El Escorial
- Address: San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Hours: Open Tues - Sun 10am - 5pm Oct - Mar, 10am - 6pm Apr - Sept
- Admission: Adults: €8
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Must-Do Experience,
Off-the-Beaten Path,
Religious Experience,
Church / Cathedral,
Monastery,
Monument - Historical
Once just a sleepy little resort town 28 mi (45 km) northwest of Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial now hosts thousands of tourists coming in throngs to see the famous royal monastery. In addition to being home to an order of monks, this attraction also acts as a royal palace, museum and school.
Commissioned by King Felipe II as a testament to Spain's devout Catholic faith, El Escorial was built in the 16th century after defeating the French in the Battle of Saint Quentin (with help from the heavens).
The highlights of the immense complex include the elegant basilica, the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, where many kings and their relatives are buried, and the Patio de los Reyes, the entrance to the monument.
Latest Reviews
Review by Carol V, USA, May 2013
Doing what: El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid
Tour was excellent and left and returned on time. The guide gave his information in both English and Spanish and he was very informative and spoke English very well..
Since there was a small group the bus was not full we were able to spread out and be comfortable.
I would recommend this tour
Review by Hilda H, April 2013
Doing what: Madrid Super Saver: El Escorial Monastery and Toledo Day Trip from Madrid
The tour was incredible! I had been to Toledo before (on my own) but it was well worth taking a tour and getting more insight/knowledge of everything in Toledo. I was pleasantly surprised by everything El Escorial had to offer. The tour guide was great...very glad I took this tour.
Review by sueg, January 2013
Doing what: El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid
We would highly recommend this tour. Both the Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen monument are fabulous - very different eras of history but both fascinating.
We were the only English speakers on our tour - it was a small group - but our tour guide still took the time to explain everything to us
Practical Info
Only 9 mi (15 km) from El Escorial is the Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen). This monument was built under dictator Francisco Franco's direction to honor those who had died in the Spanish Civil War. He is also now laid to rest there in the basilica. Go to see the immense cross atop the mountain and marvel at the mosaics in the basilica - it's a moving experience for those on both sides of the war.
