Segovia, El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Day Trip from Madrid

Join this 11-hour tour and get to know some of Spain's most emblematic places. You will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen, two mausoleums built by two of Spain's most controversial rulers.

A visit to the city of Segovia, full of history and centuries-old buildings, also awaits you. Throughout the tour, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide, from whom you'll learn about the history and architecture of the many landmarks you'll visit.

You will see the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, home to the monastery of the same name. The monastery was built by order of Philip II, King of Spain, to commemorate the victory of the Battle of San Quentin. It was built between 1563 and 1584, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

You will see the famous Valley of the Fallen, built by the Franco regime between 1940 and 1958 to commemorate the fallen of the national side during the Spanish Civil War. The Valley is notable for its underground Catholic basilica, its abbey and its monumental 150-metre-high cross, perched high on the cliff. On 24 October 2019, the mortal remains of Francisco Franco were exhumed from the Valley, 44 years after his death.

In Segovia, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the city's most emblematic monuments, including the following:

• Aqueduct of Segovia: It was built at the beginning of the 2nd century and was active until 1973. The most remarkable thing about this colossal work of architecture is that the stones of the ashlars are fitted together, with no mortar or any other type of fastening.

• Alcázar of Segovia: The favourite castle of the Catholic Monarchs. It stands on top of a rocky outcrop at the confluence of two rivers, and was considered impregnable at the time. Although it was originally built as a fortress, the Alcázar has also served as a palace, prison, artillery college and military academy. Nowadays, it can be visited as a museum.

Once the tour is over, you will return to Madrid by coach, on a round trip that will take you back to the original starting point. A very complete tour of three of Spain's most important tourist and architectural destinations. Indispensable for history and culture lovers.