Madrid · EL ESCORIAL & VALLEY OF THE FALLEN TOURS
Philip II’s monastery-palace and, nearby, the Franco-era Valley of the Fallen — a monument Spain is still reckoning with. These 15 tours are priced and timed, and clear about which include the Valley and how each guide handles it. Shown plainly, not celebrated.
Guided half-day bus tour from Madrid with tickets for El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, in English, plus Wi-Fi comfort.
“Really interesting and informative guide. Answered everyone's questions easily. Great tour. Really enjoyed the day.”
Madrid half-day tour to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, skip-the-line entry, expert guide with headset, $73.
“Our guide Christina and bus driver Juan Antonio meet all expectations. Amount of time for the tour was just right.”
Half-day guided trip from Madrid to UNESCO El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, with tickets, coach ride, and bilingual narration.
“Such sobering sites. María was very knowledgable with excellent English. The pickup point was easy to find. This is not always the case. A great experience.”
Half day tour from Madrid to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, with guided entry, basilica access, and skip-the-line convenience.
“We are happy the tour was according to our expectation. The guide was well prepared, the attractions were great, and the weather was very proper.”
Half-day coach tour from Madrid to UNESCO El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, with guided palace highlights and an underground basilica visit.
“This is my second time on this tour and OMG the number of tourists has tripled since I was there six years ago. We had Carmen as our local tour guide and loved her. She is a no nonsense professional guide that makes sure everyone knows and adheres to the rules. As a result, we got to see everything without being rushed or having to wait for late/lost people or chatty Cathies interrupting her speeches. Three are tons of stairs (75) up and down to the crypts so please know this ahead of time but it is well worth the visit. Loved the Valley of the Fallen as a War…”
San Lorenzo de El Escorial entrance ticket in Madrid, with frescoes, royal crypt, Renaissance spaces, gardens, and mountain views.
“I went to El Escorial on a rather foggy and relatively cold day but that did not detract from the beauty and history of the monastery. I did a self guided walk through of the monastery so did not get all of the history of this magnificent place. I think from the outside it is nothing special and looks like a prison but the inside is absolutely gorgeous and has plenty of frescos and royal decorations - but I think the juxtaposition of the boring outside and colourful inside adds to the charm of the whole place. There is even a crypt that houses the royals that once used to…”
Big sights in one packed day from Madrid, with skip-the-line El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen, and a Segovia walking tour.
“Well-organized guided tour with a great balance between guided activities and free time. The locations were excellent, and transportation was smooth, making it easy to reach places that would be difficult to visit on your own. Overall, a very convenient and worthwhile experience.”
2-hour guided visit to El Escorial monastery near Madrid, a UNESCO Renaissance site, led by a live Spanish guide. Royal Library included.
“I recommend it 100% the guide is exceptional and has very good knowledge of El Escorial.”
Super Saver day trip from Madrid to El Escorial and Toledo, with guided museum time, El Greco art, and the Valley of the Fallen.
“Escorial is very okay....Valley of the Fallen is more interesting. Toledo should be covered in a whole day trip.....many picture-postcard sights are not covered in the half day tour. One does not get time to absorb the subtleties in just half a day.”
Guided half-day trip from Madrid to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, with admissions, audio system, and a tight but satisfying pace.
“Do not like going on a tour that requires the tour guide to present in three languages”
A guided day trip from Madrid to El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen, and Toledo, with entry tickets and headset audio included.
“Toledo was an outstanding site that was extremely enjoyable. We had another English guide meet us at El Escorial and he was outstanding, providing great insights and explanations. it was a bilingual tour plus it was on a large bus. Not my favorite way to tour.”
Guided day from Madrid to UNESCO El Escorial and Toledo, with optional Valley of the Fallen. Strong guides, big sites, limited time.
“Trip to Toledo could be longer. Our guide Nacho (and driver Louis) was brilliant and he could talk much more, but there was not enough time.”
Guided day trip from Madrid to El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen, and Segovia cathedral with included admissions and English commentary.
“Escorial was, for me, extremely dull and boring . It’s not for everyone and best left to people with an interest in Spanish history.The visit to the Valley of the Fallen was more Interesting - an impressive structure. Sadly there was next to no information given by the guide on the Civil War or its aftermath which would have added a great deal of value to the tour.”
El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen, and Segovia in one long day from Madrid, with guided visits, audio, and included monument entrances.
“Be aware that this is not actually a day trip. After the morning at Escorial and the Valley, they drove us back to Madrid and told us to return to the tour office after lunch for a Segovia tour. We wasted hours backtracking when the first two locations were on the way to the third, and we could have relaxed and eaten there. Morning tour guide struggled with English and afternoon tour guide would walk away from the group, narrating sites when parts of the tour group were completely out of site. All locations are amazing! Unfortunately, this tour company was not.”
Half-day bus trip from Madrid to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, with fast-track entry, guided history, and time to explore.
“A lot of walking and it's VERY COLD inside both the Escorial and the church in the Valley of the Fallen. These locations are up in the mountains so be prepared! Pathways and inside the Escorial are well paved and easy to navigate. The tour bus takes you right up to the entrances of both the Escorial and then the Valley of the Fallen grounds. These sights are less toured and fascinating. Our tour guide, Sylvia supplied us with lots of facts and interesting history of the sites. My only regret was I wished that our tour included an excursion into the extensive manicured gardens which are part of the…”
The museums, the tablaos, and the walled cities a train ride out.
