Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

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

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

The Valley of Fallen Admission Ticket

Professional Guide

Trip by luxury bus with air conditioned and Wifi

Escorial Monastery Admission Ticket

Food and drinks

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.

1 hour • Admission Included

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.

2 hours • Admission Included

Options

Half Day Tour Escorial y Valle de los Caidos con Tickets Included from Madrid

Reviews

4.78

2,401 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2034

268

Excellent visit
Stephen T,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very good visit, with a guide speaking Spanish and English, both very well. The two places surprised me, because they were bigger and full of history than I expected.
Excellent Experience
R1607XUmichaeln,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Oscar and the bus driver were great. Oscar really knew the history of the sites and was knowledgeable. The two locations were beautiful. We had enough time to get plenty of pictures and videos and did not feel rushed. Overall, an excellent experience.
Guide to the Valley of the Fallen.
ruisX4514EB,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent visit. Everything went very well. The guide (Oscar) was very friendly and helpful. I recommend it to everyone. Two very important places in the history of Spain.
Excellent plan for the weekend
mariano s,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super friendly Oscar guide always with good predisposition, amazing places! Fully recommended!! 100%
Really interesting and...
Karen H,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Really interesting and informative guide. Answered everyone's questions easily. Great tour. Really enjoyed the day.
Hidden Secret.
Cruiser33352543610,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fascinating all its culture and buildings for those times, I loved it, I recommend it. Especially our guide Oscar, very knowledgeable about his cultural history. Very grateful.☺️
Divine!
Camper26283924307,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour guide was Oscar and driver Germán! Not only on the Escorial monastery tour but he was also our guide for Valencia. Excellent 👌
Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen
Z4694HRkathleenr,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
German was a great driver, well aware of his surroundings. We started the trip at the proposed time, very puntual. Oskar was a ver respectful and showed great knowledge of the different sightseeings, places and the history behind it. Thumbs up for the trip ! Will recommend!
Recommended. Short and precise
ismairysg,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour, short but very interesting. The valley of the fallen is beautiful. The tour guide is excellent good voice timbre and made it very enjoyable.
Historical stops worth seeing.
432kristiew,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Interesting stops. There was a wedding so we didn't get to see the basilica--if you go on a Saturday, this is a risk. There was plenty more to see, though. The guide was informative and did a good job handling 2 languages. There is no lunch stop (no time)--just be prepared.