Experience Barcelona to Montserrat Monastery the Easy Way

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Montserrat Monastery with mountain backdrop in Catalonia, Spain.

Montserrat Monastery nestled in the rugged mountains of Catalonia, Spain.

Montserrat Monastery with tourists exploring courtyard, guided tour from Barcelona.

Church of Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery, Spain

Montserrat Monastery with La Moreneta statue in Catalonia, Spain.

Montserrat Monastery with audio guide, showcasing the historic architecture and scenic mountain backdrop.

Montserrat Monastery with guided tour and farmhouse lunch, Barcelona backdrop.

4.13(490)

Explore at your pace

Access to multilingual audio guide

Explore a Catalonian hinterland, soak up picturesque views from the Montserrat Monastery, and learn all about it from an audio guide.
Don’t worry about queues at the Black Madonna, as your timed tickets have got you covered. Roam the rest of the Gothic basilica leisurely!
Time travel to the bombing of the monastery at the audio-visual exhibit and see masterpieces by artists like Dali, Monet, and El Greco at the museum.
Upgrade your tickets to see Europe's oldest boys' choir or opt for a scenic ride with train transfers plus a rack-railway ride!
Did you know? Montserrat is Catalan for 'saw'. The monastery's name is a nod to the mountain's serrated-looking peaks.

More details

Explore a Catalonian hinterland, soak up picturesque views from the Montserrat Monastery, and learn all about it from an audio guide.
Don’t worry about queues at the Black Madonna, as your timed tickets have got you covered. Roam the rest of the Gothic basilica leisurely!
Time travel to the bombing of the monastery at the audio-visual exhibit and see masterpieces by artists like Dali, Monet, and El Greco at the museum.
Upgrade your tickets to see Europe's oldest boys' choir or opt for a scenic ride with train transfers plus a rack-railway ride!
Did you know? Montserrat is Catalan for 'saw'. The monastery's name is a nod to the mountain's serrated-looking peaks.

from

€18

4.17(283)

Explore at your pace

Comfortable roundtrip transfers in Train

Access to multilingual audio guide

Simplify your Montserrat trip with roundtrip train transfers, multilingual audio guides, entry tickets, maps, and a handy booklet.
Get up close to the Virgin with timed entry to the Black Madonna and discover the meaning of hidden symbols through pre-recorded commentary.
Ride the iconic cogwheel, catch the audio-visual exhibit of the Monastery's history, and explore artworks by renowned artists—all in one trip!
Upgrade to hear the angelic voices of the Escolania de Montserrat boys' choir and witness an age-old ceremony!
Fun fact: The Escolanía de Montserrat is one of the oldest music schools in Europe.

More details

Simplify your Montserrat trip with roundtrip train transfers, multilingual audio guides, entry tickets, maps, and a handy booklet.
Get up close to the Virgin with timed entry to the Black Madonna and discover the meaning of hidden symbols through pre-recorded commentary.
Ride the iconic cogwheel, catch the audio-visual exhibit of the Monastery's history, and explore artworks by renowned artists—all in one trip!
Upgrade to hear the angelic voices of the Escolania de Montserrat boys' choir and witness an age-old ceremony!
Fun fact: The Escolanía de Montserrat is one of the oldest music schools in Europe.

from

€46.80

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4.49(1.2K)

4 hrs 30 mins - 6 hrs

Free cancellation

Comfortable roundtrip transfers in A/C Minibus

Taste monk-made local liquors

Expert local tour guide

Get to Montserrat with round-trip transfers from Barcelona and immerse yourself in spirituality as you ascend the hill on a cogwheel ride.
With timed entry, follow your guide to the Black Madonna and discover the hidden meaning behind the orb in the Virgin’s hand.
Sample monk-made liquors and deep dive into Monastery history with an immersive audio-visual exhibit along with a showcase of rare religious relics.
Personalize your tour: enjoy a quiet morning visit or watch the sunset after an afternoon tour. English and Spanish-speaking guides are available.
Fun fact: According to local folklore, shepherds discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave, leading to the establishment of the monastery.

More details

Get to Montserrat with round-trip transfers from Barcelona and immerse yourself in spirituality as you ascend the hill on a cogwheel ride.
With timed entry, follow your guide to the Black Madonna and discover the hidden meaning behind the orb in the Virgin’s hand.
Sample monk-made liquors and deep dive into Monastery history with an immersive audio-visual exhibit along with a showcase of rare religious relics.
Personalize your tour: enjoy a quiet morning visit or watch the sunset after an afternoon tour. English and Spanish-speaking guides are available.
Fun fact: According to local folklore, shepherds discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave, leading to the establishment of the monastery.

from

€57

4.52(27)

8 hrs

Free cancellation

Comfortable roundtrip transfers in A/C Bus

Cheese & wine tasting with authentic catalan lunch

Expert local tour guide

Board an AC coach in Barcelona and set off on a guided Montserrat tour, punctuated with gastronomic delights and countryside beauty!
Travel around the complex soaking in the beauty of the mystical mountains and the simplicity of monastic life on a unique rack railway ride.
Follow your guide to unravel the secrets of the Monastery, from monk-made liquors to age-old vineyards.
Sample some delicious local wines and savor a meal tailored to your taste—opt for a tempting tapas spread or a 3-course seasonal feast.
Fun fact: Montserrat Monastery houses an extensive library with over 300,000 volumes.

