Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial

Visiting Hours

• Winter (October to March). Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Summer (April to September). Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Ticket office and access to the Monastery close one hour and fifteen minutes before closing (4:45 pm in winter and 5:45 pm in summer)
• Weekly closing day: Monday

The Basilica does not require a ticket and is closed during religious services

Guided Tour Hours

• Guided tours in Spanish, Tuesday to Sunday at 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm
• Guided tours in English, Tuesday to Sunday at 10:45 am

Duration:

• Approximately 2 hours

Closing Days 2026

• January 1: closed all day
• January 6: closed all day
• May 1: closed all day
• September 14: closed all day
• December 24: closed all day
• December 25: closed all day
• December 31: closed all day
• In addition to the scheduled closures, there may be further closures due to official events

Prices and Ticket Types

From February 17, 2026, due to improvement works at our facilities, access for individual visitors and groups will take place via the West Façade of the building / Patio de Reyes.

To access the Monastery it is essential to purchase tickets in advance through one of the following channels:

• Online through the official sales website: Tickets for Royal Palaces, Monasteries and Convents - National Heritage
• At the ticket office of the Visitor Reception Center of the Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial located at Avenida de Don Juan de Borbón y Battenberg 4 (opposite the north façade of the Monastery)

We apologize for any inconvenience.

This visit is eligible for purchase with the Bono Cultural Joven from the Ministry of Culture. You can check the related FAQs and answers here

Individual Rate

Standard rate €14

• Visitors who are not eligible for reduced or free admission.

Reduced rate €7

• Citizens aged 5 to 16. ID or passport required for ages 14 to 16.
• Visitors aged 65 and over.
• Students up to 25 years old with a valid national or international student ID.

Free rate €0

If your booking consists exclusively of free tickets, they can only be obtained at the ticket office.

• Children under 5
• May 18, International Museum Day (except on closing days)
• October 12, Spain’s National Day, regardless of nationality
• Members of large families as defined by Law 40/2003 of November 18 and Royal Decree 1621/2005 of December 30
• Members of ICOM (International Council of Museums) and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites)
• Official Tourism Guides carrying valid credentials, either while working or when preparing their work
• Active teaching staff with valid teacher ID
• Legally unemployed persons with official documentation
• (October to March) Wednesdays and Sundays from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: free admission for European Union citizens, residents and holders of work permits within that area, and Ibero-American citizens, upon proof of nationality (national ID card, passport or driver’s license) or residence/work permit. These tickets are only available at the ticket office.
• (April to September) Wednesdays and Sundays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm: free admission under the same conditions as above. Only available at the ticket office.

Free admission for persons with disabilities: Visitors with a disability of 33% or higher are entitled to free admission. One accompanying person may also enter free of charge if their assistance is essential and this is stated on the disability card or official resolution. Persons with disabilities and their accredited companions may obtain their free tickets directly at the ticket office or, if preferred, contact us via this form to process them online. In all cases, supporting documentation must be presented at the ticket office on the day of the visit for validation by our staff.

Guided Tour

• Led by National Heritage staff
• Guided tours in Spanish are available with an additional supplement of €8 per person.
• If online tickets are sold out, you may inquire at the ticket office about guided tours.

Rates:

• Standard guided €22
• Reduced guided €15
• Free guided €8

Please go to the ticket office 10 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket.

Group Visits

Tourist Groups

Ticket purchase for groups accompanied by official tourism guides. The applicable rate will depend on each group member’s eligibility or agency rate.

Rates:

• Standard rate €12
• Reduced rate €7
• Free rate €0

Cultural Groups

Ticket purchase for cultural associations, institutions, foundations and postgraduate schools of fine arts.

Rates:

• Standard rate €14
• Reduced rate €7
• Free rate €0

Educational Groups*

Educational group: €10 booking fee to cover management costs.

Educational Group includes: Early Childhood Education (2nd cycle), Primary, Secondary, High School, Vocational Training, Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies.

Rates

• Reduced rate €7

*It is recommended not to bring backpacks during the visit.

Agencies

Ticket purchase for groups managed by travel agencies.

Rates:

• Standard rate €12

Interactive Audio Guides

Interactive audio guides are available in two formats:

• Rental audio guide: go to the venue’s ticket office, where you will be provided with a tablet to use during your visit.
  • To collect the tablets after passing access control, please go to the desk of the company providing the service, GVAM.
  • The audio guide rental is valid exclusively for the selected visit date.
• Digital audio guide: download our app and enter the code you have received.
  • Access the app on your mobile phone via https://gvam.es/apps/el-escorial and download the official Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial app
  • Enter the ticket number received in the confirmation email to activate the app
  • Don’t forget to bring your own headphones and ensure you have enough battery for the visit.
  • Access to the app is limited to the selected visit date.

Android: Monastery El Escorial
iOS: Monastery El Escorial

Other:

• The audio guide rental service is provided by an external company, not by National Heritage.
• To request an invoice for audio guides, please email facturacion@gvam.es, indicating your booking reference.

Important: If you purchase a guided tour, it is not necessary to purchase an audio guide.

How to Get There

Address: Calle de Juan de Borbón y Battenberg s/n. 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial - Madrid

• Bus lines 664 and 661 from the Moncloa interchange
• A-6 motorway (Madrid – A Coruña), exit 29, then take the M-505 road
• A-6 motorway (Madrid – A Coruña), continue on the AP-6 to exit 47 and take the M-600 towards San Lorenzo de El Escorial
• Madrid–El Escorial commuter train line C-8

Accessibility

From February 11, individual ticket sales at the ticket office will take place at the Visitor Reception Center (Av. de Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, 4). Only group tickets will be available at the Monastery ticket office.

• Very limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility. Full accessibility cannot be guaranteed due to the monument’s characteristics.
• Photography without flash is permitted for personal use, except in areas where it is expressly prohibited. The use of tripods, selfie sticks or similar devices is not allowed. Please respect the privacy of visitors and staff.