Catedral Primada
Catedral Primada
4.5
About
One of the most imposing cathedrals in Spain, and a superb example of Gothic architecture.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Dr. DaveNew York City, New York175 contributionsINDESCRIBABLE & AMAZINGOne word…. INDESCRIBABLE!!! Of all the Basilica’s that we have seen, and we have seen a lot in Spain, this one is just an all day overwhelming, mind overloading beautiful, and historic masterpiece!!! If you enjoy this type of sightseeing then get ready for an all day event to attempt to take it all in!!!Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 October 2023
- RjessMMMVancouver, Washington561 contributionsSpectacular churchMy wife and I absolutely love Gothic churches and have had the pleasure if visiting numerous ones throughout Europe. While the exterior may not be as impressive as ones in Milan, Florence and Cologne for instance, the interior was absolutely amazing and breath taking. We visited on a Saturday in November and with the church opening up at 10am, we lined up at 10am sharp to buy tickets which are right across the church itself. There were maybe 10 people in front of us. Our biggest fear especially for a weekend was the masses of day tour groups arriving saturating the area and creating a noise blanket that ruins the experience of being in church. We expected to stay 30 minutes and stayed over an hour. There is so much to look at and I can’t imagine how selective we would have been during the days of film cameras. This was very peaceful and we enjoyed every minute of such. By the time we left there were dozens of tour groups both in and out of the cathedral. As such I would recommend getting there early as your priority for the day assuming like us you stayed in the city for a couple of days. Would 100% return the next time we were in the area. Enjoy.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 November 2023
- MammaBear60Warkworth, Canada238 contributionsAbsolutely awe-inspiringComments in previous reviews have said it all. During our eight days in Spain we visited Madrid, Avila, Segovia, Barcelona, Girona and Figueres. Our visit to this cathedral was what we liked best. Highly recommend you plan a trip to Toledo if you are visiting Spain.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 November 2023
- HighClubUnited States99 contributionsAmazing cathedralAmazing cathedral! One of the best I have visited. I was in St Peter's Basilica a couple of weeks prior to visiting here and they are both amazing to see. Also, it is a great way to avoid the heat in the summer, but most importantly it is inspiring to see the beauty and craftsmanship of the cathedral. Truly impressive!Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 November 2023
- patjaniakWarsaw, Poland184 contributionsAstonishingWow, just wow. Even today, you can feel some kind od mystery, covered in this place. Cathedral is one of the biggest and mystic from all i every seen. For me most interestings was whe this place. Of course, architekturę detalis are amazing, but this place make me thing about absolut. Just walking around was great experience. Of course IT is a live place, so remeber if there is a devotion, you can't just enterVisited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 16 December 2023
- traveldad2018New York City, New York235 contributionsReally amazing; 200+ years to buildReally worth hiring a guide (or group tour), if possible. We were told that it took over 200 years to build. Once inside, this is understandable. Looks expansive from the outside, but it’s still difficult to get a sense of the grandeur without stepping inside. Very interesting side rooms as well, with art from great painters such as Velasquez and Goya, among others. Made our trip to Toledo.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 January 2024
- RazorfishLittle Rock, Arkansas5,287 contributionsImpressive cathedralMy wife and I took a day trip to Toledo during a visit to Madrid this past spring. The Cathedral was not included on the list of churches on our tour. Our guide explained some details about the Cathedral but we did not go inside. We did not have enough free time to go inside and especially for a €12 entry fee. It has an impressive history.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 January 2024
- Kris_ToorKrakow, Poland247 contributionsImpressiveVery impressive building. Didn’t go inside but I still could appreciate its beauty. The building is visible from many view points inside and outside the city. I don’t like visiting churches ⛪️ so I skipped it but I am sure that it is as impressive inside as it is outside temporarily you can ran into a fair outside the church ⛪️. Highly recommended.Visited January 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 26 January 2024
- Margie DYork, Pennsylvania1,801 contributionsBeautiful CathedralSecond largest cathedral in Spain, construction beginning 1226 and completing 250 years later. So beautiful inside with smiling Madonna. Definitely visit! My pictures are vertical as it was the best way to take it, and do not know how to post so that they are not turned sideways on Trip Advisor.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 January 2024
- Tommy C83 contributionsFavourite placeWe have been to many beautiful cathedrals and this has to be the top one, we had been two years earlier and went back to Toledo mostly to see it again. Tickets are sold in a shop behind the back entrance and it's well worth the ticket price. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the amazing workmanship throughout and soak up the beauty of the artwork on display. It's not to be missed.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 February 2024
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4.5
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megcram
Munich, Germany185 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
It’s the main tourist attraction, and costs more than the others. The audio guide is available in many languages and is included with the ticket price -10€
We did most of the audio guide, but were not able to finish. It was quite dramatic, and offered a lot of info about the beautiful and impressive cathedral.
The tower is currently under construction, so you cannot visit now.
We did most of the audio guide, but were not able to finish. It was quite dramatic, and offered a lot of info about the beautiful and impressive cathedral.
