Travel bucket list idea:

Monastery of Montserrat

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

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Bucket List Experience

View of the monastery set into cliffs, with views beyond

Last updated: 27 May, 2023

Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Montserrat, the ‘sawn mountain’, is a jagged massif rising from the plain, 40km outside Barcelona, and famous for being the spot where St Peter allegedly hid a black statue of the Virgin, carved by St Luke, in a cave. The Virgin is now enshrined in a honey-coloured Benedictine monastery, set against undulating rock said to have inspired Gaudi – the setting, now a national park, is so extraordinary that it’s a famous honeymoon spot for Spaniards.

Funiculars ascend to the Santa Cova trail, Sant Joan trail, and (most spectacular) Sant Jeroni trail at the summit. Or join the pilgrims in hiking up – it takes three hours if you’re fit, four if not.

Logistics

Price from: £5

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 13+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take the FGC train to Monserrat from Plaça Espanya. Otherwise, it’s about an hour by taxi from the centre of Barcelona. There’s a self-service restaurant up at the monastery (but don’t expect haute cuisine), plus market stalls and picnic tables on the Mirador dels Apostols. It’s cool at the summit, so wear layers and wear sturdy shoes for the trails, and bring water and binoculars. Montserrat is most magical early morning before the crowds appear; book a room at the Hotel Abat Cisneros to get in first.

When to do it

The basilica is open all year round. Try to be there for 1pm (noon on Sundays) or 7pm, when the choirboys of the 13th-century Escolanía (the oldest music school in Europe) perform songs of worship. In July, the choir is on holiday. Avoid rainy, overcast days which wipe out the views.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Morning Access to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona

Barcelona

Morning Access to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona

Discover the jewel in Catalonia’s crown before the crowds arrive on this morning access to Monserrat. With this tour, you will visit the Santa Maria of Montserrat Abbey with your guide. Admire the abbey’s impressive Gothic and renaissance architecture, and gain insight into the role it plays in Catalonia’s rich culture.

Price: €57

Min age: 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [668 ratings]

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Montserrat Monastery and Hiking Experience from Barcelona

Barcelona

Montserrat Monastery and Hiking Experience from Barcelona

Montserrat Natural Park is located 50 kms away from Barcelona. We get there enjoying the amazing and UNIque views from our fully equipped private transportation. The first place we will visit in Montserrat’s Natural Park is its Benedictine Monastery, first built on the 11th century and home to Catalonia’s Patroness Saint, The Black Madonna of Montserrat which is a strong symbol of spirituality and unity for the local people. Once we have visited the Monastery area, we hike up to the top, from where we will enjoy the breath-taking views of the Natural Park and most of the territory. During the hike we walk on the same paths used by pilgrims hundreds of years ago, we will get inspired by Montserrat’s fascinating flora and fauna and we will also hike on UNIque ways where rocky pillars and ravines show us how inner mysterious water emerge from the hidden and undiscovered very center of the massif. Back down in the Monastery, we have some free time before we head back to Barcelona.

Price: €64

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [77 ratings]

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Montserrat Monastery & Hiking Experience from Barcelona

Barcelona

Montserrat Monastery & Hiking Experience from Barcelona

Experience Montserrat, Barcelona's holy mountain, on a half or full-day tour. Embark on a captivating journey as you take a soft hiking with the best specialized guide in Montserrat Natural Park. Board the Montserrat Railway to observe the area's fascinating flora and fauna, and enjoy the typical Catalan pastry, "coca de Montserrat." Have fun and feel unique on a Premium Small Group Tour and an unforgettable hiking adventure.

Price: €65

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [1318 ratings]

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Montserrat Half Day Experience from Barcelona

Barcelona

Montserrat Half Day Experience from Barcelona

Discover the wonders of the famous mountain Montserrat, a national Park and place of pilgrimage from millions of people around the world. Join your tour guide in an air-conditioned private vehicle in Barcelona for a drive up the mountain of Montserrat, named after its peculiar aspect with multitude of rock formations, it literally means saw mountain. Enjoy the view and hear about Montserrat’s Basilica and Monastery, home of la Moreneta (Black Madonna). We offer an early access to visit Montserrat Monastery before the crowds arrive. Once we arrive, you will enjoy a guided tour (45 minutes), where we will discover what is Montserrat and its the secrets, enter the basilica and touch the famous Black Madonna. After that, during your free time (2-hour), visit the farmer’s market, go to an easy walk to the Saint Miguel cross to enjoy a breathtaking view of Montserrat, take the Sant Joan Funicular, and much more. The tour concludes with a trip back to the meeting point in Barcelona.

