Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey

Go for the boys chior, it's a very short program usually at 1pm. Get there at 13:15 to 12:30 for a seat upfront. Monday through Friday, check the schedule. The choir has been a staple for over 700 years. After the program walk towards the large building with windows for the best buffet in Catalonia for under 20 euros. Huge salad bar, lots of meats, fish, paella drinks and as much desert and beer and wine as you want. Great for 1 to 100.

The views from the top are breathtaking 😍 We visited during winter (January 26th) there was even a bit of snow on top of the mountains. 40 minutes drive from Barcelona airport, this place is a must while visiting Barcelona Arrive early if you want to find a good parking spot, otherwise leave your car right after the firts gate and walk, its a very easy walk, about 15 min. If you come during winter bring proper clothes, the wind makes the temperature cooler

A good day trip from barcelona and is recommended. When the weather is good the place looks beautiful 😍 with mountains and river views. The main attraction of the place is basilica and it is another marvellous architecture. If anyone is paying a ticket for basilica visit i definitely recommend the boys choir slot because it is outstanding. There are direct trains from barcelona, it is very kids friendly place. The place has a buffet restaurant and also mini bites café. Except black maddona all places are accessible with wheelchair and pram. Toilets available including baby changing facilities. The funicular rides up and down are additional attractions for a walk and trek.

The ride up to top is windy and slightly treacherous in winter. Must get tickets to go inside abbey so we just explored outside area since we’re not catholic. Views are spectacular and mountain is beautiful.

Magnifcent monument. Must see. I recomend train from Barça and cable car. You can buy combined ticket. Easy. Tickets for Basilica and other are available on spot without waiting. At 13.00 hrs every working day there is a short concert from Boys choir. Must se and listen. It's beautifull. Like Walking on clouds. After you must touch the Earth in Black Madona right hand. At last I recenzent visita a wiewpoint at St. Mathew's cross. On spot can be chilly. This is the place that I'll deffinetly visit again.

Taking a half day out of trip to Barcelona is a commitment, but I would highly recommend. The views were outstanding. We could see the Mediterranean the day we were there. The history is deep and we had a very informative guide that added to our enjoyment of the day. And try the cheese from the vendors when you are there!

Great experience. We came early JAN2026. Cold day (-3Celsius) but stunning views where we could see the Mediterranean and the snow covered Pyrenees mountains bordering France. I would strongly encourage a visit here. Our tour was too short with the free time exploring. We will come back with our own car some other time.

Best place to visit closer to Barcelona. Its amazing valley view and beautiful Basilca makes it worth a visit. Plenty of eating options on top. Highly recommend the cable car from Aeri de Montserrat station to the Monastery up on the mountain.

If you are in Barcelona and you have a chance, I recommend taking the trip to Montserrat. Even if you are not religious, the story, history and the views from here are worth the trip. Tip: it is best to come early in the morning to beat the crowds. It does get busier as the day progresses and, if you are traveling by car, the roads and parking lot get congested.

This is a definite half day trip to take if you're spending some time in Barcelona. I would come as early as you can, to avoid all of the foreign tourists coming from Illinois. You'll avoid the buses and traffic and you'll enjoy the serenity of the serrated mountains (Montserrat). I understand that you can take a train up here and then jump on either the tram or aerial cable car up the mountain. So if you don't want to come by car or bus, you have those options. There's a lot to see with the Basilica, the museum, the architecture and there are monks living onsite but we didn't see any whilst on this trip. Maybe they were up late at night, the night before and decided to sleep in?? There are also restaurants here but we decided to have a heavy, late lunch (Cuitat Comtal) which we deserved due to our 45 minute round trip hike to the Cross. Thus, make sure to wear appropriate shoes and maybe bring a parasol (a light weight umbrella) with UV protection (I know that's an Asian thang). We took the aerial cable car down and that was fantastic and I'm sure that's scary on a windy day. All in all, this is an Awesome trip so make sure to do it. Fun fact - Did you know that Sagrada Familia was built using large stones from Monserrat?? And if you don't know, now you know (It was all a dream).

