Things To Do

Car Rental

Transfers

Events

Find your next adventure

Car Rentals Transfers Events My Bookings Help

Visit Montserrat: Private Day Trip from Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain
5 hours
Date
Today
Change date
Book now

What You Will Do

Experience a beautiful day trip from Barcelona to visit Montserrat, the iconic 12th-century Benedictine monastery dramatically built into the mountainside, followed by a fascinating tour of Montserrat Museum - a treasure trove of masterpieces by some of Spain's most famous artists. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery on this private 5-hour guided tour, with private transport and entrance tickets included. 

On your private tour to Montserrat, you will:


  • Enjoy a wonderful tour out to Montserrat in the Catalonian countryside with a private guide and driver with hotel pick up and drop off;

  • Relax on a stunningly scenic drive out to the mountainous countryside of Catalonia;

  • Visit the breathtakingly beautiful Santa Maria Montserrat, an Abbey built in the 11th century by the Order of Saint Benedict;

  • Explore this old oasis of spiritual calm and beautiful monastic architecture; 

  •  Learn all about its fascinating history dating back to the founding of the Santa Maria Hermitage in 888 A.D;

  • Hear about the lives of the 80 Benedictine monks who live here today, and the famous boy's choir one of the oldest in Europe;

  • See the famous Black Madonna Statue, one of the region’s icons, known locally as ‘La Moreneta’ (meaning 'the dark one');

  • Enjoy a guided tour of the Montserrat Museum to see works by some of Spain’s most renowned artists, including El Greco, Picasso, and Dalí;

  • Enjoy an easy transfer back to Barcelona, where you will be returned to your hotel. 


Enjoy this five-hour day trip from Barcelona out to the rugged, mountainous countryside of Catalonia to visit the impressive Santa Maria Montserrat Monastery and the Montserrat Museum of Art. The magnificent Monastery of Montserrat was built around a thousand years ago, in the 11th century, on the site of a Hermitage established in 888 A.D.

With its imposing sand-coloured facade, it looks like it was dramatically carved out of the mountain - as though the monastery and mountain were one. Montserrat literally means 'the Serrated Mountain' and is so called because of its stark rock formations. It is still a working monastery - a place of sanctuary and pilgrimage, where 80 monks live according to the life and rules of Saint Benedict. It is also a choir school - with the oldest boy's choir in Europe.

The monastery is famous for housing the Black Madonna statue, a local icon carved in the 12th century and known as 'The Dark One' or Our Lady of Montserrat. She has become of symbol and focal point of Catalan identity - especially during the Spanish Civil War, during which 22 monks of the abbey were killed. 

The monastery has survived many invasions and attacks. In 1811 and 1812 it was burned down by Napoleon's forces and later restored. The Abbey has been a place of sanctuary, sheltering clandestine political activists, intellectuals, artists, writers, and poets - as well as publishing books, and saying mass in the forbidden Catalan language.

As well as boasting unbeatable views of the city of Barcelona from its many vantage points, Montserrat is also home to a great museum bringing together the work of some of the most famous Spanish painters, including the gifted El Greco, Picasso, and Dalí. Finally, explore some of the amazing viewing points of the mountain, and enjoy a leisurely drive back to Barcelona. 

Please note that this tour is only fully accessible to people who can walk up and downstairs. The nature of the site includes some walking on a high hill and steps too.
If you have mobility impairments or require any assistance, please let us know in advance so we can plan your tour accordingly to ensure a great experience.

What's Included?

  • A friendly, professional English Speaking tour guide for your own private group
  • Plenty of time to take photos of your favourite places
  • Admission tickets to The Sanctuary of Montserrat, the Black Madonna and the Montserrat Museum
  • Roundtrip transportation in a private vehicle including hotel pick up and drop off

What's Not Included?

  • Food and drink
  • Gratuities
  • Additional tickets to other attractions

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 30 days before tour start. 10% cancellation fee applies if cancelled between 30 and 4 days before tour start. Non refundable if cancelled within 4 days of tour start.

Itinerary

Meeting Point

Pickup service is included for Barcelona City Centre. If your hotel information is not provided, your guide will meet you by the Antonio Lopez Monument located at Placa d'Antonio Lopez, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

1

Montserrat

One of the spiritual homes of Catalan culture, atop a mountain with spectacular views.

Show 3 more stops

Additional Information

This activity is operated by Travel Curious
  • Weather notes: In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, natural disasters, riots, strikes, etc. and the tour cannot operate as published, we will endeavour to reschedule your tour date/time or we will provide a full refund.
  • Know before you go: - Hotel pick-up is available upon request. Please note that if you do not provide us with your hotel information your guide will meet you at the recommended meeting point (address in the tour confirmation email). - Montserrat is a religious site, please dress respectfully with knees and shoulders covered. - Please wear comfortable walking shoes. - Please bring any medication you may require during the tour. - In summer, please remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
  • Accesibility: Montserrat Monastery is a convenient and welcoming place to visit if you are a limited mobility traveller hoping for good disabled access. As far as is possible the Montserrat team have facilitated accessibility throughout the Monastery. There are only a few places in Montserrat that are not accessible for limited mobility travellers. The cable car to Montserrat does not have disabled access. Access to the Black Madonna for disabled visitors Unfortunately, if you are a wheelchair or scooter user, you will not be able to get right up to the Black Madonna, which is located inside the Basilica. However, you will be able to see the statue from a distance of two metres. Areas of Montserrat that are not accessible if you are a limited mobility traveller Unfortunately, despite the fact that the Montserrat Basilica is wheelchair and scooter accessible, the Black Madonna is not (see above for more details). The other main attractions at Montserrat that are not wheelchair or scooter accessible are the two funiculars: Funicular de Sant Joan and the Funicular de Santa Cova (not to be confused with the rack railway to Montserrat that is accessible). These two small funiculars travel up and down very steep inclines and do not have sufficient space for wheelchairs or scooters. There are a total of five walks that start at Montserrat. Depending on your level of mobility, there are some walks that it might be possible for you to do. If you have mobility impairments or require any assistance, please let us know in advance so we can plan your tour accordingly to ensure a great experience.