Madrid: El Escorial, Valle de los Caídos & Segovia Day Trip

Three Spanish landmarks in one day: El Escorial, a valley monument, and Segovia's castle

You're picked up in Madrid at 9am and driven to three major sites: a 45-minute walk through El Escorial monastery, a guided tour of Valle de los Caídos basilica, and a 60-minute walk through Segovia's medieval center with its famous Roman aqueduct. Optional add-ons include the full Royal Monastery tour and the Alcázar castle. The coach returns you to central Madrid after 11 hours total, with free time built into Segovia so you're not rushing between every stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. El Escorial30m
2. Valley of the Fallen30m · entry included
3. Segovia Cathedral1h
4. Alcazar of Segovia30m · entry included

Visit El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen, Segovia

• Guided tour of El Escorial
• Optional tour of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
• Guided tour of Valley of the Fallen
• Guided walking tour of Segovia
• Optional tour of Alcazar of Segovia

The experience

The coach picks you up at 9am from San Bernardo 5 in central Madrid, and within an hour you're standing in front of El Escorial. The sprawling royal monastery that took 21 years to build and still dominates the landscape like something from another century. Your guide walks you through the complex for 45 minutes, pointing out the granite facades and the scale of it all, then you have the option to add a full tour of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial if you want to go deeper into the cloisters and royal chambers. Most people skip it on a day like this, but if you're the type who reads plaques, it's worth the extra time.

Next is Valle de los Caídos: a site that sits heavy with Spanish history. The basilica is carved into the mountainside, and your guide takes you through it with context that matters. The monument itself is striking and complicated, and the walk around the grounds gives you space to think about what you're seeing. After that, the coach heads to Segovia, where you get a 60-minute guided walk through the old city. You'll see the Roman aqueduct up close (the one with nearly 170 arches that's still standing without mortar), and walk the medieval streets where the light changes as you move between plazas. If you add the Alcázar of Segovia (the castle that supposedly inspired Disney), you get another hour to wander the rooms and climb the towers. If not, you have free time to grab lunch or just sit in a square and watch the city move around you.

The whole day runs about 11 hours door to door. The coach has air conditioning and a live guide doing commentary on the drive, which helps the time pass. There's no toilet on board and no food for sale, so bring water and something to eat, or plan to buy lunch in Segovia. You'll need comfortable shoes (the walking adds up across three sites), and the tour isn't fully wheelchair accessible, though the coach itself has space for strollers and service animals are welcome. By the time you're back at the departure point in Madrid, you've covered three of Spain's most recognizable landmarks without arranging transport or tickets yourself.

What’s included

• Full-day coach transport from Madrid to El Escorial, Valle de los Caídos, and Segovia with return to the departure point.
• 45-minute guided walking tour of El Escorial.
• 60-minute guided walking tour of Segovia.
• guided tour of Valle de los Caídos with basilica entrance.
• free time to explore Segovia.
• optional entrance and guided tour of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (add during booking).
• optional entrance and guided visit to the Alcázar of Segovia (add during booking).
• air-conditioned coach with live guide commentary.

Options for this experience

4 options

Guide in English or Spanish09:00

Guide in English or Spanish09:00

Guide in English or Spanish09:00

Guide in English or Spanish09:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Yellow Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see three major Spanish landmarks in one day without arranging your own transport, entry tickets, or timing: the fixed schedule and included guide walks mean you move through each site with context instead of wandering and guessing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour start and where do I meet the group?

Departure is 9am from the Visitor Center at San Bernardo 5, Centro Commercial Gran Galeria in central Madrid. Arrive at least 15 minutes early with your booking confirmation printed or on your phone.

How long is the full day trip?

Approximately 11 hours total, including the return coach journey to Madrid.

Which days does this tour run?

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Segovia to buy lunch, and you can bring your own food. The coach does not sell refreshments.

Can I visit the Alcázar castle in Segovia?

Yes, it's optional and can be added during booking. If you don't add it, you have free time to explore Segovia on your own.

Is the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial included?

No, it's optional. The standard tour includes a 45-minute guided walk of El Escorial. You can add the full monastery tour during booking.

What should I bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. The tour is not fully wheelchair accessible.

Does the coach have a toilet?

No. The coach has air conditioning and storage for buggies and wheelchairs, but no toilet, luggage storage, opening windows, or refreshments for purchase.

Can I eat or drink on the coach?

No. Smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted on board.