Price: €65

Min age: 0

Rating 4.89 / 5 [1484 ratings]

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Historical Montserrat Half-Day Hiking Tour from Barcelona

Barcelona

Historical Montserrat Half-Day Hiking Tour from Barcelona

Get a dose of history, culture, and nature during this 6.5-hour tour to Montserrat from Barcelona. With your guide and small group of 8 or fewer people, explore the Basilica of Montserrat, take the glass-top St. Joan funicular to the middle part of the Montserrat mountain range, then spend a pleasant 2-hours hiking past authentic "hermitages" (retreats) where the first inhabitants of Montserrat gathered more than a thousand years ago. The tour ends at the monastery and a drive back to central Barcelona.

Price: €65

Min age: 4

Rating 4.94 / 5 [17 ratings]

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Half-Day Tour to Montserrat from Barcelona with Cable Car and Easy Hike

Barcelona

Half-Day Tour to Montserrat from Barcelona with Cable Car and Easy Hike

Embark on an amazing experience to Montserrat, the magic mountain next to Barcelona. Small groups. Admire the wonderful holly Monastery, the Atrium and Basilica and then take the cable car to the top and enjoy a nice walk. Discover the charm of this mountain and the chapels of more than 1000 years old. Discover Montserrat from a different perspective.Enjoy a soft hike with no difficulty.

Price: €70

Min age: 5

Rating 4.91 / 5 [336 ratings]

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Montserrat Hiking Off the Beaten Path & Monastery. Small Group Tour

Barcelona

Montserrat Hiking Off the Beaten Path & Monastery. Small Group Tour

Come and hike around the hidden trails of Montserrat, the world famous multi-peaked “sawed mountain”, visit the Benedictine Abbey and discover its amazing history with a passionate local guide on a Premium Small Group Tour from Barcelona. We will start the day visiting the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat, home of the black madonna "La Moreneta" and discovering its amazing history and most interesting spots. Then we will get ready and start hiking across Montserrat most beautiful trails going across its singular rock formations and forests. From the trails of Montserrat we will enjoy incredible panoramic views and will try some typical Catalan snacks (please bring your own sandwich for lunch). After the hike we will come back to the Abbey where we will some free time for visiting the farmers market, relaxing or hear the famous Escolania de Montserrat boys choir sing (on working days from Monday to Friday, subject to Basilica capacity.

Price: €79

Min age: 10

Rating 4.92 / 5 [142 ratings]

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Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines

Barcelona

Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines

Enjoy a relaxing, scenic getaway from bustling Barcelona on this small-group tour to Montserrat, a beautiful nearby mountain. Here, visit the Montserrat Monastery and a boutique winery. Tour the gorgeous vineyards and head to the wine cellar to learn about wine production and taste three exquisite wines and a local tapas lunch.

Price: €80

Min age: 1

Rating 4.86 / 5 [3428 ratings]

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Montserrat with Cogwheel train, Tasting in a Boutique Winery with Tapas or Lunch

Barcelona

Montserrat with Cogwheel train, Tasting in a Boutique Winery with Tapas or Lunch

If you really want to get to know Barcelona and Catalonia, visiting Montserrat is a must-do. This day tour combines a visit to this magical site with a wonderful food and wine experience. Riding a cogwheel train to the top of Montserrat mountain while admiring its spectacular views, discovering a boutique winery, and tasting top-quality wines and gastronomy will be some of the highlights of your trip.

Price: €90

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [1875 ratings]

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Montserrat Monastery Visit and Lunch at Farmhouse from Barcelona

Barcelona

Montserrat Monastery Visit and Lunch at Farmhouse from Barcelona

Enjoy a memorable day out in Montserrat and escape the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, you can appreciate a complete experience where you will visit the Monastery of Montserrat and have a 2 course menu with a breathtaking views while living a unique experience. Take home exclusive memories in this amazing day in the countryside! Montserrat is an ideal trip to spend a fun day in nature, just a few kilometers away from Barcelona. Once this massif is observed from a distance, it is easier to understand the importance of this mountain when it comes to influencing the traditions and culture of the regions that surround it.

