Montserrat, Spain – Day Trip From Barcelona

If you’re in Barcelona and have a day to spare, I can’t recommend a trip to Montserrat enough. Just an hour outside the city, this place is a gem that offers a mix of stunning mountain scenery and deep cultural history.

When I visited Montserrat, what struck me was the sense of tranquillity despite it being a popular spot. The Montserrat Monastery is fascinating, both architecturally and historically. I remember standing in front of the Black Madonna, a key highlight, and feeling the weight of its significance to so many people. The walk around the area, with its mix of religious sites and natural beauty, was something I won’t forget anytime soon.

For anyone in Barcelona looking to do something different, this day trip to Montserrat is well worth it.

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Where Is Montserrat Located

Home to the Monastery, Montserrat’s location is of religious and historical significance. Montserrat was destroyed in 1811 when the French invaded Catalunya. In 1844 the Monastery was rebuilt. 

The Monastery is set in a picturesque location, at the very heart of Montserrat mountain. The geology, flora and fauna that forms part of this landscape make hiking up the mountain very fulfilling.

It was certainly an unplanned trip when we decided to take a day trip from Barcelona to visit Montserrat.

Montserrat – A Day Trip From Barcelona

You must surely include Montserrat when planning your Barcelona itinerary. It is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona is visiting Montserrat. The Montserrat mountain peaks are famous for the unparalleled views they offer, over Catalonia.

This trip comes with a big opportunity to see the Spanish side of the country and an opportunity to go beyond the popular sights in Barcelona itself. 

Going to Montserrat from Barcelona is always a good idea that would never be a wasted trip. You can either do a DIY day trip or enroll in one of the day tours from Barcelona to save on the hassle of planning.

Book a guided day tour see the best highlights of Barcelona and Montserrat

Weather In Montserrat, Spain

Montserrat’s weather can be classified into 2 periods – a wet, warm period from June to January, and a dry, cool period from February to May. Temperatures range from 13 – 14ºC on average.

Keep in mind that Montserrat is at the top of a mountain, so compared to ground temperature, it can either be colder, windier or warmer.

If you are up for hiking up Montserrat like us, be prepared to be exposed to the Spain weather, as there is not much shade en route. Do dress adequately – slap on sunscreen or cover up!

6 Things You Can’t Miss When Visiting Montserrat, Spain

As we are all aware, Montserrat is a famous place that people from all around the world come to witness. 

Montserrat’s history is nearly 1000 years old! This place is full of stories and places that speak for themselves. 

Before you plan your trip here, you must know everything that it has to offer. For that, I’m briefly listing down some of the things to do in Montserrat or – let’s say – attractions you shouldn’t miss when in Montserrat.

1. Montserrat Monastery

Visiting Montserrat Monastery is an experience that feels both spiritual and awe-inspiring. Perched high in the Montserrat mountains, this sacred site is not just a place of worship but a journey into history and culture. The monastery houses the revered statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, or La Moreneta, which has been a symbol of devotion since its discovery in the Holy Cave back in 880.

Strolling around the monastery, you can’t help but feel a sense of peace. The mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture adds to the atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for quiet reflection. But what truly caught my attention was the artistic presence throughout the area. You’ll discover the Monumental Rosary, a breathtaking collection of sculptures and religious symbols that line the path to the Holy Cave.

This one is Gaudi’s pure work that you shouldn’t miss!  If you’re planning a visit to Montserrat, the monastery is an absolute must-see—it’s a place that leaves a lasting impression long after you’ve left.

Book a guided tour to Montserrat Monastery here.

2. Montserrat Museum

If you are a history and museum buff, you are going to love everything about this museum. 

Montserrat Museum houses 6 permanent collections of more than 13,000 artefacts, yeah you need a good amount of time to explore that! 

Private donations play an important role in how you find this museum today. Montserrat Museum has a large number of pieces of art from all periods, from artists like Caravaggio, Marià Fortuny, Claude, Monet, El Greco, Picasso, Degas and Santiago Rusiñol. 

