Madrid to El Escorial and The Valley of the Fallen: Day trip
Private ride with a local driver
7h 15mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Spend a day immersing yourself in the refined majesty of El Escorial, featuring a palace and monastery that highlight the history of the Habsburg era. Then, head to The Valley of the Fallen, a solemn memorial where visitors can learn more about Francoist Spain and the scope of the Spanish Civil War.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Madrid whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Take a day trip to two significant historical sites with a private driver who will pick you up right at your accommodation in Madrid, ensuring your explorations are as stress-free and immersive as possible.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions El Escorial and The Valley of the Fallen should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €136
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€408
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Madrid
You choose the pickup spot.
1
El Escorial
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 hours - admission not included
Enter a royal palace and monastery, soaking up Habsburg history in El Escorial.
Visitors can take around three hours to explore El Escorial, delving into the history of the Habsburgs and the Spanish Renaissance. The complex features intricate gardens, decadently decorated chapels, and charming town squares. Here, you can learn more about the reign of Philip II and discover how this period shaped Spain’s history and culture. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site features majestic architecture and forms the perfect first stop for a historical day trip.
2
The Valley of the Fallen
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 hours - admission not included
Take a couple of hours to better understand the losses of the Spanish Civil War and how this period shaped Spain.
Travelers can spend an enriching afternoon visiting The Valley of the Fallen, featuring a Catholic basilica and a memorial to those lost in the Spanish Civil War. The monumental cross is over 490 feet (150 meters) tall and is visible on the drive to the site from miles away. The basilica portion of the complex is carved directly into the rock itself, and previously contained the remains of a controversial figure, General Francisco Franco. Travelers can admire the intricate architecture of this solemn place and learn more about this period of conflict. The Valley is open 10:00 -18:00 from October to March, and 10:00-19:00 from April to September (it is closed on all Mondays).
Back to Madrid
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
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Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Both sites have dress codes as they contain active religious spaces. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and hats should be removed inside basilicas. Respectful attire is particularly important at The Valley, which remains an active Benedictine abbey.
El Escorial is approximately 25 miles (45 kilometers) northwest of Madrid and takes about one hour to drive. The Valley of the Fallen is about 15 minutes more by car from El Escorial.
You'll spend 3 hours exploring El Escorial's royal apartments, basilica, library, and art collection, and 2 hours at The Valley of the Fallen. This allows comprehensive visits without rushing.
Yes, the site remains politically sensitive as it was built partially by political prisoners after the Spanish Civil War and previously housed Franco's tomb. The site continues to generate debate about historical memory and reconciliation in modern Spain.
El Escorial showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture with its austere granite facade, Habsburg royal apartments with luxurious decorations, and a magnificent basilica. The complex also houses one of Europe's most beautiful historical libraries.
El Escorial is a vast 16th-century complex built by King Philip II, serving as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school. This UNESCO World Heritage site represents the political center of Philip II's empire and houses the royal pantheon with most Spanish kings since Charles V.
The Valley features a massive basilica carved into a mountain and the world's tallest memorial cross at 150 meters. You'll explore the monumental entrance, central basilica with religious artwork, and enjoy spectacular mountain views while learning about Spain's complex history.
El Escorial (officially The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial) is a vast historical complex built by King Philip II in the 16th century, serving as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school. Its significance stems from its role as the political center of Philip II's empire, its impressive Renaissance architecture, and its royal pantheon, which contains most Spanish kings and queens since Charles V.
The Valley of the Fallen features a massive basilica carved into a mountain and the world's tallest memorial cross, measuring 150 meters. You'll see the monumental entrance, the central basilica with its long nave and religious artwork, and spectacular mountain views. Until 2019, it housed Francisco Franco's tomb, but his remains have since been relocated.
Yes, The Valley of the Fallen remains politically sensitive as it was built partially by political prisoners after the Spanish Civil War. The site continues to generate debate about historical memory in Spain. While visiting, you'll gain perspective on Spain's complex 20th-century history and ongoing process of reconciliation.
You'll typically spend about 2-3 hours exploring El Escorial's various sections (royal apartments, basilica, library, art collection) and approximately 1-1.5 hours at The Valley of the Fallen. This schedule allows for comprehensive visits without rushing, while still returning to Madrid at a reasonable time.
Both sites have dress codes as they contain functioning religious spaces. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and hats should be removed inside the basilicas. Respectful attire is particularly expected at the Valley of the Fallen, which remains an active Benedictine abbey.
Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer visits can be quite warm, especially at The Valley's higher elevation. Winter visits may encounter occasional snow, adding a different but beautiful perspective to both sites.
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