My husband & I want to travel to ElE scorial next June and I can't seem to find any hotel reservations. Does anyone have any ideas? We really don't want to stay in Madrid and drive the hour it takes to get there. thank you
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Not a lot of hotels in and around the area, since its really considered suburban Madrid. Try using "San Lorenzo El Escorial" or something in the far west or northwest suburbs of Madrid. But why stay way out there...you'll miss downtown Madrid. Take the train....about an hour.
Posted by
OP
Dreaming of my next trip to Europe
273 posts
Is Madrid actually worth seeing? Everyone keeps telling me it's like downtown Los Angeles. My husbands sister lives in El Escorial (in a tiny studio) but she is traveling right now so I can't get her help. I found one hotel but it was booked for the entire month of June. Maybe I'll take your advice and stay in Madrid and take the train up.
Thank you,
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Having been to both cities, I can assure you that Madrid is definitely NOT like downtown LA! Check out Rick's guidebook for things to do around Madrid...the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums are among the world's best. See 17th century architecture (and artists, coin and stamp collectors, and colourful demonstrations) at the Plaza Mayor. The Palacio Real. Retiro Park is filled with architectural wonders. Great shopping in the pedestrian streets between Gran Via and Puerta del Sol. Magnificent restaurants, and night life around Plaza Santa Ana that will go all night. Flamenco. There's just a partial list. From Madrid, you are within day-trip distance of El Escorial, Segovia, Toledo, and Alcalá de Henares.