Overview
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historic royal town set in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, about 45 km northwest of Madrid. Its chief attraction is the magnificent Monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the power center of the Spanish empire under King Felipe II.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Money
Spain uses the Euro (€). ATMs are available in town. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and restaurants but carry cash for smaller establishments.
Transport
Renfe regional train C8A connects El Escorial with Madrid every 30-60 minutes, taking about 1 hour from Chamartín station. Bus L1 connects the train station to the monastery area.