Price: €90

Min age: 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [1575 ratings]

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Montserrat Small Group or Private Tour Hotel pick-up

Barcelona

Montserrat Small Group or Private Tour Hotel pick-up

Ensured small group tour of maximum 8 pax. Round-trip hotel pick-up & drop-off included. Make a pilgrimage to the mystical mountaintop retreat of Montserrat in this 5-hour excursion from Barcelona with a very small group. With a comfortable pick up your guide will lead you on an exploration of this nearly 1,000-year old Benedictine Monastery set high above Catalonia. - Half-day trip to the mystical mountaintop monastery of Montserrat with a small group from Barcelona - Enjoy astonishing views of the natural park - Great way to explore the region near Barcelona

Price: €94

Min age: 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [1753 ratings]

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Montserrat Land of Shrines - One Day Small Group Hiking Tour from Barcelona

Barcelona

Montserrat Land of Shrines - One Day Small Group Hiking Tour from Barcelona

A one day hiking trip to admire and explore the historical and natural terrain of the iconic peaks of Montserrat. Starting with a visit to the 16th century Basilica, to admire its 12th century “Black Madonna" and then hike to one of the most famous and iconic peaks of the Montserrat mountain range. Energy snack, lunch and water are included.

Price: €99

Min age: 4

Rating 4.76 / 5 [34 ratings]

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Montserrat Tour with Lunch and Gourmet Wine Tasting

Barcelona

Montserrat Tour with Lunch and Gourmet Wine Tasting

Enjoy this 10-hours intimate experience. Set out from Barcelona to discover the Natural Park of Montserrat, one of the most important landmarks of the region. Enjoy the famous Spanish cuisine and visit a boutique winery, where you will enjoy château wine!

Price: €105

Min age: 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [3016 ratings]

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Best of Barcelona and Montserrat - Pickup & Skip-the-Line tickets

Barcelona

Best of Barcelona and Montserrat - Pickup & Skip-the-Line tickets

This is the ultimate full day tour! See all the highlights of Barcelona and venture out of the city to the popular national park of Montserrat in a small-group of 2-12 participants only. Pickup is included directly from your hotel or the cruise ship. Bring your luggage with you if you want to be dropped off somewhere else at the end of the tour. Enjoy impressive views from the top of Montserrat and visit the stunning Basilica with your timed ticket in hand. Skip the line at the famous Park Guell, and visit the other Antoni Gaudi's highlights, including the Sagrada Familia. If you wish, you can finish your tour here and receive your pre-ordered skip-the-line tickets to continue inside this impressive church with your audio guided tour. Alternatively, explore this masterpiece from the outside and we will drop you off back to your hotel, the cruise port, or the airport.

Price: €135

Min age: 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [87 ratings]

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Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat with Hotel Pick Up

Barcelona

Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat with Hotel Pick Up

Combine city sightseeing in Barcelona with a trip to the multi-peaked mountain of Montserrat on this full-day excursion! You will be picked up directly from your hotel or the cruise port, and you can bring your luggage with you if needed. With an expert guide you’ll see all the top attractions of Barcelona including La Sagrada Familia, Passig de Gracia, the hill of Montjuic, and Park Güell - Antoni Gaudi's famous park - where you will bypass the queues with your skip-the-line tickets. In addition, take a trip to the famous Montserrat National Park and enjoy amazing views and a visit to Santa Maria de Montserrat, the mountain’s stunning basilica. Numbers are limited to 12 on this small-group tour, ensuring you’ll see everything with personalized attention from your guide. Pickup and drop-off is possible from anywhere in Barcelona and you can bring your luggage with you if needed.

Price: €153

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [664 ratings]

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Pyrenees Medieval Village Hike from Barcelona

Barcelona

Pyrenees Medieval Village Hike from Barcelona

See the unexpected side of Catalonia on a hiking day trip to the Pyrenees. After a pickup from Barcelona, travel to the charming village of Rupit in the Pyrenean foothills. Explore the village’s beautifully preserved streets and hike through the surrounding hills, taking in alpine views of cliffs, mountains, valleys and waterfalls.

Price: €155

Min age: 5

Rating 5 / 5 [26 ratings]

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Montserrat 7-hour Private Tour from Barcelona with Lunch

Barcelona

Montserrat 7-hour Private Tour from Barcelona with Lunch

Join us in this 7-hour private tour of Montserrat with lunch included. Enjoy a typical breakfast, visit the Santa María de Montserrat Abbey and see the Virgin of Montserrat, known as Black Madonna "La Moreneta". After the experience an optional bonus of some hiking in this amazing mountain is also included, making this tour incredibly memorable.

