Montserrat Half Day Tour

Montserrat is our most famous mountain with spectacular rock formations as well as the spiritual center of Catalonia.

Located just 59 km / 37 miles away from Barcelona, we will drive up 740 m / 2400 feet high contemplating the stunning rock formations that erosion has caused along the millions of years, a breath-taking landscape…

This is one of the perfect day tours outside Barcelona when you have available just half a day.

What is Montserrat famous for?

In 1025, Abbot Oliba founded a Benedictine monastery in Montserrat mountain. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin statue that shepherds had found in a little cave years before.

The image of Our Lady of Montserrat, popularly known as La Moreneta (the Dark One), due to the dark color of Her skin, is a truly beautiful 12th century Romanesque statue proclaimed Patron Saint of Catalonia in 1881.

This Sanctuary is more than a place of worship, it has always symbolised the identity of Catalan people.

What is there to see in Montserrat?

✓ Visit the Basilica where the black Madonna (Dark Virgin) of Montserrat is (our Catalonia´s patron saint and national symbol). Entrance ticket not included in the tour price.

✓ Listen to “La Escolania” the boys’ choir (the oldest in Europe) ,who performs every day at 1 pm for 10 minutes ( 12 noon on Sundays) , except Saturdays and holidays. Ticket not included.

✓ Admire the art collection in the Montserrat Museum ( entrance ticket not included)

✓ Do some easy hiking in some of the mountain´s trails.

✓ Enjoy and take pictures of the amazing rocks.

✓ Take the Saint Joan´s Funicular to admire the Monastery from one of the highest points of the Massif ( ticket not included in the tour).

Tour price and tour duration:

We have two options to visit Montserrat:

Option 1: 5 hours tour with a private guide and a private chauffeured Mercedes Viano Minivan: 640€ for 1 to 6 people

Tour Start Time: Important! : in the high tourist season we recommend the early departure to avoid crowds and may be able to see the Black Madona Chamber with no lines , so departure at 8 am returning at 1 pm ( in this option we will skip the Boys´s Choir since they sing at 1 pm and we depart at that time, anyway remember that they are away in the school summer vacations months).

or we can leave at 10 am and return at 3 pm seeing the choir´s performance at 1 pm ( taking into account that on this case we will find the site probably more crowded) .

Recommendation: in the late afternoons Montserrat tends to be much quieter and in the months of April, May, first half of June, September and October the choir sings again at 6:45pm, so a late afternoon tour from 3:30 pm to 8:30pm is a very good option.

Price includes:

✓ 5 hours licensed private tour guide.

✓ 5 hours private chauffeured Mercedes Viano Minivan.

✓ Individual receiver devices with single-use headphones (although you can also use your own) to hear the guide´s explanations- she uses a transmitter- in order to keep you distance to stay safe.

Price excludes:

✓ Any items not listed above.

✓ Gratuities.

Option 2: 6 hours tour if you choose to use public transportation to reach Montserrat : 400 € for 1 to 6 people

To go by public transportation takes longer but is as well a good experience and a sustainable way to ride. However it is not so convenient if you have some walking difficulties.

Tour start time: departing by train from Barcelona at 9 am and return at 3 pm.

Price includes:

✓ 6 hours licensed private tour guide service.

Price excludes :

✓ Train tickets for you and the guide. (round trip from Barcelona to Montserrat + rack train up the mountain per person). With this option it takes 1 hour 45 minutes each way.

✓ Any items not listed above.

✓ Gratuities.

Pick up / return: from the hotel or apartment address in Barcelona city.

** Keep in mind:

-To go inside the Basilica, shoulders, belly and knees should be usually covered.

-The Escolania , the Boys´ Choir , does not perform neither on Saturdays nor on holidays.

*For 7 people or more, please request a new quote.