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 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

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

Options

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

Reviews

4.78

2,435 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2069

267

A very lovely experience!
Barbora B,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really saw a lot and Beatrice was an amazing guide! I enjoyed learning about Spanish history and all the fun facts that Beatrice provided. If I could improve one thing it would be the schedule. We did not really have time to walk around the monuments by ourselves and just soak up the atmoshephere. Apart from that, it was amazing, thank you!
Very good Escorial experience
S7481HH ,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide Beatrice was amazing. Enjoyed the tour a lot. Even remembered the information she gave. And we were lucky with the weather. Thank you!
Perfect time spent.
838zden kb,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ečxcellent explanation, very good knowledge of history. Positive approach, undersrandable. Proclients approach.
Day trip from Madrid
Happiness782980,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beatrice did a good job! The tour was thorough and both stops were worth seeing. Would recommend for a day trip from Madrid.
Nice excursion
Laurence E,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Excursion according to the description. Staying on schedule and easy to find starting point. Comfortable bus. Coupled visit of the Escurial and the Valley of los Caidos without stress with Rafael, our guide of the day who took the time to explain everything in both Spanish and English. A great experience to recommend!
Monasteri o San Lorenzo y Valle de los Caidos
hectord235,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very interesting tour. Oscar did a grest job. Thise places are hidden jems. They are beautifull by itself. Recommended.
A very good experience
danlJ5852CH,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good explanations, Oscar, the guide. is very hard-working and gives his all in the tours. Great experience, recommend it to everyone! Manuel was a great driver, he drove safely.
Very pleasant visit.
Paulina G,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The whole visit felt agile, enjoyable, clear and complete. Beatrice is very attentive, with a sense of humor. You know the subject well.
Excellent
Gabriela G,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very interesting and the guide explained everything very well. Places are worth a lot. Very good quality transport and driver handled very well
Highly recommended, I would repeat.
Curiosity27047024412,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I thought it was a great experience. From the bus, with an extraordinary drive by his driver, such as Beatriz's professionalism explaining everything perfectly. And that which the poor woman was suffering with her voice, but she was at the foot of the cannon until the end. The visit is very complete and with very interesting historical explanations. With time to enjoy everything, and being such an important part of the history of Spain is grateful to be able to enjoy it well. Fully recommended.