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Montserrat Sanctuary Tour: Explore Catalan Wonders
4.4
3,282 Ratings
Barcelona
Discover one of the most mystic Catalan wonders on this half-day tour. Take the cog-wheel train and enjoy a breathtaking ride up the mountain. Walk around the sanctuary and imagine the many lives lived by the monks at the site through the centuries. Visit the Black Madonna, popularly known as la Moreneta, and get a free gift.
Discover one of the most mystic Catalan wonders on this half-day tour. Take the cog-wheel train and enjoy a breathtaking ride up the mountain. Walk around the sanctuary and imagine the many lives lived by the monks at the site through the centuries. Visit the Black Madonna, popularly known as la Moreneta, and get a free gift.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Julià Travel - Depart from our Barcelona office in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach heading towards the Montserrat cogwheel train station.
- Cremallera de Montserrat - After a 1-hour highway drive, board the cogwheel train up the mountain and take in the stunning views of the area. Marvel at the mountain’s unique morphology, derived from…
- Julià Travel - Depart from our Barcelona office in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach heading towards the Montserrat cogwheel train station.
- Cremallera de Montserrat - After a 1-hour highway drive, board the cogwheel train up the mountain and take in the stunning views of the area. Marvel at the mountain’s unique morphology, derived from the Catalan words Mont (mountain) and Serrat (serrated). Renowned for its rocky landscape, Montserrat’s breathtaking scenery was declared a National Park in 1987 to preserve its natural and cultural heritage.
- Monestir de Montserrat - Join your local guide to explore the site and discover the history and architectural style of the Monastery. A community of 80 monks currently resides here, following the rule of Saint Benedict. Appreciate the Gothic and Renaissance elements of the basilica and sanctuary.
- Black Madonna at Montserrat - Queue up to learn about the legend of the miraculous appearance of the Black Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. Their woodcarving is preserved in the Church of the monastery, which you will have the opportunity to visit. The figure is affectionately known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) due to a varnish reaction.
- Montserrat - Beyond the main area, there are numerous small churches and trails to explore. You will have free time to sample the finest liquors, visit the basilica and the Black Madonna, receive a complimentary gift, shop for local delicacies, or visit the audio-visual exhibition after our guided tour concludes. We would like to suggest some activities for your free time. Please note that your free time is limited, so you will need to choose one activity. Montserrat Museum: features a wide range of archaeological artworks from medieval times to avant-garde styles. Entrance fee not included in the tour. Hiking routes: while there are many trails to choose from, we recommend reaching the cross of Sant Miquel (approximately 15 minutes from the monastery) for one of the best views of the area.
- Julià Travel - Return to Barcelona in an air-conditioned coach.
What's Included
- Access to the Video Mapping (if option selected)
- Local guide using Radio Guide System
- Transportation on an air-conditioned coach
- Access to the Basilica and the Black Madonna
- Taste of 4 typical liquors of the area
- Pick up and drop off at the hotel in Barcelona city (Only If Private Tour Option Selected)
-
Tour in English and Spanish
-…
- Access to the Video Mapping (if option selected)
- Local guide using Radio Guide System
- Transportation on an air-conditioned coach
- Access to the Basilica and the Black Madonna
- Taste of 4 typical liquors of the area
- Pick up and drop off at the hotel in Barcelona city (Only If Private Tour Option Selected)
- Tour in English and Spanish
- Cog-wheel train up to Montserrat
- Entrance to the audio-visual exhibition in Montserrat “Espai Audio visual Montserrat”
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Duration 08:00AM Tour: 5h30min approx. Duration 10:15Am Tour: 7h approx. (The duration of the tour includes transportation).
- Correct dress code is requested to enter the Basilica at Montserrat. It is not permitted to enter with tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or sandals.
- Please note that the tour is conducted on foot upon your arrival in…
- Duration 08:00AM Tour: 5h30min approx. Duration 10:15Am Tour: 7h approx. (The duration of the tour includes transportation).
- Correct dress code is requested to enter the Basilica at Montserrat. It is not permitted to enter with tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or sandals.
- Please note that the tour is conducted on foot upon your arrival in Montserrat, come prepared and we recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes.
- The weather is mountainous. Depending on the season, you will need warm/rain clothing.
- Check the schedules of the facilities you wish to visit during your free time before your tour.
Location
Julià Travel
Please find the Julia Travel Office in Ground floor, Carrer d'Alí Bei, 80, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. It is mandatory to check-in in the counter and after we will go to platform 19
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(3282 Ratings)
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Spyros_c
Jul 30, 2025
Experience was great! Bus... - Experience was great! Bus was very comfortable, Miri was a great tour guide! Views were beautiful and getting to see everything was easy
Review provided by Viator
Vina_j
Jul 29, 2025
sandra was very good in... - sandra was very good in giving us the history of the place very knowledgable. bus was comfortable and the weather at the time was great.
Review provided by Viator
Patrick_k
Jul 27, 2025
Excellent family experience - Excellent tour with very knowledgeable guide Nuria. Easy and well structured. Well done and thank you especially to Nuria for sharing her experience and personal touches. Great for the family.
Review provided by Viator
Neda_m
Jul 23, 2025
Exceptional day at Montserrat. Wonderful guide and get driver. - Both Sara and Jorgie were exceptional. Sara gave us enough time to do our own and she was extremely knowledgeable and easy to understand.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_p
Jul 22, 2025
Beautiful scenery and great tour guide and tour - Amazing time and a lot to see and do. We couldn't even get to it all. We did hike to the cross, did the liquor tasting and guided tour. Also, did the interactive museum but couldn't get to the art museum. We had the light show in the basilica that the children and I enjoyed. Would highly recommend for any age.
Review provided by Viator
Rollyn_m
Jul 18, 2025
Our tour guide, Miri, was... - Our tour guide, Miri, was the absolute BEST! She was so knowledgeable about Monserrat and the area surrounding. She infused the information with lighthearted jokes and her own favorite sights. Everything was well-run and punctual. We got to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, sample local spirits and cookies, go to the various chapels, and travel on the cog-wheel train (only up the mountain included, but you can pay extra to ride an additional train during free time). There are two gift shops and a small restaurant by the shrine.
Review provided by Viator
Maureen_a
Jul 18, 2025
It was informative.... - It was informative. Beautiful place and great experience. God willing it will not be my last. Thanks.
Review provided by Viator
Karen_g
Jul 17, 2025
It was a wonderfully... - It was a wonderfully planned, beautiful experience.
Very important to note that the meeting place for their travel office is in a bus station.
They recommend arriving 15 minutes early, but if you are not familiar with the area, I recommend going about 20 minutes early.
Review provided by Viator
George_b
Jul 28, 2025
Good trip - Would have been beneficial if the guide had told us what to expect. And overview would have been nice
Review provided by Viator
Robert_r
Jul 21, 2025
Could have easily been better - The guide was very friendly and the driver was even more so. The ride was enjoyable with the exception of the filthy bus. I litterally didn't want to touch anything. There hand holds were black from filth. The seats had white trim that was also gray from filth. The instructions said to meet at platform 19 but the bus was across the way. The instructions should have said, "check in at the office by platform 19." The tour was completely full. Our group of approximately 30 was litterally tripping on each other to get close to the guide to see what she was talking about. The headsets were OK except for the static in my wife's, my son's and my units. We felt rushed and did not get to see everything. Would have enjoyed having more Independent time take in the walking points. Additional 2 or 3 hours would have been preferred.
Review provided by Viator
