Toledo

A medieval city on a hill in a bend of the Tagus River, where Christians, Muslims and Jews lived side by side for centuries. Its winding streets hold the great Gothic cathedral, synagogues, mosques, and the Alcázar fortress. El Greco lived and painted here; see his Burial of the Count of Orgaz in the Santo Tomé church.

For the classic view of the city, drive or take the tourist bus to the Mirador del Valle across the river. Toledo is 30 minutes by high-speed train from Madrid, an easy day trip. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.