Valley of the Fallen and El Escorial Day Trip From Madrid

Check on whether Valley of the Fallen is open for visitors. 1/2 day is not really sufficient for both, even privately. We used an all day Viator bus tour many years ago.

There were definitely closures affecting El Escorial the last time I looked at the official website, but that was some time ago. I would certainly check, because Segovia is very easy to visit on ones own, and I think one could spend a nice day there. That's what I would do if there wasn't much open at El Escorial. I don't have much interest in a civil war memorial built by Franco, but I guess that's a matter of opinion.

Both locations are worth 2-2.5 hours each. They are only about 8 miles from each other so can be done in the same day. I had a car, so didn’t have to arrange transportation. The Valley of the Fallen is a somber place due to the number of people entombed there and because it was built using, essentially, slave labor. General Franco’s grave is there. The cross at the Valley is impressive and can be seen from about 15 miles away.

Edited: Heading up the A6 towards Segovia, the cross will be on the left side of the bus. You’ll be able to see it about the time you start seeing signs for Collado and Guadarrama.

Rick's Best of Spain in 14 Days tour itinerary already includes Segovia. The tours tend to "set you free" for lunch and afternoon by roughly 13:00. El Escorial is easy to reach from Madrid by public bus (1 hour each way from Madrid Moncloa bus station; see p. 520 in RS Spain 2019 and your tour guide can answer questions). I assume there's a reason the book doesn't recommend any separate tour company. From El Escorial to continue to the Valley of the Fallen, you could hire a taxi locally, but I don't think you have time.

P.S. You may glimpse the big cross from the freeway on your tour bus ride from Madrid to Segovia and I'd expect the guide to say something about the site at that time.

we did a Viatour day trip from Madrid to both El Escorial and Valle de los Caidos. We thought it good value, and were happy not to have to wrangle with public transit. We felt we had ample time at both sites and enjoyed the day.