Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Madrid Top 7 in Important Religious Institution

Hills around town, the natural landscape is very beautiful. It''s no wonder that Philip ii dying bed was facing the window

El Escorial is out of the city limits, so if you have limited time, you may unfortunately have to miss this sight. However, if you are going to be in Spain for a while I would highly recommend checking it out. It is an easy day trip from Madrid, and the drive to it is quite scenic. El Escorial was a former residence of the Spanish Monarchy, and where many of the Hapsburg and Bourbon Kings are buried.

Built by Philip II in commemoration of the victory over the French at the Battle of St. Quentin in 1557. The Royal Palace/Monastery/Pantheon took over twenty years to build and was finished in 1584. Philip II died here, and he along with most of the Hapsburgs are buried in El Escorial's Pantheon.

A good day trip when visiting Madrid. The palace is pretty amazing and the area around it is neat.

Nestled in the hills north of Madrid at the end of a cercania, this monastery and surrounding town is both quaint and elegant.The sprawling monastery is the burial site for Spain's royal family and the gilded crypt housing all the royals back into the 16th century is well worth the visit on its own.There's also a "small" palace and Basilica within the complex, with loads of artwork from various dynasties hanging on the walls, and museum displays such as the forge.If you are going to go, get there early and make sure you're in the queue for entry before 10am, as bus loads of tourists arrive around 11, and the wait time time for entry changes from 20-30 minutes to well over an hour.They close on the dot of 5pm and it doesn't matter if you've only been in for 10mins, you'll be herded out with everyone else.Make sure you take a few light snacks with you because chances are if you wait until you get out to eat, the restaurants will be closed.