8.5

Madrid to El Escorial – Visit The Magnificent Escorial Palace

(14 customer reviews)

22.81

Last updated on March 9, 2024 3:17 am
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A refreshing mix of architecture, history, and art, lies beautifully against the mountain backdrop of El Escorial. Visit the architectural masterpiece of El Escorial palace and the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen that’s carved into the mountain.

Book your online ticket now to ensure a spot on a day trip to Sierra de Madrid and enjoy spectacular sights over the small town and the monastery.

Highlights

  • Visit the Masoleum where the king, queen, and other royals were buried
  • Visit the El Escorial Monastery and palace building
  • Enjoy the views from the Basilica and the Valley of the Fallen

Know before you book

  • Some areas of this tour aren’t fully accessible for people limited mobility because of multiple staircases
  • Round-trip transportation from Madrid is included
  • Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be climbing some stairs on this tour

We’ve gone on a search to find our top guided tours of El Escorial Palace and Monastery so you have multiple options to choose from. If you love royalty and history, a tour including a visit to El Escorial palace and the royal tombs definitely won’t disappoint!

From 5-hour guided tours that takes you to the monastery and the Valley of the Fallen, to half-day trips exploring Madrid or Toledo – there is a tour available for every type of traveler. All of the tours include a visit to the architectural masterpiece of El Escorial palace.

Book one of these amazing tours now and get ready to breathe in the fresh mountain air, enjoy the architectural magnificence and rich history of El Escorial palace in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Day Trip to El Escorial Spain

Once the mausoleum of the Spanish monarchs, the El Escorial palace now forms a big part of the history of Spain and its previous rulers. In the small town of El Escorial, you can find the palace and monastery building that stands dramatically against the calm and peaceful surroundings of nature.

The monastery at San Lorenzo de El Escorial was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. This building is a palace, monastery complex and an eternal memorial for the relatives of King Charles V.

el-escorial-palace-outside

In 1558 Felipe II was deeply affected by the death of his father, Charles V. He decided to build the San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery to create an eternal memorial for all his loved ones. Felipe II used world-class architects to construct this stunning building. Even today, with its structure still perfectly solid, you would hardly believe that the first stone was laid in 1563!

If you find yourself in the region of Madrid, Avila, or Segovia, this is a sight worth seeing, with its rigid architectural structure and dramatic impression. Book a ticket to this Spanish palace in Escorial and experience the multifunctional building once occupied by the royals of El Escorial.

Here are some highlights you can look forward to:

The Basilica & The Royal Pantheon

The Basilica or cathedral forms the center of the monastery complex and its dome rises almost a 100m into the sky. Nearly all the Spanish monarchs were buried in this octagonal space, known as the Royal Pantheon. The space is covered in marble, jasper and bronze in the baroque architectural style and is a truly spectacular sight to see.

The Royal Apartment

During certain parts of the year, Felipe II, lived at the monastery. The king’s chambers look upon the altar of the Basilica, while the queen’s chambers can be found on the other side of the Basilica, having its own view of the altar from a different angle.

The Crypt: Royal Tombs In Escorial, Spain

The royal tombs can be found in the crypt of the palace in Escorial, Spain. It is a true show of elegance. The stairway leading down to the crypt is covered in marble and so is the crypt itself, a beautifully decorated space that will surely make some jaws drop!

When the castle was still operating, a “rotting room” was located behind the walls of the crypt. When royal family members died, their remains were stored in the “rotting room”. The corpses were then moved to their final resting place in one of the crypts.

El Escorial Library

People particularly find the impressive library – with more than 40 000 books – a highlight of their visit! A 55m long marble floor forms part of the decor of the barrel-vaulted library. The sight of the books in contrast with the marble is an astonishing sight.

library-monastery-el-escorial

Image by @librarytime

San Lorenzo Del Escorial: Escorial Palace Guided Tour

Many travelers visit this little town on a day trip from Madrid. If you’re planning your own trip to Spain, we suggest you do the same!

Expect a feast for your eyes when you enter the Monasterio Del Escorial. Felipe II found the site of El Escorial palace on the 10 August 1577 which falls on the feast day of Saint Lawrence. In Spain, St Lorenzo Day forms an important part of history and you’re at the right place to learn it all!

