San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Madrid

Idyllic Retreat in a Royal City

madrid_san_lorenzo_de_el_escorial

Overview

Located at an hour’s drive from Madrid on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the town, famous as El Escorial, is home to the UNESCO-listed Royal Palace and monastery which is a significant Spanish Renaissance Monument.

Suggested Duration - 4-5 hours

What To Expect?

Visit the Palace for its unique Herrerian architecture, vast courtyards, swirling Italian staircases and stunning paintings from Guido Reni, Tintoretto, Veronese etc, in the picture gallery. Do visit the nearby monuments of Valle de los Caídos.

Tips

  • Don’t forget to visit the opulent ‘Bourbon Suite’ in the palace.
  • Marvel at the remarkable work by El Greco called ‘The Martyrdom of Saint Maurice’.
  • Relax and click some pictures in the lush gardens or by the many fountains present here.
  • The central market in the town flaunts various rooftop bars that invite for a traditional meal and drink.
  • The surroundings of Sierra de Guadarrama offer adventure enthusiasts the perfect opportunity for hiking and treks.

Exploring a destination...

The joy of travel comes in exploring new things. Planting your feet somewhere you’ve never been before brings with it the rush of discovery and the joy of pushing back on the boundaries of your world.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour’s are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren’t just “local” tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too

• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn’t normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn’t get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!

• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what’s going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about San Lorenzo de El Escorial

How do you plan for the perfect trip to any destination?

To plan the perfect trip, the following will help cover any caveats for your to arrive at the best plan for your vacations :
  • Where do you want to go? - Your first step in how to plan a vacation is to choose a travel destination that meets your interests and travel budget.
  • Once you have chosen your destination, the next step in planning a trip is to book flights. And learning how to find and book cheap flights will help you reduce one of your biggest expenses when it comes to travelling
  • Where you stay is your other major travel expense, so choosing the best stay for your needs at a price that suits you will free up more money for activities
  • Another major thing to consider while planning a trip is to find out the transportation options in your chosen destination, be it public or private and the costs involved
  • When you plan a trip you should also research about the must-visit attractions and the best free things to do in your destination of choice
  • Know the visa requirements for visiting the destination
  • Depending on where you are planning your trip in a particular country, it's important to get the correct advice for any necessary vaccinations that needs to be taken care of before your travel dates
  • Make copies of your important documents and keep them handy
  • How to choose a destination to travel to?

    Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :
  • Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities
  • Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them
  • Watch documentaries and reach out to people who have been there
  • How to explore a place by yourself?

    "Adventure is out there!" - You just need to know the 'whats' and the 'hows' of it. You need to realize the things that will make exploring a place completely worthwhile and satisfy all of your travel cravings. This can be achieved by -
  • Taking Yourself Out To Eat At A Restaurant
  • Learn The Public Transportation Routes
  • Check Out A Local Planetarium Or Observatory
  • Take A Drive To The Nearest Coastal Town Or National Park
  • Join A Group Of Tourists On A Sightseeing Tour
  • Take Pictures At A Botanical Garden
  • Go Shopping At A Local Farmers Market