Due to a flight delay, I had the chance to spend one day in Madrid, Spain, a city I had visited in the past. I decided to revisit some of my favorite places in Madrid. I used my day to visit a Madrid museum, spent the day in Toledo, and took a food tour, which included a visit to Plaza Mayor.
Madrid is the capital of Spain and is home to a large collection of European art, grand boulevards, and a rich history, including its origin as a 9th-century Moorish fortress.
One Day in Madrid, Spain
How to Spend a Half Day in Toledo from Spain
Although it is just around an hour outside of Madrid, Toledo feels like it is from another time and universe. This walled, gold-filled city on a hill perfectly demonstrates its religious history, holding mosques, a Jewish temple, and Catholic Churches. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I headed for Toledo first thing as I wanted to explore it at leisure.
I took the high-speed direct train in, but you can also take the bus or drive. If you drive, park outside of the city walls in one of the public lots.
Primatial Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, or the Catedral Primada de Toledo(Toledo Cathedral)
When I arrived at the train station, I jumped into a cab. I had them take me into the city, where I started by investigating this impressive 13th-century High Gothic Cathedral, filled with dramatic altars and decorations by artists such as Goya, El Greco, and Caravaggio. El Greco lived in Toledo for some time.
It is confusing to find the door, which is on the side of the cathedral, down an alleyway. The ticket office is across from the entrance door. If you want a more in-depth exploration of the cathedral, consider a tour.
I then began walking to the historic Jewish Synagogue.
Santa Maria La Blanca
This mudejar and nasrid-styled synagogue, which was first built in the 12th century, is in the old Jewish quarters of Toledo and is considered one of the prettiest in Spain. Throughout its history, it was also used as a Christian church and a barracks.
Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz
Farther down the hill is the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz, a still-intact Moorish Mosque in Toledo and the only example of Islamic architecture. Unfortunately, the day I visited, it was closed.
Puente de Alcántara
I continued walking to the train station by crossing the Puente de Alcántara. The walk is downhill and very worth it for the views.
If you don’t feel comfortable exploring Toledo on your own, consider a tour from Madrid.
Madrid’s Museums
In the afternoon, I decided between Madrid’s most famous museums: The Prado and the Reina Sofia.
The Museo del Prado houses classical European masterpieces from the 12th-19th centuries, including works by Velazquez and Goya. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía specializes in modern and contemporary art, highlighted by Picasso’s Guernica.
I had just visited the Picasso Museum in his hometown of Malaga, Spain, so it was a difficult decision, but I wanted to continue my study and understanding of Picasso. I was especially inspired by a room that showcased Picasso’s studies of women and children in war, which underscored his social commentary on the costs of the Spanish Civil War.
It is recommended to buy tickets to enter these museums ahead of time, as lines can be long. You may also consider a guided tour.
Wine and Tapas Food Tour
I ended my night in Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s grand historic square, built in the 17th century and surrounded by elegant arcaded buildings, once used for markets, celebrations, and royal events, and now a gathering place filled with cafés and street performers. with a food tour. I love a food tour for many reasons- I get to discover the highlights of a city’s food through the eyes of a local, usually with an overview of history and geography thrown in. During this part of my trip to Spain, I was travelling solo, so a food tour was the perfect way to share a meal with like-minded travellers and our host, Juan, and it was the ideal way to end my trip.
Book your tour with Gourmet Madrid.
I spent the night at the NH Madrid Nacionale, which I highly recommend for the excellent location near the museums and the train station. You can book your room here.
Have you been to Madrid? What would you do with one day here?
