Royal Monastery of El Escorial and Valle de los Caídos

The Escorial and Valle de los Caidos are just 9km apart but they represent two extremes in Spanish history: the Golden Age of the New World empire and the dark days of the Franco dictatorship. This half-day tour will allow you to explore these fascinating sights and learn all about them.

A symbol of Spanish power in the 16th century, construction of the Escorial Monastery was governed by reason, symmetry and balance, in accordance with the tenets of Renaissance humanism. Our visit will start at the Palace of the Bourbons, where the highlight is a fine collection of tapestries, some of executed by Goya himself. Then you will pass through to the Hapsburg Palace, also known as the Palace of Philip II. These rather stark chambers were built as a royal residence for the kings of this dynasty. The next stage of the tour is a visit to the impressive Pantheon of Kings. We will also visit the Basilica itself with its façade flanked by twin towers.

The Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen) is the massive mausoleum carved into a mountain that Generalissimo Francisco Franco ordered built by prisoners between 1940 and 1959. This haunting site features an excavated basilica, a 150-metre cross and the tomb of the dictator

Meeting point: No.7 Plaza de España. Duration: Five hours.
Start/opening time: 8.45am.
End/closing time: About 2pm.
Languages: Spanish and English from Tuesday to Sunday and in Italian on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Assistance or guided tour

Admissions

Meal

Drinks

Equipment

Optional meal

At 8.45 am - English or Spanish

Appropriate age for child ticket from 6 to 15 years