What is it?
The Philip II Train is a sightseeing train that travels from Madrid to El Escorial. The train leaves from Príncipe Pío Train Station in Madrid and travels through the Sierra de Guadarrama towards El Escorial Train Station. Upon its arrival, passengers will get the chance to enjoy the magnificent array of heritage, culture, art and food available in the Royal Site of San Lorenzo del Escorial and in the Loyal Town of El Escorial.
The train’s vintage carriages are hauled by a 20th century locomotive and will provide a ride fit for a King.
Discover the Philip II Train
- The train leaves from Príncipe Pío Train Station (platform 7) in Madrid
- This station is in one of the most important transport hubs in the capital as it connects underground, train and urban and intercity bus lines
- Main transport lines:
C-1. C-7. C-10. Villalba – Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Chamartín – Fuente de la Mora
Line 6, Line 10 and Opera Branch Line- For more info, click here
Where is it?
An Exciting Ride Back in Time
Route of the Philip II Train
Discover the new Philip II Train. This is a unique chance to visit El Escorial and find out why the king of the Empire “on which the sun never sets” chose none other than this place for his holidays.
Train Characteristics
Visit the Royal Site of El Escorial, one of the most important tourist attractions in the Spanish National Heritage, on board this historic railway gem. This sightseeing train leaves from Príncipe Pío Train Station in Madrid, goes through the Sierra de Guadarrama and ends at El Escorial Train Station, in the impressive Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Thanks to the thorough restoration of the train, the moment you get on one of its four carriages, you will enjoy an Exciting Ride Back in Time: enjoy a pleasant journey in one of its compartments that can carry up to 8 people and has beautiful details. Find the window with the best view to enjoy your ride through the Madrid mountains. You will be surprised by this ride that can travel as fast as 100Km/h. Talk to our conductors in their period costumes and get carried away by the magic and charm of our train and a unique ride that is exactly as it was in the 40s.
Who was Philip II
Philip II of Spain, also called “Philip the Prudent” was the king of Spain, Naples and Sicily, of Portugal and the Algarve, and of England and Ireland jure uxoris
Son and heir of Emperor Charles V (King Charles I) of Spain and Isabella of Portugal, brother of Mary of Hapsburg and Joan of Hapsburg, grandson of Joan I of Castille and Philip I of Castille on his father’s side and Manuel I of Portugal and Mary of Aragon on his mother’s side. He is one of the most important kings in history
He modernized the first worldwide empire “on which the sun never sets” that stretched over all continents. This meant many conflicts with other international powers.
In 1561, he moved the capital of Spain to Madrid and in 1563 he started to build the Monastery of El Escorial, where he died on 13th September 1598 when he was 71.