10 hours
E-voucher
Multiple
Overview
Combine 2 half-day tours and visit both the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural ensemble declared a World Heritage Site, and the Valley of the Fallen, a basilica that stands out for its gigantic size, before leaving to discover Toledo.You will start with a visit at El Escorial, symbol of the Spanish power in the XVI century that commemorates the battle of St. Quentin. It is also a mausoleum for Charles V. Due to the symmetry and balance of its construction, according to the humanist Renaissance style, it had been considered for years the eighth wonder of the world. The visit includes the Habsburg Palace, the Kings and Princes Mausoleum, the Chapter House and the Basilica.The experience will then continue to the basilica of The Valley of the Fallen. This enormous monument was built between 1940 and 1959 to honour the fallen during the Spanish Civil War. The basilica is carved into the mountain at 1350 metres of altitude, where an impressive 150 metres high cross places itself over the magnificent landscape of Madrid’s mountain range.In the afternoon, you will depart to Toledo, a beautiful city-museum which has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe and has great artistic beauty and buildings from almost all periods in history (Arabian, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance and Baroque style). In the XVI century, it was also home to the great painter El Greco.
Operated by
Julia Travel
Location
Julia Travel office at Calle San Nicolás, 15 (Next to Plaza de Ramales).
Address
Av Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
Experience
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned coach
- Bilingual official guide (English and Spanish)
- Entrances to the monuments included in the tour of Toledo as detailed: Church of St. Tomé, Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca and Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
- Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
- Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica
Exclusions
- Lunch
Venues
- El Escorial
The Monastery of El Escorial is one of the most important monuments in Spain. Located on the southeast slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (in the Community of Madrid), the monastery was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was built in the sixteenth century (between 1563 and 1584) and became the biggest building in all Europe.
- Church of Santo Tomé
The Church of Santo Tomé is a beautiful church originally constructed in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century. It is located in the charming and historic city center of Toledo. The tower of this church is one of the best remaining examples of Mudéjar architecture today. Mostly made of brick, you will notice the groups of windows with scalloped and pointed horseshoe arches.
- Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes is an impressive 15th century Franciscan monastery established in the center of the Jewish neighborhood of Toledo by Isabel and Fernando, the 15th-century Catholic monarchs of Spain. They chose Toledo as the home for this monastery because Toledo had been the capital of the ancient Visigoth Kingdom.
- Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca
The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca was built in 1180 in the charming city of Toledo. This building is unique because it was built by Islamic builders in a Christian region for use by Jewish residents. Built by Moorish architects, it is considered today a fine example of both Mudéjar and Almohod architecture and style.
- Valley of the Fallen
The Valley of the Fallen is a Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid. The memorial is located almost 10km from the Escorial Monastery. Dictator Francisco Franco ordered its construction in 1940 and it was inaugurated in 1958, becoming a Spanish National Heritage in 1959.
Additional Information
- The tour ends at Bus Parking Plaza de Oriente, Level -2
- Visit some of the most important sights near Madrid: El Escorial and the Basilica of the Valley of The Fallen
- Comfortable shoes are recommended
- Discover the beauty of Toledo, the City of the Three Cultures
- Admire the world-famous painting by El Greco - "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" - at the Church of St. Tomé
Timings
- Please refer to the calendar for updated starting times and availability
- Check-in time: 15 minutes before departure
Extras Available
If the displayed extras are not bookable via our website, you can book and pay locally within the destination
Transport included
Guide Languages
English
Spanish
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.