El Escorial

Travel Guide

El Escorial
El Escorial
August 15th every year. FIreworks are launched at midnight as a closing ceremony of the San Lorenzo festivities, which take place the week before that last day. Everybody stands at the big open area next to the Royal Palace and Monastery, while the show begins, by the rythm of music. It is a great and exiting entertainment, located in a beautiful place! Must watch ;) #lifeatexpedia #fireworks #lights #novembercontest #elescorial
El Escorial was built by King Philip II in the late 16th century to serve as both a royal palace and as the seat of the Catholic Church in Spain. In addition to the palace the complex includes a basilica, a convent, a school, a library, and a pantheon. While El Escorial is impressive from the outside, we actually found it a little austere on the inside. In many ways it felt more like a fine art museum than a typically elaborate European palace (such as Versailles). That said, there are some impressive sights, including works by El Greco, Bernini, and Giardini. The library was also quite beautiful, with richly carved wood shelves, a marble floor, and a colorful fresco ceiling by Pellegrino Tibaldi. For me, the highlight of the tour was the 180ft long (55m) Hall of Battles – a barrel-vaulted room where the walls were completely covered in frescos depicting Spain's military victories over the Moors and the French. All aspects of the battle field were portrayed (when you have 180ft, that is quite doable), and the artist employed an interesting trick whereby the more distant, smaller scenes were less saturated, and the background mountains and landscape were set in hues of blue. Overall I'd say El Escorial is worth a visit, but you probably won't need more than a couple of hours to enjoy it.
This is the Courtyard of the Kings and the entrance to the Basilica. By European standards we found the Basilica a bit boring. The two highlights were a gorgeous life-size white marble sculpture of Christ on the cross by Cellini (originally meant for the sculptor’s own tomb) and the Giordano ceilings, which he frescoed when he was his late 50s.

Where to stay in El Escorial

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Peralejo

The coffeehouses and casinos are a few reasons travelers visit Peralejo. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and La Silla de Felipe II are a few top sights nearby.

Peralejo
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Navalquejigo

While Navalquejigo might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial Theater and Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Navalquejigo
B&B Yeguada la parrilla

B&B Yeguada la parrilla

3 out of 5
C/ Cebadillas s/n El Escorial Madrid
The price is P7,960 per night from Feb 14 to Feb 15
P7,960
P8,756 total
Feb 14 - Feb 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in El Escorial. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Prince's House and Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial ...
7.6/10 Good! (79 reviews)
As mentioned it is a farm in an area plenty of dust not paved. Hot water run for a while, Not A/C control at the room, Not TV. Need a lot of work to be named Hostal.

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2025

B&B Yeguada la parrilla
The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

Calle de Alsasua 8 Madrid
The price is P4,853 per night from Feb 15 to Feb 16
P4,853
P5,339 total
Feb 15 - Feb 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal Palace of Madrid and Bernabéu Stadium ...
9/10 Wonderful! (114 reviews)
Clean room

Reviewed on Oct 17, 2025

The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca
Hotel Pax Torrelodones

Hotel Pax Torrelodones

3 out of 5
Calle Sama de Landreo, s/n Torrelodones Madrid
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Torrelodones. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Casino Gran Madrid and Espacio ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (346 reviews)
Great staff and clean room.

Reviewed on Jan 11, 2026

Get rates
Hotel Pax Torrelodones
See all 440 properties in El Escorial
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo

The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo

3 out of 5
Vía de las Dos Castillas 9B Pozuelo de Alarcon Madrid
Stay at this aparthotel in Pozuelo de Alarcon. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal Palace of Madrid and Plaza ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (159 reviews)
Todo bien, pero no funzionava él secador. Cocina bien esuipada

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo
Casas Rurales Collarubio

Casas Rurales Collarubio

3 out of 5
Calle de Goya 12 Collado Mediano
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Collado Mediano. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Monumento al Cantero ...
Casas Rurales Collarubio
Oshun Mirasierra

Oshun Mirasierra

2 out of 5
Avenida del Cardenal Herrera Oria, 241 Madrid Madrid
Stay at this apartment in Madrid. Popular attractions Bernabéu Stadium and Gran Via are located nearby.
Oshun Mirasierra
See all properties in El Escorial
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Church of San Bernabe

After visiting Church of San Bernabe, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in El Escorial. While in the area, you can find time to visit its temples.

Church of San Bernabe

Prince's House

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Prince's House during your trip to El Escorial. While in the area, you can find time to visit its temples.

Prince's House

Things to do

Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid

Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid

P4,614
per adult
Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid
Royal Monastery by Luis Riberio

El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Half Day Trip from Madrid

P4,122
per adult
El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Half Day Trip from Madrid
Stellar Experience in Sierra de Guadarrama to Discover Heaven

See the Stars in Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama

P2,796
per adult
See the Stars in Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama
San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery: Private Tour

Private tour: San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery

P5,243
per adult
Private tour: San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery
San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Monastery and Site Guided Tour

San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Monastery and Site Guided Tour

P2,796
per adult
San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Monastery and Site Guided Tour
From Madrid: El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen Guided Tour

From Madrid: El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen Guided Tour

P6,797
per adult
From Madrid: El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen Guided Tour
See all activities in El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, historical residence of the King of Spain, about 45 kilometres northwest Madrid, in Spain.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Campo con cielo/ vista de la dehesa boyal con la sierra de Guadarrama al fondo en Collado Villalba, provincia de Madrid. España

Collado Villalba

® S.D. (ES,EN.) CUADARRAMA PARQUE DEL AYUNTAMIENTO

Guadarrama

Colorful twilight water reflections in Embalse Cerro Alarcon (Cerro Alarcon Reservoir) of the Perales River. Located between Valdemorillo and Navalagamella, Madrid, Spain.

Valdemorillo