Book a guided tour to Montserrat Museum here.

3. The local market

You must’ve heard of Montserrat’s famous local market. This is a great market where you can find all the typical Catalan products very easily from the farmers themselves. 

A true pleasure to experience a natural, artisan and direct trade. In a variety of products, you will find oil, liquor, honey, cheese, and cottage cheese.

4. Hiking 

You visit Montserrat and not go for a hike? Is your trip even complete? A big NO!

There are so many mountain trails to explore and walks to do here that are so soothing and refreshing that you wouldn’t want to leave. 

Though this is not an easy trail you’ll find, you can start on a beginner trail by taking the Sant Joan Funicular railway to arrive at Sant Joan chapel in just 5 minutes. If you have time to explore more, you can also embark on the trail that goes towards Sant Jeroni. 

Hike your day out and give yourself that soothing treatment while spending quality time with Mother Nature.

Escala de L’Enteniment

Don’t miss this viewpoint on the monument Escala de L’Enteniment, dedicated to the Catalan philosopher,  Ramón Llul too!

If you want to try out some hiking trails, or even hike to the peak of Sant Jeroni at 1,236m high like us, dedicate a full day to exploring Montserrat. Hiking to the peak took us 3-4 hours. 

Book a guided hiking tour to Montserrat Natural Park here.

5. Montserrat and Benedictine Monastery Day Tour from Barcelona

If you’re looking for a stress-free way to explore Montserrat, I highly recommend the Montserrat and Benedictine Monastery Day Tour from Barcelona. It’s a great option if you want to sit back and enjoy the journey without worrying about the logistics.

The tour takes care of everything, including round-trip transportation, so you can just focus on soaking in the stunning views and rich history. It’s perfect for first-timers, as the guide shares fascinating insights into the monastery and the surrounding area, making sure you don’t miss a thing.

Book a guided day tour to Montserrat and Benedictine here.

6. Montserrat & Sagrada Familia Day Tour

For those wanting to tick off two of Catalonia’s must-see spots in one day, the Montserrat & Sagrada Familia Day Tour is the way to go.

This tour effortlessly combines the tranquil beauty of Montserrat with the awe-inspiring architecture of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It’s a fantastic way to get a real feel for both the natural and cultural highlights of the region, all packed into a single, unforgettable day. 

Book a guided day tour to Montserrat & Sagrada Familia here.

How To Get To Montserrat From Barcelona

The real problem arises when you don’t have much knowledge of area or about its public transportation. You need to have a good research on the area, its transport, tickets to buy and where and when you should buy, for a successful trip!

And that is why we’re breaking it down for you here.

Make your way to Plaza Espanya train station in Barcelona. The train station is in the same building as the metro station. Once at Espanya, look for Line R5 headed towards Manresa.

The train duration from Barcelona Espanya station to Montserrat is 1 hour.

You have two options to reach the Monastery after the train ride. You would have to select which ticket to buy when you’re at the station:

i) Bus

By far the easiest method is to book an air-conditioned bus to take you easily from Barcelona to Montserrat Monastery. 

Book a bus from Barcelona to Montserrat here.

ii) Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat)

The cable car ride from the train stop Aeri de Montserrat is only a 5-minute ride. You will have breathtaking views on the cable car ride up to the monastery. However, you would have to stand throughout the journey.

Book a cable car ride to Montserrat here.

iii) Cremallera Funicular – Rack Train

This rack railway service that will take you from the bottom of Montserrat Mountain to arrive at the Montserrat Monastery.

If you opt for this option, get off one stop after Aeri de Montserrat, called Monistrol. The Rack Train ride will take 15 minutes to the Monastery and is a more comfortable ride than the cable car offers. However you won’t have as good views as you would from the cable car. You can, though, sit down throughout your journey and are thus suitable for the wheelchair-bound.

