Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in Toledo

Hot air balloon rides are among the best things to do in Toledo. The walled city of Toledo has dazzling palaces and buildings that you can see from the air, such as the Alcazar and the Cathedral. You will also see its churches, synagogues and mosques, its narrow streets, alleyways and the Jewish quarter.

Ballooning is one of the most characteristic activities in the region of La Mancha. Near Toledo you can also fly in a hot-air balloon over the municipality of Ocaña, where aerial sports such as parachuting are practised, or over Consuegra, where you can see the fields of Castile and its famous windmills. Most of the territory of Toledo has historical monuments, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

One of the best tours you can do in Toledo is to take a hot air balloon ride over Toledo to see this magnificent medieval city from a height of around 450 metres.

On a flight over Toledo you will be able to see from the air the main attractions of the city, all of Toledo's old town and the Tagus River. One of the most dazzling monuments you will see is the Alcázar of Toledo, a royal civil and military fortification located at the top of the city. This huge 60-metre long building has four 60-metre high towers and has been declared a site of cultural interest.

If you are staying in Madrid, this is not a problem, as the companies usually include a transfer from Madrid to Toledo and back. The activity is carried out in small groups of 2 to 20 people. In addition, passengers are usually given a souvenir in HD video and photos that the companies take during the flight.

Balloon rides take place early in the morning when the sun rises and depend on favourable weather conditions. Some of these tours also include a toast with cava and a Spanish Iberian lunch.

Details of interest

• Price of the flight: from 180€.
• Duration: between 3 and 6 hours
• Timetable: in the morning, starting at 7 am
• Recommendations: wear comfortable closed shoes
• Advantages: Optional transfer to and from Madrid. Includes an HD video and photos of the trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you have to cancel or change the date for any reason, you must do so up to 24 hours before the flight, otherwise many companies will not reimburse you.

There are balloon flight options in Toledo that also include a guided walking tour. In other words, as well as touring Toledo in a hot-air balloon and glimpsing its main historical monuments from a height of 450 metres, you can also visit these same attractions accompanied by a guide when you land.

From the air you can see emblematic monuments such as Toledo Cathedral and the Alcázar, as well as synagogues, churches, museums and different ancient architecture. Many of these buildings have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

These tours usually take place in small groups and usually include lunch and a toast with cava on landing. They also take place at dawn, as it is more convenient to take a hot-air balloon flight at that time of day.

The view of the city with the Tagus River and the plains of Castile is truly impressive. In addition, most companies give you a recording of the flight and professional photos.

The activity ends with a walking tour through the streets of Toledo, where you can see the Cathedral and the Alcázar, one of the main attractions of the city, accompanied by a guide who will give you interesting information about these sites. You'll also visit monuments with stunning medieval, Gothic, neoclassical and Baroque architecture.

If you decide to make your own way around the city, you can buy your Toledo City Card Plus, which will give you skip-the-line access to some 10 of Toledo's emblematic monuments, many of them with the accompaniment of a specialised guide. And if you don't have a car, you can take the bus with free stops around Toledo, which will take you to the most representative sites of the city.

Interesting details

• Price of the flight: around 230€.
• Duration: from 6 hours
• Timetable: starts at 7 am, morning only.
• Advantages of this option: you can fly over Toledo in a hot air balloon and then walk around the most important attractions of the city accompanied by a guide. You get HD video and photos of the trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: in general, companies have an age limit for hot air ballooning, so you should check if you are travelling with children.

There are many options to fly in a hot-air balloon over Toledo especially for couples. The flight has a special route so that you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the city and its historical monuments, such as the cathedral of Santa María, in French Gothic style, and the Alcázar, a military fortification whose first building was built in the 3rd century.

This is an intimate aerial tour that you can enjoy alone with your partner. You will only travel with one person, the balloon driver, who will point out the best attractions throughout the trip and tell you interesting stories about each place. Like almost all balloon rides, it usually includes very romantic photos and videos of the whole experience.

Among the most beautiful places you will see from the air is the landscape around the municipality of Toledo, which is located on a hill. You will fly over the Tagus River and you will also be able to see the beautiful Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

This type of flight usually includes pick up and drop off at the hotel or accommodation, a bottle of Cava to toast and snacks to go with it.

Details of interest

• Price of the flight: around 950€.
• Duration: from 4 hours
• Timetable: departures can be in the morning or in the afternoon, from 7 a.m. until the end of sunlight.
• Advantages of this option: ideal for couples who prefer an exclusive flight.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is a flight exclusively for adults, i.e. children are not allowed.

Near Toledo, 40 minutes away by car, you can take a balloon ride over the town of Consuegra, located in the Castilla-La Mancha region, where you will be able to see beautiful, hidden and rarely visited places from the air.

During this flight you can usually see the Castle of Consuegra, also known as Castillo de la Muela, and the famous giant windmills, built at the end of the 18th century. As is well known, these windmills were immortalised in Cervantes' Don Quixote. You may also see animals such as hares, deer and foxes.

La Muela Castle is an 800-year-old fortress located on a mountain surrounded by a landscape of green hills. It was built by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Flights over Consuegra usually take place in small groups of up to 8 people, including children, and are accompanied by a specialised guide. As with other flights of this type, they usually include a video and photos for you to take home as a souvenir. Most flights over Consuegra include a transfer to and from your hotel, and some offer a glass of cava on landing.

