Toledo Shopping

(Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain)

The local shopping scene offers a real authentic Spanish experience, with many local stores gathered around the Cathedral of Toledo, the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and the Palacio Arzobispal.

Located on the Calle del Cardenal Cisneros and nearby are a number of gift shops targeting tourists, with stands of postcards and guide books located on the cobbled pavements outside.

Take a stroll along streets such as the interconnecting Calle de El Salvador, the Calle de la Ciudad, the Calle de la Trinidad and the Callejon de Santa Ursula, where shops may not be exactly in plentiful supply, but they are certainly full of character.



Tourists in Toledo looking for souvenirs to take home would be recommended to stick to the items for which the city is famed. Many of the goods for sale are displayed right outside and it is not uncommon to see dozens of jugs and painted plates hanging from wire mesh on the outsides of the windows.

Renowned goods include mazapán (marzipan) - a trusted brand is Santo Tomé, ceramics - available in a variety of forms throughout the city, and damasquinado (damascene) decoration - fine detailing in silver and gold, on various items such as lighters. Some gift shops specialising in souvenirs will also sell original paintings of Toledo street scenes, with clusters along the narrow Calle de Nuncio Viejo. Look out for the store named Juvi, which stands on this street and is known for its fine necklaces and brasses. For luxury handmade chocolates, the Calle del Hombre de Palo is the street to come.

Leading on from the Calle de la Trinidad, the Calle del Comercio serves as something of a shopping thoroughfare in Toledo and is a good place to end up, once you've strolled along some of the smaller surrounding streets. Expect to find handbags, Flamenco-style fans, colourful scarves, high-street fashion and leather shoes. When you finally reach the Plaza de Zocodover, you may like to enjoy a bite to eat at one of the pavement cafes, or a burger from McDonald's.

During the summer months, much of central Toledo is well connected by a red and white tourist train. If you have the time, do try to walk on that little bit further to the Calle de Venancio Gonzalez, where you can soak up some rather unexpected elevated views.