Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

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Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid
The monastery at El Escorial is still operating, though it has transitioned from the Hieronymites to the Order of Saint Augustine. Despite it's grand appearance, only around 40 Augustinians remain in residence. Parts of the monastery and royal palace are open for touring, but it feels more like a fine art museum than an opulent palace. Worth a couple of hours though.
August 15th every year. FIreworks are launched at midnight as a closing ceremony of the San Lorenzo festivities, which take place the week before that last day. Everybody stands at the big open area next to the Royal Palace and Monastery, while the show begins, by the rythm of music. It is a great and exiting entertainment, located in a beautiful place! Must watch ;) #lifeatexpedia #fireworks #lights #novembercontest #elescorial
El Escorial was built by King Philip II in the late 16th century to serve as both a royal palace and as the seat of the Catholic Church in Spain. In addition to the palace the complex includes a basilica, a convent, a school, a library, and a pantheon. While El Escorial is impressive from the outside, we actually found it a little austere on the inside. In many ways it felt more like a fine art museum than a typically elaborate European palace (such as Versailles). That said, there are some impressive sights, including works by El Greco, Bernini, and Giardini. The library was also quite beautiful, with richly carved wood shelves, a marble floor, and a colorful fresco ceiling by Pellegrino Tibaldi. For me, the highlight of the tour was the 180ft long (55m) Hall of Battles – a barrel-vaulted room where the walls were completely covered in frescos depicting Spain's military victories over the Moors and the French. All aspects of the battle field were portrayed (when you have 180ft, that is quite doable), and the artist employed an interesting trick whereby the more distant, smaller scenes were less saturated, and the background mountains and landscape were set in hues of blue. Overall I'd say El Escorial is worth a visit, but you probably won't need more than a couple of hours to enjoy it.

Lodging Near Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Hotel Riu Plaza España

Hotel Riu Plaza España

4 out of 5
C/ Gran Via, 84 Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$292 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$292
per night
1 Mar - 2 Mar
A stay at Hotel Riu Plaza España places you in the heart of Madrid, steps from Gran Via and Plaza de España - Princesa.
Everything was great. The only thing was a little crowded, the elevators and the breakfast. But the hotel’s location was excellent.

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

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Hotel Emperador

Hotel Emperador

4 out of 5
Gran Via 53 Madrid Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
A stay at Hotel Emperador places you in the heart of Madrid, steps from Gran Via and Plaza de España - Princesa.
The room was clean, spacious and gorgeous.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

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The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

The Oliver Apartamentos Aravaca

Calle de Alsasua 8 Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$136 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
AU$136
per night
22 Feb - 23 Feb
Located in Madrid (Moncloa-Aravaca), THE OLIVER ARAVACA is within a 10-minute drive of Gran Via and Plaza de España - Princesa.
Clean room

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

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