From Barcelona: Half-Day Montserrat Small Group Guided Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible (Please let us know if this is your case since we need to arrange with the bus in advance)
- 'Montserrat with Boys' choir' option is available from Monday to Friday. The Tour starts at 9.30am
- 'Montserrat + winery + lunch' option is a full day tour, available from Monday to Saturday. The Tour starts at 8.30am
- 'Montserrat with La Moreneta' option is available from Monday to Sunday. The Tour starts at 8.30am and at 1.30pm.
- We meet all travelers at a meeting point. Travelers cannot enter their own pickup location.
- The tour guide will be waiting at the meeting point, holding a red burgundy umbrella.
Reviews(6,687)
Vincent was an amazing tour guide, he was friendly, knowledgeable and funny. We had a blast despite the hot weather, and the wine was delicious! If you have a free day in Barcelona this is definitely worth it!
The ONLY way to see Montserrat & Black Madonna! Rocco & Andrew handled our large group superbly. Bus is high quality touring coach with AC (which was very important today). Early morning start is essential esp in summer - this site gets very crowded if arriving later. There is quite a bit of walking to get to the monastery and stairs to get to the black Madonna. The museum is very good, there is a hike and funicular ride for more active visitors. Rocco and Andrew shared history on the ride which enriched the experience
Rocco and Andrew were amazing!
Wonderful day away from the city. Andrew and Rocco were excellent guides lots of information and great recommendations
Rocco was amazing, so friendly and knowledgeable. Explained what everything was and why. Showed us all the good sights. He even recommended food places
Great value and guide. Easy to understand.
Great experience. The guides were funny, informative and very helpful. Would recommend this tour. Happy we got to enjoy Montserrat.
Excellent. Lydia and Hugo were very kind and explained the whole history to us in an enjoyable way. And the bus trip was very pleasant.
Had a great time on trip to Monserrat with wine tour and tapas. Vincent was an excellent guide. He was friendly and knowledgeable! Will recommend to others!
This was a well organized and structured tour, although I would’ve loved to spend more time there. I choose to add the Baslica Boys Choir which is worth the experience but took some time away from seeing the rest. There was a small market where we were able to try and buy delicious treats on the way out. I would love to come back and visit again. Wear comfy shoes! Highly recommend.
