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Julia Travel Barcelona at Planta baja delante
Get Ready to Explore! Meet your friendly guide at Julià Travel Barcelona (Carrer d'Alí-Bei, 80 Local nº 180 - Planta baja Delante del andén 19 / In front of the Platform 19, 08013 Barcelona, Spain)
59 km
64 minutes
1
Montserrat Monastery
2 attractions
2 activities
Tickets included
Dating back to the 11th century, Montserrat Monastery perches atop distinctive rock formations, attracting visitors to its revered Black Madonna statue. With a millennium of history, the monastery showcases artistic treasures by El Greco and Caravaggio, while the Escolania de Montserrat, Europe's oldest boys' choir, captivates audiences with centuries-old melodies.
1. Ride the Rack Railway
Included in price
Get ready for a unique experience riding the rack railway uphill. You'll soak in the beauty of jagged peaks as you reach a height of over 4,000 feet.
2. Basilica of Montserrat
Tickets included
Listen to fascinating stories of miraculous apparitions as you admire the famous Black Madonna, a 12th-century Romanesque carving. Your timed entry ticket ensures a seamless visit to the Basilica of Montserrat.
3. Museum of Montserrat
Tickets included
Enjoy free time to explore the museum which is a treasure trove of Montserrat's art and history. Enjoy masterpieces by famous artists like Monet, Dali, and Picasso and explore ancient artifacts from civilizations like Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt. You can also enjoy locally produced liquors, crafted by the monks themselves!
4. Montserrat audiovisual exhibit
Included in price
Discover the magic of Montserrat in this open-air museum! Explore the legendary Holy Grotto, linked to the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary. Then, step into the world of "Montserrat Portes Endins," an audiovisual journey that reveals the secrets of the monastery and its surroundings.
2
Julia Travel Barcelona at Planta baja delante
Visit Montserrat and explore its monastery and Black Madonna on a guided tour.
Visit Montserrat and explore its monastery and Black Madonna on a guided tour.
Inclusions
The place is beautiful! You don't want to leave it. The ride on the cog railroad is great, very exciting, very nice view. The guide Caroline is a very pleasant woman, tells interesting things, not boring. Super! You need more time...
View original review in German
The guides were unbeatable! Light and educational narration about history.
The wonderful tour guide who explained everything in detail and put it all into place. She was very professional, paid attention to all of the guests and it waw clear that she really enjoyed her job. The whole place was magic and an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed the high quality products I purchased.
My tour guide MK was super engaging, we learned so much from him. He was super attentive making sure the group stayed together before breaktime, which made the whole experience seemless for us.
I was frustrated that even though I had made reservations and paid fo the tour online, I also had to wait in a kong line to check in at the counter, as well. I wasn't aware that this would be necessary and I was quite stressed that this made me feel "late". Also, our tour guide Anna was rude and unfriendly, and even shamed me for "not listening" when I asked a question. "I already told you this". Well, she was mistaken, other passengers affirmed that she has NOT told us this. I think she is sick of this job and working with the public and it made for a much less pleasant day to be treated like a naughty child.
The hour bus ride went smoothly. Although it started 6 hrs it was not more like 4 1/2. Guide was vary informational. I did feel like we were rushed and didn't have enough time to see everything.
The guide was very nice. Vertical wellness orgabised.
If it's a multi lingual guide we should told before purchasing
The guide Adriana was great a true patriot
We did not love our experience. We were so looking forward to this experience for our last day in Barcelona. The instructions for the meeting point were not accurate. I used the google map option in the "Where to go?" that had the address 19 Carrer d'Alli Bei from the email and had a taxi take me to that address (it was 2:45pm) and when we got there, there were no signs. I went into a business and they were kind enough to tell me that I had to go to a bus station. I had to walk with my 8 year old daughter in the rain to try to get to this bus station which was easily a 10 minute walk from where I was dropped off. I tried calling the number in the email 0034 93 317 6454 and I could not get through. I replied to the email in hopes that someone would get it to either call me or wait for us, but no success. When we finally arrived to the bus station, I saw the sign for Julia Travels, there were three young people sitting behind the counter. I told them the situation and they told me that the bus had left and offered me no help, advice or assitance. Not even a little bit of empathy was expressed. They went back to their conversations, laughing and looking at their phones.
Male was extraordinary leading the tour and directions, her storytelling was enriching and fun. Thank you Male!!! All your suggestions were spot on. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💕🙏🏻✨
View original review in Spanish
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.
Fantastic time would definitely recommend, all went smoothly and guide was amazing!
