Embark on a guided tour to the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial and enjoy skip-the-line entry. Explore the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen and hear the history behind each turn from your guide. Leave Madrid in the morning and travel 50 minutes to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit the baths upon arrival and then begin the tour of the San Lorenzo Monastery. Learn the long history of Spain, specifically the reign of Felipe II. See the building that best summarizes the ideological and cultural aspirations of the Spanish “Golden Age” and is named a World Heritage Site. See places like the Patio de Reyes, Cloister, Chapter Rooms, The Basilica (except on Sundays), The Pantheon of Kings and Infants, and the Royal Rooms. Travel to the Valley of the Fallen located in the Peña de Cuelga Muros after leaving San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit its surroundings and the basilica carved into the rock, and the burial place for 33,847 people who died in the Spanish Civil War. Be amazed by the great granite cross that is visible from kilometers away.

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.

Enjoy a regular or private tour with luxury transport from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen (currently Valle de Cuelgamuros) to visit the majestic Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, as well as the monumental complex from the Valley of the Fallen located a few kilometers away, in another beautiful enclave of the Madrid mountains. Begin the trip enjoying the landscape that the Sierra de Madrid gives us, beginning the tour with a guided visit to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial that Felipe II ordered to be built as a Residence and Royal Pantheon. Symbol of the greatness of the Spanish Empire, it is an impressive construction of great historical, artistic and architectural value such as the Basilica, the Pantheon with the tombs of almost all the Kings of Spain since Emperor Carlos V, the Royal Library or the palatial dependencies that occupied by the different reigning dynasties. After the guided tour of the Royal Monastery, you will enjoy a guided walk through the historic city center of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and then continue the trip to the Cuelgamuros Valley where the highest Christian cross in the world (150 meters high) announces the location of the Valley of The Fallen, an extraordinary and controversial work of architecture, sculpture and engineering erected in honor of those who fell in the Civil War that ushered in a long period of dictatorship in Spain. Visit the interior of the basilica excavated in the rock and admire the grandeur of the monumental complex and the natural setting that houses it, a protected natural space of great ecological value and unique scenic beauty. Return to Madrid with unforgettable memories of one of the most amazing local tours.

After meeting with your guide, get away from the bustle of the city on a comfortable air-conditioned coach. At the first stop, enjoy a guided tour through the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural ensemble declared World Heritage site by UNESCO. Built in the 16th century, it is a symbol of the power of the government at the time. Learn about the impressive Royal Mausoleum and the story behind the 21 years of construction time. Marvel at the symmetry of the Renaissance-style building. Listen to your guide's commentaries as you explore the Habsburg Palace, the Chapter House, the Basilica, and the remarkable library.  Then, board your bus again for a short drive to the Valley of the Fallen. The site is located 9 kilometers away from El Escorial, in Sierra de Guadarrama. This enormous monument, built between 1940 and 1959, is carved into the mountain, 1,350 meters up. An impressive 150-meter-high cross stands over the magnificent nature reserve of Madrid’s mountain range, which can be seen from miles away.

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.

Visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and travel through the history of Spain to the reign of Philip II. Admire this Renaissance marvel and learn from your local guide the ideological and cultural aspirations of the Spanish Golden Age. Discover the interior of this imposing building built in the 16th century. Explore the basilica, the Battle Hall, the pantheon, the palatial rooms, and other essential places of the monument. Also, visit the famous library of the Royal Monastery whose volumes were collected by Philip II to expand his humanistic knowledge. After two hours of unveiling the mysteries of this grill-shaped monastery, finish the guided tour next to the entrance.

Setting out from Madrid, our journey begins with an exploration of the heart of Segovia, a city steeped in centuries of history. Immerse yourself with our expert guide and enter the heart of Segovia, visit the aqueduct and the area of the convents, with stories and legends that will trace back to the centuries before the Muslim conquest. We will discover the most emblematic places of the city, its history, its corners and anecdotes, and its main monuments such as the Alcazar of Segovia or the Cathedral. With the upgrade option, after the Segovia cultural visit, we will discover the Spanish gastronomy, enjoying the famous Cochinillo Segoviano (suckling pig). The suckling pig has had an ongoing presence in the gastronomic and cultural history of Segovia and is rooted in tradition. Then we will discover the magnificent "Valle de los Caídos" (Valley of the Fallen), declared National Heritage. Here, you'll delve into Spain's 20th-century history, and marvel at the largest Christian cross in the world, standing at a towering 150 meters. Our journey culminates with a visit to El Escorial, the architectural jewel of the Spanish Renaissance. Here, you will gain insight into Spanish novelty and the intricate details that make this monument the most important Renaissance artifact in Spain. Throughout the exploration, you'll travel in comfort and style, accompanied by our knowledgeable guide and in the luxurious ease of our vans. Embark on this immersive journey and soak up the rich history, splendid architecture, and tantalizing gastronomy that this unique route has to offer.

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.

The tour will begin in Plaza Zocodover, the nerve center of the historic quarter, from where we can admire the north façade of the Alcázar, designed by Alonso de Covarrubias in the 16th century. We will walk through the Alcaná, an old commercial area where it is said Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote de La Mancha, used to walk. In the Ayuntamiento Square we will be surprised by the beautiful Cathedral and its 92-meter-high tower, where rests the Campana Gorda (the “Fat Bell”), the largest in Spain. Known as the Dives Toletana, it is the richest cathedral in the country, thanks to the incomparable artistic and historical heritage that it houses inside, which we recommend you visit it with one of our guides. In this square there are other important buildings: The Archbishop's Palace, residence of the Archbishop of Toledo; and the Town Hall, designed in the 16th century by Juan de Herrera, a famous architect who collaborated in the design of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and whose last name gives its name to an architectural style: Herreriano style. On this visit we will also discover the Jewish Quarter, where the guide will delve into the history of this town that left an important influence on the city, its architecture and its history. A large number of monuments are concentrated here, such as: The Church of Santo Tomé, which preserves the most important painting by El Greco; the synagogues of Santa María la Blanca and del Tránsito, and the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes.

See the largest Renaissance building in the world at the El Escorial monastery on this tour in Madrid. Go to where the dictator Francisco Franco was once buried at the Valley of the Fallen. Take a drive to the key key sights in Madrid with a local guide. Be picked up from your hotel in Madrid by your driver. Relax on the trip to the El Escorial monastery that was built by King Philip II. Explore this massive complex that is a monastery, hospital, royal palace, pantheon, library, university, museum, and basilica. Next, continue to the Valley of the Fallen that is a catholic basilica and a monument where national figures have been laid to rest. Take a look at the artwork at this site where 40,000 people have been buried. Listen to your guide tell you about the Spanish Civil war. Ride through Madrid and see the top sights before heading back to your accommodation.