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
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.
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.
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
Options
Half Day Tour Escorial y Valle de los Caidos con Tickets Included from Madrid
Reviews
2,663 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ny traveler
Jose N,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A lot of waking up and down stairs otherwise it was a great tour. Maria was very knowledgeable. Great experience
Maria will make sure you have the best tour with the most interesting and complete information and history!!!
Maria s,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Maria is the best tour guide! Viator never disappoints when I travel to different countries, but the Madrid version was the best of them because the directions were better. On top of that I had the best tour guide from any tour. The level of details and amounts of information were incredible and she was also fun and super nice. I was traveling alone so that was an extra bonus that she made sure everyone was happy and could hear. She really enhanced the whole experience from the moment we got on board and also after we were done when she made sure people knew where they were going from there. She even had MORE suggestions for me for the location where we got off. Her name is Maria and she has a very nice even voice so there are no interruptions with the headsets. She was truly an encyclopedia! Even with dates! I will see how to get her next time I am in Madrid.
El Escorial & The Valley of The Fallen
kevinmD7628EO,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maria was fantastic! Very informative and knowledgeable. She also was eager to answer any and all questions. Great guide, great trip!
Escurial Monastery and Valley of the Dead
olivierbS4505AB,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Two interesting sites, although very different. We would not have gone to the Valley of the Dead if the tour had not been included in the excursion but the detour is worthwhile to better understand the contemporary history of Spain and the still current debates on this controversial place of memory.
Informative. Very worthwhile
anneliesv157,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Informative and impressive. Good guide Maria.
Controversial and Magnificent
L961WNvictorr,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent explanation (nowhere biased) from Beatrice. It was always my dream to come to the Valley of the Fallen, it's overwhelming. Unbelievable that certain unspeakables seek to resign him.
The amazing monastery of scumbags
francomina,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very interesting visit, the slag is one of the most beautiful visits from Madrid and the valley of the fallen is an impressive monument of one of the most painful times in Spain. The Beatrice guide demonstrated a lot of knowledge and answered all the questions she was asked
We have to do it.
Elias J,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good experience. Our Bea guide is of great excellence. Owner of a gram knowledge of history that she was able to transmit in a very pleasant way
Great tour, great guides
svetlanv2024,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Overall informative, quite a nice tour. Could've used a longer break between the two, but Maria was very knowledgeable and shared lots of things you won't find on Wikipedia.
Great tour
Luke D,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with David and Dario. Really charming tour guide and plenty of information about El Escorial and Valle de Cuelgamuros.
From €62.00
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