Very misleading tour from your booking web, and the travel company partner Julia Travel, I'm not a happy client
Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station
Ticket redemption takes place at the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya ticket office at Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station.
57 km
60 minutes
1
Montserrat Monastery
2 attractions
2 activities
Tickets included
Hop on a train from Barcelona and let the journey begin! You'll soon be soaring up the mountain on a thrilling rack railway ride, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Once at the summit, explore the majestic Gothic basilica and gain exclusive access to the revered Black Madonna. Unravel the mysteries of Montserrat's history with an immersive audio guide and marvel at priceless art by Dali and Picasso at the museum.
1. Rack railway ride
Included in price
Enjoy breathtaking views as you ascend to the stunning Montserrat mountain range. Hop aboard the Cremallera, a rack railway. This unique train ride offers a smooth and enjoyable journey, winding through rugged cliffs as it climbs toward the historic monastery. The Cremallera allows you to fully enjoy the natural splendor and serenity of Montserrat from the very start of your visit.
2. Basilica of Montserrat
Tickets included
Step into the hallowed halls of the Basilica of Montserrat and come face-to-face with the iconic Black Madonna, a revered religious relic. With timed entry, you'll have exclusive access to this centuries-old Romanesque sculpture. Don't miss the chance to attend a captivating Mass, held daily at 11am and at 9:30am on Sundays and holidays.
3. Museum of Montserrat
Tickets included
Discover a world-class museum recognized as a national treasure since 2006. See artworks by iconic artists like Monet, Dali, and Picasso. Learn about its history with significant archaeological collections from ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt.
4. Montserrat audiovisual exhibition
Included in price
Explore the historic Holy Grotto, linked to the Virgin Mary. Delve into the rich history of Montserrat through the "Montserrat Portes Endins" audiovisual exhibition. See art and ancient artifacts at the open-air Museum of Montserrat.
2
Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station
Travel to Montserrat by train and explore the monastery with an immersive audio guide.
Travel to Montserrat by train and explore the monastery with an immersive audio guide.
Inclusions
The monastery, the boys' choir and the landscape are definitely worth a visit. Redeeming the tickets was easy so far. However, we were not given the audio guide directly together with the map. We thought we would get it when we entered the basilica, but then we had to go back to the information desk. Switching between typing in the audio guide and reading the information in the booklet, as well as searching on the map at the same time, is awkward. It would be nice if the numbers were directly at the locations, as in the museum. You are more occupied with the materials than enjoying the sights. But that's not Headout's fault. Everything worked out fine.
View original review in German
Using the train was easy,and the ticketing at Montserrat well organised
Top price-performance ratio! Everything went smoothly. The staff at the monastery were very nice and helpful 😀😇
View original review in German
everything went very smoothly except our start. There was a misunderstanding regarding our transfer from the train to our next means of transportation. We thought that the cable car was included in our ticket,we got off there.Along with many others.Turned out we were wrong.We had to buy an additional cable car ticket.The return trip went fine after we let the Info help us.Maybe a tip for the future.
View original review in Dutch
Easy access to tickets, process was very well documented and easy! If anyone has time on their visit to Barcelona, I'd highly recommend getting out of the city for the day to experience this amazing place, the views are incredible, we spent a good 2-3 hours wandering in the hills of Monserrate.
It was absolutely fantastic...the booking process, redemption of the ticket at the train station; everything was brilliant...we had a fantastic time. We have used your services before and was equally impressed...we thoroughly recommend your services!
Very basic and the tickets can actually be purchased on site without any problems. It was a shame that the second cable car up the highest mountain was no longer included in the price. We had booked this because we had no experience of the location.
View original review in German
The immensity of the site, unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side... lots of fog and torrential rain.... will have to come back one day to see the landscape and the site in depth.
View original review in French
Had to pay for more travel further up the mountain. Was under the impression all travel was included
The whole tour is beautiful, the only complicated thing was to find the ticket exchange points.
View original review in Spanish
66 km
64 minutes
1
Montserrat Monastery
420 min
3 activities
Free Admission
Dating back to the 11th century, Montserrat Monastery perches atop distinctive rock formations, attracting visitors to its revered Black Madonna statue. With a millennium of history, the monastery showcases artistic treasures by El Greco and Caravaggio, while the Escolania de Montserrat, Europe's oldest boys' choir, captivates audiences with centuries-old melodies.
1. Rack-railway ride
Included in price
The rack-railway is one of the highest in Europe, ascending over 1,000 meters. The ride not only provides stunning panoramic views of the mountains but also gives you a taste of local history, as it has been in operation since the early 20th century.
For the best experience, sit on the left side of the train to catch the most stunning views of the Montserrat peaks.
