Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
On this excursion we will visit the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural heritage site of the Humanity, and the Basilica of the Valle de los Caídos, a monument that stands out for its gigantic size.
5 hour direct tour to the Valle de los Caídos with its basilica excavated in the Sierra de Madrid and discover the grandeur of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a World Heritage Site and symbol of Spanish supremacy of the sixteenth century.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Dress code is smart casual
Headphones available for radio guide
What To Expect
Valley of the Fallen
Valley of the Fallen is a Francoist regime monument, Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid. Franco claimed that the monument was meant to be a "national act of atonement" and reconciliation. The construction works mainly involved free workers and a smaller, albeit significant, percentage of prisoners, these between 1942 and 1950, under the regime of redemption of sentences.
Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
San Lorenzo de El Escorial, also known as El Escorial de Arriba is a town and municipality in the Community of Madrid, Spain, located to the northwest of the region in the southeastern side of the Sierra de Guadarrama, at the foot of Mount Abantos and Las Machotas, 47 kilometres (29 mi) from Madrid. It is head of the same name judicial party. The settlement is popularly called El Escorial de Arriba, to differentiate it from the neighbouring village of El Escorial, also known as El Escorial de Abajo. Felipe II ordered the construction of this Monastery in recognition of the victory of San Quintín, which took place on the day of San Lorenzo in 1557 and is from the King, to erect a mausoleum in memory of his parents and himself, placed under the invocation of Saint Lawrence.
Options
Half Day Tour Escorial y Valle de los Caidos con Tickets Included from Madrid
What‘s Included
The Valley of Fallen Admission Ticket
Professional Guide
Escorial Monastery Admission Ticket
Trip by luxury bus with air conditioned and Wifi
Food and drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,878 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour of El Escorial
273geraldr,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. The bus was comfortable and our driver handled the busy highways and the windy backroads equally well. Our guide, David, was super nice, speaking in both Spanish & English. He was knowledgeable and entertaining in his presentation. I took a different tour yesterday with another company, and that guide gave so much detail that it became very tedious to listen to him. David had just the right mix of information to make the tour educational and brevity to keep it light & enjoyable. I don't take a lot of guided tours, but I thought this was one of the best I've been on.
Wonderful visit for first timers
usa wine guy,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic half-day tour that gets you back to Madrid for lunch time. Our guide David was knowledgeable, kind and patient. The length of the visit was ideal to do with kids.
Historical knowledge.
wadyu2015,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was very good and interesting. The guides David and Beatriz were very professional with a lot of historical knowledge related to the tour and always attentive.
Escorial and Valley of the Fallen
Irene V,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour! Beatrice was very informative and I enjoyed how she presented the history of the places we visited. I especially loved things she pointed out that without a guide you'd miss. Also when she told us to remember a fact or historical figure for later and would point something out that related to it as the tour went on. I enjoyed making the connections. This is my 2nd tour with the company and the transportation is amazing. Comfortable, great drivers, and great AC. They also do the earbuds and radio to hear your guide which has been my favorite thing about the tours as I don't ever miss any info. Thanks for a great day Beatrice!
Excellent visit
V4529PEjos c,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an exceptional experience with David and Beatriz as guides. Sympathetic and knowledgeable.
Fun and instructive.
fernyd007,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour with David and Beatriz was great. The pace of the tour was appropriate. And as guides, they had very good knowledge of the subject.
Tour of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen with David and Beatriz.
A804GTmirellad,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David and Beatriz are the best!!! It was a spectacular tour!!!
Highly recommended.
antoniocI891MF,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David and Beatriz were attentive and good guides, highly recommended experience.
Very good experience, David is a very good guide.
antoine n,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is worth it, 2 places with a lot of history and very atypical things: like the battle room, royal crypt, the mosaic in the Basilica of the Holy Cross.
Great guide team.
Adventure42529620619,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great guide team. The guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge added to a good tour.
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