of Nature in Toledo, Spain

We made it home on a cold night in Madrid.

Photo of the Train Station in Toledo

It was 7:30 PM when we boarded our train back to Madrid and about 8:00 PM when we finally arrived. It was incredibly cold that night. But I stood on the corner waiting for my cab with frozen fingers and a smile on my face.

Moving to Spain was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Moving specifically to Madrid? Even more so!

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It’s certainly been tough for many of us—myself included. I lost my job 10 days after moving to Spain and had to navigate immigration, moving to another Spanish city, and getting an apartment without an income. But, it worked out in the end, and I think it will be better next year.

What are you most grateful for this year? I think if we look hard enough, there’s always something worth celebrating.

And speaking of celebrations…happy holidays!

Next week, I’ll share my Christmas travels with paid subscribers. See you then!