Montserrat, Spain – Extraordinary day trip from Barcelona – a full guide – will help anyone planning to visit this place! It’s a breathtaking location about 50km from the lively city of Barcelona, in the Catalan countryside. A Benedictine monk retreat and art museum, set against a backdrop of multi-peaked mountains. This post blends both useful info for going there and also my personal memoirs of visiting Montserrat, to fire your imagination.
People come here for different reasons, whether it be as a religious pilgrimage, to do some mountain climbing or just to enjoy the amazing views. I actually came here with my mother, while on holiday in Barcelona. Without doubt, it proved to be one of the most magical trips of my life.
I mean the entire experience was absolutely unforgettable. Montserrat, Spain certainly makes for an outstanding day trip from Barcelona.
My visit to Montserrat
From Barcelona, my mother and I took a train ride there and on arrival I stood at the foot of the jagged, cream coloured mountains. The highest peak being Sant Jeroni at 1236m above sea level. I looked up in awe, my eyes following the direction of the cable car, as it got smaller and glided to the very top.
We noticed climbers with all their equipment, preparing to take the more physical route up. My mother and I opted for the yellow cable car. It would be my first ever ride in one of these things and a cool experience!
When we reached the top I remember the strong, pleasing smell of pine in the air. Added to this was the angelic sound of the famous Montserrat choirboys, coming from the abbey. The fine notes of heaven and earth blended perfectly here.
We looked out over the mountains, taking in the views. Off to my right I could see the higher peaks. They were marked by wooden crucifixes. I thought about how brave some people were, to erect those crosses in such precarious looking spots. A cat sat perched on the wall, very content in the Spanish sun.
My mother and I headed toward the Santa Maria de Montserrat abbey. The choir song increased in volume. Upon entering, we were blown away by the scene before our eyes. The abbey was jam-packed with people, some were Christian devotees and others, simply travellers like us. All of us had come to appreciate this spectacle.
The choirboys sounded otherworldly. I turned to my mother and noticed she had a tear in her eye. We realized we were in a very special place.
We lit a candle in memory of my late Dad, who had died quite young and prayed to ourselves.
There is no cost to visit the church and it’s open 24 hours a day.
Highlights of Montserrat
Montserrat Art Museum
Yes, there is an actual art museum in the mountains! It’s located under St Mary’s Square. While in Montserrat, be sure to visit this place. It includes works by art giants such as El Greco, Caravaggio and Dali, to name a few. Precious artefacts are also displayed here, for example an Egyptian sarcophagus dating back to the 13th century BC.
Opening times
Daily: 10.00-17.45
Ticket prices
Adults: 8 euros
Children: 4 euros
Pensioners/groups: 6.50 euros
Temporary exhibition price: 3.50 euros
Please note all info is at the time of writing and may be updated, so be sure to double check.
The Black Madonna
Inside the basilica is the Black Madonna and even though there’s estimated to be between 400-500 in Europe alone, this is one of the star attractions of the abbey.
Pilgrims believe the sacred, wooden statue has healing powers and can work miracles. People come from all over the world to see this Black Madonna.
Only one hand, holding a sphere to represent the universe, is not protected by a glass screen like the rest of the statue. Touching this hand is believed to heal sick pilgrims.
It’s also known as the Black Virgin or the Virgin of Montserrat. Queues to view the statue were quite long when I visited, so I chose not to see it myself.
It is free of charge to see the Black Madonna.
Santa Cova de Montserrat
Opening times
Mon to Fri: 10.30-15.30
Sat to Sun: 10:30-16.30
Entry is free
Getting there from Barcelona
The easiest way to reach Montserrat from Barcelona is by train from Placa Espanya rail station, which is on the green and red metro lines. This means you can reach the station from anywhere in the city pretty much. You will need to look for Line R5 once at Placa Espanya station.
Trains run every hour from 8.36 to 16.36 leaving from Barcelona and take about 1 hour to reach the foot of the mountains at Montserrat at Aeri Montserrat (the cable car).
Trains run every hour from 06.45 to 22.45 leaving from Aeri Montserrat back to Placa Espanya, Barcelona and again takes 1 hour
When you buy your tickets you have options of getting train ticket plus cable car or funicular, prices are the same. I know the cable car is about a 20 min ride.
If trains and cable cars aren’t your thing, Daytrip connects Barcelona to Montserrat with local, English-speaking private drivers. Not only is it more relaxed, but you can also build in little stops along the way — a wine tasting, a village stroll, or a viewpoint detour before arriving at the abbey.
Please note all info is at the time of writing and subject to change, so please check when you travel!
Finally, are you still in any doubt if it’s worth your time to get out of Barcelona and come here? Mark my words, you won’t regret making the effort!
Whether or not you’ve toured the famous Gaudi buildings, enjoyed sunning yourself on the beach, explored the Gothic Quarter etcetera, spent a little or a lot of time in the wonderful city of Barcelona, just be sure Montserrat features high up on your itinerary. The sight of the mountains, views of the Catalonian countryside, the smell of the pine and the splendour of the Basilica, will all leave you catching your breath.
For more reading why not check out my Switzerland’s Astonishing Natural Wonders: A Journey through Alpine Beauty
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