Very Early Trip to Montserrat : Hiking, Abbey, very small group

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

7 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover the only trip that arrives at 7 : 30h in Montserrat and be a lot of time without any other tourists. We will set off from Barcelona by van for 7 persons from 6 : 15h till 6 : 35h.

From mid September till mid February we will see the sunrise.

First we will visit the Abbey and the Black Madonna and we won't be faced with long lines.

After that, you'll have two options:

FIRST : Around 8 : 30h, we will start a circular hiking tour with wonderful views.

The maximum elevation gain and loss will do is 420m / 1377ft, with 7.4km / 4.59 miles. The hiking up will take 1h. After that, for around two hours, the hike will be quite flat and then will be going down back to the Monastery area.

SECOND : You can hike wherever you want but by yourself. You can take the funicular (cable car under the cabin) from 9:30h.

I will tell you anyway which hiking routes I recommend you to do.

At 12:30h we will go back to Barcelona to arrive at 13:30h.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

People with mobility problems are not accepted

People who cannot walk at a normal pace are not accepted

People over 65 years old are accepted but who do not have any mobility problems

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Entrance to the Abbey and the Black Madonna when there are still no tourists

Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in different areas of Barcelona

Transportation in a van for only 7 participants

Guided tour and hiking tour with different difficulty options

Breakfast

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Barcelona

We will leave Barcelona at 6:45h to arrive in Montserrat at 7:30h. Pick-up will be between 6:15h and 6:35h at your hotel if it is located in the Eixample and other neighborhoods, except, for example, Gothic, Raval, Born, etc. You can ask where I can pick you up and you will not normally have to walk more than 5 minutes.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

At 8 am we will visit the Abbey and see the Black Madonna without queuing.

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Sunrise in Montserrat

Pickup included

Reviews

4.85

121 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

111

Must-Do Montserrat Experience
Stephanie C,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This hike absolutely blew my mind! Be ready for an adventure you’ll never forget. It’s definitely challenging, but the views are beyond words totally worth every step. Albert was hilarious, super knowledgeable, and full of great energy and positivity. Be prepared for lots of stairs, but trust me, it’s so worth it. A must-do experience!
Stood up by tour guide.
Pamela A,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
I got up at 4:45 AM and stood on the street corner in the dark, where I was told to meet my guide. He never showed up. Later he admitted he went to the wrong corner. He left me standing there and went on the tour without me. He deleted me from the group chat and refused to come back and get me even though he was only five minutes or less away . He never called to check on me. I really wanted and needed this spiritual experience. Very disappointing.
Fantastic experience, great host, early is the way to go!
Chris P,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Such a great experience from start to finish! Albert was a great host, all instructions were very clear and simple. Starting very early is definitely the way to go, arriving at the monastery as the sun rose was magical. Seeing the black Madonna with no queues, no question I would prefer that to crowds. I took the hike to the top, it is very tough, you need hiking/mountain experience as it's up-up-up. The views along the way and the top are an ample award. The cable car on the way down was awesome, I don't like heights but when in Barcelona! The train down was an option. Albert was a great host for our group throughout, apparently he doesn't have super-powers to change the weather but maybe offer your prayer to the black Madonna for a clear day. Albert was definitely the (mountain) G.O.AT, thanks for making this the best day of my visit. Id recommend to anyone, and even if you are not mountain-fit just the sunrise, early start and a smaller walk to the cross and church would be worth every penny.
A "Must Do" while in Barcelona!
Rosemary K,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Montserrat is a unique and spiritual experience. Words cannot adequately describe it. Being there so early when the sun rises (and before all the tourists get there) is the only way to do it. Albert is a superb tour guide and driver. He gave us all the options... whether to hike to the top, or hang out on the main level and go at your own pace. I went to the 11 am mass in the monastery. Took the funicular up to the top, and then met the group via zip train down the mountain. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience... take this tour with Albert!
Optimal Trip to Montserrat!
Bailey M,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is the way to do Montserrat! Got there with plenty of time to see the monastery and Black Madonna before any big groups arrived. It was awesome to see the sunrise as well! Albert was a great guide and was chill and flexible when I decided to change hiking plans along the way. Van was comfortable and convenient. Highly recommend!
Albert was a fantastic...
Haydee A,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Albert was a fantastic tour guide. Full of knowledge and information. Punctual and accommodating. We had an amazing experience. Highly recommended.
Faith, Goats, and 15,000 Steps – My Montserrat Adventure
Susan N,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Today’s journey with Albert to Montserrat was unforgettable. ✨ I can not imagine a better way to visit this magnificent place. You arrive well before the crowds. Visited the Black Madonna in the chapel, where I felt such closeness to God. 🙏 Then hiked to the summit of Santa Magdalena — truly an act of God in itself! 🏞️ Motivated by some friendly goats along the way, I climbed 15,000 steps, and 100 flights of stairs to reach the top. 🐐⛰️
Awesome experience. Worth...
Matthew C,
Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Awesome experience. Worth getting up early for. Beat the rush before crowd. Great views from the top.
I can’t say enough!! ⛰️ 🥾 🌄
Marissa S,
Aug 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Albert, our guide, was incredible! Immediately after booking the tour, he began communicating with me via WhatsApp providing me with articles and information to prepare myself for the experience. 🚐 ⏰ This trip included pick up, which made things very easy and Albert was punctual to the dot. He picked me up in a clean and comfortable van and pointed things out in the city on the way to pick up more members of the group, 🏙️ so we got a little mini city tour before the hike even started. 🌄 Because this was an early morning hike we were able to witness the incredible sunrise and fog in the mountains completely by ourselves as no other tour buses arrive that early -it honestly felt magical. This also meant that we were able to tour the monastery ⛪️ and take photos with no one around. 🥾 The hike itself was the best part! It was no joke (we climbed over 1,000m), which took our whole small group by surprise in the best way possible! Because of the challenge it felt very exhilarating and accomplishing to reach the summit! ⛰️ During the hike Albert chatted with us and felt more like a friend than a tour guide. He also balanced our small group perfectly -making sure everyone was looked after individually and that no one fell behind as well as communicating in both English and Spanish for the needs of our group. ⭐️ Albert really went above and beyond. He offered us hiking shoes in case anyone needed them, carried water 💦 in a backpack for us up the mountain, offered to take photos 📸 at the key view points and even opened a bottle of wine 🍾 at the top so we could celebrate! At the end, he shared local chocolates 🍫 with us that he purchased at the market in Montserrat before heading down! He’s super down to earth, easy to talk to, really knowledgeable, and honestly for the price I paid (around $80), this was insanely good value. I would’ve expected something like this to cost triple
Beat the crowds and beat the heat. Just make sure you are at least of average fitness.
Shane L,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Early morning was awesome. Mountains are more beautiful near sunrise. We pretty much had the entire monastary complex to ourselves with no one to interrupt the photos. The hike to the top was in the cool of the morning which avoided the heat of noon and afternoon. The ride down on cable car empty becuase the crowds were only just arriving. There are only positives to going early if you can get ready by 600 to 630am. Alberto was lovely and knowledgeable. He provided lots of communication and background info on whatsapp prior the trip. You have to be relatively fit to climb to the top. There are some gravelly and steep paths and the pace had everyone sweating and panting (From teenagers to 50 year olds). I wouldn't recommend to anyone with balance issues, joint issues or is of below average fitness for a 60 year old. But you could always just hang around the monastery area for the morning by yourself and forego the hike to the top. Otherwise, this tour was one of the best decisions of our trip.