Set off on a journey to Montserrat from Barcelona. When you get to the bottom of the holy mountain, take a traditional rack railway train ride to Montserrat Abbey, one of Spain’s most important religious sites.
Montserrat Half-Day Trip & Rack Railway Train Ride
Leaving Barcelona by bus, we'll head further inland and, after about an hour's journey, we'll take the famous Montserrat rack railway train. During the 15-minute ride uphill to a height of almost 2,000 ft (600 m), you'll look out at stunning scenery.
After admiring some incredible views, we'll arrive at the Montserrat Sanctuary. This place is well-known for its rocky surroundings and is considered a place of worship due to the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary in one of the mountain's caves.
In Montserrat, meaning "mountain saw" in Catalan, we'll visit the Basilica, which houses the beautiful twelfth-century ‘Virgen Moreneta’, Catalonia’s patron saint. For centuries, this temple was one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites.
After exploring the basilica's interior, we'll give you some free time so that you can taste typical liquors from Montserrat. This tour also includes free admission to Montserrat’s Espai Audiovisual Museum, which you'll also be able to visit during your free time if you wish.
We'll then return to the starting point in Barcelona and finish the tour.
Visit to the Montserrat Boys’ Choir
If you choose this option, you’ll round out the experience with admission to the Montserrat Boys’ Choir at the Basilica of Montserrat, where you’ll enjoy a performance by one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs.
Additionally, to commemorate the Millennium of Montserrat, you’ll enjoy a video mapping experience where, through art, imagery, light, and music, you’ll rediscover the faith and culture of Montserrat from a new perspective.
Please note: this option is only available during the school year. During the summer months, as well as during periods when the choir is on tour, access to the choir will not be possible.
What to see in Montserrat?
During your free time, you can visit the most iconic sites in Montserrat and the surrounding area:
- The Black Madonna, inside the Royal Basilica of Montserrat
- The Stairway of Understanding
- The Montserrat Museum
- The Sant Joan Funicular
- The Montserrat Viewpoint
- Santa Cova
- The Chapel of Santa Ana.
Itinerary Adjustments
Please be aware that, although we'll visit all the places mentioned, the order may change.
