El Escorial tickets and tours

Wander through regal halls, sun-drenched courtyards, and the royal library with its ceiling frescoes that rival the Sistine Chapel.

Step inside the basilica, where gold-draped altars and towering domes evoke centuries of faith and power.

Visit the Pantheon of the Kings, where Spain’s monarchs rest in ornately carved marble tombs.

Marvel at El Escorial’s vast art collection featuring Titian, El Greco, and Velázquez, and the ancient manuscripts stored in its library.

Commissioned by Philip II for the basilica, this dramatic canvas shows the Roman soldiers choosing faith over life. The king disliked its unconventional style, but today it’s seen as one of El Greco’s masterpieces.

One of several Titians at El Escorial, this work captures the solemnity of Christ’s final meal with luminous, Venetian color. It reflects Philip II’s devotion to Titian, his favorite painter.

A glowing Nativity scene where humble shepherds kneel before the Christ child. Veronese’s use of color and light makes the sacred moment both intimate and theatrical.

Bosch’s haunting vision of the Crucifixion is filled with symbolism and raw emotion. His works were among Philip II’s most prized possessions, many of which ended up at El Escorial.

This Flemish masterpiece captures the grief of Christ’s followers as they lower him from the cross. Its realism and detail embody the spiritual depth Philip II admired in Northern art.

Coello, one of Spain’s great Baroque painters, depicts the saint’s dramatic trial and heavenly rescue. His ability to merge grandeur with devotion made him a favorite in royal circles.

Another Titian in the collection, this canvas celebrates Spain’s patron saint. The dynamic composition reflects both Titian’s genius and the monastery’s role as a symbol of Spanish faith.

Known as “The Mute” for his deafness, Navarrete painted this luminous Resurrection scene with bold contrasts of light and dark. It embodies the hope of salvation at the heart of the monastery.