MADRID AND TOLEDO Two jewels of the Spanish Crown

6 days | £3995 per person with flights | 22 - 27 September 2026

The British legacy

A short drive south of Madrid is Toledo, often considered a convenient day trip option from the capital but with so much more to reveal than can be appreciated in just a few short hours. The ancient capital of Spain is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and its beautifully preserved centre reflects more than 2,000 years of history. Known as the ‘City of Three Cultures’, the peaceful co-existence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities is mirrored in the rich mosaic of architectural styles that make up the old city. This is also the city that El Greco chose to make his home, flourishing as an artist here and finding widespread appreciation.

In 1561, Philip II chose the town of Madrid to be his new capital. Since then, it has become one of the world’s greatest treasure troves of art. Fueled by riches from the New World, the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties embellished the city to project an image of princely magnificence. They employed the greatest artists of the age, including El Greco, Diego Velázquez and Francisco Goya to decorate their palaces and churches. When in 1819 the Museo del Prado opened the Royal Collections’ doors to the public, it instantly manifested itself as one of the world’s richest museums of European painting. But the Prado’s masterpieces are certainly not the city’s only treasure: along the promenade of the Paseo del Prado, it is joined by the eclectic Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid’s matchless museum of Spanish 20th-century art. Beyond this plethora of outstanding museums, the Royal Palace and the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales are spectacular historic structures located in the heart of the old town. With stays in both Toledo and Madrid, this study tour offers the chance to compare and contrast capitals present and past, showcasing Spanish painting from El Greco, Velázquez and Goya to Picasso.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Madrid. By private coach to Toledo, our base for the first two nights at our centrally-located hotel, and head out for an introductory walk to the Iglesia de Santo Tomé with its 14th-century Mudéjar tower, most famous as the home of El Greco’s masterpiece, the Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Continue to the El Greco Museum, housed in a 16th-century building characteristic of the homes in which the artist stayed during his time in the city. Works on display include View and Plan of Toledo. We enjoy our first group meal together.

Day 2

A day on foot to explore beautiful Toledo, beginning with the handsome 13th century cathedral. Besides being one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Spain it also holds a wealth of art, with works by El Greco, Titian, Velázquez, Caravaggio, Goya and Bellini among others. Continue to the Museo de Santa Cruz, a broad and impressive arts and ceramics collection housed in a 16th century former hospital building. After an independent lunch, we regroup to walk to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, an impressive 15th century Franciscan monastery and church founded by the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand situated in the heart of the Jewish quarter, a defiant display of religious supremacy. Return to the hotel for an evening free for independent activity.

Day 3

Coach transfer to the centre of Madrid and to our new hotel to store our luggage. After a coffee break, we walk to the Galería de las Colecciones Reales, showcasing a stunning array of Spain’s royal treasures, including paintings, tapestries, and historic artifacts from the Spanish monarchy’s vast collection. A visit to the Royal Palace to view the famous ceilings by Giambattista Tiepolo — the painter’s last works — and an exquisite armoury, featuring Charles V’s parade armour. We return to our hotel through the Plaza Mayor to check in and enjoy an included dinner together.

Day 4

An in depth visit to the Prado: we will focus on the Golden Age of Spanish painting headed by the genius of Velázquez, Titian and Rubens, both of whom worked extensively for the Spanish Habsburgs. After a break the second part of our visit will present the wider highlights of the collection from Rogier van der Weyden to Bosch and Dürer. After an independent break, walk to Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The museum’s collection — since 1993 owned by the Spanish state, but once the world’s second-largest private collection — presents highlights of all periods and schools, from Duccio and van Eyck to Kandinsky and Lichtenstein. Return to hotel on foot. The evening is free for independent activity.

Day 5

Morning coach excursion to the monastery of El Escorial, built by Philip II, who appointed Juan Bautista de Toledo as royal architect and entrusted the monastery to the Hieronymite Order. The buildings are adorned with a plethora of frescoes, altarpieces and paintings; highlights including El Greco’s Martyrdom of St Maurice, Titian’s Martyrdom of St Lawrence, and other fervent religious subjects, while precious objects, including over 500 silver reliquaries are found in palatial surroundings. Return to Madrid for a visit to the chapel of San Antonio de la Florida, frescoed by Goya, and to the 16th-century foundation of the Monasterio of the Descalzas Reales, to this day housing a cloistered community as well as an important art collection. Farewell dinner together.

Day 6

Check out and depart on foot for a private ‘pre-opening’ visit to the Reina Sofía Museum, exhibiting works by all major Spanish artists of the 20th century. Picasso’s Guernica, his denunciation of war and fascism of 1937 — is one of the icons of modern art. Continue to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes, with works by Goya, Velázquez and Zurbarán. Independent lunch before our transfer back to Madrid airport for our flight home.

Hotel Pintor El Greco

The Pintor el Greco Hotel is a comfortable and cosy 4-star hotel in Toledo located in the city’s historical centre. With a mix between classic and modern decor, our elegant hotel in the centre of Toledo has 57 completely renovated rooms, all equipped with the necessary services to offer you the maximum comfort after a day visiting the city.

NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa

The NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa is a uniquely charming setting for your stay in historic Madrid. Located in an elegant palace designed by the architect of the Prado Museum, Juan de Villanueva and decorated by award winning Ramón Esteve the hotel is a stroll away from the city’s sights.

With Flights: £3995

Join Direct: £3845

Single Supp: £240

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

22 - 27 September 2026

Duration:

5 nights / 6 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Madrid
Two nights’ bed and breakfast at Hotel Pintor el Greco in Toledo
Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the NH Palacio de Tepa in Madrid
Private coach transfers and excursions
Three evening meals and one lunch
Guided visits to the sites and monuments listed in the programme
Services of the tour lecturer and a tour manager
Detailed programme and study notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Lecturers

Isabelle Kent

Isabelle is an academic and educator specialising in the art and culture of Spain. After reading History of Art at Cambridge she worked at The Wallace Collection where she fell in love with adult education and teaching in front of the object. Since then, she has taught widely for museums and universities including the V&A, University of Cambridge, NYU and Cornell. She has published on the art of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Diego Velázquez and Francisco Goya, and she is currently completing a PhD at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Travel Information

The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.

Stamina

Please note that most of our tours involve a large amount of walking, across uneven ground and often without the opportunity to sit down for at least half an hour. We ask that clients inform us if they have difficulties before booking to avoid any issues whilst on tour.