Interesting details

• Price of the flight: around 180€.
• Duration: around 4 hours.
• Timetable: only takes place in the morning, starting at 7 am.
• Recommendations: you should book the activity in advance because it is carried out in small groups of up to 8 people. If you are travelling with children, check if the company has an age limit to participate.
• Advantages of this option: Includes a video and photos of the trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: It does not include the transfer to and from the city of Toledo.

You can also take a balloon ride over the town of Ocaña, which is a 40-minute drive from the city of Toledo, where you will see the fields of Castile and La Mancha.

It is an ideal flight if you are travelling to Toledo with children, as they will have great fun watching them practising aerial sports such as parachuting and paragliding from the balloon. In addition, the sky is usually covered with hot air balloons. Something that children also like is the moment of the balloon assembly and inflation.

The flights in the city of Ocaña usually take place in small groups of 20 people maximum and last about an hour. Some companies may include a picnic lunch and a toast with cava and juice. From the very beginning, it is customary for the companies to film and take photos so that you can take home a beautiful family souvenir.

In addition, most companies hold a brief ceremony where they give each participant a diploma certifying that they have taken part in the hot air balloon flight.

Interesting details

• Price of the flight: from 140€.
• Duration: around 4 hours
• Schedule: from 7 am
• Recommendations: If you are travelling with children, check if the company has an age limit to participate.
• Advantages of this option: Includes a video and photos of the trip and a diploma certifying participation in the flight.
• Disadvantages of this option: It does not include the transfer to and from the city of Toledo.

During your stay in Toledo you can't miss a hot air balloon ride over the town of Aranjuez, which is a 22-minute drive from Toledo.

On this flight you will see the Royal Palace, its narrow streets, the rivers Jarama and Tajo that crosses the city. You will also be amazed by the gardens that embellish the city.

Some of the gardens of Aranjuez that you will see from the air are the Prince's garden, the Isabel II garden, the Parterre garden and the Oñate garden. You will also be able to glimpse other outstanding attractions such as the bullring, the sports centre and the main square.

These flights can be done with children, who will be interested in seeing animals such as rabbits in the mountain area, when the balloon crosses the Andalusia motorway. The activity is done with a small group of people. In addition, the companies usually give a diploma certifying the flight, an HD video and photos as a souvenir of your experience.

Interesting details

• Price of the flight: from 180€.
• Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Schedule: at dawn, starting at 7 am
• Recommendations: book in advance. If you are travelling with children, check if the company has an age limit to participate.
• Advantages of this option: Includes HD video, photos and flight certificate.
• Disadvantages of this option: Does not include transfer to and from the city of Toledo.

Toledo is a very old city with monuments that stand out for their medieval architecture. They are huge constructions that are beautiful inside and out, which is why they look phenomenal from the sky. In addition, you will have an incredible panoramic view and you will be able to choose the places that caught your attention and visit them on foot and on the inside.

There is no doubt that flying in a hot air balloon is a unique experience that you will enjoy to the maximum. The flights, even if they are in the same city, are never the same because the balloon moves depending on the direction of the wind, so it never follows the same route.

Usually, the balloon drivers are also tour guides or knowledgeable about the city, so they can tell you stories or interesting facts about each attraction you see from the air, which will surely make your trip more interesting.

Hot air balloon flights usually last about an hour in the air, but the whole ride las ts about 3 to 6 hours. This depends on the activities included by the companies offering the balloon rides. Some companies, for example, invite you to take part in the early inflation of the hot-air balloon and teach you how to set it up before take-off.

In addition, the excursions are usually complemented with an Iberian lunch and a toast with cava on landing, during which you can share your experience with the rest of the passengers. In this case, the balloon flight will be a little longer.

Summer flights in Toledo start at dawn, very early in the morning, around 7 and 7.30 am. On the other hand, flights in winter start between 8 and 8.30 approximately. The best time to fly in a hot air balloon is in summer because it gives you the chance to see the sunrise over the clouds.

It is advisable to book balloon rides in advance because each balloon flies with a maximum capacity of 20 people and most of them make a single flight in the morning. That is why if you are planning to travel with your family or friends, you should book in advance.

In any case, bear in mind that if the weather conditions are not favourable, the flight may not take place. In this case, the companies will be able to change the date or reimburse the amount you have paid for the trip. For this reason, it is best not to book your flight for your last day in Toledo, but a few days before, so that you don't miss out on the experience if the weather is bad.

A key piece of advice I can give you is to arrive on time so as not to delay the take-off and make the most of the excursion. The flights usually take place early in the morning, as the atmospheric conditions are more favourable at that time.

It is important that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will be on your feet during the flight. As for clothing, you will not be colder in the balloon than on the ground, as the difference in climate is not much, so the coat you wear is enough, whether in summer or winter. It is also a good idea to bring a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.

Another important thing to remember is to travel as light as possible. Only carry the essentials in a carry-on bag, as there are weight limits for ballooning. You don't need to bring a camera either, as most companies include filming and photos of the whole excursion for you to take home as a souvenir.

Finally, keep your peace of mind, there is no reason to fear, as the flights are totally safe. The balloons have to pass regular tests to be able to take off and the controls of the State Aviation Safety Agency are rigorous. In addition, the balloons are very stable, and do not make you feel dizzy.

I hope these tips I have given you for your balloon trip in Toledo will be useful and that you can enjoy your trip in the air to the full.