Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Religious site
What is Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and is it free to visit?
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a religious site in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a day trip from Madrid. Entry is paid; opening hours were last verified Oct 8, 2026.
Standard €14; reduced €7. Free Wednesdays and Sundays 15:00–18:00 (Oct–Mar; 15:00–19:00 Apr–Sep) for EU citizens and residents and Latin American citizens with ID, at the ticket office only. The Basilica does not require a ticket.
Getting there
Where
San Lorenzo de El Escorial guide · a day trip from Madrid
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a day trip from Madrid
Opening hours
- Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00
- Winter (October–March). Summer (April–September) Tue–Sun until 19:00 per the ticketing site (the visit page says 20:00); check before going. Ticket office and entry close 1 h 15 min before closing. Closed Mondays, except special openings on 12 Oct, 2 Nov and 7 Dec 2026. Closed 1 and 6 Jan, 1 May, 13 Sep, 24, 25 and 31 Dec.
Verified
About
Philip II's monastery, which Patrimonio Nacional calls the monument that best sums up the ideals of Spain's Golden Age, blending Italian and Flemish art forms. Standard tickets are €14; EU and Latin American citizens get free entry on Wednesdays and Sundays from 15:00 with ID. The Basilica needs no ticket. Closed on Mondays except a few holidays, including 12 October.