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Monastery of Montserrat

  • Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Last updated: 09 July, 2024

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: 0
Age suitable: 18+
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

  • Barcelona

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 historic winery. Set within a 10th century castle, tour the 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 4.87 / 5 [4702 ratings]

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  • Barcelona

Welcome on board! Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona and explore Catalonia's most famous mountain range. Take in the panoramic views of the mountain scenery as you ride our air-conditioned bus and discover the history of its medieval monastery by the hand of our passionate guides. Then, enjoy free time to explore on your own. You'll continue towards a beautiful boutique winery, and you are in for a treat! The cellar also happens to be a 10th century castle owned by the same family for 36 generations with magnificent views of the mountain you just visited. Discover their revival of ancient local grape varieties, which provide a unique glimpse into the region’s rich heritage. Savour traditional flavors with a light tapas brunch or enjoy a multi-course traditional lunch at the winery (depending on the option selected). After that, learn about the wine-making process, and enjoy a wine-tasting session before traveling back to Barcelona.

Price €100

Min age 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [3764 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • 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 €59

Min age 0

Rating 4.91 / 5 [3279 ratings]

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  • Barcelona

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 4.78 / 5 [3069 ratings]

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  • Barcelona

If you really want to get to know Barcelona and Catalonia, a visit to Montserrat is a must. This day tour combines a visit to this magical site with a wonderful food and wine experience. Ride a cogwheel train to the top of Montserrat Mountain while admiring its spectacular views. Explore a winery set in a 10th-century castle owned by the same family for 36 generations. Tasting top-quality wines and enjoying local gastronomy will be highlights of your trip.

Price €90

Min age 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [2808 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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