As soon as you set foot in the Spanish city of Toledo, your eye immediately settles upon the breathtaking Alcazar. With its thick stone walls, sharp spires, and strategic location at the city’s highest point, the Alcazar of Toledo is an impressive and imposing monument that looms over the city beneath it. From a Roman praetorium to a Muslim citadel to an Infantry Academy, the Alcazar has a long history stretching back to the third century but was almost destroyed completely in 1936 during the Siege of the Alcazar during the Spanish Civil War. Reconstruction of the Alcazar began in 1940, and today, it houses a vast military museum and a regional library, and boasts some of the best views across Toledo! From the collection of over 380,000 tomes to the displays of medals, armor, and uniforms, the Alcazar brims with unique items highlighting Spain’s rich cultural heritage. For information about booking your tickets to Alcázar of Toledo online, restaurant recommendations and travel tips, all you need to do is scroll down and read our guide to Alcazar of Toledo.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.
Private tour of Toledo with a licensed guide (from USD 227.61)
Discover the soul of historic Toledo, in an intimate private tour, guided by a licensed guide, and witness art, history and culture interweave. Roam through the magical Christian, Jewish, and Moslem neighbourhoods that have their own tales and architectural pearls forming a rich montage of Toledian’s varied past.
Then you visit El Greco’s creations and witness how deeply he impacted this city with his extraordinary artistic legacy. You will also get to discover secretive archaeological treasures from Toledo’s past; unearthing historical layers dating back to centuries that have shaped the uniqueness of this city.
On top of everything you will be given recommendations of the finest gastronomy that makes Toledo a place of great food delights.
Toledo: Exclusive Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Duration: 3.0 hour
Places to stay near the Alcazar of Toledo
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso VI (from USD 128)
The Sercotel Alfonso VI, nestling within the very walls of historical Toledo, combines luxury with history. You start your day at ease, as your morning cup of warm tea or coffee can be prepared right in your room. Whenever you need something, take advantage of the room service and the front desk. The hotel is popular for amazing breakfast, prepared freshly to make your rest of the day absolutely great.
For times when you crave traditional Spanish food, there’s no need to go out, simply head to Alfonso VI’s restaurant.
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso VI
Address: Cuesta de los Capuchinos 2
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Things to do
Army Museum
There are many things to do in Alcázar of Toledo. The fascinating Army Museum provides an in-depth exploration of the development of the military, renowned battles, ethnographic artifacts, and the history of the Alcazar.
Opened in 2010, the museum brings together the collections of several historic Spanish military museums for a staggering amount of historic displays and unique artifacts. Through the museum’s historic photographs, scenographies, projections, dioramas, and audiovisual displays, visitors will be immersed in the long legacy of Spanish military history. As you peruse the vast exhibitions, you can view a broad assortment of uniforms and medals, learn more about important conflicts and combats through miniature replicas of battles, and examine historic armor and weapons from past centuries.
In addition to military history, the museum features a chronological tour of the Alcazar. This unique exhibition traces the Alcazar from pre-Roman times through the rule of Carlos III and the Age of Enlightenment to the infamous Siege of the Alcazar during the Spanish Civil War. From the recreation of Nationalist Colonel Moscardó’s bullet-wrecked office to archaeological remains from Moorish times, the museum provides an intriguing glimpse into the Alcazar’s fabled past. For more information about the Alcazar, visitors can follow the Alcazar Route outlined in purple on the location map. Following this route will take visitors to attractions and artifacts like the Imperial Chapel, the crypt, and the Imperial Staircase.
The museum is spread across two buildings, with exhibits both in the Alcazar and an adjacent, newer building. Within the Alcazar are 13 rooms housing permanent displays of themed collections, as well as 8 rooms dedicated to general Spanish military history. In the adjacent, new building, visitors can explore temporary exhibitions, as well as a display about the Spanish Army in modern times. Visitors can also find a library, restoration workshops, classrooms, and a cafeteria in this new building. Most displays include information in both Spanish and English.
