Visit Catalunya’s most famous mountain range and monastery on a tour of Montserrat from Barcelona. Perched on top of a beautiful mountain is the 1000 year-old Benedictine Abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which houses the Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, a basilica housing the shrine of the Patron Saint of Catalunya, and a museum with ancient artifacts.
Know before you book:
- Confirmation of ticket will be at the time of booking
- Wear comfortable shoes to walk in, and clothing suitable for the weather
- Bring sun protection
Highlights:
- Take in the stunning views of the Montserrat Mountains
- Guided walking tour of the Benedictine Monastery
- Free time to explore further where you choose
- Comfortable round-trip from Barcelona
Montserrat, meaning serrated mountain in Catalan, gets its name from its unusual rock formations that resemble the jagged edge of a saw blade. Perched on top of the mountain is the 1000 year-old Benedictine Abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which still operates to this day.
There are many different structures, statues and sites to see on Montserrat, a place of pilgrimage for generations of Catalonians. The basilica is the main attraction for the religious, housing the shrine of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia.
The Escalonia de Montserrat, one of the oldest choirs in Europe, consists of boys from the Monastery’s boarding school and performs daily in the basilica.
In the Montserrat Monastery Museum you will find precious works of art and artefacts dating back hundreds of years. View paintings from famous artists such as Dali, Monet, El Greco and Picasso, and biblical archaeology from Ancient Egypt, Cyprus and Mesopotamia.
Enjoy a scenic drive from Barcelona through the Spanish countryside and admire the beautiful formations of the mountains. Once at the top of Montserrat you will be treated to a guided tour of the monastery before having a chance to explore additional areas of interest at your own pace.
Take a short walk, ride the Saint Joan funicular up a steep slope to get even more spectacular views, or have a bite to eat in the restaurant.
There are various tour operators offering a Montserrat Tour from Barcelona, each providing slightly varying itineraries. Browse through our tours and see which one is right for you.
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Montserrat Tour Prices 2021
Montserrat tours from Barcelona will cost between USD $57.15 and USD $108.53 depending on tour length and inclusions.
Compare prices across the ticket providers below:
Montserrat Barcelona Tour Departure Times
Montserrat Monastery is open daily but tours depart from Barcelona between 8:30 and 10:00 am in the morning, depending on the tour. Half-day tours last approximately 6 hours, while full-day tours last up to 10 hours.
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Best Time to Go to Montserrat
The best time to visit Montserrat is during the week, as crowds can build up quickly on weekends when it tends to get a lot busier.
Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona Tour Options
There are three fantastic Montserrat Monastery ticket options for tours from Barcelona – a half-day tour, a full-day tour including tapas and a visit to a Montserrat winery, and a small group full-day tour including a cava winery visit.
Half-day tours are a great way to experience a visit to the monastery from Barcelona. This tour includes bus transportation from Barcelona and allows you time to roam the beautiful mountain-top at your own speed.
Full-day tours combine the best of Catalunya with a stop at a local winery after a visit to Montserrat. This tour includes transportation in a luxury bus from Barcelona, a guided-tour of Montserrat, and tapas and wine tasting at a winery.
Small-group tours are encouraged if you prefer a more intimate tour, and a private tour guide. This tour also includes transportation in a luxury mini-coach from Barcelona, a visit to Montserrat, and a tour of a cava winery in the wine region.
Half-Day Montserrat, Spain Tour from Barcelona
This half-day tour takes you from Barcelona to the famous site of Montserrat, where you can see the much venerated Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Enjoy exploring the mountain monastery at your own pace with an audio guide. Check out the museum containing priceless works of art and ancient artifacts from Mesopotamia, soak in the incredible views of the valley below, or explore a walking path around the mountain.
What we liked: A very easy way to access Montserrat and explore the mountain monastery.
- Return transport from Barcelona
- Montserrat orientation tour
- Discounts at museums, places of interest, shops, and restaurants
- 3 hours of free time at Montserrat
- Food and drink
- Guided tour
- Hotel pick-up
- Rack railway to the top of Montserrat
Grab an audio guide and get great insight into Montserrat in English.
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Full-Day Montserrat, Tapas and Wine Tour from Barcelona
On this full-day tour you’ll explore Spain’s famous Montserrat Monastery with a tour guide, and afterwards be treated to tapas and wine tasting at Oller del Mas cellar, located in a 10th century castle. At the winery, you will have a tasting of 3 ecological wines. Depending on the option selected, you will enjoy either a multi-course lunch at the cellars, or a lighter tapas lunch and cheese platter during the wine tasting
What we liked: The tour guide was really informative and friendly.
- Shared transportation by air-conditioned bus
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Cogwheel train ticket
- Montserrat National Park and Sanctuary visit
- Visit to Oller del Mas, a boutique winery in a medieval castle
- Welcome drink, tapas lunch and cheese platter or multi-course lunch (depending on option selected)
- Tasting of 3 ecological wines
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- Gratuities
Explore Montserrat and visit a winery in Spain.
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Montserrat & Cava Winery Small Group Day Tour
On this small group tour you’ll visit the iconic Montserrat in the heart of Catalunya and the cava cellars of the world-renowned Codorníu Winery. Here you’ll be taken on a tour of the winery and see how sparkling wine is produced, from the pressing of the grapes to fermentation in the vast cellars.
What we liked: The perfect sized group to ask questions of the guide and have a good time.
- Transportation by luxury air-conditioned mini-coach
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Montserrat visit
- Wine tour and tasting
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- Gratuities
- Museum entrance fees
- Lunch and refreshments
Don’t even think about searching for trains from Barcelona to Montserrat, take an all-inclusive tour instead!
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Specification: Montserrat Tour (Barcelona Monastery with Cable Car)
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Photos: Montserrat Tour (Barcelona Monastery with Cable Car)
Nancy – United States –
Very enjoyable. Good and helpful guide.
Anonymous – United States –
This trip was just ok. Big bus tour in both spanish and english (even though we specified english) with headphones that barely worked. Alot of wasted time speaking in two languages. we skipped out about half way. I wish i had booked something more personal.
Walt – United States –
Very interesting day visiting Montserrat and Codorniu cava winery Our guide, Ana, was very nice and helpful. I thought there might be a little more information and history presented, but the information given was interesting. Tour well organized, but didn’t realize we would be on own for most of it. The cellar tour at Codorniu was quite fun and overall we enjoyed the day.
William – Canada –
A great day . Our guide Rodrigo was a wealth of information and history on the area and Montserrat. We went to Pares Balta winery , a family owned operation for over 3 generations ,in the p.m. for an in depth look at organic wine and Cava making which included some tasting of their products. We would highly reccommend this tour company (Explore Catalonia ) and our guide Rod . Bill & Barb