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Monastery of El Escorial – Monasterio de El Escorial en Madrid📷 Zvonimir Stamenov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick

Monastery of El Escorial

San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

History

Philip II’s vast granite monastery-palace of the 16th century, with a royal pantheon and a remarkable library. Closed on Mondays; parking in town can be tight, so use the car parks on the approach roads.

Nearest town
San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
Category
History & culture
GPS
40.5891, -4.1477
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.

Featured in these trip guides

Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages – Monasterio de El Escorial en Madrid© Zvonimir Stamenov · CC BY-SA 4.0
N-601
Classic European drives

Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages

198 km8 stops3 days

Nearby

Royal Palace of La Granja – Bóveda de la Real Colegiata de la Santísima Trinidad, Palacio real de La Granja de San Ildefonso© Jl FilpoC · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Royal Palace of La Granja

Real Sitio de San Ildefonso, Spain
Segovia aqueduct – Acueducto de Segovia 01© David Corral Gadea · CC BY-SA 3.0 es
Editor's pick
History

Segovia aqueduct

Segovia, Spain
Alcázar of Segovia – Alcázar de Segovia (38625096021)© Dmitry Dzhus from London · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
History

Alcázar of Segovia

Segovia, Spain
Madrid - Mercado de San Miguel (35214014294)© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0
Food

Mercado de San Miguel

Madrid, Spain

Campsites nearby

  • Camping El EscorialCampsite
    5 km from Monastery of El Escorial
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Camping Valle EnmedioCampsite
    9 km from Monastery of El Escorial
    TentsCaravansShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Camping La NavaCampsite
    9 km from Monastery of El Escorial
    TentsCaravansShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Camping ValdemorilloCampsite
    12 km from Monastery of El Escorial
    OSMAdd to trip
  • El Canto de la GallinaCampsite
    15 km from Monastery of El Escorial
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Área de autocaravanas de MoralzarzalMotorhome stopover
    19 km from Monastery of El Escorial · 8 pitches
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Monastery of El Escorial?

Monastery of El Escorial is in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, at GPS 40.5891, -4.1477. It is about 25 km from Puerto de Navacerrada.

Can you camp near Monastery of El Escorial?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping El Escorial, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Monastery of El Escorial?

Monastery of El Escorial is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages.

What is there to see near Monastery of El Escorial?

Places worth a stop nearby: Royal Palace of La Granja (36 km), Segovia aqueduct (40 km), Alcázar of Segovia (40 km) and Mercado de San Miguel (42 km).

When is the best time to visit Monastery of El Escorial?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)