Situated on the west coast of the large island of Cebu, Toledo is a somewhat overlooked by visitors to the region as it is not quite as picture perfect as other parts of the island.
Most people travel to Toledo to visit its three beautiful beaches, which are located just nine kilometers to the south of the city. Known as Louie II, Ygay Beach and Villa Isanga Summer Place, these beaches are less touristy than many in the Philippines, making them good places to relax and soak up the sun for a few hours.
Although not the most exciting or visually stunning place in the Philippines, what Toledo lacks in entertainment it makes up for in tranquility. People come to snooze under sunshades, undisturbed by the pumping music from beach bars that spoil many other areas.
Getting There#
The best way to reach Toledo is via the city of Cebu, which has its own international airport with regular flights from Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. There are also connecting flights from other major cities in the Philippines such as Manila (90 minutes). There are regular buses from Cebu to Toledo (3 hours)
Things to Do#
Toledo Attractions
- Villa Isanga Summer Place
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This beautiful beach features cool, clear water and plenty of space to spread out on the sand.
Culture seekers flock in their droves to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Toledo in central Spain, where cultural and monumental heritage are abundant and the result of years of Christian, Jewish and Moorish influences is notable throughout. The city has had its fair share of famous residents over the centuries, with Garcilaso de la Vega, Alfonso X and El Greco just a few among the many.
On a sightseeing tour of the city, the cathedral is undoubtedly the highlight and is notable for its magnificent oil paintings and portraits of the city’s cardinals that go back more than half a millennium. Works by El Greco, Rubens, Goya, Titian and Raphael are among those on display in the church. Other buildings of note in the city include the old Military barracks, the Alcazar, and the San Juan]] de Los Reyes church.
If you’re at all interested in swords then this is the city to visit, being one of the world’s finest sword crafting centres. The local industry supplies swords to Hollywood for movies, to international collectors and to the military. Visitors have the opportunity to visit local dealers and purchase themselves one of these finely crafted instruments for ornamental purposes.
Highlights
The Alcázar: this structure, which is now an army museum, has a fascinating history which includes a 70-day siege at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.
Casa y Museo de El Greco: situated in the city’s Jewish quarter this house was never actually home to the famous artist El Greco but is rather a museum that pays tribute to his life and works.
The Cathedral: magnificent architecture combines with splendid artworks by the masters to create what is probably the city’s finest visitor attraction.
Hospital de Tavera: built in a Greco-Roman style and dating back to the 16th century, this palace is now home to a private art collection which includes portraits of St Francis, St Peter, and Cardinal Tavera, The Baptism of Christ and The Holy Family by El Greco.
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes: construction began in 1477 and completion of this impressive Gothic-Spanish-Flemish style monastery was seen in 1504.