Monastery of El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen & Toledo – Tour from Madrid
Activity Schedule
Key Highlights
- Combine two of the most popular day tours from Madrid
- Visit the Monastery of El Escorial; a historical residence of the King of Spain
- Travel to the Valley of the Fallen, which honours the victims of the Spanish Civil War
- Save over 10% compared to the cost of booking these two tours separately
- Tour operated in both Spanish and English
- Transportation on an air-conditioned coach
Overview
The Monastery of El Escorial is a historical residence of the King of Spain. This wondrous complex combines a Monastery, Palace, Museum and School. Its beauty, along with its historical and cultural significance have seen it designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) is an underground basilica, built under General Franco, to honour the victims of the Spanish Civil War. The underground church and tomb topped with a 500 foot stone cross, which can be seen from a distance of 30 miles.
The ‘Imperial Toledo’ is a city encircled by the River Tagus and home to three different cultures – Christian, Moorish and Jewish – that coexisted together for centuries. Their influences have left many architectural and artistic reminders all over the city.
Itinerary
The tour starts from designated meeting point where you will be met by your multilingual guide and taken to El Escorial (about 49 kilometers from Madrid).
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, El Escorial is a symbol of the Spanish Power in the 16th century and commemorates the San Quintin Battle. It is also a mausoleum for Charles V. You will also visit the Hapsburg Palace, Kings and Princes Mausoleum, Chapter House and the Basilica.
Further on, proceed to Valle de Los Caidos (Basilica of the Valley) located about 9 kilometres from El Escorial. It is an enormous monument built between 1940 and 1959 to honor the Spaniards killed during the civil war. It is a basilica excavated in the mountain at 1350 metres above sea level where an impressive 150 metre-high cross places itself over the magnificent nature reserve of Madrid mountain range.
After the explanations of guide from the outside, you will have free time to contemplate this magnificent architectural monument, take pictures and admire the wonderful views of the Sierra de Madrid.
Along the way stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Toledo, one of the oldest towns in Europe. It is called the “city of the three cultures”, since Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together in this city. You will get an outside view of the Cathedral, see the Church of St. Tomé with “El Entierro del señor de Orgaz”, masterpiece of El Greco; Synagogue of Sta. María la Blanca; Museum of Victorio Macho; Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the famous technique of Damasquinado (encrust of precious metals in steel). And enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Toledo.
After a sightseeing excursion in Toledo, return to the starting point of the tour. The tour ends at Plaza de Espana in Madrid.
Inclusions
- Admission to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial.
- Admission to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica.
- Admission to the Church of St. Tomé, to the Synagogue of Sta. Maria la Blanca and to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.
- Transportation on an air-conditioned coach.
- Local official guide.
- Tour operated in both Spanish and English.
- Radio guide system.
Exclusions
- Food and drinks, unless specified.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
Please note
Voucher information: You can show your voucher on your smartphone (But if you’d rather print a copy – that’s fine too!)
We reserves the right to modify or cancel the tour itinerary due to events celebrated in the city or force majeure operational reasons without prior notice.
Photography and filming are not permitted inside the Church of St. Tomé.
Due to restrictions inside the Basilica of the Valley, no guided tour will take place in the same.
This is a walking tour on arrival at the site. Wear appropriate attire.
The Royal Monastery of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen visitors are requested to respect the following statement: photography and filming are not permitted inside the exhibitions.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers per guide.
Tour operated in both Spanish and English.
Additional info
Customer Reviews
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MOHAMED HASSAN IBRAHIM
Excellent Tour
Please add Arabic language to Your tourist languages in order to attract Arab toursists like Turkey. Expecially, you have more isalmic mouments....
Egypt 11/15/2011 -
Lynn Clemens
loved it!!
I had a great time at both Escorial and Toledo. Both were fascinating. It was so nice to have someone who knows the area drive us there. No worries of taking a wrong turn. The...
United States 11/12/2011 -
Manuel Blanco
had a great time
we enjoyed this tour. our quuide was very nice and thoughtfull....
Australia 10/03/2011
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