This monastery will take your breath away. I got tickets the night before through montserratvisita.com and the audio for a self-guided tour that comes with the ticket is very helpful. Getting there: The info was a bit confusing...if you travel by public transportation, ask for directions on the best way to get there. The subway is great and very efficient if you have a good idea of where you are going as there are hardly any officers or staff to talk to. Checking in: It is worth stopping by the office of tourism by the entrance of the site. I showed them my tickets and they gave me a prayer card and a medallion of Montserrat. It's beautiful! The site: It's huge, which is delightful. Even if you have tickets to enter in the afternoon, get there early as there is so much to see and do. I wanted to see the interactive museum and take the cable car but we ran out of time. The cable car is very busy as it is a popular attraction, as well. Eating there: There are plenty of options but pricey. Based on the cost of food in the cafeteria Vs the restaurant, I'd recommend considering going to the buffet. The food looked really good but we were there late (around 3pm) and they were about to close. Supporting the site: It's an amazing experience to see "La Moreneta" of Montserrat, so consider supporting her. There is a spot next to her for donations, so keep a few coins in your pocket. The space is tight and there is a long line behind you so you won't have time to look for your wallet. There is just so much to see, but the Virgin of Montserrat remains the highlight of the trip.

Obviously this is a must do in Barcelona. We went with a tour which ended up being about a half day trip (we were back by dinner). What a breathtaking experience. First, you have the backdrop of the mountains which really elevates everything. Then, you have the abbey itself which was beautiful. So much detail went into every aspect of the decor it can be difficult to describe. Obviously there are a ton of rules as there usually is for religious experiences. I will say, I find the dress code to be a hit or miss. I wore long pants and covered shoulders, but there were other women in a tank top and they got in just fine. Personally, I like to err on the side of caution because you never know. Also, they do not allow tourists in during certain points of the day (I think it coincides with masses). Therefore, our tour felt kind of rushed, but I was still able to see everything and take it all in. Your best bet would be to take a tour as they will time everything for you including the tickets and you can just sit back and enjoy. This is an absolute must though!

Just breathtaking!!! Words truly cannot describe how incredible Montserrat is. Visiting Montserrat during my trip to Spain was my favorite activity to partake in. Not only is Santa Maria Abbey absolutely striking from the inside out, but the town of Montserrat is so incredibly charming and the scenic views are practically endless. The adventure begins with the ride there. Montserrat is located about an hour outside of Barcelona. You can certainly drive there on your own if you're renting a car, but just be prepared for a long, windy, and steep drive up the mountain. I was able to schedule a bus transfer through my Go City Barcelona pass (highly recommend this pass if it's your first time visiting Barcelona). What's nice about being driven there is that you're able to take in the wonderful views the entire way there and back. This is not a drive where you can pull over and take pictures either. So, there's an advantage to not driving yourself if you choose to be driven. The drive takes you through the majestic terrain of Montserrat Mountain. When I arrived, it literally felt like I was in the clouds. I mean, the views are absolutely KILLER! The town is small, so you can take a walk through most of the streets while you're there. There's also a neat cable car ride, a museum, and beautiful hiking trails there if you have enough time to explore. I didn't make it to the museum and didn't get on the cable car, but I was able to see the cable car traveling through the air. I did embark on an hour hike to the Cruz Sant Miguel. When I tell you that this was one of the most gorgeous hikes that I've done, I ain't lying! you are literally so high up with the most amazing views of the city, clouds, and mountains. It was almost like I could touch the clouds! This was a fairly easy hike with the exception of the inclines at some points. You can definitely some serious hikes here. I think one of the hike is about 9,000 feet of elevation gain. You can see the inclining trail from the top of Cruz Sant Miguel. It's extraordinary. Not to be missed is a visit to the lavish Santa Maria de Abbey. I've seen my fair share of monasteries, and Santa Maria is definitely one of the most immaculate churches that I've ever seen. My mouth literally dropped as soon as I walked inside. Remarkable architecture. You will feel moved even if you aren't religious. Make sure you stop by before Mass begins as they will close the doors and nobody will be permitted until it concludes. In the hall next to the abbey, there's an area filled with lit candles. You can light your own for about €1. It's a really pretty presentation. There are tons of shops and a few restaurants and cafes that are all within walking distance of the abbey and hiking trails. The shops here have some great souvenirs and crafts. If you're in Barcelona, I highly HIGHLY recommend taking a day trip here to explore Montserrat. It's a nice little break from the city and it's also a wonderful way to explore all that Montserrat has to offer.

