About 45 km northwest of Madrid, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial combines a monastery, a basilica, a palace and a royal burial place. Philip II had it built from 1563 to 1584 to commemorate the victory of Saint-Quentin (1557) and to serve as the resting place of his dynasty. The architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and then Juan de Herrera gave it its plain grey-granite style, which came to be known as the Herrerian style. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and is managed by Patrimonio Nacional. It makes an easy day trip from Madrid by commuter train or bus: allow at least 2 to 3 hours inside, then a stroll through the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Highlights
The Royal Pantheon
Beneath the high altar of the basilica, this octagonal crypt of marble and gilded bronze holds the remains of most Spanish kings since Charles V, along with the queens who were mothers of kings. The urns are stacked in niches around an altar. The route also passes through the more recent Pantheon of the Infantes, with its white marble tombs.
The Royal Library
The main hall, 54 meters long, is covered with frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi devoted to the liberal arts. The books are shelved with their gilded edges facing out, in cabinets of fine wood. The library holds more than 40,000 volumes, including Arabic, Greek and Latin manuscripts.
The basilica
At the heart of the complex, the Greek-cross church is crowned by a dome more than 90 meters high. On either side of the great altarpiece, gilded bronze groups by Pompeo Leoni show Charles V and Philip II at prayer with their families. No ticket is needed to enter the basilica, except during services, when it is closed to visitors.
Philip II's apartments and the view of the sierra
The route crosses the king's austere apartments, including the bedroom from which he could follow Mass in the basilica, as well as the Hall of Battles and its large frescoes. From the heights around the town, especially the road up to the Malagón pass, you can take in the full size of the monastery against the sierra.
Infos pratiques
Tips
A ticket costs €14 (€7 for ages 5 to 16, over-65s and students up to 25) and a guided tour €22 (€15 reduced); admission is free for under-5s (prices as of October 2026). Citizens of the EU and Latin America, as well as foreign residents with a residence or work permit, get in free on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3pm, with ID, at the ticket office only. Since February 17, 2026, because of works, the entrance is on the west facade (Patio de Reyes); buy your ticket in advance on the Patrimonio Nacional website, and download the free digital audio guide from the official app.
How to get there
Calle de Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, s/n, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial: entrance on the west facade (Patio de Reyes) Cercanías El Escorial (line: C-3), direct trains from Atocha, Sol, Nuevos Ministerios and Chamartín, about 1 hr 10 min, then a 20-minute uphill walk Bus: lines 661 (via Galapagar) and 664 from the Moncloa interchange (Metro Moncloa, lines: 3 and 6), about 55 minutes to the San Lorenzo de El Escorial bus station, then a 10-minute walk
Opening hours
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