More details

Board an AC coach in Barcelona and set off on a guided Montserrat tour, punctuated with gastronomic delights and countryside beauty!
Travel around the complex soaking in the beauty of the mystical mountains and the simplicity of monastic life on a unique rack railway ride.
Follow your guide to unravel the secrets of the Monastery, from monk-made liquors to age-old vineyards.
Sample some delicious local wines and savor a meal tailored to your taste—opt for a tempting tapas spread or a 3-course seasonal feast.
Fun fact: Montserrat Monastery houses an extensive library with over 300,000 volumes.

from

€79.95

New

5 hrs

Free cancellation

Transfers included

Expert local tour guide

Kick off your day with an invigorating trip to the historic Montserrat Monastery, nestled in the mountainous landscape near Barcelona.
Travel in comfort and ease with air-conditioned bus transfers, accompanied by a tour leader ready to put all your doubts to rest.
Witness a breathtaking sunrise from 720 meters above sea level, a sight sure to leave you with fantastic memories and stunning photographs.
Take your time to immerse in the lavish fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles at the Montserrat and stop to admire elements that interest you.
Fun fact: The world's oldest publishing house, in operation since 1499, is located in Montserrat Monastery.

More details

Kick off your day with an invigorating trip to the historic Montserrat Monastery, nestled in the mountainous landscape near Barcelona.
Travel in comfort and ease with air-conditioned bus transfers, accompanied by a tour leader ready to put all your doubts to rest.
Witness a breathtaking sunrise from 720 meters above sea level, a sight sure to leave you with fantastic memories and stunning photographs.
Take your time to immerse in the lavish fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles at the Montserrat and stop to admire elements that interest you.
Fun fact: The world's oldest publishing house, in operation since 1499, is located in Montserrat Monastery.

from

€39

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Lucien

5/5

Belgium

All the reservations through the purchased tickets (train tickets, cable car, site visits and return trip) were correct like clockwork. The itinerary and accompanying explanations and information were also complete and thus very helpful. The only issue that worried us was the weeks of waiting for the tickets. Although we booked quite early and immediately received the booking confirmation with booking number but for the ticktes we ended up having to contact you ourselves via chat a week before our departure because the tickets were delayed. The person at the chat immediately helped us well to download the tickets. In conclusion, organizationally everything was correct which left us with a very good feeling about our visit to Montserrat.

View original review in Dutch

Montserrat Experience with Audio Guide & Train Transfers

Paul

5/5

United States

The booking experience was very good and the excursion was an excellent value! Isabele, our tour guide was very informative, charming and funny; the only clarification needed in the description is that the train down runs on the weekends only and during the week, the way down is via gondola.

Montserrat Full-Day Trip with Transfers, Rack-Railway Ride & Lunch

Siddhardha

5/5

United Kingdom

Loved the trip and Mateo was excellent. His friendly nature and knowledge was excellent. We will definitely use headout for our next holiday.

Montserrat Full-Day Trip with Transfers, Rack-Railway Ride & Lunch

Timothy

4/5

United Kingdom

Billed as half day and it just squeezed into that at 4.5 hours but it felt a little rushed. But guide Sandra was excellent, funny and good English. Why the Monastery cannot implement a better queueing system is a mystery as they plenty of experience, but that's not the tour company fault.

Montserrat Half-Day Trip with Transfers & Rack-Railway Ride

Carissa

5/5

United States

The tour was very smooth with our guide Julia. She was very fun, had great suggestions for our group and even got us into the monastery early for our visit.

Montserrat Half-Day Trip with Transfers & Rack-Railway Ride

Anne

5/5

United States

Easy to get all info, audio guide, etc. We were able to enter the Basilica about 30 min. ahead of our scheduled time for the Madonna. It was all wonderful and we're so glad we went!

Montserrat Experience with Audio Guide

Michel

5/5

France

The visit was superb. Monserrat really is a magical place. The advantage of the e-ticket booked with Headout is that you don't have to queue to see the black virgin. Well done

View original review in French

Montserrat Experience with Audio Guide

Pro tips to help you make a pick

The Montserrat Experience with Audio Guide is ideal if you want the freedom to explore Montserrat on your own terms. With timed access to the Black Madonna, an audio guide, and entry to the museum, you can wander at your own pace. This option includes an upgrade for easy train transfers, making it perfect if you prefer an independent visit with detailed historical insights.

The Montserrat Experience with Audio Guide & Train Transfers ticket includes roundtrip train and scenic rack railway transfers, simplifying your journey from Barcelona. With this ticket, you’ll enjoy a leisurely trip up the mountain with an audio guide to enrich your visit. It’s an excellent choice if you want convenient transportation paired with a self-paced exploration.

