Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid

• Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid

• From Madrid El Escorial Valle de los Caídos & Segovia Day Trip

• Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid

• Go City Madrid Pass: 25+ Things To Do including Royal Palace

Tickets to the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial cost €14 for adults. A reduced rate of €7 applies to seniors aged 65 and over, students up to age 25 with a valid student ID, and children aged 5–16 (those aged 14–16 will need to show ID). Children under 5 get in free.

Yes, the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is absolutely worth visiting. This vast, historical complex contains a monastery, royal palace, basilica, and pantheon all in one place. Many tours pair it with a visit to the Valley of the Fallen or Segovia, making it easy to see more of the region in a single day. Most people join full- or half-day tours from Madrid, which typically include round-trip transport and expert commentary.

Per one customer who booked the Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen Tour from Madrid, "Beatrice is knowledgeable, dedicated, funny, and super energetic. She literally gave us the best history lesson within 5 hours. The tour is well designed and efficient. All destinations are awe-inspiring and make you look at Spain differently. Beatrice is hands-down the best tour guide I've met. Highly recommended!"

The must-see attractions inside the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial) are the Hall of Battles, covered from floor to ceiling in huge paintings of Spanish Empire battles; the 16th-century Royal Library, home to more than 45,000 rare books, one signed by Christopher Columbus; and the grand Basilica with its marble walls and stained glass windows.

You can book tickets for the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial) on the day from the ticket office or online using the website. Tickets include a digital guide that helps you navigate the sprawling site, which you can download on your smartphone. Admission tickets cost €19 for adults, with significant discounts for children and people over 65.

There are three ways to get from Madrid to the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial). You can take bus line 661 or 664 from Moncloa bus station in Madrid, which takes about one hour. The train from Atocha station takes the same amount of time. If you’re driving, take the Madrid-San Lorenzo road via the A6.

Yes, day trips from Madrid typically combine the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial) tour with the Valley of Cuelgamuros (Valley of the Fallen), a granite cross and vaulted crypt that memorializes those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Some tours also visit the UNESCO-listed city of Toledo.

There’s so much to see at the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial) that you’ll need at least three hours to explore—and that’ll just be seeing it at surface level. Put aside at least half a day, as that’ll give you time to enjoy wandering the gardens too.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Madrid:

• Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid)

• Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá)

• Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)

• Plaza Mayor

• Basílica de San Francisco El Grande

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Madrid.