Address
Av Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n,
28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
Directions: Google Maps
Customer Service
Phone: 902 044 454
Phone: 902 044 414
Phone: +34 944 044 454
Email: soporte@entradaspatrimonio.es
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About El Escorial
Built in the 16th century by King Phillip II, El Escorial is the royal residence of the King of Spain, and celebrated as the “8th wonder of the world”. Located 45 km away from the Spanish capital Madrid, the historical residence is in the city of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and, is a monastery of St. Augustine, and includes other buildings such as the royal palace, the basilica, the university, art gallery, the library, the Pantheon, and a hospice.
Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984, chief architect Juan Baptista de Toledo designed the complex, on a sprawling area of 94 hectares. Built-in Gothic-Baroque style, El Escorial is an architectural marvel of the Spanish monarchs, constructed over a span of 21 years.
A major tourist attraction of Spain, El Escorial attracts over a million visitors every year, for its stately architectural scale, and stunning renaissance interiors. Massive in scale, the magnificent complex measures 735 feet wide, and 500 feet deep, and includes 16 central courtyards, 88 water fountains, 70 figurines, 86 stairways, and over 1000 doors and windows.
El Escorial ranks 29th, amongst the list of the largest palaces in the world, and is one of the 12 preserved treasures of Spain. Rectangular in layout, the Palace-monastery has uniformity in scale, arranged around inner courtyards, with several hill vantage points overlooking the surrounding city of San Lorenzo. Built entirely of gray granite, the façade of the building is austere in appearance, and adapts simplicity, with clean ostentatious interiors. The vaulted ceilings with painted frescoes, are the highlights of the complex, in rich and vibrant colors, and are an integral part of the palace interiors.
Notable attractions in El Escorial are the Basilica (Gothic Cathedral), the Royal Palace (Residence of King Philip II), the Hall of Battles (Triumphs of Spanish Military), the Pantheon (26 Marble Domes), Museum of Architecture (Scaled models, floor plans, tools), the library (40,000 books & 4,700 manuscripts), & the Garden of Friars ( Royal Garden of King Philip II). The weather is pleasant all year round in Spain, and the best time to visit El Escorial is during the summer season from March – June, and during the winter season from September – October.
The heritage site of El Escorial is near famous tourist attractions such as Palacio Real, Museo Reina Sofia, Temple of Debod, Plaza de Cibeles, Prado Museum, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Barrio de Salamanca, and Museo Sorolla.
Hotels and hostels are available, near and around El Escorial, all through the year, and ranges from luxury suites (Metropol, The Casa), to mid-range lodges (Hotel Klaus Hotel Kreuz), and pocket-friendly accommodation (Grove Hotel, Jeunesse Hotel).
El Escorial is open to the public from Tuesday – Sunday (10:00am-6:00pm) during Oct-Mar, and from 10:00am-8:00pm during April-September. The Palace-monastery remains closed on Mondays. Admission tickets to El Escorial cost €12.00 for adults, and € 6.00 for children aged 5-16, and € 6.00 for senior citizens, and is free for children under 5. Tickets can be purchased online and printed at home. You can purchase tickets by Visa or MasterCard. Also the tickets cannot be cancelled or refunded.
As for transportation, Madrid-Barajas International Airport, is the nearest airport at 71 km away from El Escorial, and takes an hour drive by road. Atocha railway station is nearer to El Escorial at 61 km away from the royal site, and has trains operating frequently, from Madrid. The city of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, is 45 km away from Madrid, and has frequent buses running from the royal site to Madrid. For complaints or queries on tickets, events, cancellation, refund, photography, or others, reach the El Escorial support.
