Things to do in Monistrol de Montserrat

Leave our office in Barcelona on an air-conditioned coach towards Montserrat. After a 1h drive on the highway, board the cogwheel train up the mountain and enjoy the amazing views over the area. Admire the Mountain’s peculiar morphology, which comes from the Catalan words Mont (mountain) and Serrat (serrated). World-famous for its rocky geography, Montserrat beautiful scenery was declared National Park in 1987 to protect its natural and cultural wealth. Follow your local guide through the site and learn about the history and architectural style of the Monastery. A community of 80 monks currently lives and follow the rule of Saint Benedict in Montserrat. Fall in love with the Gothic and Renaissance details of the basilica and sanctuary. Learn about the legend of the miraculous apparition of the Black Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. To this day, their woodcarving is kept in the Church of the monastery, which you will be able to visit. The figure is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) as a result of a varnish reaction. Your guided tour includes a tasting of typical liqueurs and a visit to the audiovisual space. After the guided tour you will have free time to enter the basilica and visit La Moreneta, admire the fabulous scenery and visit the market of agricultural and typical products of the area. You can complete your experience adding the option that allows you access to the Basilica to listen to the Escolanía de Montserrat, one of the oldest choirs of children singers in Europe. In addition, to commemorate the Millennium of Montserrat there is also the option of enjoying video-mapping, a unique immersive experience where, through art, image, light and music, we will revive the faith and culture of Montserrat from a new perspective.

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 the cogwheel train and discover the history of its medieval monastery with your passionate guides. Hear about the rich history of the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, an 11th-century functioning monastery built on the mountain. Marvel at the ornate interior of the monastery with the included tickets. Then, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Book your time slot to visit the famous Black Madonna, get tickets to hear the Boy's Choir, or see paintings by Picasso, El Greco, and Dalí at the Montserrat Museum. Ride the funicular train up the side of the mountain for even better views. None of these activities are included in the tour. With the exception of the funicular, they must be booked in advance. If you booked the half-day tour option, you will return to Barcelona after the visit to Montserrat. If you choose the full-day tour option, continue towards a beautiful boutique winery that also happens to be a 10th-century castle. Explore this idyllic location, owned by the same family for 36 generations, with magnificent views of the mountain you just visited. Savour traditional flavors with a light tapas brunch or enjoy a multi-course traditional lunch at the winery (depending on the option selected). After, wander around the vineyards, learn about the wine-making process, and enjoy a wine-tasting session before traveling back to Barcelona.

Head out of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona and into the magnificent mountains of Monserrat on a bus tour. Walk through this enchanting landscape, learn about its history from your local guide, and visit the local monastery. Arrive at a bar in the city center of Barcelona where you will meet your guide for the day and the group who will travel up to the mountains with you. After an informative short bus ride out of the city, arrive at the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Montserrat. Enjoy a tour of the local monastery and hear about its incredible history. Then, enjoy free time to either go hiking in the magical hills, feast on an all-you-can-eat lunch looking out over mystical views, or explore the museum and further discover the history of this famous landmark.  After a couple of hours, rejoin the bus where you will then head back down into the city all in time for an evening in Barcelona. Please note that entrance to Basilica is included when selected as an option. Throne room and boys choir is not included.

Discover the Montserrat Monastery and Sanctuary at your own pace with an audio guide, map, and informative booklet. See the Basilica, and benefit from timed entry to see the famous Black Madonna. Make the most of your visit to Montserrat with an audio-guided tour. Encounter the Basilica, and learn about the pillars of mountain, monastery, and sanctuary at the newly renovated audiovisual room. Visit the museum and see masterworks by artists like Caravaggio, Picasso, Dali, and others. Admire its collection of ancient world archeology, and browse other permanent and temporary exhibitions and collections. Encounter the famous Black Madonna (La Moreneta). Benefit from a timed entrance ticket and beat the queues to see the statue.

Enjoy direct access to the Montserrat cable car and discover Montserrat from the sky with a unique view of the mountain. Find tickets that suit your plans with options to depart in each direction, or take the cable car both ways. Marvel at panoramic views of the rugged Catalan countryside. Journey to the Benedictine Abbey of Santa María de Montserrat and its famous statue of the Virgin of Montserrat without having to climb. Cable up the mountain in safety, as Aeri de Montserrat has had technical improvements to ensure it is a safe facility. 

