This guide on how to get to El Escorial from Madrid It will help you to know this monastery considered for a while, the eighth wonder of the world.
Built between 1563 and 1584, in this huge monumental complex, you can see from a convent, a basilica, a crypt with the remains of several kings and queens of Spain, a Royal Palace and even an impressive library.
The monastery is located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, located 60 kilometers northwest of Madrid and is well connected by public transport with the capital.
Based on the experience of our visit to El Escorial, considered one of the best getaways near Madrid, we show you all the options of how to get from Madrid to El Escorial so you can choose the one that best suits your needs Let's get started!
How to get from Madrid to El Escorial by train
The cheapest way to get to El Escorial From Madrid, take the C3 or C8 commuter train line that leaves from the Atocha, Puerta del Sol and Chamartín stations, all well connected with line 1 (blue color) of the Madrid metro.
The trains leave with a frequency of one hour and take just over an hour to reach the El Escorial station, located 15 minutes walk from the entrance to the monastery. The price is about 4 euros to belong to the C1 zone.
Another more interesting option to go from Madrid to Escorial by train is to book this excursion in a locomotive of the twentieth century that leaves from the station of Prince Pío, where lines 6 and 10 of the metro stop.
During the journey on this train that Felipe II built, you will get to know important people from this era in which Spain dominated half the world and when you arrive you will make a guided tour in Spanish through the Monastery of El Escorial, which will allow you to better know the history of everything set.
El Escorial
How to get to El Escorial by bus
The bus is the fastest way to get to El Escorial from Madrid at 50 minutes from the Moncloa Exchanger.
From this station, well connected with metro line 3 and 6, buses 661 and 664 of the Autocares Herranz company depart every 15 minutes from 7 in the morning, the ticket price being 4.20 euros.
Once you arrive at the San Lorenzo de El Escorial Bus Station you will find yourself 10 minutes walk from the entrance to the monastery.
A more comfortable and interesting way to go from Madrid to El Escorial by bus It is to book this excursion with a guide in Spanish that will allow you to know all the details and anecdotes of one of the places to see in Spain.
El Escorial Monastery
Tips for visiting El Escorial
Once you are clear how to get to El Escorial, you can follow this series of tips that will help you in your visit:
- The visiting hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm from April to September, the rest of the months close at 6pm. The last access is one hour before closing.
- The visit to the entire complex has an average duration of 2 to 3 hours.
- The general admission price is 12 euros, plus 4 euros if you want audioguide. There are discounts for children, students, large families and retirees.
- You can enter the monastery for free on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm from April to September and from 3pm to 6pm the rest of the months.
- If you arrive on your own and want to know the history of the monastery well, you can book this guided tour in Spanish that lasts three hours and leaves from the Constitution Square of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
- Among the places you can not miss in the monastery are the frescoes of the Library, the rooms of the Battles and the Portraits of the Palace of Felipe II, the paintings of the Chapter Rooms and the Pantheon of Kings and Infants.
- The Casita del Príncipe and the Casita del Infante, located outside the enclosure, can only be seen with a guided tour.
- If you arrive by car you can park in a public car park located under the Plaza de la Constitución, a few meters from the Monastery.
- A good viewpoint to see the entire Monastery of El Escorial is La Silla de Felipe II, located 50 minutes walk from the monastery.