It may be the Disneyland of faith, but it's still worth the hour trek by car from Barcelona. The grounds include a hostel and hotel should you decide to stay. It's a great place to hike or bike, but I played tourist instead. The church and surrounding mountains were stunning- so peaceful and serene. It was a great day trip and nice respite from the hustle and bustle of city life in Barcelona.

Simply a unique experience, my college friends and I came here in mid October and it was overcast/rainy - so very foggy, but I'm glad we went. Highly recommended.

**January 2023: Monday Morning Visit** Among all the places I visited in Barcelona, Spain my absolute favorite attraction was an hour away and that was the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. My friend and I took did a private tour where our tour guide picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the monetary. It was about a 45 minute drive, but travelers may also take the train to get there as it's a more affordable option. The grounds here are very peaceful and the monastery itself is very grand. My jaw dropped when I stepped foot inside; however, the claim to fame at this monastery is the Black Madonna, which is a statue of the Virgin Mary with dark skin and Baby Jesus. There's different speculations about why this artifact is indeed black, but you can't help but be curious to see it in person! She's located in a little cooridor behind glass on the 2nd floor. FYI the Black Madonna is not open from 10:30am-12:00pm as the have service during that time. My group went at 10am and the time to go up and we thankfully were able to see her within 15 minutes. I've heard that if you go after noon the line gets crazy, so go early if possible! After you see the Black Madonna you'll walk back down to the first floor and be taken into another room with gorgeous stain glass windows. I've visited quite a few churches in Europe and this one definitely is one of the top ones, so be sure to visit if you're in Spain!

We took a day trip to Monserrat Spain. Monserrat is a located approximately 1hr north of Barcelona on Monserrat mountain. The monastery was founded in the 11th century. Currently there are approximately 80 monks of the Benedictine order in residence. The mountain Montserrat has been of religious significance since pre-Christian time. There is a statue of the black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Once you arrived at Montserrat Monastery, you get an incredible view of the valley below. On a distant mountain there is a cross on a mountain peak that we hiked to. Once you hike to the cross you get a full 360 degree panoramic view of the Monserrat monastery on the opposite mountain top & a full vista of the valley below. Within the confines of the monastery there is the Basilica at Montserrat: The Church at Montserrat Monastery. Inside the church there are a number of vestibules on each side. Inside one of these rooms is a large panel on the wall w/ the hands & head of Jesus etched into the panel. As you walk back & forth across the room the eyes follow you. I videoed this as the eyes followed me as I crossed the room. I was standing on the right side of the room and the eyes were focused on me, a woman in our group was on the left side of the room & the eyes were focused on her too at the same time. Our tour guide Marta was awesome. She was very knowledgeable, personable w/a great sense of humor. She made the trip so much more enjoyable w/her quick wit & humor. Definitely/a trip worth taking. Part of the package included a stop @ winery w/tapas included on the return from Monserrat.

I did a day trip by train from Barcelona to Montserrat. Montserrat has stunning mountain views and many hiking trails. It was chilly and windy in November. Most of the hiking trails are long and require an early morning arrival. I easily spent over four hours exploring, and I only did one of the shorter trails, which was the hike to the cross, Creu de Sant Miquel. This spot offers majestic views of the monastery nestled in the mountains. The hike to the peak takes two hours, and you still have to hike back down after that, so you must plan ahead. There was a service going on in the monastery, but you can observe from the outside if you don't want to wait in line to enter. There is food and even alcohol available in the cafes and restaurants. My biggest gripe is that it wasn't clear what the main points of interest were, and it was hard to figure out what to see as we only had a few hours there. Having more detailed maps or guides available would have been very helpful because it is such a large place. The train was completely full on the way back, so we stood very squished for over an hour. You can take the cable car or funicular up to Montserrat after the train, but you have to get off at the right train station as they are located at separate stations. We took the funicular up and cable car down, but the tickets cost more than a round trip for just one mode of transportation.

