Located northwest of Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a small city with a big piece of history. A cheap and short (about an hour) train ride from Madrid will transport you to the city, making it a perfect day trip for anyone visiting Madrid or central Spain. The city features the classic winding streets characteristic of any small European town; allow yourself some time to explore the surrounding shops and cafés. One of the most visited historic locations in the country, the monastery, El Escorial, is the reason why most people travel here.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 16th century monastery is a must-see attraction for anyone who is interested in Spanish history. You could spend hours on end wandering through its historic corridors, but a few of the rooms are truly unforgettable. The royal library contains thousands of books. The basilica rivals many of Europe’s most stunning cathedrals in beauty. The monastery contains countless pieces of artwork throughout its halls, including La Sala de Batallas, a room covered with intricate depictions of battle scenes painted on the walls. For me, the most memorable room in the monastery was the tomb of many previous Spanish kings and queens. After walking down marble steps in a hallway with different colors of marble from floor to ceiling, you enter a circular room that contains the ornate caskets of the countless Spanish royals.
Unfortunately, you are not permitted to take pictures inside of the monastery. If you want a picture of one or more of the rooms, I suggest buying some of the postcards that they sell in the gift shop and taking notes about your experience on the back. Doing this will help your family and friends comprehend the true beauty of this site when you tell stories and help you remember what you saw and learned. If you want to get a picture of the entire monastery from afar, be vigilant as you are nearing the city by train. The train ride offers a stunning panoramic view of the complex, which is simply too large to capture in a lens once you get closer to the actual structure.
If you have some extra time in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, I suggest a meal at Foster’s Hollywood American Restaurant, especially for those who are spending a longer period of time abroad. Anyone looking for an authentic Spanish meal should skip this stop, but if you are in the mood for a hamburger and a laugh, don’t miss it! Decorated with movie posters and other Hollywood symbols, the restaurant has a variety of familiar foods and, gasp!, Heinz ketchup (my inner could hardly contain my excitement)!
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Planning to travel to this location? Need recommendations on what to see and do? Ask the author by leaving a comment below! Have a great trip!
[accordion_tab title=”Collegiate Correspondent: Matt Thomas” default]
Matt Thomas recently graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Spanish. He studied abroad in Ávila, Spain during his sophomore year of college, igniting a passion for travel, culture, and language. In addition to traveling (and falling for) Spain, he traveled to four other European countries and spent some time in Africa. Since returning from Europe, he has also taught English to international students studying in the United States. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matt enjoys conversation, community, and iced coffee.[/accordion_tab]
