Trens para Toledo

Toledo is one of Spain’s most striking cities. Set on a rocky promontory by the River Tajo, the city is a jumble of superb buildings dominated by the imposing Alcázar fortress. The city is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and, being so close to Madrid, it is a hugely popular day trip from the Spanish capital. Our advice, however, is to spend a night in Toledo, for only then will you get to enjoy the city without the crowds.

Make time to explore the great Gothic cathedral and the imposing Alcázar. The Greek-born artist El Greco is intimately associated with Toledo, and you can see one of his finest paintings - his "El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz" - in an annexe to St Tomé Church.

This is Spain, so the train is definitely the way to reach Toledo. The railway station in Toledo is unusual in having direct trains to just one other place. There are regular non-stop trains to Madrid Atocha. For anywhere else, you have to change trains in Madrid at Atocha. So all routes to Toledo by train inevitably lead through Madrid. The shuttle service linking Toledo with Madrid is very efficient, but can be busy at commuter times. The route is operated by one-class-only Avant trains, which take 33 minutes for the 73-km journey from Toledo to the capital.