Montserrat Monastery Half Day Experience from Barcelona
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the wonders of Montserrat, a national park and place of pilgrimage for millions worldwide. Join your guide in an air‑conditioned private vehicle from Barcelona for a drive up the mountain, named for its saw‑like rock formations. Enjoy the view and hear about Montserrat’s Basilica and Monastery, home of la Moreneta (Black Madonna).
We offer early access to visit before the crowds arrive.
Depending on the selected option, your tour may include only the guided visit, the guided visit plus Basilica entry, or the full experience with access to the Black Madonna’s altar or listening to the Boys’ Choir. Upon arrival, enjoy a 45‑minute guided tour to discover Montserrat and its secrets. If included, enter the Basilica and see the Black Madonna.
During your 2‑hour free time, explore the farmers’ market, walk to Saint Miguel Cross for breathtaking views, ride the Sant Joan Funicular, and more. Return to Barcelona at the end of the tour.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair accessible (Please let us know if this is your case since we need to arrange with the bus in advance)
'Montserrat with Boys' choir' option is available from Monday to Friday. The Tour starts at 9.30am
'Montserrat + winery + lunch' option is a full day tour, available from Monday to Saturday. The Tour starts at 8.30am
'Montserrat with La Moreneta' option is available from Monday to Sunday. The Tour starts at 8.30am and at 1.30pm.
We meet all travelers at a meeting point. Travelers cannot enter their own pickup location.
The tour guide will be waiting at the meeting point, holding a red burgundy umbrella.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
The "Only Guided Tour" option does not include tickets (Monastery tour and roundtrip only)
Round transfer from the centre of Barcelona to the Monastery
2 Hour Free Time to Explore Montserrat on Your Own
The "Tour, Basilica & Boys' Choir" option includes tickets for the Boys' Choir and Basilica
The "Tour, Basilica & Black Madonna" option includes Basilica entry and touching the Black Madonna
English-Speaking Professional Guide
The "Guided Tour & Basilica Entry" option ONLY includes Ticket to the Basilica
The "Montserrat, Lunch & Winery" option includes a cogwheel train ride and visit to historic winery
Food and drinks in the Half Day options
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Montserrat
Montserrat is a mountain top monastery situated on top of an unusual rock mountain. It is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands. Montserrat monastery hosts “la Moreneta”, also called Black Madonna. The legend says that the benedictine monks found the statue, and they could not move the statue to build their monastery, so they decided to construct it around the statue. Montserrat was designated as a National Park in 1987. Nowadays, it is a site of pilgrimage for people around the world. Once in Montserrat, enjoy a 45-minute small group guided tour, and then you will have 2 hours to explore on your own. You can visit the Museum, taste the monastery’s homemade liquor, go for an easy walk to Saint Miguel's cross for an incredible viewpoint, go up the Sant Joan Funicular, take wonderful pictures, buy local products from the farmer's market, and more.
Abadia de Montserrat
The origin of the monastery is uncertain, but it is believed that the Virgin of Monsterrat (La Moreneta) was found around 880. (8.30 am and 1.30 pm tours include tickets to La Moreneta). According to the legends, the monks built the monastery around the statue. The monastery still functions to this day with over 70 monks. The basilica of Montserrat began its construction in the 16th century, and now houses an art museum. It is also the place where la Escolania, one of the oldest Boys’ Choirs in Europe, performs during religious ceremonies (you can listen to them on the 9.30 am tour).
Options
Montserrat, Lunch & Winery
Duration: 9 hours
Taste & tradition: Enjoy a local liquor tasting in Montserrat, savor lunch in the countryside, and end the day with a wine tasting at a boutique
Full day experience: Take the cogwheel train in Montserrat, visit the basilica, enjoy free time, and head to a scenic winery for panoramic views.
Transfer: Our private A/C bus will take us during the whole trip from 8.30 am until approx. 5.30 pm.
Language: English
Private Tour (half-day)
Duration: 5 hours
Private tour just for you: We’ll pick you up at your accommodation in a private luxury vehicle for a private tour to Montserrat with your own guide.
