Screen tourism comes to Toledo with a new route inspired by films shot in the city

Toledo offers a one-of-a-kind way to learn about its history and marvel at its architecture on a guided tour that explores film locations where renowned directors such as Luis Buñuel, Alejandro Amenábar, and Icíar Bollaín shot their films. The Toledo Travelling initiative links iconic film footage with the city’s landmark locations, offering a cultural experience that encourages you to discover Toledo from a fresh visual and narrative point of view. This initiative has an over two-hour guided tour through award-winning Spanish and international filming locations. Among the stand-out locations are the Tavera Hospital, regarded as the cinematic heart of Castilla-La Mancha, the Town Hall Square, the Cathedral, and convents such as Capuchinas and Santo Domingo el Real. These locations have featured in films such as Tristana (Luis Buñuel, 1970), Take My Eyes (Icíar Bollaín, 2003), and While at War (Alejandro Amenábar, 2019).

19 movies have been filmed at the Tavera Hospital in Toledo, most recently Killer Book Club (2023) © Shutterstock

Led by official tour guides, you will also learn about artists associated with the city, such as El Greco, Bécquer, and Galdós, creating an immersive experience that weaves together cinema, art, and literature. The project is backed by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha, where 70 films were shot in the region in 2024 alone. Within this context, film tourism, also known as going on a location-vacation, is on the rise, with 40% of travelers reported to have an interest in checking out filming locations. This new guided route, with similar ones in Madrid, Almería, and Seville, strives to shake up cultural tourism while boosting Toledo’s reputation as a key destination in the audiovisual industry.