San Lorenzo de El Escorial



San Lorenzo de El Escorial


Located in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range (on one side of Mount Abantos), just 50 kilometres from Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is one of the main towns for cultural tourism in the area. Its principal attraction is the Monastery and Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial is an architectural and natural gem in the Community of Madrid, inviting us on a journey through time. The imposing Monastery of El Escorial, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance and a World Heritage Site, will captivate you with its history and beauty. Explore its halls, chapels, and gardens, and discover the legends that shroud this place. But the experience doesn't end there.

Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Sierra de Guadarrama, go hiking, cycling, or simply relax surrounded by nature. Furthermore, you can delight your palate with authentic Madrid gastronomy.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial offers a wide variety of activities for all tastes: guided tours, exhibitions, concerts, hiking trails, and much more.




How to get there?


San Lorenzo de El Escorial is well communicated with Madrid city both to the airport and the main train stations.

 

Airport connection

  1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
    1. Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then Train C8 to El Escorial
    2. Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then Line 6 to Moncloa. Then Bus 661 or 664 to San Lorenzo de El Escorial
    3. Connection by train
      • Lines C3 or C8 departing from Atocha, Sol, and Chamartín stations
  2. 2 - Taxi from airport – approx 70–90 euros


El Escorial is located in the North-west part of the province of Madrid, at a distance of about 50 km from the capital. Strictly speaking it consists of two towns, El Escorial (downhill) and San Lorenzo de El Escorial (uphill). The Residencia San José is located in the town of El Escorial at Calle Reyes Católicos 12, at the intersection with Avda. Felipe II (see map), and is accessible by train, bus and car.

For detailed instructions on how to get there, please choose your preferred transport method:

FROM THE AIRPORT

Terminal 1, 2 and 3 (T1, T2 and T3): Go to Terminal 2 (T2), first floor. The entrance to the underground (METRO) can be found in the walkway connecting to car park P2 in the middle of the terminal. Take the Metro (Line 8) from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios train station. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Follow the signs to Renfe Cercanías (without exiting to the street). Take the train to El Escorial (Cercanías, line C8). From here follow the instructions for “By Train”.

Terminal 4 (T4): Take the shuttle bus that links terminals T4, T2 and T1. Get off at T2 and follow the above instructions.

BY TRAIN

The local trains (Cercanías Renfe) are modern, comfortable, and run on time. The entrance to each station is marked by a pole with the Cercanías symbol.

Take the train (Cercanías, C8) from any of these stations: Atocha, Recoletos, Nuevos Ministerios or Chamartín to El Escorial. The trip takes approximately 1 hour.

Click here to get a timetable.

BY BUS

Buses leave from Moncloa Bus Station in Madrid and arrive at the stop near the Monasterio de El Escorial. From there, walk down Avda. Reyes Católicos for 500 meters. The Residencia is on a sharp bend at the intersection of Avda. Reyes Católicos and Avda. Felipe II.

The bus also stops (if requested) at the two stops marked on the map. You can find the bus schedule from Madrid to El Escorial here. Buses running on Sundays are marked as DIARIO or DOMINGOS Y FESTIVOS.

BY CAR

Take highway A6 (Madrid – A Coruña). Take exit number 47 (El Escorial) and follow this road for approximately 8 km. Cross San Lorenzo de El Escorial and when you see the monastery, turn left.

BY TAXI

A taxi from Barajas Airport costs approximately 70€–90€, depending on the time of day. The ride lasts about 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. There are extra charges for Sundays, holidays, nighttime rides, luggage, airport pickup, and train station pickup.

Official taxis must display a fare label in the rear windows and a meter next to the dashboard. The meter must be turned on as soon as the ride begins. We recommend avoiding taxis without visible fare stickers or without meters, as these are often unofficial and may charge more.





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