Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Philip II ordered it built between 1563 and 1584, to plans by Juan de Herrera, as a palace, basilica, royal pantheon, convent, school and library all at once. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1984 and is the reason almost everyone comes.

What you can see

The self-guided visit takes in the basilica, the pantheons of kings and of princes and princesses, the library with its painted ceilings, the palace of the Habsburgs, with Philip II's rooms, and the Painting and Architecture museums, all included in the ticket. The basilica needs no ticket, but it closes during services.

Opening hours and prices

Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 from October to March and until 19:00 from April to September. The ticket office and entry close 1 h 15 min earlier: at 16:45 in winter. It is closed on Mondays and, in 2026, on 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 13 September and 24, 25 and 31 December. General admission costs €14 and reduced €7 (ages 5 to 16, over-65s and students up to 25); under-5s do not pay. Online there is an extra €0.77 booking fee.

Guided tour

Patrimonio Nacional runs guided tours of about two hours: €22 general and €15 reduced. In Spanish they leave Tuesday to Sunday at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30 and 13:30, and in English at 10:45. They must be bought in advance.

Free, if you meet the conditions

On Wednesdays and Sundays from 15:00 until closing, citizens of the EU and Latin America and residents with a work permit get in free; these tickets are only issued at the ticket office. Allow for the last entry at 16:45 in winter. It is also free on 18 May and 12 October.