I have a long layover in Madrid this weekend and am taking my 27 year old son with me . We had planned on doing a daytrip to Toledo but after reading about so many museums closed I am wondering if we should just stay the whole time in Madrid or go to another city. I understand that the Cathedral is not to be missed but don't know if I want to devote an entire day of traveling and walking(with my bad knees) just to see it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I can't speak to museums being closed, but the city of Toledo itself is a museum. If you have trouble walking though it could be a problem because exploring the city on foot is the best way to enjoy it. Perhaps if you stayed overnight. That would allow a slower pace and allow you to enjoy Toledo after the day trippers have left, when it takes on a completely different character. The Cardinal (sp?) would be a fine place to stay.

Of course Toledo is all that people rave about, but it is vertical. I don't know how bad your knees are, but I'm not sure even a slower pace is going to keep you out of pain.

Even a long weekend is not a lot of time for Madrid, especially if you embrace some of the town's more off the beaten track, unique attractions, easily reached by public transportation or not very expensive taxis.

These include:

Temple Debod
The Goya ceiling in the hermitage of St Antonio de la Florida
An evening of zarzuela theater
Menswear shopping in Madrid

http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/...in-madrid.html

I really enjoyed Toledo as a town/city, even if the museums were closed. HOWEVER, it's situated on a hill and pretty much all walking involves going uphill or downhill.

If your knees are that bad, I suggest you stay in Madrid and save Toledo for a future visit after your knees are fixed.

As I recall, there is a huge escalator that allows visitors to reach the historic core of Toledo without climbing the hills that lead into it - something I learned about only as I was leaving! Perhaps someone else knows more about it.

I found a great deal to see and enjoy in Toledo - enough to keep me busy for nearly 2 full days, and as others have said, part of what I enjoyed most was just roaming around. The idea to spend a night seems worth considering, both because the city takes on a different character after day-trippers have left and because it would allow you a more leisurely pace.

I believe that basingstoke might be referring to the Hostal del Cardenal. I was delighted with my stay there some years ago, but one does have to climb several staircases to reach its entrance and then, once inside, to reach one's room.

On the other hand, I also found a great deal to enjoy in Madrid, so depending on your interests, that could provide a wonderful alternative.

Hope that helps!

Toledo is full of up and down streets, but I doubt you would walk more distance there than in any small town. The area is quite small.. and there are taxis everywhere to take you up the hills if so desired.

There is also a bus from the train station that goes up to the main plaza.

The cathedral is a pleasant walk away, mostly down hill.. it's where you go from there.. you might be going up or down more than necessary if you don't know where to go.

Plan your walking by sections and you will reduce the ups and down considerably

You may end up taking two or three 3-5 euro taxis during the day. I think you will enjoy the town.

I like this restaurant for the food and atmosphere.

El Cason de los Lopez de Toledo. Here is a list of many, but in Spanish.

http://www.buscorestaurantes.com/Res...-3200/1-1.html

I think I would go on an early train, get a cheap clean room for the day, and go back to Madrid on the latish train if you already have madrid lodging booked solid.

You can get many hostels for under 45 euros/night.

http://www.infohostal.com/es/noway/s...noches=1&dkm=0

Take it from one who has been there with bad knees....avoid Toledo. I can still remember the pain.

Pat