Pegontheroad

Who has gone to either of these places, and would you recommend them?

I'm considering a day trip from Madrid for each of them. I have some reservations about El Escorial. Did you enjoy your visit there?

StCirq

It's been quite a few years, but I've been to El Escorial. I found it unsettling (the Soviet-style architecture and the visitors spitting on Franco's plaque contrasting with a huge wedding on the grouds), and I can't say I "enjoyed" it, but it sure stuck with me!

Pegontheroad

Having read a about the Spanish civil war, I can almost understand people spitting on his plaque.

jelopez33

Peg:We visited El Escorial many years ago.A massive palace, with a magnificent library(a jewel really) and the tombs of almost all the Kings of Spain.I don't remember seeing any plaque about Franco(Franco's tomb is at Valle de los Caídos,which some tours visit in the same day they are visiting El Escorial; but they are two different places).
In 2011 we went with some dear frriend to Aranjuez and very much enjoyed the palace, the gardens and the restaurants in town.If you like you can read my report by clicking on my name(includes Madrid and Valencia as well as Alcalá de Henares).Enjoy your trip!!!!

lincasanova

Aranjuez is for strolling, visiting the royal navy museum, and the interior of the palace if you have never seen a small, intimate palace. Otherwise, the gardens and outside are enough for most. The trees in the adjacent park are beautiful. it is a very low key town but has lots of small mediocre restaurants and is a pleasant place to walk around.

Depending on when you go, Aranjuez is quite famous for strawberries and asparagus.

i haven't visited El Escorial in YEARS but I recall it was quite impressive.

I assume the spitters were at Valle de los Caidos built during the Civil War by prisoners.

livetoroam

I have been to both- 16 years ago. El Escorial was very impressive and Aranjuez was pleasant. If you have been to many palaces and grounds, this one is nice but nothing that blows you away. The side trip that stands out the most from Madrid, all these years later, was to Segovia. Are you going there?

Aduchamp1

Have not bene to both in years but the Valle de los Caídos always raises emotions since it was built with slave labor.

The room with the tombs of the kings at El Escorial is etched in my brain. They are like drawers of regal socks and underwear just one atop of the other.

http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/wp...teon-reyes.jpg

greg

The Valle de los Caidos web site mentions about "Valle" being closed but the "place of worship" is open. http://www.valledeloscaidos.es/eventos-y-horarios

Pegontheroad

Livetoroam: Yes, I've been to Segovia and also to Avila. I've traveled a good deal in Spain and I want to visit areas that I haven't seen before.

At first I had planned on spending a couple of days in San Sebastian, but then decided I'd keep the north of Spain for a separate trip. I toyed with the idea of going to the Costa Brava, but I could see that I was doing a lot of zig-zagging around the country with some fairly long trips between cities.

It seemed like every time I turned around I was going through Madrid.

I think I'm answering questions you haven't asked.

Aduchamp1

It is odd, however, that a number of people who have been to Spain on numerous occasions or live there have not been to El Escorial or Aranjuez in a long time.

I am sure others may disagree, but the disdain for Valle de los Caidos has some how tainted El Escorial. And although Juan Carlos has exemplified the modern king, there is less awe that surrounds royalty.

lincasanova

For me, El Escorial .. I have seen it.. was IMPRESSED, glad I did. Took my parents later once also, but it is not "on the way" anywhere we go ! But I would definitely take a visitor there if nearby. I hope people do not confuse El Escorial with Valle de los Caidos!

Chinchon is cute but more tedious to get there. Alcalá de Henares is VERY close on Cercanias train and some nice buildings there. The house of Miguel Cervantes for one.

greg

I have been to El Escorial, Aranjuez, and La Granja.

El Escorial is huge and took me 4 hrs just to do the main complex. It is the most tiring of the three as the visit of the monastery requires numerous going up and down the stairs. The collection inside is most impressive. The English audio guide was probably too terse in describing what I was watching. Because it is a monastery, it differs from usual European palace architecture consisting of many mini chambers. It also has a Basilica inside the complex.

The Aranjuez main palace complex visit feels like Versailles, but much smaller. The visit stays mostly on one floor. The visit there took 75min with an English guide. The garden is narrow but very wide. The not to be missed is the Casa del Labrador located at the eastern edge of the property, almost 2 miles from the main complex. It is a day time lodge for the King and is a mini version of the main palace. It is just as ornate as the main complex, and there is nothing simple about the place. I saw no foreign tourists at Aranjuez. Since Chinchon is so close by, it makes combining the two visits if you can. The main square has not changed much and retains the traditional small town square look. However, because of this quaintness, it attracts a lot of tourists and makes the place not quaint at all despite the quaintness of the location.

La Granja is the least decorated of the three. It is connected to Segovia by Sepulvedana bus that runs about every 45min and takes 25min. Because of the remoteness, you can have the most peaceful visit of the three.

Cehegin

El Escorial is great...worth the visit and has nothing to do with El Valle de los Caidos. El Escorial apart from being central to Spain's history is also architecturally very interesting.If you like history it is definitely worth the visit. I know Aranjuez town but not the palace so cant comment.
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