Day 9 : Toledo - Madrid

Perched on a hill above the Tagus River, Toledo is a living museum of Spain’s layered past. Once home to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, the city earned its title as the “City of Three Cultures.” Its winding medieval streets, grand cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques stand side by side, reflecting centuries of coexistence and artistic fusion. Every corner tells a story — from Visigothic roots to Moorish arches and Gothic spires — making Toledo one of Spain’s most captivating historic sights.

To reach this hilltop gem, we took the Recaredo escalators — a modern blessing for such an ancient city. Our guide joked that we should pray they’re working, and after seeing how steep Toledo really is, we understood why! 😅 The series of outdoor escalators glide smoothly up the hillside, carrying visitors from the car park below straight into the old quarter. It’s a wonderfully unexpected way to arrive — stepping off at the top to find yourself surrounded by stone walls, weathered gates, and views that instantly transport you back in time.

            

 Church of San Román

Today, the church is home to the Museum of Visigothic Councils and Culture. Built in the 13th century, the church showcases the *Mudéjar style, where Christian and Islamic artistry come together. Over the centuries, the site has served as a *Visigothic church, later a mosque, and eventually restored as a church. Inside, visitors can see Romanesque frescoes from the 1200s and elegant horseshoe arches, along with exhibits celebrating the Visigoths who once made Toledo the heart of their kingdom.

*Mudéjar elements are Islamic decorative features—such as geometric patterns, brickwork, tiles, and carved wood—integrated into Christian-era buildings in Spain after the Reconquista.

*Visigoths — a Germanic people who ruled much of the Iberian Peninsula between the 5th and 8th centuries.

In Spanish history, the Visigothic period is an important era that came after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Visigoths made Toledo their capital, turning it into the political and religious center of their kingdom.

Toledo Cathedral

City Hall of Toledo

Toledo through my lens

As we wandered through a maze of narrow, cobbled lanes lined with artisan shops, cozy cafés, and timeworn facades with wrought-iron balconies, I happened to look up… and there it was — a tiny balcony guarded by stone frogs. Little surprises like this are why I adore Toledo. In this atmospheric corner of the city, where history seems to whisper from every wall, you’re always bound to stumble upon something quirky and utterly adorable.

The tiled street signs of Toledo are one of the city’s charming details that often go unnoticed at first glance. 💙

Each sign is made of hand-painted ceramic tiles, often framed in blue and white, showing the street name in elegant lettering — sometimes with small decorative motifs or coats of arms. This tradition dates back centuries and reflects Toledo’s rich ceramic heritage, influenced by Moorish and Spanish craftsmanship.

They’re not just practical markers — they’re tiny works of art that add to the city’s old-world atmosphere, perfectly matching Toledo’s cobbled streets and historic architecture.

Everywhere you walk in Toledo, you’ll spot sword shops glinting with steel — a nod to the city’s centuries-old reputation as the home of Spain’s finest blades. ⚔️

Since Roman times, Toledo has been famous for its exceptional sword-making, known as “Toledo steel.” The tradition continued through the Middle Ages, supplying weapons for knights, soldiers, and even royal armies.

Today, the craft lives on through countless workshops and souvenir stores that line the streets, displaying shining swords, daggers, and replicas from movies and history. It’s a fascinating reminder of Toledo’s legacy as the sword-making capital of Spain.

LUNCH @ La Parrilla

Lunch at La Parrilla de Toledo was a true Castilian feast — paella with tender perdiz (partridge), rich oxtail stew that melted off the bone, and creamy arroz con leche to finish. Traditional flavors, centuries old, still cooked with love in the heart of Spain. ❤️🍷

Arroz con leche — a creamy Spanish dessert made with soft, slow-cooked rice simmered in milk and sugar, with a touch of cinnamon on top.

Oxtail stew (rabo de toro) originated in Córdoba, and it was indeed once considered a humble, hearty meal eaten by matadors and locals after bullfights. Traditionally, the tails of the bulls used in the arena were cooked slowly with red wine, onions, tomatoes, and spices to create a rich, tender stew.

Over time, rabo de toro evolved from a modest dish into a Spanish culinary classic, now served in fine restaurants across Andalusia and beyond — but its roots remain firmly tied to Córdoba’s bullfighting heritage.

