Rick Steves' Snapshot Madrid and Toledo

by Rick Steves

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Madrid and Toledo.
In this compact guide, Rick Steves covers the best of Madrid and Toledo, including tips on arrival, orientation, and transportation. In Madrid, visit the masterpieces of the Prado Museum, and explore the Royal Palace. Or visit Toledo's vast Cathedral or Alcazar. You'll get Rick's firsthand advice on the best sights, eating, sleeping, and nightlife, and the maps and self-guided tours will ensure you make the most of your experience. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves Snapshot guide is a tour guide in your pocket.
Rick Steves' Snapshot guides consist of excerpted chapters from Rick Steves' European country guidebooks. Snapshot guides are a great choice for travelers visiting a specific city or region, rather than multiple European destinations. These slim guides offer all of Rick's up-to-date advice on what sights are worth your time and money. They include good-value hotel and restaurant recommendations, with no introductory information (such as overall trip planning, when to go, and travel practicalities).

Genres: Travel, Reference, Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Jack Hrkach · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not always crazy about the way Rick Steves puts things -- Holy Toledo! When describing the great cathedral in Toledo Spain, or that a certain city is "worth" two days adn three nights, for example, I found this book VERY useful in my recent trip to Madrid (with a great day trip to Toledo). Especially useful were his self-guided tours and walks -- the best of these was the walk he describes from Puerta del Sol, thru Plaza Mayor and the cathedral, to the palace, and ultimately back to the dead center of the city, Puerta del Sol.

So I recommend the book highly for those headed for a trip there.

What's missing? Not enough on the major literary figures -- Lope de Vega (the house he lived in for 25 years is now a museum, which should be of interest not only to literary types, as it is a perfectly preserved 17th century urban living space in Madrid. Precious little on Cervantes, who is celebrated throughout the city -- I'd use the book as ONE good source, but it should be supplemented by Rough Guide Spain, one of a series of travel guides that I find very informative.

[Ceilidhchaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as comprehensive as some of the other Rick Steve's titles. Only a few hotels suggested in side trip towns. The walking tours seemed to lack alot of Rick's "voice" in the commentary. I imagine this one was primarily written by his Spain co-author

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of Rick Steves' larger book of Spain. It is the perfect size for traveling (small) and has just the right amount of information for Madrid & Toledo.