This 16th-century royal monastery complex includes Philip II's palace, a basilica, and an extensive library with 40,000 rare manuscripts and books.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial sits 47 kilometers northwest of Madrid. At its heart stands the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, where you can walk through King Philip II's private chambers, browse a 40,000-volume Renaissance library, and descend into the marble-lined royal pantheon. Beyond the monastery, pine trails wind up Mount Abantos, and restaurants along Floridablanca Street serve beef from cattle raised in the nearby Guadarrama mountains.
Getting to the Royal Monastery
Bus 664 from Madrid stops 200 meters from the monastery entrance. Trains run from Madrid's Atocha station to San Lorenzo, with the station located 1.2 kilometers from the town center. Both journeys take about an hour.
Inside the Royal Monastery
The Royal Monastery spans 33,327 square meters. Enter through the west façade's central door into the Courtyard of the Kings. Inside the basilica, look up to see Luca Giordano's frescoes across the barrel vaults. The Royal Library stretches 54 meters, with marble floors and wooden shelves holding manuscripts dating from the 12th to 18th centuries. Plan 3-4 hours to explore the complex. Tickets cost €12.
Planning Your Visit
Visit Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 in winter and until 20:00 in summer. Buy guided tour tickets at the entrance. Weekday mornings see fewer visitors. No flash photography allowed anywhere in the complex. The Tourist Office across from the monastery entrance has maps and local information.
Town Life and Festivals
Granite buildings line the squares around the monastery. In August, the Saint Lawrence festival fills streets with concerts and food stalls. September brings the Virgin of Grace celebration, when residents carry a statue of the virgin through the streets. In December, artisans build a life-size nativity scene in Plaza de Benavente.
Local Food Scene
Restaurants around Plaza de la Constitución cook Guadarrama beef steaks over wood fires and serve cocido madrileño, a chickpea stew with meat and vegetables. Most kitchens close between 16:00 and 20:00, reopening for dinner after 20:00.
Mount Abantos Trails
Two main trails cross Mount Abantos: a 3-hour circular route from Monte Abantos street, and a 2-hour climb to the 1,753-meter peak. In the Herrería forest, shorter paths wind through pine groves, starting near the Casita del Príncipe. This neoclassical royal hunting lodge opens for guided tours of up to 8 people, with tickets costing €5.
