Worth a DetourSegovia
Castile and León
About 25 miles away
A giant Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale castle, an easy trip from Madrid.
Guide Coming Soon
El Escorial
Philip II's vast monastery-palace in the hills northwest of Madrid, with the tombs of Spain's kings, a UNESCO site.
- Open
- Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays
- Price
- Paid
- Time Needed
- Half a day
- Address
- Avenida Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, 28200 San Lorenzo de El EscorialDirections
- Getting There
- A commuter train from Atocha or Chamartín to El Escorial, about an hour, then a walk uphill.
Why Go
Built between 1563 and 1584, the austere granite complex holds a basilica, a library painted with frescoes, Philip II's modest rooms and the Pantheon of the Kings, where most Spanish monarchs lie.
It's an easy day trip into the Guadarrama hills.
Go Next
1–3 of 6
Worth a Detour
If You're NearbyÁvila
Castile and León
About 29 miles away
Saint Teresa's town, inside some of Europe's best-preserved medieval walls.
Guide Coming Soon
Worth a DetourToledo
Castile-La Mancha
About 51 miles away
The walled city of El Greco and three faiths, a day trip from Madrid.
Guide Coming Soon
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