I was somewhat on the fence about taking a day trip to Montserrat; didn't know if I wanted to get up that early, worried I'd get lost, thought I should spend the time in Barcelona rather than take a jaunt elsewhere. I'm really glad I did choose to go! It was indeed an early start to the day, since it's an hour away and I wanted to be there early; I got up about 5 am. Protip: Purchase the ticket that will cover your train trip to Montserrat and includes at least one ticket within Barcelona itself, which was useful since I used one of the in-Barcelona tickets on my way home to use the train instead of a cab. The train was uneventful, but pleasant (train travel in Europe is so much more charming than in the US). The scenery was lovely. I did have a hard time staying awake since I had gotten up so early, but it was a quick and easy trip on which it's impossible to get lost. Upon arrival in Montserrat, you can choose one of two ways to get to the abbey: funicular or cable car. The cable car holds about 30 people (well, when we're not in a pandemic) and gives one some fantastic vistas of the surrounding countryside. And there's a post office here too, so send a few postcards whilst you're here! I attended service in the chapel, but didn't wait in line to see the statute. I stayed and meditated for a while alone in silence after the service had concluded. Though I didn't do any hiking, I understand you are handsomely rewarded with sweeping views of the Catalonian countryside. There was also a farmer's market whilst I was here so I purchased Manchego to bring back to Barcelona. I'd recommend Montserrat to anyone who wants a short day trip from Barcelona, especially if you're interested in religious structures or history. It was a pleasant surprise.

Built atop a mountain in the 11th century, the Abbey of Montserrat is an extraordinary sight. As you ascend the mountain from the valley floor, the abbey in the distance begins coming into view, heightening the anticipation of a visit to a place that many consider to be the heart of Catalonia. Montserrat is a popular tourist destination, and with the basilica being the main attraction, it's no surprise that this place gets crowded. We visited during the off-peak season, yet the lines into the basilica were still unbearably long at mid-day. The wife and I purchased the ToT Montserrat Pass from Expedia. This covered our roundtrip transportation (train tickets and the Aeri cable car up the mountain), lunch, admission to the museum, and unlimited use of the funiculars. Entrance into the basilica is free. The exterior facade of the basilica is majestic and the interior is breathtaking. The building houses The Virgin of Montserrat, a.k.a. the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), a statue of the Madonna and child that is a site of many pilgrimages. The line through the right side of the building takes visitors up to the statue's sanctuary, where one by one they can touch the orb in the Madonna's hand, the only part of the statue not protected behind plexiglass. The line through the center takes visitors into the nave of the basilica, a marvelous work in its own right, where also the statue can be seen at a distance. Montserrat is the highest point among the Catalan lowlands, and the view is spectacular. The view from the mountain's highest point, Sant Jeroni, is all the more so. There are hiking trails around the mountain providing access to many points of interest. The wife and I got a map from the visitor center and spent a good part of the day enjoying the mountain scenery. Then, after a quick trip to the museum, we stopped by the basilica towards the end of the day. Most of the tourists had departed by this time, so the lines were pretty short. Having our own transportation allowed us to stay past the time when all the tour buses leave. A definite win. Alas, our time at Montserrat was still too short, but I hope to someday make the trek to this magnificent place again. And it's awesome that their website offers free, high quality virtual tours of the basilica, the abbey, and many points along the various trails!

May 2023: A half day tour in Monsterrat was not nearly enough! My visit was last week through CastleExperience with my tour guide Mat and she was just the best!! She gave us the rich history of the basilica and the statue of Mary and Jesus, history of the basilica and of the hikes near by. I did the hike to the cross during my trip there and it was more than worth it. Again, photos cannot capture the beauty and size of the mountains around you when youre up there. The hike was pretty vertical most of the way, but very worth it. We weren't able to see the statues of Jesus and Mary unfortunately but we could see them from the ground of the basilica (even though they are tiny!). I didnt get the chance to explore the local farmers market that was there or any of the shops, as I spent my free time doing the hike but I do not regret my choice at all. The hike provided me with the most amazing view I have every seen. This destination is a must when you're in Barcelona, and it's only 90 minutes from city center!

