If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Catalonia, then consider taking a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat. You will discover a stunning mountain range that is home to a Benedictine monastery, a black Madonna statue, and a boys’ choir. Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. The great news is it is very easy to reach by train, bus, or car. In this blog post, I will tell you everything you need to know about Montserrat. First we will tell you how to get there, what to see and do, and share some tips and tricks to make the most of your visit.
Montserrat Catalonia 1 hour from Barcelona
Montserrat means “saw mountain” in Catalan, because of its jagged and serrated appearance. A stunning natural park that covers an area of 36 square kilometers. The mountain of Montserrat has a height of 1,236 meters at its highest peak. Montserrat is also a spiritual and cultural center, as it hosts the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. This is a 10th-century monastery that houses the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as La Moreneta (the Dark One). You will also discover a 12th-century Romanesque carving of the Madonna and Child that is revered as the patron saint of Catalonia. The monastery also has a museum, a library, and an interactive exhibition that showcase its rich artistic and historical heritage. One of the highlights of visiting Montserrat is listening to the Escolania de Montserrat. One of the oldest and most prestigious boys’ choirs in Europe, that performs daily in the basilica.
A day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat
There are several ways to get to Montserrat from Barcelona, depending on your budget, time, and preference. Here are some of the options:
- Train and Cable Car: This is the quickest and most scenic option. From Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, take the R5 line to Aeri de Montserrat. The journey by train takes approximately one hour. From Aeri de Montserrat, take the cable car to the top. This costs €8.60 one way, €13 for a return ticket. The cable car typically runs every 15 minutes but can run as frequently as every 5 minutes depending on number of passengers. Riding the train and cable car round trip costs €23. Combined tickets can be purchased at the Plaça Espanya station in Barcelona.
- Train and Rack Railway: This is another option that takes you to the top by train instead of cable car. From Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, take the R5 line to Monistrol de Montserrat. The journey by train takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes. From Monistrol de Montserrat, take the rack railway (also known as cremallera) to the top. This costs €8 one way, €12 for a return ticket. The rack railway runs every 20 minutes and takes about 15 minutes to reach the top. Riding the train and rack railway round trip costs €22. Combined tickets can be purchased at the Plaça Espanya station in Barcelona.
- Bus: This is a cheaper but less flexible option. There are two bus companies that offer direct service from Barcelona to Montserrat: Autocars Julia and Sagalés. Autocars Julia departs from Sants station in Barcelona at 9:15 am and returns from Montserrat at 5 pm. The journey takes about one hour and 30 minutes and costs €7 one way (€14 for a round trip ticket). Sagalés departs from Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona at 9:15 am and returns from Montserrat at 4:45 pm. The journey takes about one hour and 15 minutes and costs €5.10 one way (€10.20 for a round trip ticket). Both buses drop you off at the monastery parking lot.
- Car: This is the most convenient but also the most expensive option. You can rent a car in Barcelona and drive to Montserrat via the A2 motorway or the C55 road. The journey takes about one hour depending on traffic and costs around €10 in tolls and €20 in fuel (for a round trip). You can park your car at the monastery parking lot for €6 per day. Another option is to park at Monistrol de Montserrat for free and take the rack railway or cable car to the top.
- Tour: This is an option if you want to have a guided tour of Montserrat with transportation included. There are many tour companies that offer different packages and itineraries, such as half-day or full-day tours. These can be combined with other attractions like wine tasting or hiking. The prices vary depending on the duration, group size, and activities, but they usually range from €40 to €100 per person. You can book your tour online or at the tourist offices in Barcelona. You can also download our free app to view Barcelona tours and trips.
What to See and Do in Montserrat
Once you reach the top of Montserrat, you will have plenty of things to see and do. Here are some of the main attractions and activities:
- Visit the Basilica and the Virgin of Montserrat: The basilica is the heart of the monastery and the sanctuary of Montserrat. It is a beautiful example of Catalan Gothic architecture, with a stunning façade, a spacious nave, and a golden altar. Inside the basilica, you can see the Virgin of Montserrat, a wooden carving of the Madonna and Child that is believed to have miraculous powers. The statue is located in a small chapel behind the altar, where you can touch her hand and make a wish. The basilica is open from 7:30 am to 8 pm and admission is free. However, there may be long queues to see the Virgin, especially on weekends and holidays, so it is advisable to go early or late in the day.
- Listen to the Boys’ Choir: The Escolania de Montserrat is one of the oldest and most prestigious boys’ choirs in Europe, dating back to the 13th century. The choir consists of about 50 boys aged between 9 and 14, who live and study at the monastery. They perform daily in the basilica, singing Gregorian chants and other religious songs. The choir usually sings at 1 pm from Monday to Friday and at noon on Sundays and holidays. The performance lasts about 15 minutes and admission is free. However, it is very popular and the basilica can get crowded, so it is advisable to arrive early and find a good spot.
- Explore the Museum of Montserrat: The museum of Montserrat is a treasure trove of art and culture, featuring collections of paintings, sculptures, archaeological objects, liturgical items, and natural history specimens. The museum has works by renowned artists such as Caravaggio, Picasso, Dalí, Monet, Degas, Miró, and more. It also has exhibits on the history and spirituality of Montserrat, as well as temporary exhibitions on various topics. The museum is open from 10 am to 5:45 pm from Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 6:45 pm on weekends and holidays. The admission fee is €8 for adults, €6 for students and pensioners and free for children under 16.
- Visit the New Interactive Exhibition: The new interactive exhibition is a modern and engaging way to learn more about Montserrat and its significance. It is based on three fundamental pillars: mountain, monastery, and sanctuary. Through multimedia displays, interactive games, audiovisual projections, and virtual reality devices. It’s a fun way to discover the secrets of Montserrat’s geology, ecology, history, art, music, spirituality, and traditions. The exhibition is located next to the museum and is open from 10 am to 5:45 pm from Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 6:45 pm on weekends and holidays. The admission fee is €5 for adults, €4 for students and pensioners, and free for children under 16.
- Ride the Funiculars: There are two funiculars that take you higher up on the mountain for better views and access to hiking trails. The Sant Joan funicular takes you to an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level. From this point you can enjoy panoramic views of Montserrat and beyond. We recommend you visit the Sant Joan chapel and hermitage or hike to Sant Jeroni peak (the highest point of Montserrat) or other viewpoints. The Sant Joan funicular runs every 20 minutes from 10 am to 5 pm (6 pm on weekends).Ina winter (November to March) and from 10 am to 6 pm (7 pm on weekends) in summer (April to October). The round trip ticket costs €9 for adults and €6 for children under 14.
The Santa Cova funicular takes you down to an elevation of 670 meters above sea level. At this point you can visit the Santa Cova chapel (the Holy Cave), where legend has it that the Virgin of Montserrat was found by shepherds in the 9th century. You can take a walk along a path decorated with sculptures by Catalan artists or hike to other sites such as the Cross of San Miguel or the Pla dels Ocells viewpoint. The Santa Cova funicular runs every 20 minutes from 10 am to 5 pm (6 pm on weekends) in winter (November to March) and from 10 am to 6 pm (7 pm on weekends) in summer (April to October). The round trip ticket costs €7 for adults and €4 for children under 14.
Conclusion
Montserrat is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Barcelona or Catalonia. It offers a unique combination of nature, culture, history, art, music, and spirituality that very few places can offer. The best thing is you can do a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat easier than you first thought.
