From Barcelona: Half-Day Montserrat Small Group Guided Tour

Escape the city for a morning and discover the spiritual and natural heart of Catalonia: the Montserrat mountain and monastery. With this half-day excursion, you’ll travel from Barcelona in a private air-conditioned coach guided by an official local expert, ready to share the legends and history of one of the most iconic sanctuaries in Spain. Departure is in the morning from Estación de Francia, with arrival at Montserrat granting you early access to the monastery before the busiest hours of the day. After a 45-minute guided tour of the basilica and monastery (with a close view of the famous Black Madonna, La Moreneta), you’ll have 2 hours of free time to visit the museum, taste the home-made monastery liqueur, walk to the Saint Miguel Cross viewpoint or take the Sant Joan funicular up to the top of the mountain. Return to Barcelona is on the same private coach, with arrival back at Estación de Francia by early afternoon— leaving the rest of your day free to enjoy the city.

Itinerary

1. Montserrat is a mountain top monastery situated on top of an unusual rock mountain. It is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands. Montserrat monastery hosts “la Moreneta”, also called Black Madonna. The legend says that the benedictine monks found the statue, and they could not move the statue to build their monastery, so they decided to construct it around the statue. Montserrat was designated as a National Park in 1987. Nowadays, it is a site of pilgrimage for people around the world. Once in Montserrat, enjoy a 45-minute small group guided tour, and then you will have 2 hours to explore on your own. You can visit the Museum, taste the monastery’s homemade liquor, go for an easy walk to Saint Miguel's cross for an incredible viewpoint, go up the Sant Joan Funicular, take wonderful pictures, buy local products from the farmer's market, and more. (3h 0min)
2. The origin of the monastery is uncertain, but it is believed that the Virgin of Monsterrat (La Moreneta) was found around 880. (8.30 am and 1.30 pm tours include tickets to La Moreneta). According to the legends, the monks built the monastery around the statue. The monastery still functions to this day with over 70 monks. The basilica of Montserrat began its construction in the 16th century, and now houses an art museum. It is also the place where la Escolania, one of the oldest Boys’ Choirs in Europe, performs during religious ceremonies (you can listen to them on the 9.30 am tour). (30 min) Admission included
3. In your free time, you can visit the Montserrat museum, which hosts six permanent art collections and two temporary. You will find pieces from famous artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Caravaggio, and also unknown but talented artists. (45 min)
4. In your free time, take the funicular and enjoy the panoramic view of the mountain. The funicular offers a view of the monastery as well as the breathtaking views from the Pyrenees. At the top, you can also visit Aula de Natura (Nature Centre), where you will learn about the history, flora and fauna of the mountain. (45 min)
5. The Black Madonna of Montserrat, a revered 12th‑century statue of the Virgin Mary and symbol of Catalonia, is housed inside the Montserrat Basilica. Included in the option that specifies the visit to the Black Madonna. (15 min) Admission included

Meeting & end point