El Escorial

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, and the forests turn golden in October and November. Summer is warm in the day and cool at night, and the monastery is busy at weekends. Winters are cold, with frost and some snow.

The monastery is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit for another day.

• Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the great monastery and royal residence, built from 1563 to 1584. It includes the Royal Pantheon, where most Spanish kings since Charles V are buried, the royal apartments, the library and an art collection.
• Basílica de San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the monastery's basilica, a church with a large dome and a high altar.
• Casita del Príncipe is a small royal pavilion with a richly decorated interior, built for the prince in the 18th century, in the royal gardens.
• The Monasterio del Campillo is a ruined monastery in the countryside.
• The Silla de Felipe II is a rock viewpoint in the woods, where the king is said to have watched the building work.
• The Museo Cocheras del Rey shows royal carriages.

• Tour the monastery, the Royal Pantheon and the library.
• Walk in the royal gardens and the woods of La Herrería.
• Hike to the viewpoint of Felipe II's Chair.
• Have a long lunch in San Lorenzo, a traditional dining stop for day-trippers from Madrid.

• Valle de Cuelgamuros (about 9 km): a monumental complex in the mountains, with limited visiting.
• Aranjuez (about 70 km): a royal town with a palace and gardens.
• Segovia (about 55 km): a Roman aqueduct and a fairy-tale castle.
• Chinchón (about 70 km): a village with a round main square.
• Sierra de Guadarrama (Sierra de Guadarrama): hiking and mountain views.

Other places nearby:

• Madrid area: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Chinchón, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares.
• Nearby city: Segovia.
• Mountains: Sierra de Guadarrama.

• By train: Commuter trains (Cercanías line C-8) run from Madrid Atocha and Chamartín to El Escorial in about 1 hour. The station is about 2 km from the monastery. Book long-distance trains on Renfe.
• By bus: Buses from Madrid's Moncloa station take about 50 minutes and stop close to the monastery.
• By car: The M-600 and the A-6 motorway lead from Madrid in about 45 minutes.

• On foot: The monastery and the old town of San Lorenzo are close to each other. The town is on a slope.
• Local bus: Connects the station and the center.
• Taxi: Available at the station.

• Is a car worth it?: Not necessary. The train and bus from Madrid are simple. A car helps for the mountain viewpoints and villages.
• Parking: There is paid parking near the monastery, and it fills up at weekends.
• Roads: Mountain roads can be icy in winter.

The cuisine of the Madrid mountains is hearty. Try cocido madrileño (chickpea stew), roast lamb and suckling pig, grilled beef from the Sierra de Guadarrama, and judiones (large white beans). Many restaurants in San Lorenzo serve a set lunch menu (menú del día).

El Escorial is a safe town. The mountain weather changes quickly, so bring a jacket even in summer. In winter, roads and paths can be icy. Use sun protection on hikes.

King Philip II ordered the monastery built to commemorate the victory at the Battle of St. Quentin in 1557 and to serve as a royal burial place. The architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and later Juan de Herrera designed it, and it was completed in 1584.

It was a royal palace, a monastery, a school and a library at once, and the center of the Spanish court in the Habsburg era. The building and its site were listed by UNESCO in 1984.

Quick practical facts for Spain at a glance: