Madrid to El Escorial tours
Visit San Lorenzo de El Escorial your way! Choose from fast-track tickets, guided tours, or full-day trips with AC transfers. No matter which you pick, once you step inside, the grand palace, royal tombs, and Titian’s masterpieces will blow your mind.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Skip the arduous wait at the ticketing lines and head right into the attraction with fast-track tickets.
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Visit the Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial, an exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Explore the Armoury, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Basilica inside the El Escorial Monastery.
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Enjoy unmatched views of the Valley of the Fallen’s basilica and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.
More details
-
Skip the arduous wait at the ticketing lines and head right into the attraction with fast-track tickets.
-
Visit the Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial, an exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Explore the Armoury, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Basilica inside the El Escorial Monastery.
-
Enjoy unmatched views of the Valley of the Fallen’s basilica and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.
- Kickstart your half-day adventure from Madrid in a cozy bus, along with an expert storyteller who’ll make Spain’s history as vivid as the views outside.
- Forget waiting with fast-track entry—step straight into El Escorial’s regal halls, then feel the weight of history at the Valley’s massive Civil War memorial.
- Skip the stress of language barriers. Your guide brings history to life, helps you connect with locals, and ensures you don’t miss a single detail.
- Fun fact: El Escorial has over 4,000 rooms! You won’t see them all, but your guide will ensure you catch the most jaw-dropping spots.
More details
- Kickstart your half-day adventure from Madrid in a cozy bus, along with an expert storyteller who’ll make Spain’s history as vivid as the views outside.
- Forget waiting with fast-track entry—step straight into El Escorial’s regal halls, then feel the weight of history at the Valley’s massive Civil War memorial.
- Skip the stress of language barriers. Your guide brings history to life, helps you connect with locals, and ensures you don’t miss a single detail.
- Fun fact: El Escorial has over 4,000 rooms! You won’t see them all, but your guide will ensure you catch the most jaw-dropping spots.
- From Madrid to history’s greatest hits in just one day! Ride a comfy AC bus while your guide leads you through Spain’s past, royal, medieval, and wartime.
- Breeze past the crowds and into history! Explore El Escorial’s royal tombs, then soak in the solemn beauty of the Valley of the Fallen’s basilica.
- Hear tales of Segovia’s Renaissance glory while standing in awe of a Roman aqueduct so sturdy that has survived 2,000 years without mortar.
- Fun fact: The Valley of the Fallen’s cross is so massive (500 ft tall) that on a clear day, you can spot it from 30 km away.
More details
- From Madrid to history’s greatest hits in just one day! Ride a comfy AC bus while your guide leads you through Spain’s past, royal, medieval, and wartime.
- Breeze past the crowds and into history! Explore El Escorial’s royal tombs, then soak in the solemn beauty of the Valley of the Fallen’s basilica.
- Hear tales of Segovia’s Renaissance glory while standing in awe of a Roman aqueduct so sturdy that has survived 2,000 years without mortar.
- Fun fact: The Valley of the Fallen’s cross is so massive (500 ft tall) that on a clear day, you can spot it from 30 km away.
-
Enter El Escorial with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, who’ll help connect the dots between art, politics, and daily monastic life.
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Step inside El Escorial’s grand basilica, royal tombs, opulent palaces, war-painted Battle Hall, and a library filled with centuries-old secrets.
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Hear tales of King Philip II’s grand vision, secret passageways used by monks, and cryptic inscriptions—your guide will reveal all there is to know!
More details
-
Enter El Escorial with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, who’ll help connect the dots between art, politics, and daily monastic life.
-
Step inside El Escorial’s grand basilica, royal tombs, opulent palaces, war-painted Battle Hall, and a library filled with centuries-old secrets.
-
Hear tales of King Philip II’s grand vision, secret passageways used by monks, and cryptic inscriptions—your guide will reveal all there is to know!
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About El Escorial
El Escorial offers a rare blend of spirituality, history, and architecture. From its regal apartments to sacred chapels, the site embodies Spain’s golden age and continues to inspire awe with its grandeur and art collections.
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial sits at the base of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Built in the late 1500s by King Philip II, it was a royal palace, monastery, basilica, and royal tomb. Today, it is one of Spain’s most important landmarks, known for its grand Renaissance design and deep religious and historical meaning.
El Escorial was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
It covers more than 33,000 square meters, making it the largest Renaissance building in the world.
The entire complex was designed to reflect the idea of a "microcosm of the universe," symbolizing Spain’s spiritual and political strength.
King Philip II personally oversaw its construction and placed his royal chambers next to the altar to attend mass from his room.
A recent €6.5 million renovation, funded by the EU, restored key areas and introduced sustainable features like LED lighting and EV charging stations.
Why visit El Escorial?
Plan your visit
Main entrance
Main entrance via Avenida Juan de Borbón y Battenberg. Fully accessible with ramps and elevators.
Operating Hours: Typically Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5pm).
Closed: Mondays, January 1, May 1, December 24-25, and some national holidays.
Nearby cities to explore
