3 Best El Escorial Tours from Madrid

No one doubts that the sheer number of things to see and do in Madrid is enough to fill several days without anyone getting bored. However, this should not mean that you miss out on some interesting visits to the surrounding area, such as Segovia, Ávila, Toledo and, above all, the monastery of El Escorial.

Built by Philip II in the 16th century, this monumental complex was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its artistic and historical merits. The complex is considered the finest example of the Renaissance in Spain and inside you can see spectacular rooms such as the mausoleum where several monarchs are buried, the basilica and the beautiful Patio de los Reyes.

Although just visiting the best museums in Madrid would keep you busy for several days, this half-day tour to El Escorial, which also includes a stop at the Valley of the Fallen, should be on your list of things to do during your trip.

The monastery of El Escorial, as the complex located in San Lorenzo de El Escorial is popularly known, was built in the 16th century to celebrate the Spanish victory over the French in the Battle of San Quintín. It was also intended to serve as a resting place for the mortal remains of the Spanish kings.

The complex is located just over 50 kilometers from the capital. As I explain in this article on how to get to El Escorial from Madrid, there are several options for visiting on your own, but if you want to make the most of your time, it's best to book a half-day guided tour.

This type of tour uses modern buses that depart from a meeting point that will be communicated to you in advance. As admission is included, you won't have to worry about a thing when you arrive at the monastery, as you won't even have to wait in line to get in.

The tour of all the attractions of El Escorial is led by a guide who will explain the history of the monument and the factors that have made it one of the most artistically valuable buildings in Spain.

The tour does not end after the visit to the monastery, as on the way back you will stop at the Valley of the Fallen. This was built during the Franco regime to honor those who died during the Spanish Civil War and, although controversial, it remains a place where you can learn about this part of Spain's history.

What you will see if you choose this type of excursion

• The El Escorial monastery complex: during the visit you will see the different parts that make up this monument, including the Palace of the Austrias, the basilica, the Chapter House, the Pantheon of the Kings and the library. It is a comprehensive tour lasting around two hours, during which you will receive information about what you are seeing at all times.
• Valley of the Fallen: the visit includes admission to this site, where you can see the 150-meter-high cross standing on the mountainside, as well as the basilica.

Practical information

• Price: From $56
• Duration: approximately 5 hours
• Why I like this tour: With a single half-day tour, you'll get to see two of the most important places around Madrid, all without having to worry about a thing.
• Recommended if... you want to make the most of your stay in Madrid and take the opportunity to visit some nearby places.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Madrid and discover some of the nearby attractions, this tour is a great opportunity. Spend a whole day exploring the monastery of El Escorial and the beautiful city of Toledo, saving time and money by combining both visits in a single excursion.

El Escorial, with its monumental complex, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. It covers an area of 33,327 square meters and is made up of different parts that you can explore with an expert guide.

After visiting this monument, you will head to the impressive city of Toledo in your luxury bus with all the amenities. In this city, you can see its rich architectural and pictorial heritage, always accompanied by your guide.

What you will see if you choose this type of excursion

• The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: although it is usually referred to simply as a monastery, this monumental complex actually includes several different buildings, which you will be able to visit without having to buy a ticket yourself. The most important are the Palace of the Habsburgs, the Pantheon of the Kings, the Chapter House, and the Basilica.
• Toledo: the entire historic center of Toledo is an artistic gem in its own right. This tour includes admission to places such as the Church of San Tomé (where you can see El Greco's painting "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz"), the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

You can also visit the Primada Cathedral, the city's most important temple, and stroll through the narrow streets that will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

Practical information

• Price: From $98
• Duration: around 10 hours
• Why I like this tour: the opportunity to see two of the country's most famous sights in a single day is not to be missed. What's more, the convenience of having everything organized means you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.
• Recommended if... you want to make the most of your visit to Madrid by discovering one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Toledo, and combining it with a visit to what was once known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the monastery of El Escorial.

Another option for those who want to spend a day exploring the surroundings of Madrid is this excursion which, in addition to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, includes a visit to the beautiful city of Segovia.

The first stop is at the Valley of the Fallen, a historic site that you will visit accompanied by a professional guide. At the end of the tour, the group will head to El Escorial, the most important Renaissance monument in Spain.

