El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Half Day Trip from Madrid
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
The tour begins with a guided visit to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage with fast-track access which Philip II ordered to be built as a Royal Residence and Royal Pantheon. Symbol of the greatness of the Spanish Empire, the palace-monastery complex is an impressive construction of great historical-artistic and architectural value that houses jewels such as the Basilica, the Pantheon, the Royal Library or the palatial quarters occupied by the different reigning dynasties.
Continuing our route to the nearby Valley of Cuelgamuros where the highest Christian cross in the world (150 metres) announces the location of the Valley of the Fallen, an extraordinary and controversial work of architecture, sculpture and engineering erected in honour of the fallen in the Civil War in Spain. We visit the interior of the basilica carved into the rock and admire the grandeur of the monumental complex and the natural scenery that surrounds it
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The duration of the tour includes the round trip Madrid-El Escorial-Valley of the Fallen-Madrid, 2 hours
The duration of the tour also includes the walking from the bus to Monuments and free time, 45 minutes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Accompanying bilingual English & Spanish guide on the bus.
Round trip Madrid-El Escorial-Valle de los Caídos-Madrid by air-conditioned bus.
Fast-track entrance and guided visit to the Monastery of El Escorial.
Fast-track entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and guided visit inside the Basilica.
Any not specified service
What To Expect
Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a complex that includes the palace was the residence of the Spanish royal family, the basilica is the burial place of the kings of Spain and the monastery - founded by monks of the Order of St. Jerome - is currently occupied by friars of the Order of St. Augustine. It is one of the most unique Renaissance architectures in Spain and Europe.
Valley of the Fallen
The Valley of the Fallen, officially called Valle de Cuelgamuros since October 2022, is a monumental complex consisting of a Catholic basilica, an abbey and a 150 m high cross perched on the top of a cliff overlooking the surrounding valley; with the peculiarity that the basilica is subway in its entirety. Once the visit is finished , free time to explore the surroundings at your own
Options
El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Half Day Trip from Madrid
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
El Escorial/ Valley of the Fallen
Sarahi B,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience and places to visit. Our guide Ana was excellent, showed a lot of knowledge of the areas visited, explained well and enthusiastically. There was an excellent distribution of time.
Defintely worth the time.
robertabH8344MJ,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Tour was exactly as described. Bus was comfy, guide was pleasant and knowledgable, and both locations were interesting and moving. The number of steps in El Escorial can be challenging if you have mobility issues but our guide was patient and group members assisted one another.
Not an English language tour as advertised
Christina S,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00I was excited to visit El Escorial because I had learned about it in architecture school. The tour was advertised by Viator as being in English, but given the number of Spanish-speaking visitors in the group, the tour guide ended up speaking mostly rapid-fire Spanish. In fact, I sometimes had to ask her to explain things in English because she would forget. Fortunately, she knew a lot and had a good sense of humor, causing much laughter with the people who could understand her Spanish jokes.
He fulfilled our...
Osvaldo F,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00He met our expectations. Very complete. Well scheduled schedules. On time. The guide with good explanations, although it did not give rise to questions.
Amazing Escorial and valley of fallen tour
DwightPeter T,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour started on time. Guide speaks English very well even though we booked English only. It was both English and Spanish. She explained Spain history. Gave us what to see and expect from the tour. Once we arrived at Escorial, she explained almost everything from architecture, arts and history. There were challenges like the palace was closed to tourists in some areas but she managed to get us around a different way. After the palace, we were to valley of fallen. Quick visit since it is more of a solemn place. Would definitely recommend it
A morning well spent.
Benjamin F,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Engaging, educational, nicely paced. The bus was air conditioned and the driver skilled. Good value for the money.
Very convenient excursion...
Veronique D,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very convenient excursion to visit El Escurial y la Valle de Cuelgamuros. Not enough explanations about life at the time and the explanation of the paintings. Paintings by Greco among others, only one is commented. That makes a good basis for knowing if we want to come back or not. I'll look for a more historic visit next time. For the valley, beautiful place for nature!🤩 Cold and impersonal site. Would be almost scary! But I definitely wanted to see him once in my life. Effective guide. Comfortable bus. 1/2 day very pleasant and in line with my expectations
A very positive experience which needs a little improvement
Paul S,
Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00A very positive experience. Visit well organized. Guide was very knowledgable although his English diction was not always clear. Perhaps a half hour free break between the Monastery and the Valley would have made a big difference. After all the tour was meant to end at 2pm. However we arrived back in Madrid about 30 minutes earlier.
Great if you understand Spanish.
Tom N,
Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00While the sites and transportation to and from them were fine the audio and guide where not that good if you were needing to hear it in English. We left feeling the discussion was “Spaingless”, 70% Spanish and 40% in English. The earphones were horrible.
Good sights, but guide not great.
Frank A,
Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Sites were great. Guide Michelle lacked enthusiasm and engagement with group. Got the impression she was just going through the motions.
From €58.96
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