Philip II's Royal Monastery
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a full-day trip from Madrid that also takes in the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de Cuelgamuros) and Segovia.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial sits about 50 km north-west of Madrid, at the foot of the Guadarrama mountains. Its Royal Monastery, built for Philip II in the 16th century, is one of the great symbols of the Spanish monarchy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984: monastery, basilica, palace, library and royal pantheon in a single granite building.
From Madrid, the El Escorial day trip leaves on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00 AM from the San Bernardo 5 visitor centre (Gran Vía area), with a live local guide who explains everything in English and Spanish at the same time. On the same day you also visit the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de Cuelgamuros) and Segovia, with a guided walk at each stop. Guided admission to the Royal Monastery and the Alcázar of Segovia is added when booking.
The El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen and Segovia day trip includes:
Coach from San Bernardo 5 (Gran Vía area) to El Escorial, the Valley and Segovia, returning to the same point.
Explains everything in English and Spanish at the same time during the guided walks.
30 minutes in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 30 at the Valley of the Fallen and 60 in Segovia.
30 minutes at the Valley of the Fallen and 60 in Segovia.
When booking you can add the guided visit to the Royal Monastery (90 min, +€16), to the Alcázar of Segovia (30 min, +€10) or both (+€26).
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00 AM from San Bernardo 5, Local 13. Back at the same point at around 7:00 PM.
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The price depends on the admissions you add when booking:
The price you see when booking is the final price, with no surprises at checkout.
Philip II's great complex: monastery, basilica, palace and library in one granite building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the most beautiful historic libraries in Spain, with a fresco-painted vault.
The Monastery crypt where most Spanish kings since Charles I are buried.
The huge granite esplanade in front of the Monastery's main facade, with the Guadarrama mountains behind.
A monumental site in the mountains, with a huge stone cross on a rocky outcrop. The trip includes a guided walk and free time.
The last stop of the day: the Roman Aqueduct and the old town, with a guided walk and an hour of free time.
The best time: the mountains are green or golden and temperatures are mild for walking.
It is cooler in the mountains than in Madrid, but the sun is strong on the esplanades and in Segovia. Bring water and a hat.
It is cold in the mountains and it can snow. The Monastery and the Alcázar are indoor visits.
The trip leaves from the San Bernardo 5 Visitor Centre (Gran Vía area), a physical office where you can also ask for information and book in person. This is the operator's official schedule:
El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen and Segovia (10h · from €69)
Departure on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00 AM from San Bernardo 5, Local 13. The coach leaves Segovia at 5:30 PM and arrives back at the same point at around 7:00 PM.
Good to know: bilingual guide in English and Spanish at the same time · arrive 15 minutes before departure · free cancellation up to 24 hours before · not wheelchair accessible.
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