Finally, accompanied by an expert guide, you will visit the most important monuments in Segovia, including, of course, its famous aqueduct.

To end this day trip from Madrid, you will have the opportunity to taste one of the most characteristic dishes of Segovian cuisine in a traditional restaurant: suckling pig.

What you will see if you choose this type of excursion

• The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: the monastery of El Escorial is actually made up of several different areas, all of great historical and artistic interest. On your guided tour you will see all of them, including the Palace of the Habsburgs, the Palace of the Bourbons, the Basilica and the Pantheon of the Kings.
• Valle de los Caídos: the place that Franco designated as a memorial to those who died in the Civil War continues to be controversial. However, it is still part of the country's history and, as such, is well worth a visit.
• Segovia: although the aqueduct is its main symbol, the city of Segovia is home to numerous historical sites that you can visit in a few hours. Among other attractions, you will see the city's Alcázar and the cathedral.

Practical information

• Price: From €100
• Duration: around 10 hours
• Why I like this tour: it's the best option for visiting three places steeped in history and art in a single day and in complete comfort.
• Recommended if... during your visit to Madrid you want to discover one of the cities with the most artistic heritage in the area, Segovia, without missing out on El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen.

You may be wondering whether to visit El Escorial on your own or take an organized tour from Madrid (which, if you combine it with Toledo, is considered one of the best day trips from the Spanish capital). The truth is that the first option is possible, although the second has two major advantages: convenience and time savings.

Visiting El Escorial on your own is not too complicated in terms of transportation. From the capital, you will find trains and buses to get there easily, but that will mean spending part of your time researching where they leave from, how to buy tickets, and the departure and return times.

You will also need to buy tickets to the monastery, which will be slightly more expensive if you want a guide to explain what you are seeing.

The advantage of this option is that you can visit at your own pace and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

What if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to visit another city?

You'll really notice the advantages of an organized tour if you try to combine your visit to El Escorial with another place to make the most of your time. This way, you could also visit the Valley of the Fallen, but if you want to go to Toledo (which I recommend), you would probably have to leave it for another day.

With an organized tour, apart from the convenience of not having to figure out transportation combinations and schedules, all you have to do is sit on the bus and let yourself be taken to your destinations.

In reality, booking this type of tour (regardless of the option you choose) is extremely simple. Just enter the date you want to go and your details to confirm your reservation. Be sure to pay attention to the different options that may appear.

You will immediately receive a confirmation email with practical information.

Then, all you have to do is go to the meeting point and show the guide the confirmation email you received, without having to print any documents.

As is always the case with these types of questions, it is practically impossible to give a definitive answer. It really depends on your personal preferences and how long you plan to stay in Madrid.

For example, if you like soccer, you might prefer to spend a morning touring the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, while if you are interested in Madrid's cuisine, you might prefer to book a tapas tour. The alternatives offered by Madrid are almost endless, so including this visit is entirely up to you.

That said, visiting El Escorial means discovering one of the most important monuments in the whole country. It is precisely this importance, reflected in the art, that makes having a guide more necessary than in other places, as this is the only way to contextualize what each area means and understand the reasons behind its construction.

On the other hand, taking a guided tour instead of going on your own will allow you to make better use of your time, especially if you choose an option that includes cities such as Toledo or Segovia. These are visits that would be impossible to do in a single day by public transport, so these excursions represent a unique opportunity if you are going to be in Madrid for around 4 days.

• When to go: it's difficult to decide on a specific time for this excursion. Although the heat of the Madrid summer can be stifling, temperatures in San Lorenzo de El Escorial are much milder, so visiting at this time of year can even be a good way to escape the 40º heat of the capital. On the other hand, winter can be cold, although not enough to prevent you from going. In short, this is one of those places that you can visit comfortably at any time of year.
• Duration of the visit: you should allow for the entire visit to take a little over two hours, whether you go on your own or with a guide.
• Traveling with children: it may not be the easiest place to visit with children, especially if the tour is too long. In this case, the advantage of going with a guide is that they will tell you some interesting facts about the monument, which may entertain some children if they are old enough.
• Check the information you receive carefully: although it may seem obvious, be sure to check the time and place where you are meeting to start the tour. The same applies if you have free time at any of the places you visit, so you don't keep the rest of the group waiting.