





The Madrid Pass
- Prado Museum
- Royal Palace Madrid
- Panoramic Bus Tour of Madrid
+ 2 other top things to do
4 options • from $16.19
Free cancellation option available for all tickets
Tiqets' choice
Combine with other Madrid favorites. Some things are better together.
Not only is this historic complex the crown jewel of Spanish Renaissance architecture, but it was also built to memorialize the Battle of San Quintin, a decisive event during the Italian War.
Commissioned by Felipe II, the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial became a summer destination for aristocrats, who built their summer residences in the surrounding area.
Additionally, El Escorial hosts a mausoleum for the Spanish monarchs from the houses of Habsburg and Bourbon. Kings, queens, and their regal descendants rest in the Pantheon of the Infantes.
Most basic entry Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial tickets are around €15, with some discounts available. Booking a reservation (there are half a million visitors each year) is recommended so you can spend more time exploring the grounds, and less time in the queue.
To make your experience more enriching, opt for a guided tour or an audio guide as you wander the monastery and surrounding grounds.
As one of the Spanish royal sites, the palace, monastery, and basilica at San Lorenzo de El Escorial served multiple purposes throughout history and are still in use today.
On Sunday mornings, the basilica is used to hold liturgical services, so keep this in mind when you buy your tickets to San Lorenzo de El Escorial if you want to go inside.
Previous purposes for the complex include the royal residence for the King of Spain, a place of worship, and a burial ground for Spanish royalty. Over the centuries, the structure has also served as a library, university, museum, and hospital.
El Escorial is located in the heart of the Guadarrama mountain range, nearly 50 km from Spain’s capital city, Madrid.
The complex lies in a central location, making it a convenient day trip from Madrid, Ávila, Segovia, and Toledo.
Absolutely. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, your tickets to this royal landmark allow you to enjoy the quintessential 16th-century design, architecture, and artwork of the Spanish Renaissance.
El Escorial showcases Spain's cultural, religious, and economic heritage, all in one site.
The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is also known as Monasterio de El Escorial. Philip II used this royal site for his family mausoleum, and in the past, it was also a monastery and a boarding school.
The abundance of pine trees and surrounding forest makes this a peaceful retreat to Renaissance times, far from the bustling modern norm of Madrid. This historical residence and final resting place of Spain's kings is located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, roughly 45 kilometers northwest of Madrid.
Monday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Tuesday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Wednesday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Thursday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Friday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Saturday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Sunday | 10:00 - 18:00 |