Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca Toledo, Spain – The Oldest Synagogue in Spain

Where is the Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca?

The Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca is located in the city of Toledo, Spain, south of Madrid.

The synagogue is in the west of the old city, a 3 minutes walk from the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes.

Facts about the Sinagoga Toledo

Are you fond of facts? I know I am! I love learning more about a place and its history with some quick & interesting facts, so I’ve gathered a few about the Sinagoga Toledo for you:

• the synagogue was built in 1180
• it is considered the oldest synagogue still standing in Europe
• it’s one of the best example of the cooperation between 3 cultures that existed in Toledo: it was built for the Jewish, by Islamic architects, under the agreement of the Christian Kingdom

• the synagogue was used for Jewish cult for more than 200 years
• in 1405, it was turned into a church and took on the name of Santa Maria la Blanca
• it now belongs to the Christian Church, who has turned it into a museum

Discovering the Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca Toledo

The synagogue was one of the last monuments I visited in Toledo, after I had seen the major ones, such as the Alcazar de Toledo.

To be honest, the synagogue wasn’t even on my list of things to see in Toledo when I first visited the city. As I was walking in the street right next to the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, I saw a sign pointing to the “Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca”. It peaked my interest, and knowing I had some time left before making my way back to Madrid to catch my plane, I decided to go inside to visit.

I was very surprised when I entered the synagogue: I didn’t expect to see such beauty, all white stone and gold ornaments, overall creating a very luxurious atmosphere.

The fine details of the inside of the synagogue reminded me of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, at a much more humble scale.

At the end of the synagogue Santa Maria la Blanca is an opening, with a stunning golden ceiling. I couldn’t help but stay there for a while, just looking up and staring at the refined details decorating the ceiling.

Is it worth it to visit the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca?

For me personally, no it’s not. Here’s why:

• the synagogue is very small, and you’ll see all of it in under 5 minutes
• as it’s small, it gets very crowded very quickly, making it hard to enjoy the place
• you have to pay 3€ to visit, which makes it even less appealing to visit

With that being said, here are a couple of reasons why it’s still worth a visit:

• the entry is included in the Toledo Tourist Bracelet, so if you plan to visit many monuments you won’t have to pay extra for the synagogue (check below)
• the place is absolutely incredible (as you’ve seen on the pictures), and very different from the rest of Toledo

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I hope the info will help you decide whether you should include the Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca in your list of places to visit while in Toledo!

Toledo Synagogue Tickets

You have to buy a ticket to visit the Toledo Synagogue.

The synagogue is included in the Toledo Tourist Bracelet, a tourist card that includes entries to 7 monuments for 10€.

Sinagoga de Toledo Opening Hours

The opening hours for the Sinagoga de Toledo vary depending on the time of year, so make sure to check below.

Please note that last entry/last tickets sales are 20 minutes before closing time.

How to Get to Toledo

You can either get to Toledo by car, or by train.

By car

Toledo is a perfect day trip from Madrid, and from other Spanish cities. You’ll find below the driving time from nearby cities:

From Madrid: 1h

From Segovia: 1h35

From Valencia: 3h30

It’s difficult to drive and park in the city; the best option is to find a parking outside of the city walls, then walk to the center.

When you’ll reach Toledo, head to the north east of the city, right outside of the city walls. This is where you’ll find the cheapest parking options, and the most parking spaces available.

By train

If you don’t have a car, you can get to Toledo by train from Madrid. There is a direct train that goes straight from Madrid to Toledo.

From: Madrid-Puerta de Atocha

To: Toledo

Duration: 33 minutes

Cost: 13.90€ (average price)

Book here: Train to Toledo

You can also take the trains from other cities in Spain (Barcelona, Segovia, …), just click on the link above to see all options.

From the Toledo train station, you can walk to the city center, which will take you around 20 minutes.

Where to Stay Near the Synagogue in Toledo

If you’re visiting Toledo, you have several options for where to stay. You’ll find below hotels depending on your travel style:

Budget: Albergue Juvenil Los Pascuales

Cheapest accommodation in Toledo, for around 14€ per night.

This youth hostel is only 2 minutes away from the Toledo Cathedral and the Toledo Castle. It also comes with included breakfast!

Comfy: Hotel San Juan de los Reyes

The Hotel San Juan de los Reyes is my favorite accommodation for a comfy stay in Avila, for around 75€ per night.

It’s ideally located in Toledo, a short walk from all the main sights. The beds are pretty comfy, and the included breakfast makes it a perfect choice for your stay in Avila. You’ll also enjoy free parking (which is nice in Toledo), and spacious bathroom with a hydro-massage bathtubs, perfect to relax after a long day of exploration in the city.

Luxury: Almunia de San Miguel

The best hotel in Toledo, hands down.

The Almunia de San Miguel has everything you’ll need, and even more: free parking, breakfast included, incredible rooms, and the location… The hotel is right next to the castle and the cathedral, you can’t be closer! There’s even a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.

Visit Spain

Planning a trip to Toledo and Spain? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:

Toledo Guides:

Visit the Iglesia de los Jesuitas – Bonus: Incredible View over the City!

The Best Viewpoint Over Toledo

Discover the nearby Puente de San Martin

Spain Guides:

Best Sunrise Spot in Mallorca

Free Walking Tour of Avila

How to get from Madrid to Segovia

I hope you enjoy your trip to Toledo and to Spain!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.