2. Vineyard visit
Included in price
Discover a charming boutique winery set within a 10th-century castle, proudly maintained by the same family for 36 generations. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in local Catalan and Spanish traditions, starting with a guided tour of the estate, where history and picturesque vineyards intertwine.
3. Authentic Catalan lunch
Lunch
Select the lunch option that suits you best: a spread of traditional tapas or a 3-course meal made with fresh regional ingredients. Pair it with local wines for a true Catalan experience.
4. Wine tasting
Included in price
Sip on 3 distinct wines, locally produced from indigenous grape varieties unique to the region as you learn about the origin and characteristics of valley wines.
2
Explore Montserrat and enjoy a guided tasting experience paired with a local farmhouse lunch.
Explore Montserrat and enjoy a guided tasting experience paired with a local farmhouse lunch.
Inclusions
The location was great and our guide was very knowledgeable, answered questions and guided us through the experience. It started off a little confusing because of the 3 groups but we worked it out. The meal was excellent. The only down side, the rack-railway? Was this the funacular as we paid for this ourselves. Also not really a full day with just 1hr45 free time. I would have loved to do the walks but time was limited, I would describe this trip as more of a 2/3 of a day.
Tour also said "hike to Black Madonna". This tour did not include viewing the Madonna
The guides were knowledgeable and very friendly
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.
No welcome drink on arrival. Monastery was magnificent, cable car ride was stunning
Roger our guide was great and the place is amazing, only wished I had more time there.
Loved the trip and Mateo was excellent. His friendly nature and knowledge was excellent. We will definitely use headout for our next holiday.
We loved everything about this tour. The guide Trini was amazing, the food was tasty, the visit was a perfect mix between teaching and free time. We would do it again in a heartbeat.
The tour guides were excellent, especially Javi. Very knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. Tapas lunch and wine tasting were good. Not enough time allotted to explore Montserrat and ride to the mountain top or take the cogwheel train. Basilica was as described.
The Guided trip to Montserrat with lunch at a farmhose was a great experience. Nice, local food for lunch together with other people joining the trip.
The guide was very competent. The Monastery was very imposant. We liked The church. The lunch was very good.
Pleasant trip. Very professional guide
View original review in French
Meeting Point
Calle Roger de Llúria, 117, in L'Eixample, Barcelona, serves as a convenient meeting point in the city center. Easily accessible by public transport, it’s surrounded by cafes and landmarks, making it a great starting spot for your tour.
59 km
60 minutes
1
Montserrat
60 min
3 attractions
Tickets included (based on selection)
1. Montserrat National Park
75 min
Tickets included
Enjoy a scenic 75-minute walk through the stunning landscapes of Montserrat.
2. Montserrat Monastery
Tickets included
Extend your visit with an in-depth guided tour of the monastery’s art and architecture.
3. Black Madonna
Tickets included (based on selection)
Upgrade to visit the revered La Moreneta, Catalonia’s patron saint, with an expert guide.
2
End Point
Gran Via de Carles III, 100, in Les Corts, Barcelona, serves as the tour’s endpoint. Conveniently located, it offers easy access to public transport and nearby city attractions.
Guided hike in Montserrat’s natural park with monastery visit and transport from Barcelona.
Guided hike in Montserrat’s natural park with monastery visit and transport from Barcelona.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Meeting Point
Meet your expert guide at Roger de Llúria, 117, for a warm welcome. Get ready for a scenic journey to Montserrat.
2 km
10 minutes
1
Montserrat National Park
60 min
Tickets included
Ride through Montserrat National Park on horseback for an hour, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. Enjoy a peaceful and scenic journey led by experienced guides.
Horse ride
2
Montserrat Monastery
Tickets included
Arrive at Montserrat and explore its historic Benedictine Monastery, a spiritual and cultural landmark. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat, learn about the monks' way of life, and take in the stunning panoramic views from the mountaintop.
3
End Point
Conclude your journey at El Corte Inglés on Gran Via de Carles III, a convenient central location. Take time to explore the area, grab a snack, or shop before heading back.
Guided monastery tour & horseback ride in Montserrat with round-trip transport from Barcelona.
Guided monastery tour & horseback ride in Montserrat with round-trip transport from Barcelona.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Meeting Point
Conveniently located near Plaça de Catalunya, Hotel Regina offers an easy and central meeting point. Its prime location ensures quick access to transport links for a smooth start to your Montserrat adventure.
56 km
60 minutes
Pla de Bages
Montserrat Monastery
3
Meeting Point
Soar over Montserrat in a hot air balloon, then explore its monastery with a guide.
