El Escorial, Valle de los Caídos & Segovia Day Trip

In Valle de los Caídos, discover the infamous legacy of Francisco Franco at the basilica that is topped with the world's largest cross. Then head back in time to the peak of the Spanish monarchy at El Escorial where the greatest monument of the Spanish Renaissance stands as a palace, monastery, and church—all filled with incredible art and architecture.

Just a little further up the road, you'll find yourself transported to the modern-medieval city of Segovia to enjoy the included lunch of traditional roasted suckling pig. Your passionate guide will help you walk off those calories on your walking tour of the Alcázar, Roman aqueduct, Segovia Cathedral, and much more.

El Escorial, Valle de los Caídos & Segovia Day Trip Description

This 10.5-hour tour includes:

• Air-conditioned, roundtrip transportation from Madrid

• Maximum group size of 8

• Local, English-speaking guide

• Walking tours of Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen), El Escorial, and Segovia

• Visit to the Segovia Cathedral and Alcazar (Castle)

• Admission ticket to Valle de los Caídos and El Escorial

• Traditional lunch in Segovia

Meet Your Guide in Central Madrid

Your day begins in Plaza San Miguel where your friendly guide will help you onboard the luxury van for the day. In these early moments of your tour, you'll learn about the three stunning national heritage sites that you will visit on this extensive day trip from Madrid

Valle De Los Caídos

After departing Madrid, enjoy the scenic drive towards the beautiful Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen) that's been declared a National Heritage site. This is where you'll discover the Spain of the 20th century and admire the largest Christian cross in the world (152 meters high) that sits on a semi-buried basilica. This is a monument to fallen Spanish soldiers, especially Francisco Franco.

El Escorial

Next, head to El Escorial and take in the history of the Spanish monarchy. El Escorial is the largest Renaissance building in Europe and is largely considered the most important example of Spanish Renaissance architecture still standing. As a home to Spanish royalty for centuries, this complex that holds a church, palace and monastery will leave a lasting impression as your guide shares intriguing stories.

Traditional Segovian Suckling Pig Lunch

After visiting El Escorial, it's time to travel to Segovia for an authentic lunch featuring the famous cochinillo Segoviano. The suckling pig has been a staple of Segovian cuisine for centuries and is rooted in its gastronomic and cultural tradition. Embrace the simplicity of the tender meat that makes this delicious specialty.

Segovia Walking Tour with Storytelling Guide

After you're ready to stretch your legs again, you'll immerse yourself with our expert guide in the heart of Segovia. This walking tour takes you to the ancient aqueduct and the convent areas with stories and legends that trace back to centuries before the Muslim conquest. Discover the most emblematic sites of the city, detailed with its history and interesting anecdotes. Your guide will lead you through the alleys to the top attractions in the city like the Alcazar of Segovia and the cathedral.

At the end of this incredible visit, your guide takes care of bringing you safely back to your original pickup point in Madrid, while you sit back and enjoy discussing your favorite parts of this trip with your fellow travelers.