Guided tour: You can choose to visit the Black Madonna or enjoy the Boys’ Choir performance, available in English or Spanish.
Only Guided Tour
Difference from other options: Includes roundtrip from Barcelona and guided tour. No Basilica or Black Madonna entry, but more free time to explore
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Montserrat Experience: Enjoy the best views in this 5.30-hour roundtrip Tour from Barcelona. Enjoy a guided tour and take free time on your own.
Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus
Language: English
Guided Tour & Basilica Entry
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Montserrat Experience: Enjoy the best views on this tour from Barcelona. Includes guided tour, Basilica access, and free time to explore on your own
Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus
Language: English
Tour, Basilica & Black Madonna
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Montserrat Experience: Enjoy the best views on this tour from Barcelona. Includes guided tour, Basilica and Black Madonna access, and free time.
Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus
Language: English
Tour, Basilica & Boys' Choir
Duration: 5 hours
Montserrat Experience: Discover the best views, enjoy a guided tour of this religious temple, free time, and listen to the famous Boys' Choir.
Transfer: Our private A/C bus will take us from Barcelona to Montserrat on a 1h ride, and then we will be back at around 2.30 pm.
Language: English
Spanish Tour
Duration: 5 hours: 50 minutes ride back and forth, and 3 full hours to visit Montserrat.
Montserrat Experience: Enjoy stunning views on this 5-hour roundtrip tour from Barcelona. Visit the Basilica and have free time to explore.
Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus
Reviews
5,743 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour and guide!
stevew145,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rocco was our guide for this trip and was really knowledgable and good at making the information interesting. Definitely recommend the tour and Rocco as a guide!
Montserrat Monastery Half Day Experience from Catalonia
craigwU1745YG,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Montserrat Monastery Half Day Experience from Catalonia was a great adventure, very informative, well organised and definitely worth the visit. Our leader Rocco was entertaining, a wealth of knowledge, and a pleasure to be with. Highly recommended!
Stunning views, beautiful monestary
J7819NQthomasc,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Roberto and Roberto have a great tour of Montserrat. It was stunning, moving and definitely worth the trip. Having a guide navigate the large property was very helpful.
Beautiful day
Cynthia S,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything went well from beginning to end Xavier was an excellent guide. Boys choir was amazing. Beautiful basilica and surrounding mountain.
1/2 day tour
Wander375559,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Took the tour with Rocco and learned so much about not only Montserrat but also history of the city if Barcelona. Highly recommend
Timely & informative
Susan W,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rocco was an amazing tour guide, he gave historical information on our journey to Montserrat. Once there, he made sure we knew about our surroundings; visiting the Basilica & Black Madonna, market, bathrooms, gift stores & trail. The tour kept to the times well & Rocco answered our questions respectfully. Feel fortunate he was our guide. Thank you very much Rocco.
Overall, good tour. ...
Ashley Z,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Overall, good tour. The drive there and back was smooth. Our guides were great. However, I would have preferred a full guided tour with some solo time only after visiting the Basilica. The guides left us at the entrance of the Black Madonna and we were left on our own to tour the Basilica portion. I think it would have been better to have a guided tour through the Basilica as well in order to learn more about its history. I also felt I did not have enough time to do everything available. So, a day trip (instead of a half-day) may have been more appropriate.
Bus Great; Tour Not Great
Jana C,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00This was meh. You are basically buying this for the coach bus ride. Pros: 1. The coach bus was very nice inside Cons: 1. The tour led by our tour guide basically told us nothing. 2. People who cannot handle winding roads should not book. We had a lady throwing up on the bus. 3. There is limited time at Montserrat. We did not have enough time to see the Black Madonna and go up on the vernacular and walk around. I would hire a private tour guide or just do this myself if I were to do this again.
Better than expected
mariasC9436OU,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour guide Roberto , and driver Javi., great command of the English language , professional, patient, answered all our questions…clean bus. This has been a highlight of my trip.
Montserrat with my best friend.
M8564UDsimonab,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best experience with a very friendly and nice guide. Montserrat is very beautiful and the view is sensational . Meditation,nature,Mountain,history,all you need.
From €49.00
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