El Escorial Palace Hours

Winter Opening Hours: October – March

Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00

Summer Opening Hours: April – September

Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 20:00

Duration

This is a full day tour, including your drive from Madrid to Escorial, the visit to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial and the Basilica of the Valley.

Cost

Online tickets for your guided tour from Madrid, entry to the monastery and Basilica of the Valley costs € 58.

Price Includes

This price includes transport from Madrid, entrance to the monastery, Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica. It doesn’t include gratuities – check out our post on tipping in Spain!

Facilities

There is access available for people with disabilities. Enquire about this before your tour.

El Escorial, Valley Of The Fallen and Toledo: Day Tour From Madrid

If you’re pressed for time and want to explore as much as possible, a day tour from Madrid might be the perfect solution. This tour includes a visit to the UNESCO-listed center of historic Toledo.

You’ll get to see two UNESCO-listed attractions: the Monastery of El Escorial and the Alcazar of Toledo. Join your expert tour guide on your journey to the Valley of the Fallen, where you can pay your respects to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Spanish Civil War.

Oh, and don’t forget that hotel pick-up and lunch are included in this fun day tour. What a relief!

Check Price & Book
8.5Expert Score
This is a great day trip from Madrid - explore the beautiful town, and its top attraction. It's also a fun activity to do with a big group!
Comfort
8
Location
10
Fun
8
Value For Money
8
PROS
  • Round-trip transport provided
  • Expert multilingual tour guide
  • Includes tickets to El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen
CONS
  • Not fully accessible for people with limited mobility
  • Meals and drinks are not included

Specification: Madrid to El Escorial – Visit The Magnificent Escorial Palace

Accessible

No

Duration

Tour including commute and sightseeing lasts around 5 hours

Includes

Entrance to El Escorial Monastery and Castle, Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica, Experienced multilingual tour guide

Excludes

Food and drink, Gratuities

Meals & Drinks

No meals provided

Pickup

Meeting point for round-trip transport from Madrid

Suitable For

History and architecture enthusiasts, People with a moderate fitness level

14 reviews for Madrid to El Escorial – Visit The Magnificent Escorial Palace

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  1. Anonymous

    Lorena fue nuestra guia. Muy simpatica, con la voz dulce, una sonrisa inolvidable, aun cuando el malo guarda de la basílica le hablo muy mal a ella. Cristina era muy simpática también, pero estaba en el grupo español, cuando estuvimos en el inglés. Fue excelente, mejor que el tour de la tarde in Toledo, con ese guía Jorge, arrogant, antipático y aburrido por su trabajo. Will be a fenomenal contrast between the mañana and the delay. No nos dio el gusto de Toledo. What a pena!

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  2. Toni

    Enjoyable tour, but perhaps not enough time in Avila and Segovia. Got to eat a great lunch in Segovia, but was watching the time so carefully that it felt a bit less than enjoyable. And in Avila you can't really stray too far away from where the bus is parked either. I would have preferred just a two city tour with more time to really see each of the cities. On the other hand El Escorial was pretty special – incredible art and lots of interesting information so I am very glad I went there. The guide had a wonderful, warm personality and a lot of enthusiasm for the subject.

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  3. Edmund

    Lovely experience for those short on time and who want to see as much of the area surrounding Madrid as possible. Avila was chilly but quietly beautiful. We had the best photos in Segovia and an amazingly tasty fusion lunch in Restaurant Pasapan there. The El Escorial has stunning interiors and the walking tour that Paula conducted was comprehensive. Don't miss out on this!

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  4. Anonymous

    Thank you for choosing Klook and taking time to leave us a review! We are very sorry to hear about the inconvenience you experienced. Our specialist has been followed up on your case. We will surely raise this matter to the product manager to improve and provide an excellent service to all our customers. Thank you once again for your valuable time spent in leaving us a review.

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    Madrid to El Escorial – Visit The Magnificent Escorial Palace
    Madrid to El Escorial – Visit The Magnificent Escorial Palace

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