If you’re confused and would rather take a guided tour from Barcelona, a Montserrat tour is always a good idea. 

What ticket to buy to get to Montserrat

1) Single ticket 

Single journey to Montserrat. Includes €2.15 train fare from Barcelona Espanya to Montserrat . You have the option of buying a ticket for either:

• the cable car ride up to the monastery (Get off at train stop Montserrat Aeri) or
• the Track Train ride up to Montserrat Cremallera funicular, a funicular from Barcelona to the monastery (Get off at train stop Monistrol)

Ticket prices:
Adult – €11.40; Child – €8.50; Pensioners – €10.75

2) Return ticket

Same as above but with a return ticket.

Ticket prices:
Adult – €20.20; Child – €15.65; Pensioners – €19.20

3) Trans Montserrat Ticket

This is ultimately the ticket we got for the most value.

The ticket includes the following:

i. Return train fare from Barcelona to Montserrat

Either with the Cable car ride option to the monastery, or the Track Train mountain train ride

Remember you need to specify which when you buy this ticket because they are not interchangeable and after a day trip from Barcelona, you won’t have the energy to deal with the mess. 

You either buy a Cable Car version or you buy the Cremallera Funicular – Rack Train version (funicular from Barcelona to the monastery) of this ticket.

ii. 2 return journeys on 2 different funicular rides – Funicular de Santa Cova & Funicular de Sant Joan

You catch these funicular rides once you arrive at the monastery, which brings you to different parts of the mountain, including  the top of Montserrat mountain and the Santa Cova cave.

This ticket saves you from €10.30 (return)/ €6.50 (single) for the funicular from the monastery to the top of Montserrat mountain and/or another  €4.00  (return)/ €2.60 (single) for the funicular ride from the monastery to Santa Cova Cave.

iii. 2 free metro rides with this ticket

Each metro ticket otherwise costs  €2.15  each.

iv. Access to the audio visual area on Montserrat

Ticket price:
€29.30

4) ToT Montserrat Ticket

An all-in-one ticket, it includes everything in the Trans Montserrat Ticket mentioned above and in addition, you have:

i. Entry into the Montserrat museum (U.P. €7.00 for adult/ €6.00 for pensioners)

ii. Lunch at the restaurant at Montserrat

The restaurant offers a buffet lunch.

Ticket price:
€46.20

Getting around Montserrat, Spain

First thing to do when you arrive? Grab a Montserrat map from the tourism office to get your bearings!

There are a few options to go about while you’re at Montserrat.

1) By foot

Instead of taking the funicular or cable car, we took off on foot, hiking up the steep slopes of the mountain towards the Sant Jeroni peak, at 1,236m high. Hiking to the peak took us 3-4 hours.

En route, we were greeted with sights of the teeth formations. The clear sky accentuated the already picturesque landscapes.

2) By the Funicular de Sant Joan

Apart from visiting the monastery, take some time to visit Sant Joan’s peak via the Funicular de Santa Cova. Sant Joan takes you near the highest point of Montserrat, though you will still need a little hike.

Catch the viewpoint of the entire Montserrat Monastery. The views are impressive. You can return with the funicular again, or can hike down the monastery. It is a scenic but long walk which takes about 3 hours.

3) By the Funicular de Santa Cova

The Funicular de Santa Cova takes you slightly back down the mountain to the starting point of Montserrat. Here, visit the cave chapel Santa Cova.

Legend has it that this is the cave where the image of Mare de Deu de Montserrat (the Virgin Mary) was seen by shepherds. The cave sits about 20 minutes’ walk from the funicular station or you can choose to walk directly from the Montserrat Monastery to the cave.

There you have it! Before packing your trip, just know that Barcelona and Montserrat are truly for wanderers!

You need a lot of time and energy to travel, explore and discover everything they have to offer. From getting to Montserrat train station, to how to get Montserrat tickets, to day tours from Barcelona, I hope I’ve covered it all for you and you found this article helpful.