From Madrid: Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen

4.6167884 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6167884 out of 5 stars
1096 reviews
Activity provider:Fun and Tickets
From Madrid: Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen
4.6167884 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6167884 out of 5 stars
1096 reviews

Take this excursion to visit the Royal Monastery of El Escorial and the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen. Travel through the time of Felipe II to today, and learn about the Spanish Civil War.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Skip the line through a separate entrance
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Audio guide included
Spanish, English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

H
Hendrik – South Africa

Amazing experience and highly recommend :) was a good surprise as the last day of our trip - extremely beautiful better than the pictures.

S
Scott – United States

Cristina was a very good guide, walking us through El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen with aplomb. Both locations would be difficult to reach without organized transportation, unless you had a car, and even then your visit would miss a lot without the historical and cultural background provided by an informed guide like ours.

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Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    Fun and Tickets / San Bernardo, 7

  • Bus/coach

    (45 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    San Lorenzo de El Escorial

    Guided tour (105 minutes)

  • Bus/coach

    (15 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Valle de los Caidos

    Guided tour (1 hour)

  • Bus/coach

    (45 minutes)

  • Arrive back at:

    Fun and Tickets / San Bernardo, 7

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Discover the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen
  • Experience the only guided tour to the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial
  • Enjoy a journey through history from the reign of Felipe II to the Present Democracy.
  • See a World Heritage Site
  • Learn about the Spanish Golden Age through its buildings

Full description

Embark on a guided tour to the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial and enjoy skip-the-line entry. Explore the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen and hear the history behind each turn from your guide.


Leave Madrid in the morning and travel 50 minutes to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit the baths upon arrival and then begin the tour of the San Lorenzo Monastery.


Learn the long history of Spain, specifically the reign of Felipe II. See the building that best summarizes the ideological and cultural aspirations of the Spanish “Golden Age” and is named a World Heritage Site.


See places like the Patio de Reyes, Cloister, Chapter Rooms, The Basilica (except on Sundays), The Pantheon of Kings and Infants, and the Royal Rooms.

Travel to the Valley of the Fallen located in the Peña de Cuelga Muros after leaving San Lorenzo de El Escorial.


Visit its surroundings and the basilica carved into the rock, and the burial place for 33,847 people who died in the Spanish Civil War. Be amazed by the great granite cross that is visible from kilometers away.

Includes

  • Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus
  • Wi-fi in bus
  • Guide
  • Skip-the-line entry ticket to Monastery de San Lorenzo
  • Skip-the-line entry ticket to Valley of The Fallen
  • Headset
  • Tips
  • Food and drinks

Not suitable for

  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

Arrive 20-25 minutes before the activity starts - Outside the Commercial Gallery

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Comfortable clothes

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 1096 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5

Customer photos

+124
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H
Hendrik – South AfricaJune 8, 2025 – Verified booking
Amazing experience and highly recommend :) was a good surprise as the last day of our trip - extremely beautiful better than the pictures.
S
Scott – United StatesJune 8, 2025 – Verified booking
Cristina was a very good guide, walking us through El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen with aplomb. Both locations would be difficult to reach without organized transportation, unless you had a car, and even then your visit would miss a lot without the historical and cultural background provided by an informed guide like ours.
M
Monika – NetherlandsMay 31, 2025 – Verified booking
The guide was very knowledgeable, speaking good English and very well organized. She was able to resolve any problem quickly and with no delays for anybody, including 2 people getting on the wrong bus who needed to be dropped off somewhere else. She also managed to get us inside the cathedral at the Valley of the Fallen despite a wedding in progress. El Escorial is huge. It is in a very nice setting g in the mountains and different from what you normally expect from a royal residence. This is more a spiritual retreat. The library, the pantheons, and the gardens are certainly worth seeing, very impressive. And the Valley of the Fallen is a great place of a historical dilema. And the cathedral build inside a rock is impressive.

Product ID: 409590

Activity provider:Fun and Tickets

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