If a well-rounded, guided experience suits you, the Montserrat Half-Day Trip with Transfers & Rack-Railway Ride offers just that. An AC coach will take you from Barcelona to Montserrat, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the monastery, the Black Madonna, and local liquor tasting. This option is perfect if you want a short yet immersive experience with a knowledgeable guide leading the way.

For a comprehensive adventure, the Montserrat Full-Day Trip with Transfers, Rack-Railway Ride & Lunch is your best choice. Enjoy a guided visit to Montserrat Monastery, a rack-railway ride, and local wine and cheese tasting. Top it all off with a tapas brunch or a full three-course meal at a Catalan vineyard.

If you’re looking for simple transportation to Montserrat and prefer to explore independently upon arrival, the Montserrat Monastery Transfers ticket provides a comfortable AC bus transfer with a tour leader to answer questions. This option is perfect for travelers wanting basic guidance and ample time to explore Montserrat on their own.

About Montserrat Monastery

In the heart of Catalonia's Montserrat mountain range lies Montserrat Monastery. Founded in the 11th century, this sacred site has evolved into a spiritual and cultural hub, attracting pilgrims, artists, and adventurers alike. The monastery's basilica houses the revered Black Madonna, a symbol of Catalonia's enduring faith and resilience. For art aficionados, the monastery's museum boasts a remarkable collection of works by masters such as El Greco and Caravaggio.

Great for

History Geeks

Address

08199 Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain

Also known as

Montserrat Monastery

Year opened

1025

Visitors per year

2000000

Destroyed by Napoleon's army in the 19th century, the monastery has undergone reconstruction, with only a few original walls remaining.

Home to the Escolania choir, Europe's oldest boys' choir, the monastery maintains a tradition of musical excellence, selecting boys based on talent, academics, and social skills.

The monastery's library houses over 300,000 books that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Notably, during WWII, Heinrich Himmler sought the Holy Grail at Montserrat, inspired by Wagner's opera Parsifal.

Today, the monastery, inhabited by over 70 monks, showcases Romanesque architecture and a museum featuring works by Picasso, attracting visitors seeking spiritual and cultural enrichment.

Why visit Montserrat Monastery?

Discover artistic treasures at the Montserrat Museum

Home to a remarkable collection of religious art spanning centuries, the Montserrat Museum offers visitors a glimpse into Catalonia's cultural heritage and artistic legacy, with masterpieces ranging from paintings to sculptures.

Admire the architectural marvels

From the impressive Basilica to the serene cloisters, Montserrat Monastery boasts stunning architectural features that showcase a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, captivating visitors with their intricate details and grandeur.

Soak in the sounds of the Escolania

As one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe, the Escolania de Montserrat enchants visitors with its angelic voices and captivating performances, adding a musical dimension to the spiritual ambiance of the monastery.

Witness the miraculous Black Madonna

The monastery houses the revered statue of the Black Madonna, a symbol of hope and devotion for countless believers. Witnessing this sacred icon is a profound experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Explore the rich history and spirituality

With roots dating back to the 9th century, Montserrat Monastery is steeped in history and spiritual significance, making it a captivating destination for history buffs and pilgrims alike.

Highlights

Basilica of Montserrat

The Basilica is the centerpiece of Montserrat Monastery, featuring a striking Plateresque Revival facade and a richly decorated interior. Visitors can see intricate sculptures, including reliefs of St. Benedict and St. George, and explore the historic sepulchers of notable figures like Juan de Aragón y de Jonqueras.

Escolania Boys' Choir

Montserrat Monastery is renowned for its Escolania Boys' Choir, one of the oldest in Europe. The boys who attend the Escolania receive a comprehensive education during their time at Montserrat, combining theoretical studies with practical experience gained through singing, studying, and traveling.

Museum of Montserrat

The museum houses ancient Egyptian artifacts, Byzantine icons, and works by renowned artists such as El Greco, Caravaggio, and Picasso. Visitors can also explore exhibits on the iconography of Our Lady of Montserrat.

Cloister and gardens

Designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, the monastery's cloister features two floors supported by stone columns and a serene central garden with a fountain. Visitors can view Romanesque sculptures, including the marble "Good Shepherd" by Manolo Hugué, and explore the Chapel of Sant Iscle and Santa Victòria.

Refectory and pipe organ

The refectory, dating back to the 17th century, showcases a mosaic depicting Christ and a triptych depicting scenes from the life of St. Benedict. Montserrat's pipe organ, inaugurated in 2010 provides a rich musical experience during religious services and concerts.

Plan your visit

Address

08199 Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain

Nearest Train station

Montserrat Aeri

Travel guides and tips

Top 9 Montserrat guided tours, pick which suits you best!

A mere 50 kms ahead of the hustle bustle of Barcelona lies calmness and serenity imbibed into the soul of the mountain range of Montserrat. This breathtakingly beautiful location derives its name from its physical characteristic of spikey peaks, which translates to ‘saw mountain’. The Montserrat guided tours help you figure out your itinerary at […]