More about: Best Things To Do In Toledo With Kids
Toledo is a city designed for families. The capital of Castilla la Mancha has all kinds of plans for the little ones, from zoos to boat trips. If you're going to the City of Three Cultures and don't know what to do in Toledo with children, take a look at these suggestions below.
1. Immerse yourself in medieval Toledo with a game of exploration
Sightseeing with children is something that tends to be a bit of a challenge, especially if they are very young. However, there are always ways to make sure that the little ones don't get bored and are interested in the tourist attractions of the city. One of the best ways to achieve this is this experience through medieval Toledo, one of the best tours in Toledo.
Through a game that you will carry on your mobile phone, you will visit the main attractions of the city, while discovering its legends and history. The children at home will love the role of knight that the game gives them, feeling like the protagonists of a film. At the same time, they will fantasise about the legends they will hear during the tour.
Throughout the experience, you will have to solve clues, which will take you to the next place. One of the great advantages of this experience is that it is totally flexible, you can choose the time of day you want to do it and take as many breaks as you want. The latter is always very convenient when travelling with children, as it is very difficult to stick to itineraries with them.
During the tour, you will pass by emblematic places, such as the Plaza de Zocodover, where you will have to solve a puzzle. You'll also visit the Arco de la Sangre, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, the Plaza de Santo Domingo, the Santa María la Blanca Synagogue and the El Greco Museum, among many others.
2. Take a tour in Toledo's tourist bus
Walking with children is usually a bit complicated, as they get tired earlier. Therefore, my recommendation is to take a tour on a tourist bus. You will be able to get on and off as many times as you want at the different stops along the route, so you will have total flexibility and independence.
An audio guide will tell you the history of the places you see and from the bus deck you will be able to enjoy privileged views of the city. In total, this tourist bus lasts about 50 minutes. For 24 hours, you can use your ticket whenever you want.
Among the places you'll see along the route are the Bisagra Gate, the Jewish quarter and the El Valle viewpoint. Get off the bus so you can take a closer look at the sites, go inside and take photos. Afterwards, get back on to go to the next stop.
3. Take a boat trip on the Tagus River
Another of the best things to do with children in Toledo is a boat cruise with a guide on board through Aranjuez. This municipality is part of the Community of Madrid and its gardens have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The boat departs from Toledo at mid-morning and the trip lasts 45 to 60 minutes.
The little ones at home will love going on board the boat and playing the audiovisual trivia game included in the experience. You'll also be able to sign the ship's logbook and have your photo taken with the ship's captain. The guide's explanations are educational and fun, perfect for all ages. This plan is perfect if you are in Toledo in summer, so you can't miss it.
4. Go to the theme park Puy du Fou
Theme parks are a paradise for children and families. The youngest members of the family usually have a lot of fun in places like these. In Toledo there is a theme park that combines fun with history, so that children can learn and have fun at the same time.
This is the Puy du Fou theme park, on the outskirts of Toledo. It occupies an open-air space in which the different civilisations that have occupied the city are recreated, as well as key moments in its history. Among all the shows in the park, the favourite among visitors is El Sueño de Toledo (The Dream of Toledo).
This is a night-time show in which, through a play performed by 200 actors, the 1500 years of the city's history are retraced. The play begins with the reign of Recaredo, passing through the Discovery of America and the arrival of the railway. Thanks to the special effects and the open-air stage on more than 5 hectares, the play succeeds in immersing the audience in the plot. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do in Toledo at night.
5. Have fun in Toledo's parks
As you know, parks are ideal places for families and children, where the little ones can play in peace and quiet, without parents having to worry about traffic. Toledo has many green areas, all of them perfectly equipped to provide fun and tranquillity.
The largest park in Toledo is the Parque de las Tres Culturas, which is the city's green lung. This place has sports courts, children's playgrounds and different terraces where you can have a drink.
The other large park is La Vega or Paseo de Merchán. It is located next to the Bisagra Gate and the Tavera Museum.
