Guided tour

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

4.4 / 5

163 reviews

Activity provider: Julia Travel Gray Line Spain
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    Guided tour

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

    Activity provider: Julia Travel Gray Line Spain
    Likely to sell out

    From US$ 57.44 per person

    Likely to sell out

    Experience the grandeur of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a World Heritage Site and a symbol of 16th-century Spanish power. Visit the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen, carved into the mountain in the Sierra de Madrid, and marvel at the views.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details. Learn more
    Duration 5 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Live tour guide
    Spanish, English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Visit the Monastery of El Escorial and tour the Habsburgs Palace
    • See the Kings and Princes Mausoleum
    • Marvel at the enormous Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen
    Full description

    After meeting with your guide, get away from the bustle of the city on a comfortable air-conditioned coach. At the first stop, enjoy a guided tour through the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural ensemble declared World Heritage site by UNESCO. Built in the 15th century, it is a symbol of the power of the government at the time. Learn about the impressive Royal Mausoleum and the story behind the 21 years of construction time.

    Marvel at the symmetry of the Renaissance-style building. Listen to your guide's commentaries as you explore the Habsburg Palace, the Chapter House, the Basilica, and the remarkable library.  Then, board your bus again for a short drive to the Valley of the Fallen. The site is located 9 kilometers away from El Escorial, in Sierra de Guadarrama. This enormous monument, built between 1940 and 1959, is carved into the mountain, 1,350 meters up.

    An impressive 150-meter-high cross stands over the magnificent nature reserve of Madrid’s mountain range, which can be seen from miles away.

    Includes
    • Air-conditioned motor coach
    • Bilingual guide
    • Audio headset
    • Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
    • Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica
    • Lunch
    • Gratuities
    Not suitable for
    • Wheelchair users
    Covid-19 precautions

    You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

    Safety measures in place
    • All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
    • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Tours depart from the local partner's office at C/ San Nicolás 15 (next to Plaza de Ramales).

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes

    Know before you go

    • The duration of the tour includes round-trip transfers
    • Visitors are requested to not take photos or film inside the exhibitions
    • The tour involved a lot of walking and stairs. Comfortable shoes are recommended
    • The itinerary is subject to change
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.4 /5

    based on 163 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.6/5
    • Transportation
      4.8/5
    • Value for money
      4.2/5
    • Safety
      4.7/5

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    Star rating:

    Exactly what it was about. Efficient, good ride. Important basic information regarding the area you are passing by during the journey. A moment for the toilet before and after. In El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, the most important information. Time for a museum shop. Nice guide Klara. Her English should be understood even by people with basic knowledge of the language. Return to the Royal Palace in Madrid, so you can continue sightseeing on your own.

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    December 2, 2021

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Poland Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Great trip chaotic start!

    We had a chaotic start to this trip when the guide couldn't find the coach due to a triathlon taking place in the centre of Madrid. This ment we were running half an hour late and were rushed through the basilica of the valley. Saying that Manuel our guide was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour and did repeatedly apologise for the start. The monastery is amazing. We would have liked longer to look around!

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    May 6, 2019

    S
    Sandra – Spain Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Good tour

    Overall, I would recommend taking this tour. The Escorial Monastery is very beautiful, with a lot of art and history inside. The guide was very professional and entertaining in her explanations during the visit to the Escorial. He definitely did an excellent job explaining the history of both places. The church of the Valley of the Fallen and its views are spectacular. There was free time to explore. I really liked the tour but it felt a bit rushed. It is sold as a 5 hour tour but it did not even take 4.5 hours. We left at 9:00 am and at 1:15 pm we were already back in the center of Madrid. I feel that additional time should be given in the places, especially if one is paying for a 5 hour tour. That detail aside, it was a good tour.

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    December 2, 2018

    W
    Wilhelm – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 1573