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

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Navalquejigo and surrounding area, you can visit Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Centro Comercial Los Valles.

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 La Silla de Felipe II and Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 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
The price is HK$753 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
HK$753
HK$828 total
2 Apr - 3 Apr
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
B&B Yeguada la parrilla
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

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EL ESCORIAL HOUSE
The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos

The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos

Calle Alsasua 8, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28023 Madrid Madrid
The price is HK$634 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
HK$634
HK$698 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (122 reviews)
Good customer service .. Venezuelan guy was great

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

The Oliver Aravaca Apartamentos
See all 456 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.
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
Suyoluce, Chalet con Piscina Privada El Escorial

Suyoluce, Chalet con Piscina Privada El Escorial

El Escorial Madrid
Stay at this chalet in El Escorial. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial Theater and El Real Coliseo de Carlos ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Muy bien
Buena ubicación, limpio y espacioso

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Suyoluce, Chalet con Piscina Privada El Escorial
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 ...
The Oliver Apartamentos Pozuelo
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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 exploring the galleries in Prince's House in 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

HK$609
per adult
Escorial & Valley Half-Day Morning Tour from Madrid
Everything that you need to make a bird feeder

Small Group Make Your Own Bird Feeder Workshop in Cercedilla

HK$368
per adult
Small Group Make Your Own Bird Feeder Workshop in Cercedilla
Royal Monastery by Luis Riberio

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

HK$547
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

HK$368
per adult
See the Stars in Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama
Stone Carving and Woodblock Printing in Madrid

Stone Carving in Cercedilla/Madrid

HK$368
per adult
Stone Carving in Cercedilla/Madrid
From Madrid: El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen Guided Tour

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

HK$899
per adult
From Madrid: El Escorial & Valley of the Fallen Guided Tour
See all activities in El Escorial