What's not to love! This Abbey of Montserrat is magnificent!! I've been Barcelona about 8-9 times but this recent trip was the time I needed to venture out and explore. I'm so glad I chose this place. Absolutely magnificent and stunning. And the Black Madonna was a sight to see. Nobody goes to Barcelona planning to spend an entire day in a church above the mountains but I guess we do go to Barcelona for all of it's art. And this beauty was one of them! Built in 11th century: might be older than Sagrada Familia and it's carved into the mountain. How cool is it? I paid for a private tour group to get here so most of my traveling with the cable car ride was booked/ included and reserved just for our group of 8-10 people on a massive motor coach. It's about an hour drive from Barcelona. The cable car were also reserved. Which was nice. I didn't have to worry or do much. Once we pull into the cable car/ train station, you can already see the stunning views. But once get up above: it's mind-blowing. You can hike up to the holy cross for an even better view. Take's about 20 minutes. The Abbey of Montserrat itself is massive and so beautiful to hike. There's a museum inside/ up above. Also many chapels inside and a ton of amazing gothic art, beautiful stones, statues and sculptures. The mountain itself was a sight. Everything was a bonus! And the lady of Montserrat: The black Madonna with an infant on her lap was just stunning. There was a line to see her but also very respectful, quiet way. Such a beautiful place to light a candle and also to pray. Temperatures here are much colder for end of February but you are also way up above. This is the highlight of my return trip to Barcelona. Not sure why it took so long for me to make it up here but glad I made it up. They also have a gift shop after to sample some monk made liqueur and cheeses! Very strong and sweet liqueur!

Montserrat is a cool place to visit for a short half-day or day trip from Barcelona. The view from the monastery itself is worth seeing...probably more so than the buildings themselves in my mind. The drive is about an hour /an hour and a half from Barcelona..but you also have an option of taking a train there as well (if you want to save some money not paying those tour companies additional charges). I went with a tour and got there around 8:30am and the place wasn't too crowded yet. So it was nice to have the place to our small tour group even for just a bit. Later on, the place did get more crowded as more tour buses arrived though. Overall, Montserrat a nice place to see and the view is somewhat different than what you could see in Barcelona. The only thing was...in the morning/winter some of the places weren't open (e.g. restaurant was closed for the winter I supposed...and the ride up opened later during the day. Otherwise, this is a great place to visit for sure.

The Benedictine Abbey is located on the mountain of Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain. It is about 45 km or 30 miles northwest of Barcelona. From Placa Espanya in Barcelona take the R5 train line to Arei de Montserrat. From Aende Montserrat take the cable or funicular to the abbey or the top of Montserrat. It is a 1 1/2 hour trip. The highest point on Mountserat is Saint Jeroni which is 4,055' above the valley floor and can be reached via footpath from the abbey.The combined tickets can be purchased at the station in Placa Espanya in Barcelona. If you own or have renter a vehicle you can drive to the abbey. The Black Madonna is displayed in the basilica. The legend is that in around 880 AD the Black Madonna was found in a cave on Montserrat by shepherds. This was accompanied by people seeing visions of the Madonna through the centuries. It is a pilgrimage for some. There are often lines of considerable length to see the Madonna resulting in waits of over 30 minutes. Aside from the Madonna herself, there is a museum which showcases paintings by El Greco and others, archaeological & biblical artifacts, Montserrat iconography and religious goldsmithing. I particularly liked the sculptures of St. George slaying the dragon. The cave where the Black Modonna was found can also be hiked to. The basilica is attached to the Benedictine monastery and is also worth seeing. The buildings and basilica have Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance elements. The boy's choir (L'Escolania) sings everyday at 13:00 in honor of the Black Madonna. There is a dress code which includes no tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or sandals. There are candles at the exit and it is recommend that visitors light them.

