Trip Planner: Europe / Spain / Community of Madrid / San Lorenzo de El Escorial / Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial

4.6

#1 of 23 in Things to do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Must see · World heritage site · Historic Site · Church

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A historical residence of the King of Spain and monastery built in the 1500s, Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial contains the palace of Philip II, where you can see the king’s study and the bedroom where he died. Take it in first from the outside, as you wander through the Courtyard of Kings and Garden of the Friars. Inside, paintings adorn the Hall of Battles, telling the stories of some of Spain’s most important military victories. Descend into the Pantheon of the Kings to discover the burial site for most Spanish monarchs of the last five centuries. Don’t miss the library’s vaulted ceiling, with frescoes depicting the seven liberal arts. Put Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial at the forefront of your travel plans using our San Lorenzo de El Escorial attractions planner.

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Tours to Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial

FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid

4.8

Duration: 5 hours

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FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

4.0

Duration: 5 hours

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FROM $112 BOOK WITH VIATOR Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour

3.9

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $112 ›

FROM $88 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial, Valley and Toledo Day Tour from Madrid El Escorial, Valley and Toledo Day Tour from Madrid

3.7

Duration: 11 hours

Tours from $88 ›

FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid El Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid

4.0

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $65 ›

FROM $87 BOOK WITH VIATOR Escorial & Valley from Madrid with Optional Afternoon Tour To Toledo or Segovia Escorial & Valley from Madrid with Optional Afternoon Tour To Toledo or Segovia

4.0

Duration: 11 hours

Tours from $87 ›

FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen from Madrid El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

4.0

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $65 ›

FROM $490 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Private Tour El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Private Tour

4.5

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $490 ›

FROM $666 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private 8-hour Tour of Madrid + Escorial Monastery & Valley of the Fallen Private 8-hour Tour of Madrid + Escorial Monastery & Valley of the Fallen

5.0

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $666 ›

FROM $870 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Tour to Escorial Valley of Fallen and Segovia from Madrid Private Tour to Escorial Valley of Fallen and Segovia from Madrid

5.0

Duration: 12 hours

Tours from $870 ›

FROM $501 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private 5h tour Escorial Monastery & Valley of the Fallen from Madrid w/ pick up Private 5h tour Escorial Monastery & Valley of the Fallen from Madrid w/ pick up

5.0

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $501 ›

FROM $108 BOOK WITH VIATOR El Escorial and Valley morning tour & Night Flamenco Show with drink El Escorial and Valley morning tour & Night Flamenco Show with drink

4.0

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $108 ›

Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

3,362 reviews

Google

4.7

By georgeristea

Magnificent. Don't miss it if you pass through the area. Hundreds of years of history and artefacts to measure. Here is the pantheon of the kings of Spain and of course the chambers of the kings...

Magnificent. Don't miss it if you pass through the area. Hundreds of years of history and artefacts to measure. Here is the pantheon of the kings of Spain and of course the chambers of the kings... more »
By travelinspiration

After reading some of the poor reviews was hesitant to visit, but so glad we did!! My husband/I were on our first trip to Madrid and hired driver/private guide to go first to Segovia than El...

After reading some of the poor reviews was hesitant to visit, but so glad we did!! My husband/I were on our first trip to Madrid and hired driver/private guide to go first to Segovia than El... more »
By Z7547WErichardd

The historical home of the Habsburg dynasty, it took over twenty years to build. The walking tour is two hours of jaw-draping slender from the 15th Century. From the fresco'd walls to the Titians...

The historical home of the Habsburg dynasty, it took over twenty years to build. The walking tour is two hours of jaw-draping slender from the 15th Century. From the fresco'd walls to the Titians... more »

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By Lourdes Lucía Navarro

Paid 6€ with student reduced price. Totally worth it. Took me around 2 hours to get through the entire site. No photos allowed inside. Favorite part was the magnificent basilica found inside El Escorial. It is very similar to an art museum experience plus the rooms are ornate. The gardens are not particularly special, but they are well kept. Makes for a great day trip from Madrid.

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By Shaun Bradbury

I did this in two stages. I walked around the village the night before as well as the outside while it is quieter. It is worth getting a guided tour as there is so much to see and it is easy to miss out whole sections. There are no photos allowed on the inside but plenty of illustrated books are available. Be prepared to spend at least three hours here and consider a trip to the controversial valley of the fallen just 20 minutes away while you are in the area.

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By Diana DSouza

A gorgeous monastery with beautiful architecture, it is huge and takes a while to cover. Since we visited on a Sunday, we could not see the church because there was mass going on. Only disappointment was that we were told time and again that we aren't allowed to take pictures, so it's kind of a bummer not having any pictures of the interior of the monastery. Carry a hand fan during summers, it tends to get warm inside. Overall, it is still stunning.

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By Ian Lamberton

Very impressive building, interesting history of both it's creation and growth as well as it's uses over the years. Few too many paintings, but worth a visit nonetheless. Free after 1500 for spanish, or at least was on Sunday. If you don't want to go in, still worth a visit for the walk up.

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By ummekulsoom jamali

Purchased tkt at the gate. Wasn’t busy at all we had a wonderful time. Beautiful weather.. we. Took a bus and. Then a train from Gran via to El Escorial. Totally worth it. Half a day trip to and. Back. Quiet city…

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