Shopping in Toledo

Toledo is famous for three home-grown crafts: damascene (interlaced gold on steel, applied to jewellery, plates etc); Toledo steel swords (which will require special customs clearance); and marzipan, invented in Toledo and first made by the city's nuns. All are ubiquitous throughout the city.

Key areas

To see swords being made, call in at the workshop of Mariano Zamorano, Calle Ciudad 19. Marzipan is still sold direct from some convents. One of the most famous producers is the Marzapanes Confitería Santo Tomé, Calle de Santo Tomé 3 and Plaza Zocodever 7. Two excellent food shops worth a visit are the very traditional Casa Cuartero, Calle Hombre de Palo 5, and the cutting-edge Adolfo Colección, Calle Nuncio Viejo 1.

Shopping centres

Calle Comercio is Toledo's main shopping street. There are two large shopping centres in the new part of town, Zoco Europa, Calle Viena, and Luz del Tajo, Av Río Boladiez.

Opening hours

Generally, shops open Monday to Saturday 1000-1400 and 1630-2000. In the summer, they usually re-open 1730-2030. Some tourist shops do not close for lunch.