Go back in time in Avila and discover the wonderful sites of the Valley of Fallen and the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
During your stay in Madrid, join with us this perfect day combining the authentic jewels of the medieval city of Avila and the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and give homage to those killed in the terrible Spanish civil war in the nearby Valley of Fallen. This tour is the perfect solution if can spend a day out of the Madrid, are interested in seeing some of the best UNESCO World Heritages, and learn more about the Spanish history.
Meet our driver and our tour guide at the reception of your centrally located hotel at 09.00 am, and get a relaxing journey in a comfortable vehicle toward Avila. The city is only 90 Km away from Madrid and in just 1 hour and half drive you will be in the destination. A visit to Avila is a trip back in time. The walled city provides the perfect surroundings and monuments to immerse yourself in the flavor of the Middle Ages. Its 2500 meters of Romanesque walls and 90 towers surround the old town and harbor much of his monumental treasure in addition to a large number of Romanesque churches, Gothic palaces and a fortified cathedral from the 12th century. When doing our city tour, we will walk along the magnificent medieval walls, the narrow streets and Renaissance passing along the Basilica of San Vicente and Convent of mystic Santa Teresa, both from exterior. Our stroll ends at the Avila’s Cathedral of San Salvador with inside visit. The Cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic and there are great paintings, the chapel and the sacristy which worth the explanation.
After this immersive walking tour you will still have few more time at your leisure. You can keep walking in the city streets for some shopping, or take chance to enjoy some of the typical local food. At approximately 02.00 pm we will take our vehicle again to join the second part of the tour. We first go to the suggestive Valley of Fallen. It consists in an enormous basilica built into the rocks and a memorial in the shape of a huge 100-meter-tall cross visible from 40km away. Commissioned by the Spanish Dictator, Francisco Franco, it was built between 1940 and 1959 to commemorate those who died during the Spanish Civil War, but to this day, this monument is still very controversial. 33,872 soldiers from both sides who died during the war. We will visit the Basilica and the Crypt excavated in the hard rock under the mountain.
After the visit we will drive for just few minutes to reach our last stop of of our itinerary. The impressive Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (known as the Royal Monastery of El Escorial) is an immense building and is one of the most beautiful Spanish Royal site. We will enter inside the Monastery and your private guide will explain the aspects of the royal complex that interest you the most. Learn about the succession of Spanish kings over the last 500 years, including the Bourbons and influential Hapsburgs. Visit the magnificent tombs of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, along with a succession of kings and queens of Spain in the Royal Pantheon. Visit the Courtyard of Kings, explore the Basilica, tour the Royal Palace and admire the wonderful Library and frescoed Hall of Battles.
After the visit in the outstanding Monastery, at approximately 06.30 pm we will start our journey back to Madrid. We are sure that the charming of this day trip experience will be in your remembrance for long time.