The tower is currently under construction, so you cannot visit now.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kunfushuss
Pennsylvania481 contributions
May 2022
I've been to several Cathedrals in Europe and a few in Spain, and this is one of the middle-to-upper end in terms of size and gaudiness. It houses impressive art including El Greco, Van Dyck, and Carravagio; has some impressively painted rooms; and lots of great sculpture. Definitely worth a stop.
To get in you need to buy a ticket across the road from the entry in a gift shop of sorts. For the audioguide (same building), you need to leave 50euro or an ID (they said 'a library card or something') as collateral until you return it.
To get in you need to buy a ticket across the road from the entry in a gift shop of sorts. For the audioguide (same building), you need to leave 50euro or an ID (they said 'a library card or something') as collateral until you return it.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg1717
London, UK141 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Toledo’s imposing cathedral is a vast, amazing treasure-trove that needs at least 2 hours to properly explore and appreciate.
There’s the gobsmacking main altarpiece, the ornate chapels, the extraordinary El Grecos, the eye-popping Transparente, the strange mythologies, the gloomy crypt, the giant St Christopher etc etc…
Happily, the audio guide comes as part of the ticket, and it’s worth listening to it all then wandering around a couple of times without all the noise in your ears.
Expect a neck-ache from all the staring you’ll be doing…
There’s the gobsmacking main altarpiece, the ornate chapels, the extraordinary El Grecos, the eye-popping Transparente, the strange mythologies, the gloomy crypt, the giant St Christopher etc etc…
Happily, the audio guide comes as part of the ticket, and it’s worth listening to it all then wandering around a couple of times without all the noise in your ears.
Expect a neck-ache from all the staring you’ll be doing…
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Croydontel1
Croydon, UK44 contributions
Feb 2023
Have visited many cathedrals over the years, including St Paul’s, Canterbury, Norte Dame, St Basils even St Peter’s Rome to name a few but this place beats them all. It’s huge and breathtaking. The entry fee includes an audio guide and don’t go in without it. If you’re lucky you hear a service taking place with singing, though some of the clergy are not on note. You can see why this is Spain’s premier cathedral, beating Seville and Granada’s cathedrals. The architecture is astounding, you wonder how they managed to build it back then without modern technology. I doubt today’s craftsmen have the full range of skills to replicate the design. No visit is complete without a visit to this beautiful building, even if like me I’m an ex-catholic now practicing atheist.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveToTravelTerrie
Frisco, TX1,304 contributions
Dec 2019
This was truly an impressive church! It was jaw dropping stunningly gorgeous to me! The line to get in after lunch on a Sunday in December was about 100 feet down the sidewalk but it moved fast. Despite the long line, it was not crowded once we got inside. Entrance cost €5. We were given free audio headsets since there was no English guide available. I found the audio guide difficult because it was hard to find the object that was being described in this church with an overwhelming amount of artifacts and objects. There were also no maps in English (I only saw Spanish) but there was a bilingual magazine offered for free. It was the most popular place in Toledo the day we were there for good reason.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
José I. Puertas
Vaciamadrid, Spain6,570 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The cathedral itself is fabulous, grandiose, any epithet I say falls short, but the management of the monument could improve.
First of all, the schedule. Only until 6:30 p.m., and they let you in until 6:00 p.m., when if you go to the ticket office they tell you that they won't give you time if you arrive with less than an hour because it takes an hour to see. I think that the hours, as in other cathedrals such as Segovía, should be extended to encourage more visits.
Secondly, the price, 12 euros is three times the price of the one in SEgovia, which apart from having longer hours, is much better managed.
Third, they do not offer guided tours, they leave it directly to the local tour guides. They only told me that there was an audio guide on the Internet, they didn't even offer it directly, at least it's free.
Fourth, you cannot access the tower, although, from what I found out, you could climb it until before the pandemic. After 4 years, it is not clear why it cannot be visited. Without going into comparisons, in Segovia there is an independent guided tour that is wonderful, to visit the different rooms up to the top, including the bell ringer's house and the area of the bells.
In short, expensive price, reduced hours, reduced visit, without official guide or audio guide and without guided tour, without being able to access the tower. Well managed, they could ensure that there were more people who could enjoy it and get to know it better.
First of all, the schedule. Only until 6:30 p.m., and they let you in until 6:00 p.m., when if you go to the ticket office they tell you that they won't give you time if you arrive with less than an hour because it takes an hour to see. I think that the hours, as in other cathedrals such as Segovía, should be extended to encourage more visits.
Secondly, the price, 12 euros is three times the price of the one in SEgovia, which apart from having longer hours, is much better managed.
Third, they do not offer guided tours, they leave it directly to the local tour guides. They only told me that there was an audio guide on the Internet, they didn't even offer it directly, at least it's free.
Fourth, you cannot access the tower, although, from what I found out, you could climb it until before the pandemic. After 4 years, it is not clear why it cannot be visited. Without going into comparisons, in Segovia there is an independent guided tour that is wonderful, to visit the different rooms up to the top, including the bell ringer's house and the area of the bells.
In short, expensive price, reduced hours, reduced visit, without official guide or audio guide and without guided tour, without being able to access the tower. Well managed, they could ensure that there were more people who could enjoy it and get to know it better.
