Duration
10 hours
About
Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, an architectural complex declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built in the 15th century, it is a symbol of the power of the government at that time. Learn all the details of the Royal Mausoleum it contains and the history behind the 21 years it took to build the century. Renaissance in style, the symmetry of the building will amaze you. Listen to your guide’s explanations as you walk around the site visiting the Habsburg Palace, the Chapter House, the Basilica and the extraordinary library. If you only have the visit to El Escorial, you will return to Madrid, where you will have free time before the departure to Toledo.
If you have chosen the option with a visit to the Valley of the Fallen, hop back on the bus for a short ride to the next destination. Hop back on the bus at the end of your tour for a short transfer to the Valley of the Fallen. The site is located 9km from El Escorial in the Sierra de Guadarrama. You can see it from afar thanks to the monumental cross built on the site. The monument is an underground basilica built into the mountain. It is crowned by the largest cross in the world, which can be seen from miles away.
Check in at our office in central Madrid fifteen minutes before your tour departure and head to Toledo with your local guide. Follow your local guide on a walking tour of the historic city of Toledo, a World Heritage City since 1986. Once the capital of Spain, it is a spectacular mix of Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures.
Learn about its fantastic heritage and discover how the coexistence of cultures over the centuries influenced its current architectural style. Admire the building sponsored by Queen Isabella of Castile to become a royal mausoleum, the most important construction built by the Catholic Monarchs, the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.
Right after, we will walk to the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. Originally built as a synagogue, it was expropriated and turned into a church just 211 years after opening its doors. Today, it is a fantastic Mudejar-style museum that you will visit. Admire the world-famous El Greco painting, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, in the Church of Santo Tomé. Did you know that El Greco himself lived in this wonderful city?
The guided tour will end in front of the Toledo Cathedral, considered the most important Gothic-style cathedral in Spain. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Toledo on your own before returning to Madrid.
Highlights
- Explore the majestic El Escorial Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a guided visit to the Basilica, Habsburg Palace, Royal Mausoleum, and the stunning historical library.
- Admire the impressive Valley of the Fallen, featuring a basilica carved into the mountain and the world’s largest cross, located in the scenic Guadarrama mountain range.
- Discover the rich cultural heritage of Toledo, with a guided tour through iconic sites like the Gothic Cathedral, the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and El Greco’s masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.
Inclusions
- Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
- Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and Basilica (depending on the option selected)
- Entrance to the Church of Santo Tomé and the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca.
- Local guide
- Bilingual tour (English/Spanish)
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- Radio guidance system
Exclusions
- Entrance to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo
- Meals, drinks or other services not specified above
- Hotel drop off and pick up
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