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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Navalquejigo

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Navalquejigo and surrounding area, you can visit Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial Theater and El Real Coliseo de Carlos III Theater.

Navalquejigo
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Peralejo

The coffee shops and casinos are a few reasons travellers visit Peralejo. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighbourhood, you can visit Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and La Silla de Felipe II, a few notable attractions nearby.

Peralejo
B&B Yeguada la parrilla

B&B Yeguada la parrilla

3 out of 5
C/ Cebadillas s/n El Escorial Madrid
Stay at this B&B in El Escorial. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Prince's House and Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial ...
7.6/10 Good! (78 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 2 Jun 2025

B&B Yeguada la parrilla
The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

Calle de Alsasua 8 Madrid
The price is HK$655 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
HK$655
HK$721 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal Palace of Madrid and Bernabéu Stadium ...
9/10 Wonderful! (114 reviews)
Clean room

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca
Eurostars i-Hotel

Eurostars i-Hotel

4 out of 5
Calle Virgilio, 4 Pozuelo de Alarcon Madrid
The price is HK$497 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
HK$497
HK$546 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pozuelo de Alarcon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Royal Palace of Madrid ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (424 reviews)
A+ service 🙏🙏🙏

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2026

Eurostars i-Hotel
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.
EL ESCORIAL HOUSE

EL ESCORIAL HOUSE

El Escorial Madrid
Stay at this villa in El Escorial. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and private pools. Popular attractions Centro Comercial Planetocio and Velódromo Galapagar ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Nos encanto la casa de Andres especialmente el jardin con la picina y la barbacoa. El proprietario fue muy atento, siempre dispuesto a responder cualquier pregunta y con una gran flexibilidad respecto a la hora de llegada y salida. Ademas tuvo el detalle de dejarnos algo de comida y huevos de las ...

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

EL ESCORIAL HOUSE
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 Wi-Fi, 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 18 Jan 2026

The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo
Casas Rurales Collarubio

Casas Rurales Collarubio

3 out of 5
Calle de Goya 12 Collado Mediano
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Collado Mediano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private pools. Popular attractions Monumento al Cantero and ...
Casas Rurales Collarubio
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.

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