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Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

4.2 (795)
Madrid, ES
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Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

4.2 (795)
Madrid, ES
Share
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Immerse yourself in Spanish history and marvel at the magnificent Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, explore the Hapsburg's Palace, the Kings Mausoleum, and the stunning Basilica. Delve into the captivating story of this architectural masterpiece and learn about the 21 years it took to build. Admire the symmetrical beauty of the Renaissance-style building and discover the impressive library. Next, venture to the Valley of the Fallen, where an underground church adorned with a towering 152-meter cross awaits you. This monumental site, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into Spain's rich cultural heritage. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this captivating tour and book your journey now!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-9 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Learn about the impressive Royal Mausoleum
  • Visit the Habsburg's Palace and the Basilica
  • Explore the Valley of the Fallen
  • See the World's Largest Cross
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica
  • Local guide
  • Bilingual Office guide
  • Radio-guide system
  • Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Explore the rich history and breathtaking architecture of Spain with the Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen tour. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this tour takes you on a fascinating journey through the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in Spanish history as you witness the grandeur of the Hapsburg’s Palace, the Kings Mausoleum, and the Basilica. Next, venture to the Valley of the Fallen, where an underground church adorned with a spectacular 152-meter cross awaits.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can expect a total duration of 330 minutes, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen. You'll begin by checking in at the central office in Madrid before boarding a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. At the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, you'll have the opportunity to explore the impressive architecture and learn about the historical significance of this esteemed site. Your guide will take you through the Habsburg’s Palace, the Chapter House, the Basilica, and the renowned library. Afterwards, you'll head to the Valley of the Fallen, where you'll be captivated by the underground church and its monumental cross.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone who wants to delve deep into the heritage of Spain. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this experience caters to a wide range of interests and ages. Those with a penchant for exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites and understanding the cultural significance of historical places will find this tour particularly appealing. Guests are encouraged to come with an open mind and a thirst for knowledge to fully appreciate the enriching experience that awaits them.

Why book this?

Embark on this remarkable tour to witness the unparalleled beauty and historical significance of the Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen. By booking this tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore one of Spain's most renowned World Heritage Sites and gain a deeper understanding of the country's past. Your knowledgeable guide will provide captivating insights and stories, immersing you in the rich history and culture. Marvel at the splendid architecture, feel the grandeur of the kings' mausoleum, and admire the remarkable library. The Valley of the Fallen will leave you awestruck with its underground church and towering cross, making this tour a truly unforgettable experience.

Good to know

It's important to arrive at the central office in Madrid 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour to ensure a smooth departure. The tour includes comfortable transportation via air-conditioned coaches, ensuring a pleasant journey. As you explore the Royal Monastery of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking and exploring. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the magnificent sights along the way. Prepare yourself to be immersed in the rich history of Spain and come away with a newfound appreciation for its architectural marvels.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on the Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen tour have been enthralled by the experience. They rave about the fascinating insights provided by their knowledgeable and passionate guides, which bring the history of these iconic sites to life. Visitors are deeply moved by the grandeur of the Habsburg’s Palace, the Kings Mausoleum, and the Basilica in the Royal Monastery of El Escorial. The underground church in the Valley of the Fallen, topped by the World's Largest Cross, leaves travelers in awe. Overall, guests are delighted by the opportunity to explore these historic sites and highly recommend this tour for its enlightening and memorable experience.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Check in at our office in central Madrid 15 minutes in advance of your tour. Leave the city aboard one of our comfortable air-conditioned coaches. Enjoy a guided tour through the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural ensemble declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built in the 16th century, it is a symbol of the power of the government at the time. Learn about the impressive Royal Mausoleum it contains and the story behind the 21 years it took to build the site. Of Renaissance style, you will marvel at the building symmetry. Listen to your guide explanations as you walk along the site visiting the Habsburg’s Palace, the Chapter House, the Basilica and the remarkable library.

Admission Included

Valley of the Fallen

Board your bus again at the end of the guided tour for a short drive to the Valley of the Fallen. The site is located 9km away from El Escorial, in Sierra de Guadarrama. You will be able to see it from far away thanks to the monumental cross built above the site. The monument is an underground church built into the mountain. The same is topped by the World’s Largest Cross, which can be seen from miles away.

Admission Included

Reviews

(795)

4.2 (795)

Jeffrey_S

Lovely trip to get an overview of the locations. Would like a bit more time in each place to soak up a bit of the history and artwork- especially in El Escorial. Enjoyed the trip

Coastal46563831576

Not happy. English was poor and hard to follow. Guide seemed more natural in Spanish, but spoke English in a chuckling and awkward manner. Tour was advertised in English but it turned out to be bilingual, resulting in a lot of wasted time of repetition and waiting. Very little time was spent at the Valley. We were told there would be free time for pictures, which turned out to be a joke because the free time was only 15 minutes and it takes 10 minutes to comfortably walk back to the bus. Group was way too big. As soon as we got to the Valley we were herded into a Basilica, given obvious descriptions of the statues, and then told we had free time to see the valley where we had to rush out to see the valley for at least 3 minutes before walking back to the bus. Then we got back to Madrid late and totally kissed lunch. We were told we would get back to Madrid at 2pm for lunch before departing for Toledo at 245pm but arrived at Madrid at 230pm and there was no time for lunch and we could not takeaway food into their strict bus. And for a tour that visits a lot of Christ-inspired art the tour seemed nonchalant about the profound Christian symbols and just pointed out mundane historical details. I left not even knowing why San Lorenzo is a Saint or why he was martyred, and yet I heard multiple mundane descriptions of him at the center of various pieces of art. Horrible.

FarAway20215127854

Trip was nice and interesting . Views are beautiful . We took a lot of pictures. Guide was nice friendly and knowledgeable.

G8788VTrogerc

Was a very nice experience, it was beautiful and rich of history. We enjoy our time, thanks to Rocio and Marisol was a great driver

Stay580973

The trip was amazing, gourgeous, Suzanna is very kind guide, friendly and we recommend this tour for everyone………………..

nbcdirector

Great way to see both sites. Tour guide was bilingual and knew the subject matter well. Worth the day trip from Madrid. I would recommend this tour.

PatriciaP6351

The visit was nice, everything get according to the timeline. However, I felt some information was missing. The tour was both is Spanish and English. So, I don’t know if some details where not mention in English

strayerjm

Vast complex built in a time of all-powerful monarchs. Monastery, cloister, cathedral. pantheon (royal burial chambers), Habsburg palace and library. Beautiful El Greco work. Library especially exquisite. Definitely a worthwhile day trip from Madrid. Valley of the Fallen in honor of the Spanish Civil War is touching but the shadow of Franco overpowers and the fascist architecture leaves one cold.

Sarah_M

Our guide was excellent. The sights were beautiful. The bus was comfortable. Would use them again for other tours.

stephenrE5536AP

The trip was English and Spanish combined. I understand Spanish but not fluently. I know enough that the Spanish version from the guide gave way more information. The guide was nice but not a warm person and not easily approachable.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-05 08:05