My travel philosophy involves at least a few days in a certain city or region and really explore it in-depth. One of those days will usually involve a day trip. The most popular day trip from Barcelona is Montserrat, a mountain range which houses an abbey - the Santa Maria de Montserrat. While a lot of people that do go to Montserrat are going as part of a pilgrimage, the mountain range presents many scenic wonders as well as hiking opportunities for those who are not as religiously inclined. On my Barcelona trip I had chosen Montserrat as my day trip as a combination of both; though I am not religious, I like to visit churches as an insight into a region's culture as much of Western civilization was shaped by Christianity. I went as part of a tour group excursion which combines a visit to Montserrat with wine tasting but the visit itself can easily be done on your own. In retrospect I should've done this as the winery visit afterwards sucked and that time could've been used to enjoy Montserrat more. It's best to reach Montserrat coming from Barcelona by train: at the Espanya stop follow the signs for the M5 line towards Manresa. Your final stop will depend on what ticket you purchased to get up to the church as both the rack railway and cable car are at different stops. While the train ride to get there may cost you some €s, the actual church admission is free. Most visits are centered on the following activities: - It is an important pilgrimage site for Catholic faithful due to the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, affectionally called the La Moreneta or the Black Madonna. She is the co-patron saint of Catalonia along with St. George. Initially located in what is now the Sacred Cave, the original statue now lies inside the church while a replica now sits inside the Sacred Cave. Note that if you want to see the statue in the church there is a) a long line and b) limited viewing hours during the day with a break in between. Be careful that you watch your time especially towards the end to make sure that you don't miss the last train down the mountain. (NB: I actually did this but I just sent out positive thoughts instead of a specific prayer request. Time in line: about 45 minutes.) Should you want to see the statue in the Sacred Cave, you'll have to take the Santa Cova funicular. - The abbey is also home to the Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe. They live and do schoolwork in the abbey while performing. They perform twice-daily during weekdays and Sundays (but no performances during summer as they are touring) for about 10 minutes. I ended up missing this but luckily a person on my tour group took video and showed it to me. - Being a mountain Montserrat is perfectly suited for hikes of various difficulties but nothing too strenuous as most hikes can be completed in about 2 hours tops. Taking the Sant Joan funicular up the mountain will take you to the starting site of the hikes. While the most popular hike of this route is to go downhill back to the monastery, you can also hike up to the summit. The hike down was easy and scenic; had I went to Montserrat on my own I would've attempted to go all the way up the back down. Should you want to spend the whole day hiking it's best to pack a lunch from Barcelona as the food options are limited and subpar. - Offbeat activity: at "La Botiga", you can do a liquor tasting featuring 4 liquors made at the monastery. Cost: €10. Even as a nonreligious person I enjoyed my visit to Montserrat because during the time I was there I enjoyed just "being in the moment", thankful that I am alive and healthy enough to be able to travel and do interesting experiences every year.

We hired a guide for a 1/2 day excursion to Montserrat and the Monastery high on top. It was a sunny Sunday so the place was particularly crowded as so many locals like to head up to this national park for some recreation on weekends. In fact due to crowds, we waited an hour in a stopped traffic jam just to get into the parking lot. Due to the crowds, we just walked around the general square and tucked into the church for a brief visit. At that point the wait to see the famed "black Madonna" was more than 2 hours. It would be easy to spend some time up there but we had no appetite to wait two hours to see the black Madonna. The church is quite beautiful itself and it is free to enter. Tip: get there very early or go late after the cruise ship busses have headed back to their boats

Monserrat Monastery was amazing. About an hour outside of the city, we arrived at the funicular station and took the short rail ride to the square. Here, we found that we were here at the perfect time to see and touch The Black Madonna. The queue to see the beautiful venerated statue was lengthy, but we walked through gorgeous halls of artwork, statues and mosiac. It was all breathtaking. One person at a time can touch the hand of the virgin, and if you are not a specifically religious person, it can still be a very special experience. We are Catholic, and it was very meaningful for us. In the church itself, the stations of the cross were beautiful as well, separated with ironwork and available for personal reflection. The boys' choir graced us with their angelic voices. We lit votives for those we pray for, which were for an asked donation of 1€ for small, and 3 € for large. The exterior balconettes were gorgeous as well - what Barcelona is known for! This is a great time for photos, and to meet other visitors. There is a large cafeteria on site, as well as a gift shop, where you can find items large and small to commemorate your visit. Don't miss the small booths with local produce, honey, cheese, art and other items. A fabulous day trip outside the city!

