Montserrat Afternoon Tour & Black Madonna Priority Access
Description
Discover one of Catalonia's most mystical wonders on this half-day tour. Visit the Virgin Mary, popularly known as La Moreneta, in the Basilica of Montserrat. Walk around the sanctuary and imagine the different ways of life of the monks in this place full of history throughout the centuries. Once the visit is over, take the cogwheel train down, enjoying the spectacular views of the natural surroundings.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Leave Barcelona aboard one of our comfortable coaches and enjoy an unforgettable excursion to Montserrat, one of Catalonia's most iconic destinations. Montserrat is world-famous for its rocky landscape, which was declared a National Park in 1987 to protect its cultural and natural heritage.
Accompanied by your local guide, you will discover the history of Montserrat Monastery and its unique architecture. Marvel at the harmonious combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles in its basilica and sanctuary. You will learn about the legend that explains the great spiritual importance of the place: the miraculous appearance of an image of the Madonna and Child in one of the caves in the mountain, the Santa Cova. This wood carving, popularly known as La Moreneta, is preserved today in the monastery church. Its characteristic dark colour is due to the oxidation of the varnish over time. Montserrat is also an important centre of spirituality. A community of approximately 80 Benedictine monks currently lives in the monastery, following the Rule of Saint Benedict. In addition to the main monastic complex, the mountain is home to numerous churches and hermitages, some of which are now abandoned, reinforcing the mystical character of the place.
Your guided tour includes tasting excellent local liqueurs, a visit to the Audiovisual Space and access to La Moreneta. After the guided tour, you will have free time to admire the fabulous scenery and visit the market selling local agricultural and typical products.
At the end of the tour, we will descend on the Montserrat cogwheel train, a comfortable and spectacular way to leave the mountain behind while enjoying unique panoramic views of the massif and its natural surroundings. This journey offers a privileged perspective of the landscape and becomes an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Note that the La Escolania children's choir does not perform in the afternoon
- Correct dress code is requested to enter the Basilica at Montserrat. It is not permitted to enter with tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or sandals
- Queues to see the Black Madonna may occur depending on season
- Tour operated in both Spanish and English
Reviews(1,988)
This was a wonderful tour. To experience the monastery, black madonna, museum with the only Caravaggio in all of Catalunya, liquor, honey, and cheese tastings, and the trip back down the mountain was incredible. Our tour guides were fantastic!
instructions were not clear on meeting location, bus left us 3min before scheduled time and staff was not helpful
The place was serile and you can feel the peaceful and calmness of the church. Though confusion at tge beginning afterwards it went smooth
Sara was an amazing guide, very good and made the trip an experience worth booking. The views are incredible. If you visit Barcelona this is a must do trip.
We loved this tour to Montserrat. The monastery and its location are breathtaking, and Nuria our tour guide is wonderful. Such an amazing experience throughout the tour, and we appreciated all the details and history provided by Nuria. Thank you.
What an amazing place . Our guide, Nuria, was brilliant.. so much history passed on to us. Loved everything about this tour. An absolute must do .
Good tour. Nice tour guide and bus driver. Wish guide had narrated the buildings we were seeing as we left barcelona
It was an amazing experience, the guide was excellent. The views and the entire tour was absolutely once in a lifetime.
Fantastic experience. Amazed to be nature and wonderful mountains. The Basilica is a unique experience. Once in a lifetime. Highly recommended. We had a fantastic guide. A young woman called Nuria - great energy, very knowledgeable, and a lovely sense of humour.
Really enjoyed this tour, enjoyed the train ride back down. Liked the mixture of tour & free time, had a great tour guide
