The 'City Of Three Cultures' Is A Stunning Spanish Destination With One The Greatest Cathedrals

Each year, Spain consistently ranks as one of the top travel destinations in all of Europe, welcoming around 85 million tourists in 2023 alone. And it's not hard to see why. After all, few countries on Earth pack quite so many outstanding destinations into a relatively small area. Barcelona, for example, has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe, thanks to its gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, thriving nightlife, and iconic sights like the Sagrada Familia. The Spanish capital of Madrid is likewise a top destination for tourists, thanks to its treasure trove of incredible historical and cultural sites like the outstanding Museo del Prado and Plaza Mayor. Even underrated Spanish destinations like the coastal paradise of Galacia are major attractions for travelers who want to explore the pristine beaches of Northern Spain. 

But with a history stretching back thousands of years, Spain has had plenty of time to accumulate far more amazing destinations that may slip under the radar sometimes. All across the Iberian Peninsula, history-minded travelers can find some of the best medieval towns and cities in Europe. One of the best is the stunning city of Toledo. Located just 31 minutes from Madrid via train, Toledo is a picturesque medieval city perched on a hill like something taken directly from a fairy tale. As Spain's "City of Three Cultures," Toledo has played a major role in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, with many of Spain's most important historical religious sites to show for it. Not only does Toledo have one of Spain's greatest cathedrals, but it's also an ideal stop for art and literature lovers of all types. 

Europe has many must-see medieval towns. But Toledo stands out for its unforgettable combination of history, culture, and sheer spectacle. Even just looking at Toledo's Old Town from the Mirador Del Valle viewpoint is a breathtaking experience, especially when you witness the magical cityscape rising over the Tagus River like a scene straight out of "Game of Thrones." Wandering through the city's narrow stone streets is the closest you can come to going back in time.

The most prominent landmark adorning Toledo's skyline is the stunning Toledo Cathedral. Dating back to the 13th century, the Toledo Cathedral is widely regarded as the best example of medieval Spanish Gothic architecture, and a must-visit stop for any architecture aficionado. Once you've wandered around its striking exterior, a $12.36 ticket will get you immersive access to the cathedral's amazing interior, displays, and sublime art collections. 

Impressive as it is, Toledo Cathedral is far from the city's only historic religious site. For centuries, Toledo has been home to some of Spain's oldest Jewish and Muslim communities, both of which left their mark on the city's culture and architecture. Today, you can visit superb examples of Sephardic Jewish and Iberian Muslim architecture just by walking through Toledo's streets. The Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval Sephardic Jewish architecture, while the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, a Muslim place of worship dating back to 999 C.E., might be the oldest standing monument in Toledo. You can access these sites, plus other gorgeous Christian sites like the Church of El Salvador and San Juan de los Reyes Monastery, for the price of one Toledo Monumental Tour wristband. 

Toledo is also the perfect destination for art and book lovers. Anyone who knows anything about art history may already recognize Toledo from its association with the famous 16th-century artist El Greco. Born on the Greek island of Crete, the artist moved to Toledo in 1577 where he lived and worked for the rest of his life (earning the iconic pseudonym El Greco, or "the Greek"). El Greco's numerous paintings, which blended Byzantine and Mannerist styles in a distinctive and evocative style, often drew from the magnificent views of Toledo's cityscape. 

Unsurprisingly, Toledo is home to many of El Greco's greatest masterpieces. In addition to the city's main El Greco Museum, the Toledo Cathedral's museum features several of the artist's finest works (as well as other artists' paintings). The Santo Tomé Church (another stop on the Monumental Tour) features The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, a towering altarpiece that many consider El Greco's best work and one of Europe's most spectacular paintings to include on any art lover's bucket list. 

For book lovers, Toledo's fantasy novel aesthetic is more than enough to justify a visit. But the city has connections to one of history's most beloved novels. Toledo is located in the Spanish community of Castilla-La Mancha. If "La Mancha" sounds familiar, it's because the region is the hometown of the title character in Miguel de Cervantes' timeless classic "The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha" (or just "Don Quixote"). Toledo features prominently on the literary Don Quixote route around Spain, and visitors can find abundant references to the famous knight across the city's shops, architecture, and statues.