Price: €211

Min age: 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [44 ratings]

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With Locals Ultimate Montserrat PRIVATE Day Trip - With Cable Car and Train

Barcelona

With Locals Ultimate Montserrat PRIVATE Day Trip - With Cable Car and Train

What if there was a way to experience Montserrat away from the big tourist busses and audio guides? Well, you are in luck because this is the private Montserrat day trip you are looking for! Meet your local guide in Barcelona and embark on a Montserrat journey where you'll get to discover this unique attraction off the beaten path. Yes, get ready to experience San Miguel viewpoint from an authentic perspective with its highlights, the ins and outs, stories, and cultural facts - just for you! And don't forget to check out Montserrat monastery, a must-see while exploring with your local guide. Withlocals The Ultimate Montserrat Private Day Trip™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €219

Min age: 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [53 ratings]

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Montserrat Hot-Air Balloon Experience & Monastery Visit

Barcelona

Montserrat Hot-Air Balloon Experience & Monastery Visit

***MONASTERY VISIT: ONLY MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS*** Enjoy the breathtaking views in a hot air balloon while you fly over the Pla de Bages observing the magnificent shape of Montserrat Mountains. Celebrate the flight with a glass of Champagne. Experience Barcelona’s holy mountain, Montserrat, on a half day tour. Learn about the cornerstone of the Catalan culture, history, nature and spirituality. Enjoy an exclusive guided tour in the basilica—home to the revered ‘Black Madonna’ statue. Have fun and feel unique in your experience in a Premium Small Group Tour.

Price: €245

Min age: 10

Rating 4.55 / 5 [90 ratings]

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Montserrat Private Tour from Barcelona with official guide

Barcelona

Montserrat Private Tour from Barcelona with official guide

Enjoy this private 5-hour tour of Montserrat with your own private vehicle and guide. Make the most of your visit to Barcelona and get to know in depth this beautiful and amazing landmark. You will be picked up in a private vehicle from your hotel and after a 1-hour drive approximately you will have reached Montserrat. You will then enjoy a 3-hour tour of the Monastery and Basilica with your own private official guide. You will learn all the historic and religious background of this site and by the end of this experience you will understand why this unique area has been a pilgrimage site in Spain. If you go during the week, you will enjoy hearing the coral kids of Montserrat at 13:00, one of the oldest kids chorus in Europe. This will depend on the starting times. This may not be included. You will head back to your hotel when the tour comes to its end.

Price: €503

Min age: 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [15 ratings]

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Private Tour Barcelona and Montserrat 8 Hours

Barcelona

Private Tour Barcelona and Montserrat 8 Hours

See the highlights of the city of Barcelona, as well as the mountain of Montserrat, in one day with this private full-day tour of Barcelona and Montserrat. The tour starts in the magical city of Barcelona, where a private driver will take you to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including la Sagrada Familia, la Casa Batlló, la Pedrera, Paseo de Gracia, as well as Montjuïc and Port Olímpic. Then, head outside the city towards the stunning mountain of Montserrat, where you will visit the famous Black Madonna and the historic Benedictine abbey of Montserrat. Roundtrip transportation from your hotel or port is included. Your driver will not join you while you visit your desired stops by foot or while you go inside a monument; your driver will be inside the vehicle waiting for you.

Price: €640

Min age: 0

Rating 4.91 / 5 [12 ratings]

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Private Montserrat Monastery with Wine and Cava Tasting Day Trip from Barcelona

Barcelona

Private Montserrat Monastery with Wine and Cava Tasting Day Trip from Barcelona

Combine mountains, history and wine on a private day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat and trail for a cellar tour and visit to a winery. Enjoy stunning views of the area, see the famous 12th-century Black Virgin statue and taste excellent cava (Spanish sparkling wine). Accompanied by your own private guide, you'll enjoy personalized attention on this full-day tour.

Price: €672

Min age: 12

Rating 4.93 / 5 [16 ratings]

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Montserrat Private Guided Tour with Pick up

Barcelona

Montserrat Private Guided Tour with Pick up

Private Montserrat tour with personal pickup and drop-off from the hotel, cruise port, or the airport. Discover the impressive national park outside Barcelona with a private guided excursion. The itinerary is completely flexible and you can start this 5-hour tour in the morning or the afternoon. This excursion includes personal service, air-conditioned transportation, and a local expert guide. You can also extend the tour to a full-day excursion and visit a local winery (Cava Producer). At the end of the tour we can take you to your hotel, the cruise port, or the airport. Alternatively, we can buy skip-the-line tickets to any venue in Barcelona so that you can continue touring on your own (for example at the Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, or Casa Batllo).

Price: €1,000

Min age: 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [72 ratings]

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Barcelona

Catalonia, Spain

Close up of the spires of La Sagrada Familia

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