My husband and I will be in madrid for a few days and would like to also visit Toledo. It's only a half hour train ride from Madrid where we'll be for several days. I'm wondering if this is a day trip or worth an overnight hotel stay? If you've stayed there, I'd be interested in hotel and restaurant recommendations.

Thanks!

We did the day trip from Madrid and were disappointed we didn't have more time. We wished we had planned an overnight, but live and learn. If we were to go again we would definitely try to leave early from Madrid, stay overnight and return late the next day.

Overnight of course is better, among other obvious considerations because when all the tourist that come by bus leave it is another place.
I can recommend the only hostal I ever stayed in by chance , simply because it was so very nice and so very inexpensive. Great location too it is called Hostal Santo Tome
http://www.hostalsantotome-toledo.co...x.spanish.html,
it has all you need ample marble bathrooms, ac, tv etc. and also and elevator that is accessible through the next door which is a shop that belongs to them. Worth mentioning because you do not want to go by the stairs.
I meant to say that I am a hotel person, not a hostal customer, however this was so good that I always recommend it, and you can have a great dinner with the rate difference. Buena suerte.

Around the corner of the hostal there is a good restaurant, I forgot the name. Next door to the chapel of Santo Tome where the most famous picture of the EL GRECO is located
El entierro del Conde de Orgaz. A must of course.

I found Toledo absolutely magical in the evening and was very glad I stayed there overnight. Actually, I spent 2 nights and nearly 2 days and loved every minute! I stayed at the Hostal del Cardenal and was very pleased with it, but that was several years ago, so check tripadvisor for current information. I also had a fabulous dinner at the Hostal del Cardenal (same location, different management); again, I don't know whether it remains as wonderful as it was when I was there. Hope that helps!

We visited Toledo twice and stayed overnight both times. Both times we felt sorry for the day trippers who missed out on the transformation that Toledo undergoes after they leave. It truly takes on a different character. We stayed outside the walls just opposite the Cardenal but would rather stay inside. Toledo is one of those places that was far more than I expected it to be.

Thank you all for the good information and recommendations - sounds like we should definitely stay overnight there.

I agree with all this. I had a great time in Toledo in the evening (and during the day too, but the evening was great). I would love several days there.

Assuming you have the time, am guessing Toledo would make an enjoyable overnight trip. I visited the city as a day trip from Madrid, though, and saw pretty much all the tourist sites in the old part of the city (the Alcazar and El Greco House were closed when I went) and walked the old part of the city extensively.

Make sure you walk around the old part of the city in addition to seeing the usual listed tourist attractions.

I had a miniscule amount of time in Toledo due to the late night partying that Madrid is famous for the night before. It is a stunning historical town. I'm sure an overnight stay would be worth it.

Thanks bachslunch and ncounty - appreciate your input!

We stayed in Toledo for a few nights as my fiancee's sister was studying there. We stayed in the Hotel Santa Isabel and really enjoyed it.

http://www.santa-isabel.com/

The rooftop has a great view!

I've stayed twice at the Hostal Miravilla and enjoyed the stay. Great location, very basic accomodations (but comfortable) and nice people operating both the hotel part and the restaurant.

Pick out a hotel/hostal that looks appealing to your eyes and spend the night. If the weather is warm have an ice cream in the square in the evening and people watch. I think you will have a great time.

Thanks all - I'll check out those hotels.

Found a link for the Maravilla:
http://www.hotelmaravilla.com/