Madrid

From the airport
Train. Underground line 8 (pink) links Barajas airport with Nuevos Ministerios metro and suburban train station in 12 minutes.
Bus.The number 200 leaves every 10 minutes from 6am-11.30pm. It stops at Avenida de America bus station.

Plaza Major

Day trip

The Escorial is located 49 kms from Madrid in the mountains, at an altitude of 1000 meters. Philippe II had this royal monastery built to commemorate the defeat of the French troops in 1557 on St Lawrence's Day. The basic plan is inspired by the Temple of Solomon. Philip II decided to add the functions of pantheon, basilica, convent, school and library to it. El Escorial contains 26 tombs of kings and queens, 7500 relics and 35 000 books. The time Philip II spent in Flanders can be seen in the very steep roofs that he was so fond of. El Escorial has a total of 2600 windows, 1200 doors, 15 cloisters and 86 staircases.