Enhance an exclusive experience on a full-day tour through 3 iconic sites: Montserrat, Girona, and Costa Brava, and discover Barcelona’s emblematic surroundings. The experience starts in the upper part of Passeig de Gràcia, before journeying to experience the natural splendor of Montserrat, Catalonia’s most emblematic mountain, topped by a Benedictine monastery. On the way to the Monastery, admire the Massif of Montserrat, a spectacular multi-peaked rocky range packed with unique needle-shape formations. Learn about the cornerstone of Catalan culture, history, nature, and spirituality. Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the basilica—home to the revered ‘Black Madonna’ statue—and the atrium, cloister, and main square. Continue this amazing experience and head to Girona. In it's charming Old Town, discover the remains of a Roman and medieval past that coexist with the present, offering an image full of contrasts. Your guide will reveal all the secrets of the city. Explore the best-preserved Jewish quarter in Europe. Admire the cathedral, boasting the widest Gothic nave in the world, and marvel at the colorful spectacle of houses along the Onyar River, which splits the city in two. Cross over Pont de les Peixateries Velles and go to the top of Girona’s medieval walls to enjoy the best panoramic views. If you are interested in The Game of Thrones series, the guide will show the locations where the 6th season was filmed. Then you’ll have free time to have lunch and discover the city by yourself. End this exclusive tour in the beautiful village of Costa Brava. Feel the breeze, relax, discover amazing coves, and admire the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Explore the mountain of Montserrat on this day trip from Barcelona. Travel by bus to the mountain and take the cogwheel train to a viewpoint on top of the mountain. Visit the Benedictine Abbey and see the famed Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary. Depart from a conveniently located meeting point in Barcelona and relax on the drive into the peaceful Catalonian countryside. On the drive, listen to your guide share stories and anecdotes about the fascinating history of Montserrat and the religious influences of the site. Admire the luscious rolling landscapes from the bus, before arriving at the region’s most famous mountain range, Montserrat. See its unique jagged edges and imposing structure. Ride the rack railway to the top of Montserrat. Take in stunning views across the mountain range once you reach the top. From here, visit the Benedictine Abbey and the Santa Maria de Montserrat, which houses the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary. Learn about the rich history of these beautiful buildings cut into the rock. Visit the famous Montserrat Monastery, where the image of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat is venerated. Widely and affectionately known as La Moreneta, she has been the patron saint of Catalonia since 1881. Enjoy one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned choirs at Escolania de Montserrat. Hearing them is a privilege and a true pleasure for the ears.

Escape to the natural landscape of the Montserrat mountains on a half-day sightseeing and wine tasting tour from Barcelona by bus. Enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain range, taste Catalan wines at a local winery located within a 10th-century castle, and walk through historic pathways, learning about the region from your local guide. The strange shaped mountains of Montserrat is the location of a Benedictine monastery that has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries, thanks to its story of the miracles performed by the Virgin Mary and the fabled 12th-century image of Our Lady. After a short visit to this historic site, head to a boutique winery, just a few minutes away, and tour one of the most important wineries in the region. Experience a visit to a historic winery set within a 10th-century castle, continuously owned by the same family for 36 generations. The winery has revived ancient local grape varieties, providing a unique glimpse into the region's heritage. Tours are kept to a maximum of 20 people for a more intimate experience, and include a tour of the vineyards and winery, where the local wines become older and wiser. Thanks to your guide, you will sense the history, soil, sun, and rain that influence the 3 wines you will taste. Learn about the upkeep of the vines, the grape harvest, how the French oak barrels impact on the flavor, and more. To keep you on your feet, the tasting table will be laden with Spanish tapas.

Begin by meeting your guide in the center of Barcelona, from where your unique experience begins. Join your small group in an air-conditioned vehicle for the journey up the mountain of Montserrat. Enjoy the views as you hear about Montserrat’s Basilica and Monastery, home of La Moreneta (Black Madonna). Unlike other tours, this experience allows you to gain early access to visit the Montserrat Monastery, well before the crowds arrive. Upon your arrival, enjoy a 45-minute guided tour throughout which you learn about Montserrat including its secrets. This tour also sees you visiting the farmer’s market and entering the basilica. Your guide then explains all the fun activities you can do with your 2 hours of free time following the guided tour. You can enter the museum, taste the monastery’s homemade liquor, go for an easy walk to the Saint Miguel Cross, take the Sant Joan Funicular, and much more.

Escape from busy Barcelona on this 6-hour small-group excursion to Montserrat. When you arrive you’ll be in the capable hands of a certified mountain guide as you explore this popular site. Discover the charm of Montserrat mountain, visit the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat with its well preserved 15th-century cloister. Discover hidden details, architecture, and art from the 12th century to the contemporary. Ride the cable car to the top and enjoy the magnificent view of the mountain and the national park. Take an easy hike to enjoy the fresh air and mountainous terrain and learn about nature and wildlife. Admire the magical and fun shapes of the rock formations and some of the chapels scattered throughout the mountain. Enjoy your free time back at the monastery with the many things you can do. This tour is operated with two vans, each one with a maximum capacity of 8 people, and each van has its own driver-guide giving a more personalized atention.