El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen

Half day tour to two of Spain's most important sights

Statue at Valley of the Fallen This is a great half-day tour for two main reasons: (1) you can see the highlights of each place in half a day, and (2) it is quite difficult to get to the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caidos) if you wanted to do it on your own. With this tour, you get to spend the ideal time in each place, your own driver-guide, and the convenience of being picked-up, returned, and transported in a brand new minivan to and from the sights.

After picking you up from your hotel at 9AM in Madrid, we will make our way to El Escorial to visit The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real built by King Philip II. The Renaissance complex combines a palace and monastery, and features a wonderful collection of art. We will tour the complex, including the Pantheon of Kings and basilica, and hear the history of Spain as we wander this great complex.

El Escorial Onto the Valle de Los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen), and the grand monument for Spain's civil war casualties. It is said that thousands of political prisoners built the monument through forced labour during the dictatorship years of General Franco between 1940-1959. We will discover the inside of the basilica and admire a spectacular valley landscape around this massive monument which is located 9.5 kilometers (6 miles) to the north of El Escorial.

In the afternoon we will head back to the hotel, the airport, or anywhere else you would like to be dropped at within the city.

Duration - 5 hours

Pick-up - hotel or airport

Drop-off - where needed

Available - everyday

Includes - driving guide, transportation, all taxes

If you prefer bus tours: See Julia tours

Architecture at El Escorial

Inside the Monastery