El Escorial

Travel Guide

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.
The monastery at El Escorial is still operating, though it has transitioned from the Hieronymites to the Order of Saint Augustine. Despite it's grand appearance, only around 40 Augustinians remain in residence. Parts of the monastery and royal palace are open for touring, but it feels more like a fine art museum than an opulent palace. Worth a couple of hours though.

Where to stay in El Escorial

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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
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Peralejo

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

Peralejo
B&B Yeguada la parrilla

B&B Yeguada la parrilla

3 out of 5
C/ Cebadillas s/n El Escorial Madrid
The price is P5,823 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
P5,823
P6,405 total
Apr 8 - Apr 9
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 ...
B&B Yeguada la parrilla
The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos

The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos

Calle Alsasua 8, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28023 Madrid Madrid
The price is P5,730 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
P5,730
P6,303 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (127 reviews)
Good customer service .. Venezuelan guy was great

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos
Sercotel Hotel Pozuelo

Sercotel Hotel Pozuelo

3.5 out of 5
Camino de las Huertas-Edificio 5, 2 Pozuelo de Alarcon Community of Madrid
The price is P5,730 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
P5,730
P6,303 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pozuelo de Alarcon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (150 reviews)
Nice hotel. Room was not big.

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

Sercotel Hotel Pozuelo
See all 465 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 ...
The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo
Oshun Mirasierra

Oshun Mirasierra

2.5 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
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
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

P4,490
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

P4,011
per adult
El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Half Day Trip from Madrid
San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery: Private Tour

Private tour: San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery

P4,762
per adult
Private tour: San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery
Stellar Experience in Sierra de Guadarrama to Discover Heaven

See the Stars in Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama

P2,721
per adult
See the Stars in Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama
San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Monastery and Site Guided Tour

San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Monastery and Site Guided Tour

P2,721
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

P6,741
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