Written 12 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CazsTravellingFeet
San Miguel de Salinas, Spain78 contributions
July 2020 • Couples
This cathedral is beautiful. The carvings adorn every wall, silver and gold are liberally splashed about and there are lots of pictures of dead white guys. Great for a wander to appreciate the beautiful building. €10 entry seems a fair price for such a monument.
Written 20 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaylee
Paris, France598 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
One of the best carhedrals i have seen in a long time. Beautiful interior. You can visit for at least 2 hours if you want to. Current price was 10€ with free audio guide (we didnt use the audio guide as we were short on time). Well worth the pricy entrance fee.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie H
Ennis, Ireland194 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This gothic masterpiece is spectacular in its splendour and grandeur. The detailing in the choir and ornate main chapel is truly stunning. The stand-out feature of the cathedral for me was not all the amazing gothic architecture but the baroque window high in the roof and the stunning sculptures in the lightwell it creates. The other stunning piece is the amazing monstrance fashioned in gold with enormous precious stones.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonahNJ
Pennington, NJ11,781 contributions
Sept 2019
A highlight of my visit to Toledo was visiting this breathtaking structure which dates back to 1226 AD. It was fascinating to see the different entry “portals” with their distinct architecture. It was interesting to learn that perhaps the simplest portal was the oldest—the clock gate. However, it was the main entrance, known as the “Portal of Forgiveness” that I found most impressive with its detailed images framing this central entrance on the main façade.
When I visited the tower was being renovated, but the scaffolding in no way diminished the majesty of this magnificent cathedral. Tours of the cathedral are available with various language audio guides. This is a must see site when exploring Toledo.
When I visited the tower was being renovated, but the scaffolding in no way diminished the majesty of this magnificent cathedral. Tours of the cathedral are available with various language audio guides. This is a must see site when exploring Toledo.
Written 7 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. We will be in Toledo in a few weeks, on Tuesday July 19. Do you suggest buying tickets for the cathedral in advance, or should it be ok to just purchase on site that day? We don't want to spend a lot of time waiting in line.
Written 27 June 2022
We were there in April and it was relatively quiet, not many people, should be fine.
Written 8 July 2022
How does one buy tickets in advance including Bell Tower without going through a tour company Thx
Written 11 June 2022
freddefort
Compiegne City, France
bonjour, si j'ai bien compris votre message, il est possible d'avoir des audio guides en français ? sur les sites de réservation des billets, on ne stipule que des visites en anglais ou espagnol (notamment get your guide)- merci de votre retour .cdt
Written 8 June 2022
Buenos días, Si, las audioguias están disponibles en francés y en más idiomas. Lo puedes coger allí mismo, no hace falta reservar con antelación , un saludo.
Written 28 July 2022
Hay alguna forma de visitar la catedral graguitamenfe aunque sea con misa?
Written 5 August 2021
Se puede visitar las naves en un horario gratuito (que cambia segun temporadas), pero no la sacristía ni los museos.
Written 15 August 2021
Can you purchase tickets at the cathedral
Written 28 June 2021
Yes, right in front of the entrance.
Written 5 January 2022
Luz C Santos
Leiria, Portugal
Olá! Quanto tempo demora uma visita sem guia? Obrigada.
Written 12 January 2020
Lorena Moreno
Vila Velha, ES
2 contributions
Se quiser ver com detalhes, recomendo umas 2h ou mais.
O lugar é grande e lindo!
Written 23 January 2020
Should I buy tickets to enter the cathedral? Is the Alcazaba close to the cathedral? And is there a fee to enter?
Written 16 December 2019
Yes absolutely. The payment is adequate for the experience.
Written 5 January 2022
Ciao, ho letto che hai visitato la cattedrale di Toledo, andrò con la mia famiglia nel periodo di natale prendendo il treno da Madrid; La domanda é: conviene prenotare in anticipo i biglietti per (Cattedrale, Alcazar, Moschea e inagoga)? oppure comprarli sul posto?
Grazie resto in attesa
Written 28 September 2019
Per la cattedrale c'è un biglietto che che comprende anche l'audio guida. Per le altre chiese e monasteri si paga 3 euro ciascuno. Ma conviene acquistare il braccialetto (la pulsera) che con 10 si possono visitare tutte.
In agosto non ho trovato fila per acquistare il biglietto per la cattedrale (la biglietteria è di fronte all'ingresso, a lato della chiesa)
Written 30 September 2019
Gostaria de saber, em que não iniciou a construção e qual a idade da Catedral e se realiza casamentos,e musas,na Catedral. Grata
Written 31 August 2019
Gostaria de saber, em que não iniciou a construção e qual a idade da Catedral e se realiza casamentos,e musas,na Catedral. Grata
Written 31 August 2019
Olá! A Catedral teve a construção iniciada no século XIII, concluida no século XV. Fazem celebrações de casamentos, sim. Inclusive, quando estive novamente lá, em maio/2019, estavam celebrando um casamento lá na hora.
Written 31 August 2019
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