VISIT EL ESCORIAL

A must-see symbol near Madrid
Just 50 km from Madrid, El Escorial is a unique monumental complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by the architect Juan de Herrera and commissioned by King Philip II, it was completed in 1584. The complex served as a royal residence, monastery, library, basilica and royal pantheon.

Why visit?
El Escorial is considered one of the architectural marvels of the Spanish Renaissance. Its immense basilica, its palace with its majestic rooms, its impressive library with its painted ceilings and its Pantheon of the Kings make a visit here an immersion in Spanish imperial history.

A brief history and anecdotes
Built to commemorate the victory of Saint-Quentin in 1557, El Escorial also symbolises the power of the Spanish monarchy and the defence of Catholicism. Fun fact: the library contains more than 40,000 ancient works, including rare manuscripts in Arabic, Hebrew and Latin.

What can you do there?
- Visit the basilica and its impressive dome
- Discover the library's colourful frescoes
- Exploring the Pantheon of Kings and Infants
- Admire the art collections and the royal halls
- Take a walk in the monastery gardens with views of the mountains

Where is it?
📍 Plaza de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid
👉 See on Google Maps

Practical advice
- Accessible by train or bus from Madrid (approx. 1 hour)
- Closed on Mondays, plan to visit in the morning to avoid the crowds
- Allow at least 2 to 3 hours to explore everything
- Photos are prohibited in certain areas (library, pantheon)

To discover around
- Valle de los Caídos (Los Caídos Valley)
- Village of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Parc de la Herrería
- Sierra de Guadarrama for hiking

Audioguide
🎧 Listen to our immersive description of El Escorial on History Guide City Madrid !
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