It has a kiosk selling churros with chocolate, so you can have a snack with the family while you stroll around the park. This green area has a multitude of sports courts, such as a beach volleyball and basketball courts. In addition, in winter there is an ice rink where you can skate with the children, one of the favourite things to do in Toledo at Christmas.
Other parks for children in Toledo
Another great and very curious park is the Roman Circus, which occupied the space where the circus was located during the empire of Octavian Augustus. Today, there are still archaeological remains of that construction, so you can stroll around while the children imagine they are great warriors.
Finally, I would like to recommend the multi-adventure park in Malpica de Tajo: Bernuy Aventuras. This place has all kinds of activities for children over 4 years old, such as horse riding, slingshots, archery or climbing.
6. Cross the river on the Barca del Pasaje (Passage Boat)
From spring until the end of summer, you will have the opportunity to cross the Tagus River from bank to bank thanks to the "Barca del Pasaje". This is a free wooden boat that, by means of a rope, crosses the river to take you to the other bank. It has a maximum capacity of 12 people and is a plan that children will be very excited about.
When you get to the opposite side of the city, you can enjoy magnificent views of the city's main monuments. You can also take a short hiking route through the green areas around the river. I recommend that you do this experience at sunset, to make it even more magical.
7. Jump on the longest urban zip line in Europe
If the children in the house are not too young, this could be one of the favourite activities for them. Toledo has the longest urban zip line in Europe. It is located next to the San Martín bridge and runs along the banks of the Tagus River. The minimum weight allowed is 20 kg and the maximum is 140 kg, something you will have to take into account when adding this activity to your itinerary.
I Love Fly Toledo is a very daring plan with which you can enjoy unique views of the city. In total, the ride lasts just 30 seconds, during which you will cover a total distance of 180 metres. Before you take off on the zip line, you'll be given a basic course on how to operate it, so you'll feel at ease at all times.
8. Unleash your imagination in the Iluziona Museum
Museums are generally not a very pleasant place to visit for children. However, you have to remember that there are museums of many kinds. In Toledo specifically, there is one that I am absolutely sure the little ones at home will love: the Iluziona.
It is located at Calle Cervantes 6, in the heart of the historic centre of the city, very close to Plaza Zocodover. This museum is suitable for all ages, although it has been designed specifically for children. The aim of the museum is to create optical illusions in its different rooms, which will amaze both children and adults. I recommend that you don't forget your camera, so that you can immortalise unique moments.
9. Go to the Cinema Car Museum
Another of the best museums in Toledo for children is the Cinema Car Museum. This space is a paradise for car and cinema lovers. It is located on the outskirts of the city, in the municipality of Yuncos, almost half an hour's drive from Toledo.
This museum houses more than 100 vehicles, which refer to more than 50 films. It is a private collection, whose owner is on the premises at the time of the visit. All the cars have stories and anecdotes that the museum staff will tell you.
When you leave the museum you can also visit the town of Yuncos, where you will find the parish church of San Juan Bautista, the Plaza de la Constitución in Borox and the Carranque Archaeological Park.
10. Spend a day surrounded by animals
If you and your children are big animal lovers, I recommend you visit the Koki Zoo. It is a beautiful initiative under the command of three brothers, who, with little means, struggle to rescue animals and recover endangered species. This zoo aims to make children aware of the importance of caring for animals, and is located on the Toledo road.
It is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:00 and has a multitude of activities for children.
The zoo has a multitude of farm animals, which you can feed, as well as different species of horses. There is also a black panther, hedgehogs and a jaguar. The best time to visit the zoo is in spring. If you go in summer, I recommend you to go early in the morning.
11. Make your dreams come true at El Pozo de los Deseos (Wishing Well)
If you spend several days in Toledo, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Pozo de los Deseos (Wishing Well). This curious well is located inside a gift shop, specifically in the basement. If you go to the shop to look around, the owners will invite you to go down to the basement to see the well.
Although the origin of the well is unclear, it is thought that centuries ago, the well was in the courtyard of a house. The well is full of crystal clear water, always the same amount, no matter what time of the year it is. It is important to remember that it is forbidden to throw coins into it, as it is drinking water. This place is located in calle Trinidad 5, in the centre of Toledo.