More about: Monastery of El Escorial Tickets
If you have already visited everything Madrid has to offer, there is no better option than taking one of the excursions to the surrounding area. Among them, the monastery of El Escorial, located just over 50 kilometres from the Spanish capital, stands out.
This monumental complex houses some buildings considered to be the finest examples of the Spanish Renaissance. Built in the 16th century to commemorate the victory in the Battle of San Quintín and to serve as a mausoleum for the Spanish kings, inside you can see a fantastic basilica, the lavish Palace of the Austrias and the Pantheon of the Kings, among other attractions.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial Tickets
Access the Monastery of El Escorial with your direct entry ticket and optional audio guide.
Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most visited monuments in Madrid and of great historical value.
About 50 km from the city of Madrid, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, lies this Renaissance monumental complex, a must-see if you visit the Spanish capital to soak up its culture and history. With your tickets to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, you can visit the Basilica and the Pantheon of the Kings, as well as the Palace of the Habsburgs and the Royal Library.
In short, a complete tour of the reign of Philip II, who ordered the construction of this building. Thanks to the audio guide or downloadable digital guide, which you can include with your general admission ticket to the Monastery of El Escorial, you can learn more about this architectural marvel of the Community of Madrid.
Recommended if... You don't want to miss the Monastery of El Escorial in Madrid without having to wait in line at the ticket office to get in.
How much do tickets to the Monastery of El Escorial cost?

General admission to the Monastery of El Escorial costs around £15 and entitles you to visit all the buildings that make up the complex.
There is also a reduced ticket price of £6 for children aged 5 to 16 (ID must be shown for those over 14) and for adults over 65 and students under 25 who show their national or international student card, the price is £7.
Excursions that include admission to El Escorial

In addition to getting your ticket to visit the Monastery of El Escorial, you will need to find out how to get there. That's why there are many excursions organised from the capital that provide transport and include tickets and a guided tour, during which a local guide will explain the context and historical details of this monumental complex.
Furthermore, due to its proximity to the Valley of the Fallen, many of these excursions include a visit to this other place of great historical importance in Spain, which is considered one of the best day trips from Madrid.
Are there free tickets to the complex?
Are there free tickets to the complex?

Yes, free admission is available for certain types of visitors on specific days of the year. In these cases, you must go to the ticket office before entering, as these passes cannot be purchased online.
The following visitors are eligible for free admission:
- Children under 5 years old.
- Members of large families recognised by current law.
- Members of ICOM (International Council of Museums) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
- Teaching staff who can provide proof of their status.
- People with disabilities who have accreditation and one accompanying person
- Unemployed persons with a jobseeker's card or equivalent document
In addition, admission will be free for almost all visitors on the following days:
- Between October and March, admission is free on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (only for EU citizens, Latin Americans or residence card holders).
- From April to September, Wednesdays and Sundays from 3pm to 7pm in the same cases as described above
- 18 May and 12 October
Are there guided tours of the Monastery of El Escorial? Are they worth it?

The Monastery of El Escorial offers guided tours in Spanish led by National Heritage staff. If you choose this option, you must arrive at the ticket office 10 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket.
These tours must be booked online when purchasing your ticket. Prices are as follows:
- Basic ticket with guide: £16.
- Reduced admission with guide: €10.
- Free guided ticket: £4.
Deciding whether this type of guided tour is worthwhile depends largely on your prior knowledge. If you already know the history surrounding the monument, you may not need a guide, but it is highly recommended for those who know less about El Escorial and want to make the most of the occasion.
How to get tickets for the Monastery of El Escorial

There are currently two ways to purchase individual tickets to the monastery complex. The first is online, on the official Hellotickets website. When doing so, you must indicate the day and time slot in which you wish to visit. Admission is normally every 15 minutes.
The second way to purchase tickets is at the ticket office located in the complex itself, but please note that recently only tickets that have not been sold online are available at the ticket office. If you are visiting during high season, I recommend purchasing tickets online or arriving at the monastery gates early.
How to get to El Escorial from Madrid

