On this 5-hour tour from Madrid, you’ll begin with a visit to the Monastery of El Escorial. It was built under the reign of powerful King Philip II as a residence for Spanish kings, a monastery, and a royal pantheon. It became a symbol of the great power of the Spanish Empire at that time. The monument was declared to be of artistic and historic importance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley of the Fallen was built in 1936, about 9 kilometers from Escorial, as a memorial to those who died during the Spanish Civil War.  Situated in a beautiful valley in the Guadarrama Mountains, this impressive work features a cross standing more than 150 meters high, as well as a basilica and crypt built into the hard rock under the mountain. The tour includes admission to the Valley as well as a visit to the basilica’s interior.

Begin your full-day tour with a morning visit to the Monastery of El Escorial, built under the reign of powerful King Philip II as a residence for Spanish kings. See the Monastery and Pantheon of the Royal Family at this site that was declared a monument of Artistic and Historic Interest, and Mankind Heritage. Your tour includes the Monastery, the Cloister of the 4 Evangelists, the Palace of Philip II, the Pantheon of the Royal Family, the Chapterhouses, and the Basilica. The Valley of the Fallen is a memorial to those who died during the Spanish Civil War. Situated in a beautiful valley in the mountains of Guadarrama, this impressive work features a colossal cross standing over 150 meters high, and Basilica and Crypt excavated in the rock under the mountain. This tour includes admission to the Valley and a visit inside the Basilica. On arrival in Toledo you’ll take a panoramic walking tour of the city, entering the old quarter to visit the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and admire the façade of the impressive Primate Cathedral, the old Palace of Justice, and the City Hall. Continue your walk through the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter to the Church of St. Tomé, home to the famous El Greco painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz. You’ll also visit the old Synagogue of Ste. Maria la Blanca, which remains as a symbol of the coexistence of the 3 Cultures. Afterwards you’ll visit a typical damasquino factory to see this well-known handicraft art form of Toledo.

Begin your tour in El Escorial. This was the symbol of the Spanish power in the 16th-century and commemorates the battle of St. Quentin. It is also mausoleum for Charles V. Due to the symmetry and balance of its construction, according to the humanist Renaissance style, for years it had been considered for years the eighth wonder of the world. Explore Habsburg Palace, the Kings and Princes Mausoleum, the Chapter House, and the Basilica. Next, 9 kilometers away from El Escorial, discover an enormous monument built between 1940 and 1959 to honor the fallen during the Spanish Civil War.  The basilica is carved into the mountain at 1,350 meters where an impressive 150 meters high cross places itself over the magnificent landscape of Madrid’s mountain range. Discover the City of the Three Cultures, 70 kilometers from Madrid. Toledo is a beautiful city-museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe and has great artistic beauty with buildings from almost all periods in history including Arabian, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance, and Baroque style. Visit the outside of the Cathedral and the interior of the Sto. Tomé Church with The Burial of the Lord of Orgaz, a masterpiece by El Greco. Explore the interior of the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the interior of the incredible monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes. Go to see a demonstration of the famous technique of damascened, inlay of precious metals in steel and forging of swords. Finish your tour with a panoramic sightseeing tour of Toledo and stop at a viewpoint for breathtaking views of the city where you can take the best pictures of Toledo.