Regional Library of Castile-La Mancha
The spectacular Regional Library of Castile-La Mancha is one of the most prominent libraries in Spain. The public library is specially dedicated to the preservation of regional bibliographic and informational heritage, and it houses a breathtaking assortment of more than 380,000 volumes and special collections. This wonderful establishment is located on the last floor of the Alcazar of Toledo, and is open Monday to Friday from 08:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, and on Saturdays from 09:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The library is closed in July and August.
Take in the views
The Alcazar of Toledo is located at the highest point of the city, meaning this is the best place to enjoy city views! One of the best places to enjoy scenic panoramas is the terrace on the north side of the building. From the vast terrace, visitors can take in the scenery from three directions and admire the surrounding countryside and views of other Toledo attractions like the Cathedral of Toledo. While on the terrace, make sure to add a quick stop to Charles V’s Courtyard in the center of the Alcazar for a glimpse of the fantastic architecture like the Imperial Staircase.
After exploring Alcazar of Toledo, you can also indulge in one of the earliest gems of Spanish Renaissance with our guide to Museum of Santa Cruz, Toledo.
What to eat
For those looking for places to eat in Alcázar of Toledo, a small café is located in the new building of the Army Museum. Visitors can enjoy coffee and other hot drinks, as well as a selection of light snacks, after a busy day exploring the museum’s many exhibitions. The cafe is open during museum business hours.
Things to buy
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located in the museum’s new building, visitors can shop for museum souvenirs in the gift shop. The store offers a variety of military-related reproductions and history books, as well as gifts inspired by artifacts and objects in the museum’s collection.
From toys to clothing items like jackets and hats, to historic models and miniatures, the gift shop offers a fantastic variety of souvenirs. Items can also be purchased on the gift store’s website. The gift store is open during the museum’s business hours.
Traveler tips
Cloakroom
The museum offers a free cloakroom for museum guests. Large items and bags, as well as umbrellas, can’t be taken into the exhibition areas, but they may be left in the cloakroom.
Accessibility
The museum strives to create an accessible environment for all visitors. Wheelchairs can be used within the museum and the museum offers a special See and Touch area for visitors with visual impairments. This area includes specific audio descriptions and offers tactile displays of historic items. The See and Touch area is open to the general public, as well as people with visual impairments, accompanying companions and guide dogs, but only people with visual disabilities are allowed to touch the items in this collection. Visitors can arrange access to this area by talking with a museum worker at the Visitor Service desk.
Special admissions
The Army Museum offers free admission on Sundays, as well as certain days throughout the year. Special discounts are also offered to pensioners from the EU, people with disabilities and their companion or caretaker, university students in the EU, and persons under the age of 18. More information about admission discounts can be found on the museum’s website.
How to get there
Public transportation
Toledo connects to many major train stations across Spain, and it is an approximately a 20-minute walk from the Toledo Railway Station to the Alcazar of Toledo. There are also several bus stations close to the Alcazar of Toledo, including the Zocodover (Cuesta), Zocodover (Plaza), and Alférez stops. Bus lines 62 and 71 will drop you off near the Alcazar. If you like to be an early bird, all these conveyance options will help reach Alcazar of Toledo well before opening hours.
Private cars
For travelers arriving by a private vehicle, the Alcazar of Toledo is located at Calle de la Union in Toledo. While there is no parking available on-site, visitors can park at nearby parking garage Garaje Alcázar, which is a pay lot that is open 24 hours daily.
City cabs and taxis
There are several taxi companies operating in Toledo. Ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft do not operate in the city.
How to book tickets
Tickets can be purchased online from the official website, or at the on-site Ticket Office. The Ticket Office closes an hour before the museum closes. General admission costs 5.50 USD, but there are special admission discounts for certain groups. Visitors can also purchase Skip-the-Line tickets which include admission.
Skip the Line: Alcazar of Toledo Admission Ticket
Duration: 1 hour
Alcazar of Toledo information
Alcazar of Toledo
Address: Calle de la Union, s/n, 45001 Toledo, Spain
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 11am - 5pm (closed on Wed)
Cost: 5.50 USD
Official website: Army Museum
Department of tourism: Tourism Toledo
Frequently asked questions about guide to the Alcazar of Toledo, Spain
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to