Day trip

From Madrid: El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Day Trip

Day trip

From Madrid: El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Day Trip

Likely to sell out

From US$ 85.68 per person

Likely to sell out

This combined full-day tour includes a half-day visit to the Monastery of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, followed by a half-day excursion to Toledo or Segovia in the afternoon.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 11 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Audio guide included
Spanish, English

Experience

Highlights
  • Visit the impressive Monastery of El Escorial, built as a residence for Spanish kings
  • See the memorial to those who died in Spain’s civil war in the Valley of the Fallen
  • Enjoy a guided walk through Toledo and take in its many historic monuments
Full description
Begin your full-day tour with a morning visit to the Monastery of El Escorial, built under the reign of powerful King Philip II as a residence for Spanish kings. See the Monastery and Pantheon of the Royal Family at this site that was declared a monument of Artistic and Historic Interest, and Mankind Heritage. Your tour includes the Monastery, the Cloister of the 4 Evangelists, the Palace of Philip II, the Pantheon of the Royal Family, the Chapterhouses, and the Basilica. The Valley of the Fallen is a memorial to those who died during the Spanish Civil War. Situated in a beautiful valley in the mountains of Guadarrama, this impressive work features a colossal cross standing over 150 meters high, and Basilica and Crypt excavated in the rock under the mountain. This tour includes admission to the Valley and a visit inside the Basilica. On arrival in Toledo you’ll take a panoramic walking tour of the city, entering the old quarter to visit the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and admire the façade of the impressive Primate Cathedral, the old Palace of Justice, and the City Hall. Continue your walk through the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter to the Church of St. Tomé, home to the famous El Greco painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz. You’ll also visit the old Synagogue of Ste. Maria la Blanca, which remains as a symbol of the coexistence of the 3 Cultures. Afterwards you’ll visit a typical damasquino factory to see this well-known handicraft art form of Toledo.
Includes
  • Air-conditioned bus transportation
  • Official Guide
  • Skip-the-line tickets to the Monastery of El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen
  • Toledo's old town walking tour (if option is selected)
  • Segovia's old town walking tour and Alcazar Admission (if option is selected)
  • Hotel pick up and drop-off
  • Meals and drinks
Not suitable for
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Show your voucher at the VPT Tours office before boarding. The closest Metro stations are Ventura Rodriguez (line 3) and Plaza España (lines 3 and 10). If you come by taxi or foot, please advise that number 3 of Ferraz street is almost in front of number 28.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 68 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.1/5
  • Transportation
    4.1/5
  • Service
    4.1/5
  • Organization
    4.2/5

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The morning trip to El Escorial would have been 5 out of 5 and the afternoon to Toledo 3 out of 5. The morning was very well organised, not rushed and timed so that we were the only tour group at El Escorial. The afternoon to Toledo left Madrid just after 3 and after stops to a factory to use toilets and shop, which didn't interest us, we eventually got to Toledo just after 5! We was told we would be getting a 1.5hr city tour and that was it. It should make this clear on the description as it was very rushed and we didn't get to go in anywhere. It's a shame to end on a bad note as the morning was great!

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March 29, 2023

El Escorial is a must see place. The arrangements were very good but the guide was in a mighty rush and was walking well ahead of the group, mostly talking to herself. A little more patience on her part would have left a much better impression on all in the group.

March 29, 2023

I'm glad this tour was available, but on reflection and experience it was too much for one day. The Toledo afternoon was especially a rush, although our tour guide was very good, an experienced and knowledgeable leader. In the morning we visited El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen, both very impressive. At El Escorial I wasn't really prepared for the fantastic art - some wonderful El Grecos - and would have appreciated at least another half-hour to enjoy them. One definite no-no: the restaurant where we had lunch, the Sabatini I think, was not very good.

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March 29, 2023

Product ID: 44415