Although you can find out more about this by reading the article on how to get from El Escorial to Madrid, here is a brief summary of the different options:
- Organised tour: there are several organised excursions from Madrid that also include admission and visits to other nearby places.
- Train: C3 commuter line from Atocha, Chamartín or Puerta del Sol stations
- Bus: lines 661 and 664 from Moncloa
- Car: leave Madrid on the A6 and take exit 47 to join the M-600
- Historic locomotive: the Felipe II Train departs every morning from Príncipe Pío station. With this option, you can also book a guided tour of the complex.
Are there guided tours from Madrid to El Escorial?

You may be spending a few days in Madrid and, for convenience or any other reason, prefer to visit the Monastery of El Escorial on a tour from the capital. Luckily for you, you can choose from several tours that also include other interesting destinations:
- Half day in El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen: on a modern coach and accompanied by a guide, you will be able to visit both the monastery complex itself and the controversial Valley of the Fallen.
- Full day in El Escorial and Toledo: this comprehensive option is undoubtedly perfect for those who want to spend a day visiting the monastery and one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
- Full day in El Escorial, Valle de los Caídos and Segovia: by including Segovia, you will be able to visit the many attractions of this Castilian city, including its famous aqueduct.
What to see in El Escorial

The monastery of El Escorial is made up of a series of rooms, halls, palaces and gardens, as well as the basilica, which serves as a place of worship. The most important places to visit are:
- The Patio de los Reyes (Courtyard of the Kings) and the basilica. Inside the basilica, don't miss the sacristy and the main altarpiece.
- The crypt: it houses a small chapel that was intended to receive the mortal remains of the monarchs.
- The staircase in the cloister: this is truly spectacular, especially the frescoes that adorn it.
- The Hall of Battles.
- The Chapter Rooms: as if you were visiting the Prado, here you will find valuable paintings by artists such as El Greco and Velázquez.
- The library: one of the most beautiful rooms in the entire complex.
- The Palaces of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons.
With a guide, you will be able to learn about all these areas during the visit. However, I recommend gathering some information before you go. If you wish, here is some more detailed information about what you can see in El Escorial, including some interesting places outside the monastery complex that you may want to visit.
Best restaurants in El Escorial

If you are travelling independently, you will probably want to stay in the village for lunch. Fortunately, there are a large number of restaurants to choose from.
The gastronomic offer covers all kinds of styles and tastes. If you are looking for something as traditional as a cocido (stew), you can opt for Charolés, while if you prefer grilled meat, you will not find anywhere better than Asador del Rey.
For those who want to enjoy a unique gastronomic experience, El Escorial is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Montia. Finally, if you want to try burgers with style and unbeatable flavour, I recommend Al Punto Hambgourmet.
Opening hours of El Escorial

Those visiting El Escorial with tickets purchased as part of a guided tour will not need to worry about opening times, as everything will be organised to ensure there are no problems.
However, if you are visiting on your own, you should bear in mind the opening and closing times of the complex:
- Between October and March, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00, although admission for new visitors is cut off one hour earlier.
- From April to September, the opening time remains the same and the closing time is extended to 8:00 p.m.
Both schedules are from Tuesday to Sunday, as the monument is closed to the public on Mondays.
How long does it take to visit the El Escorial complex?

There will always be differences in how long it takes each person to tour the entire complex, as it depends greatly on how much time you spend in each part.
However, whether on a guided tour or on your own, the tour usually lasts a little over 2 hours.
Other excursions that can be made from Madrid

Madrid's geographical location and excellent transport links mean that there are many interesting day trips to nearby towns and cities.
In my opinion, the best ones include trips to the city of Toledo, which can also be reached by other means.
Equally interesting are trips to Segovia, the city of the aqueduct, which can be combined with a visit to Ávila.