Semana Santa de Toledo

Spain's largest Gothic cathedral, built between 1226 and 1493. Its 92-meter tower, the Baroque Transparente, and works by El Greco, Goya, and Velázquez in the sacristy make it a sacred art museum without equal. Declared a World Heritage Site along with the whole city.

A Renaissance fortress that dominates Toledo's skyline from atop the hill. Rebuilt several times over the centuries, it now houses the Army Museum, home to more than 30,000 pieces. Its lookout points offer the best views over the bend of the Tagus and the old town.

A jewel of Isabelline Gothic commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs in 1476 to celebrate their victory at the Battle of Toro. Its exterior facades display the chains of captives freed from Granada. The two-story cloister is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.

A 14th-century synagogue built by Samuel ha-Levi, treasurer to Pedro I of Castile. The prayer hall retains Mudejar plasterwork with Hebrew inscriptions found nowhere else in Europe. The Sephardic Museum it houses documents the history of the Spanish Jews expelled in 1492.

A medieval bridge over the Tagus built in the 13th century on Roman foundations. Its two Gothic towers and central arch frame one of Toledo's most recognizable postcard views. It links the old town with the Castillo de San Servando and marks the starting point of Toledo's Camino de Santiago.

Toledo's most famous viewpoint, south of the Tagus facing the walled city. From here you can take in the panorama that inspired El Greco's celebrated painting View of Toledo: the Alcázar, the Cathedral, and the old town above the river bend. A must at sunset.

The Corpus Christi of Toledo holds International Tourist Interest Festival status, but locals simply call it "Semana Grande" (Great Week) — it's been celebrated without interruption since the 15th century.

Toledo's patron-saint festival honors the Virgen del Sagrario, whose Romanesque carving sits inside the Catedral Primada.

The San Isidro Festival honours Madrid's patron saint every 15 May with a pilgrimage to the Pradera de Carabanchel, beside the hermitage and the Manzanares river. Free and open to all, it brings together more than 100 activities: street dances, chotis performances, rosquillas pastries and the great Feria Taurina de Las Ventas running alongside.

Madrid Pride (MADO) is Europe's largest LGBTQ+ event: its national march, free and open to all, runs along the Paseo del Prado to Colón and draws over two million people every first weekend of July. It was born in 1978 and has its heart in the Chueca neighbourhood.

Mad Cool is Madrid's flagship rock and indie festival: it launched in 2016 and now takes place every July at the Iberdrola Music venue (Villaverde). Four days, multiple stages and international headliners. It is a ticketed event — you need a pass (full festival or single day), and they sell out in waves.