Monastery of El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen & Toledo – Tour from Madrid

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.