Hotels in San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Centre and the monastery esplanades

The streets around the monastery esplanades, such as Floridablanca and the Plaza de la Constitución, have most of the town's restaurants, terraces and shops. From here you walk into the monastery and the Real Coliseo, and can look over the Jardín de los Frailes as evening falls. The streets are granite and sloping, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.

It is the liveliest area at weekends, when many people from Madrid come for lunch. On weekdays, by contrast, the centre is very quiet at night.

Abantos hillside

Above the old town, the streets climb towards Mount Abantos among chalets, pines and summer houses. From some points you can see the whole monastery with the plain behind. You will like it if you want fresh air and trails that start almost at the door, such as those leading to the Luis Ceballos arboretum. To get down to the centre with shopping, a car helps, and in winter it is quite cold up here.

El Escorial and the station

Down the slope is El Escorial, a separate municipality, with the Cercanías station and the Casita del Príncipe a short distance away. If you come from Madrid by train, sleeping here saves you the climb, although getting to the monastery means a steep walk or a town bus. It has a village feel, everyday shops and fewer tourists than the upper town.

La Herrería woods

To the south stretches the La Herrería woodland, with ash and oak trees, the golf course and the road up to the Silla de Felipe II viewpoint. Staying on its edges gives you flat walks and very colourful autumns. It suits couples who want to rest and golfers.