Soar over Montserrat in a hot air balloon, then explore its monastery with a guide.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Carrer de Martí i Franquès, 15, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona
The experience begins at Carrer de Martí i Franquès, 15, a convenient central meeting point in Barcelona. This pick-up point is easily accessible by public transport.
54 km
90 minutes
1
Montserrat Monastery
120 min
Tickets included
Stop at the breathtaking Montserrat Monastery, nestled in the Montserrat mountain range. Explore this centuries-old Benedictine abbey, home to the revered Black Madonna statue. Take in panoramic views, visit the basilica, and experience the spiritual essence of Catalonia’s most famous pilgrimage site. Enjoy free time to explore, take photos, or soak in the serene atmosphere.
138 km
1 hour 45 minutes
2
Girona
180 min
Free Admission
Stop at the historic city of Girona, known for its medieval charm and well-preserved Jewish Quarter. Walk along the ancient city walls for stunning views and explore the colorful houses lining the Onyar River. Visit iconic landmarks like the Girona Cathedral, featured in Game of Thrones. Enjoy free time to stroll through cobbled streets, discovering hidden gems and local cafés.
40 km
50 minutes
3
Costa Brava
75 min
Free Admission
Stop at Tossa de Mar, a picturesque coastal town on the Costa Brava, known for its stunning beaches and medieval charm. Explore the Vila Vella, the only preserved medieval walled town on the Catalan coast, offering breathtaking sea views. Stroll through charming cobbled streets, lined with quaint shops and seafood restaurants. Relax on the golden sands or take in the dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
103 km
90 minutes
4
Av. Diagonal, 355, L’Eixample, 08037 Barcelona
End your journey at Av. Diagonal, 355, a central location in Barcelona’s vibrant Eixample district. This area is known for its stunning modernist architecture, upscale shopping, and lively atmosphere.
Explore Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava in one seamless day trip from Barcelona.
Explore Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava in one seamless day trip from Barcelona.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Standing high in the Montserrat mountains, this centuries-old monastery is one of Spain’s most famous spiritual sites. Inside, you’ll find the Black Madonna, a statue said to grant wishes to those who touch her. Whether you’re here for faith or fascination, walking through the monastery’s grand halls and listening to the angelic voices of the L'Escolania Boys’ Choir (if performing) is a moment to remember.
Not satisfied with the options? Click here for more transportation options from Barcelona to Montserrat to ensure a hassle-free journey!
Lunch break: Have a meal at Restaurant Abat Cisneros for Catalan cuisine or enjoy a picnic with local cheese, honey, and pastries from Montserrat’s farmers’ market.
Visit Santa Cova (Optional): Take the Santa Cova Funicular and walk to the Santa Cova Chapel, where legend says the Black Madonna was discovered.
Offbeat Montserrat experiences: Try an adventure activity like:
Free time & souvenir shopping: Browse the artisan market for monastery-made honey, cheese, and unique gifts.
Montserrat is approximately 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Barcelona, and it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach by train, car, or guided tour.
You can travel to Montserrat by train (R5 from Plaça Espanya), car, or guided tour. If taking the train, you’ll need to choose between the rack railway (Cremallera) or cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) to reach the monastery.
The best time to visit is early in the morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 3pm) to avoid crowds. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant weather for sightseeing and hiking.
A half-day trip (4–5 hours) is enough for the monastery, Black Madonna, and short hikes. A full-day trip (7–9 hours) allows time for museum visits, longer hikes, and adventure activities like rock climbing or horseback riding.
No, the Escolania Boys’ Choir performs Monday to Friday at 1pm and Sundays at 12pm. They do not perform on Saturdays or school holidays.
Yes! Montserrat offers hikes of varying difficulty, from the Santa Cova trail (45 minutes round trip) to the Sant Jeroni peak (3-hour round trip) with panoramic views.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring. If visiting the monastery, modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) is recommended. Layers are advised due to changing mountain weather.
Comfortable clothing is the way to go here. Having said that, no trip to Montserrat is complete without a visit to the monastery. There is a dress code in place- Shirts or blouses should cover your shoulders. Sleeveless shirts are acceptable as long as the neckline isn’t too deep. Shorts and skirts should at least reach mid-thigh. Avoid ripped jeans or anything too revealing (showing too much skin).
Yes, most areas of Montserrat, including the monastery, Black Madonna, and museum, are wheelchair accessible. However, some hiking trails and funiculars may be challenging.
Yes! Montserrat is family-friendly, with funicular rides, short hikes, and open spaces for kids to explore. The Montserrat Rack Railway is a scenic and enjoyable way to reach the monastery.