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BOOK ACTIVITY

El Escorial Monastery

2 Avenida de Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Comunidad de Madrid

Description

El Escorial Monastery (full name: Monasterio y Sitio de El Escorial en Madrid) is an historical Spanish Royal Residence situated just outside of the town of San Lorenzo del Escorial, about 45km northwest of Madrid and at the foot of Mount Abantos in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It was built in the second half of the 16th century under Philip II in Renaissance style with a floor plan in the form of a gridiron (i.e. forming a grid). The complex is gigantic, measuring 224m x 153m, and served multiple purposes as a monastery, royal palace, university, library, museum, and hospital. El Escorial is also the traditional burying place of most Spanish kings in the last 500 years and houses many works from masters such as Titian, El Greco, Tintoretto, Veronese, Velázquez or José de Ribera. The building is also famed for the Royal Library, a real work of art with 40,000 volumes in a heavily decorated 54m-long hall.

Access & Transport

Address: Av Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n, 28200, Madrid The easiest way to get there from Madrid is to drive on the A-6 and then take the M-600 when reaching Guadarrama, or getting on the M-505 just outside the city (around Las Rozas de Madrid). Buses ALSA-661/664 also go to El Escorial in 50' from Moncloa bus station (accessible with metro L3 and L6).

Instructions & Recommendations

We recommend combining this activity with a visit of the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) which is a 20' drive away.

Meta review

El Escorial is extremely popular with national and foreign tourists and is highly rated by travel guidebooks, magazines and online reviewers. The latter mention that although the exterior and some of the areas are a bit dull, there are many trip-worthy sections such as the richly decorated and stocked library or the Basilica with its magnificent dome. The gardens are free to access and also worth checking out. The main recurring complaint is that there is a policy not to allow photography inside, even without a flash.

Environmental & Social

We deem this activity marginally negative from an environmental perspective (heating/lighting). Part of the country's cultural, architectural and artistic heritage.

Conclusion

El Escorial isn't on the UNESCO World Heritage list for no reason; the massive complex is awe inspiring when seen from a distance and contains several memorable rooms such as the Library, the Basilica with its beautiful dome and high altar, or the Pantheons that will give you the perfect opportunity to revise your knowledge of Spanish royal genealogy. Highly recommended

Key positive

One of the most impressive libraries in the world

Everything there is monumental

Key negative

Exterior lacks decoration

Too big?

Suitability

Suitable for all ages but best for children aged 10 and above. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission: 1 hour before closing

av. transport time:1h 10m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Apr, 01

Season 1

MONDAY -

TUESDAY10:00 - 19:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 19:00

THURSDAY10:00 - 19:00

FRIDAY10:00 - 19:00

SATURDAY10:00 - 19:00

SUNDAY10:00 - 19:00

Start of Season 2:Oct, 01

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY10:00 - 18:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 18:00

THURSDAY10:00 - 18:00

FRIDAY10:00 - 18:00

SATURDAY10:00 - 18:00

SUNDAY10:00 - 18:00

Pricing
Guided visit is extra 6 € per person
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€7
Adult
17 - 64
€14
Child
5 - 16
€7
Infant
0 - 4
€0

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