Activity company · Madrid
Patrimonio Nacional
Patrimonio Nacional is the state body that looks after the palaces, monasteries and woodlands of the Crown and opens them to the public. In the Community of Madrid it manages, among others, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the Bosque de La Herrería, the Casitas del Príncipe and del Infante and the Royal Site of Aranjuez.
How its visits work
Tickets are bought at its official online ticket office, with a small handling fee per ticket, or at the ticket offices of each monument. There is a self-guided visit, with an optional audio guide, and guided tours in Spanish by its own staff, of about two hours at El Escorial. Some visits, such as the Casita del Príncipe, are always guided and have few places.
What to know
Citizens of the European Union and Latin America and residents have free time slots at several monuments; those tickets are only issued at the ticket office. Each site has its weekly closing day and also closes on official dates; check the ticket office calendar before you go.
What they run
- Casita del Príncipe Guided visit to the Casita del Príncipe Book
- Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial Guided visit to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial Book
- Casa del Labrador Guided visit to the Casa del Labrador Book
- Royal Palace of Aranjuez Guided visit to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez Book
Practical details
- Website
- patrimonionacional.es
- Languages
- Spanish, English
Frequently asked questions
Where do I buy tickets?
At tickets.patrimonionacional.es or at the monument's ticket office. It is best to buy guided tours beforehand.
Are the guided tours in English?
At El Escorial there is a daily departure in English, at 10:45. The rest are in Spanish.
Are there free days?
Yes: afternoon slots on some days for EU and Latin American citizens and residents, and single days such as 18 May and 12 October.