After lunch, we took the Recaredo escalators back down. From above, Toledo’s terracotta rooftops stretched across the hillside, with the majestic dome of the Church of San Ildefonso rising proudly in the skyline. The scene was bathed in golden afternoon light, framed by rolling plains and dramatic clouds beyond the city walls. Gliding down the escalator, it felt like a gentle, moving farewell — Toledo’s timeless beauty unfolding one last time before our eyes.

With Toledo’s magic still lingering, we rolled into Madrid.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, also known as Las Ventas Bullring

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Almudena Cathedral

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world, with over 3,418 rooms.

Golden hour at the Royal Palace of Madrid — a breathtaking sunset to end a beautiful day. 

Day 8: Cordoba

Day 8 started with a stroll along the Roman Bridge, Córdoba unfolding gently ahead of us.

Roman Bridge (Puente Romano)

Córdoba’s grand gateway — Puerta del Puente

Our tour gang (all 30 of us) 

After passing through the Puerta del Puente, we entered the Patio de los Naranjos — a peaceful courtyard filled with orange trees, fountains, and the soft scent of citrus in the air. Once used for ablutions before prayer, it now offers a quiet moment of calm before stepping into the grandeur of the Mezquita.

Patio de los Naranjos

Great Mosque of Córdoba (La Mezquita)

La Mezquita was built in the 8th century under the Umayyad dynasty and expanded over the next two centuries to become one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world. When the Christian Reconquest came in 1236, it was converted into a cathedral, and a grand Renaissance nave was added in the 16th century.

Inside, more than 850 red-and-white striped arches, supported by marble, jasper, and granite columns, form a mesmerizing forest of pillars.

The stunning Renaissance-style dome that was added in the 16th century when the cathedral was built within the original mosque.

 The intricate carvings, arches, and golden details reflect the *Mudéjar  artistry that makes this monument so unique.

*Mudéjar elements are Islamic decorative features—such as geometric patterns, brickwork, tiles, and carved wood—integrated into Christian-era buildings in Spain after the Reconquista.

A small square of glass on the floor offers a rare glimpse into the site’s layered past.

Standing above this tiny glass window, you’re literally looking down at centuries of history, from Visigothic to Muslim to Christian — a condensed timeline of Córdoba’s rich cultural heritage.

Around the Mezquita, everyday life unfolds within centuries-old walls.  Restaurants and souvenir shops brim with ceramics, cork products, and local flavours, spilling onto narrow lanes that still hold the district’s quiet charm.

We wandered through La Judería, Córdoba’s old Jewish quarter, where narrow cobbled lanes twist between whitewashed houses and flower-filled patios. Once home to a thriving Jewish community, the district still whispers of their presence.

Turning a corner, we suddenly found ourselves in a narrow alley bursting with flowerpots!

Calleja de las Flores was once a simple residential alley, but in 1939 a local resident placed flowerpots on the walls, inspiring neighbours to do the same. In the 1950s, the city officially beautified the street with whitewashed walls, cobblestones, and a small fountain, turning it into the iconic, flower-filled alley we see today.

LUNCH @ EL CHOTO

We had grilled Ibérico pork, perfectly tender and full of flavor, served with a local favorite — *Salmorejo, and Pastel Cordobés. A delicious taste of Andalusian tradition!

*Salmorejo, a traditional cold tomato soup from Córdoba.

It’s made with:

• Tomatoes – the main ingredient

• Bread – gives the soup its thick, creamy texture

• Olive oil – adds richness and smoothness

• Garlic

• Salt

It’s typically topped with:

• Chopped Spanish cured ham (usually jamón serrano or jamón ibérico)

• Crumbled hard-boiled egg

👉 Although it looks creamy, there’s no cheese or cream — the smooth texture comes from blended bread and olive oil.

Salmorejo is served cold and is thicker and richer than gazpacho.

Following lunch, our bus took us to Toledo, and just before dinner, the driver stopped at Mirador del Valle — a scenic viewpoint overlooking the city. From there, we had a breathtaking panoramic view of Toledo, with the Tagus River winding around the hill and the Alcázar rising proudly above the old town.

Córdoba’s allure and Toledo’s skyline made for a day full of discoveries, flavors, and scenes that linger in the mind long after the sun has set.