Wow.. where do I begin? This tour was in my top third of what to see in Barcelona. But first an overview: Located northwest of Barcelona, these serrated rocks jut up from a valley. Part of the attraction of Monserrat is to see the sacred cave where in Medieval Times a shepherds children found a Black Virgin statue. The Basílica houses the statue. We arrived @10am where our wonderful tour guide,Cecilia, gave us an overview of the grounds. There are various options during this tour: visit Monastery and view Virgin Statue. If you want to touch statue there is a line that will take one hour for this. There is a funicular that takes you to Saint Joan where you are atop of Monserrat: you can hike meditative trails. Funicular departs every 20 minutes and will cost you @13 euros. Or you can walk up to Saint Joan. There are shops and museums to partake in. Our tour included a liquor tasting of various flavored liquers and of course you can purchase. @1pm we were treated to a boys choir singing in the beautiful church. Along the way there are stands that sell Mortador cheese and various types of Miele or honey. There are various types of cheeses: goat with herbs and ricotta. Also cheesecake! They sell figs and sesame nuts and other delicious products. You can taste before you buy. Today was a perfect day weather wise:@65 degrees. On the way up there was a heavy fog that lifted as we arrived! ( truly heavenly place). This allows one to see Tipidabo: Barcelona's highest peak and limitless views of the Mediterranean as well as the Pyrenees. I did the half day tour roughly 4 hours which is enough and worth every minute. Highly recommend!

Such a beautiful place with an extraordinary history. I definitely recommend booking a tour for this trip. We went with Viator half day tour. The bus ride up was astounding and the view from up in the mountains is something you'll never see anywhere else. It's definitely worth your time to visit here even if you're not religious.

Great abbey and a phenomenal experience while vacationing in Spain. Here are a few tips: 1. If you intend to see the Black Madonna statue, the line is LONG and can take upwards of an hour to traverse. Either get to Montserrat super early, have a group member hold your place in line while you tour the abbey or watch the famous choir, or skip it altogether 2. The choir is pretty awesome, but if you want a seat/communion, get inside the church 45m early or so 3. The museum features some cool artwork and is never too crowded, so you can do that whenever 4. Take the train straight from Barcelona to Montserrat and book tickets ahead of time online; you can exchange them in the R5 or R6 terminal. Be on time. The train only comes every hour (approx.) 5. You can either take the tram or the funicular up. Either has great views but the funicular is super cool and drops you right at the abbey 6. Take a hike or two! The abbey/church has absolutely no dress code, so come with a backpack, water bottle, and hiking gear and check out the breathtaking views. Most of the hikes up the mountains aren't more than 30 or 40 minutes up and back, depending on how far you go, and there's a neat cross and a couple of small abbeys that I wouldn't miss Was a great experience overall that you should definitely check out while in Barcelona

This abbey is located in Montserrat, in other words, carved into the side of a mountain. You can take a cable car to get here and I recommend doing the tour of the abbey. It's absolutely stunning and only about an hour outside of Barcelona. After touring the abbey, you can stop by the shop next door, hike a little bit up, and enjoy a meal overlooking an incredible view.

We bought the Tot Montserrat card for 51 Euros. You can buy this online but you still have to pick it up at one of those official Tourist Information centers. This ticket includes: -Round trip metro to Placa Espanya -Round trip train from Placa Espanya to either the funicular or cable car. The person at the information center gave us an outdated piece of paper that had more train times than there actually were. Trains come every hour and it takes about 1.5 hours to get there from Barcelona -Round trip funicular or cable car. You cannot mix and match and you have to choose which one you want to do when you pick up the tickets. All of the reviews I read recommended the cable car so you can get aerial views, and it didn't disappoint -Entrance to the audio visual museum (which was pretty wack) -Round trip funicular up to the monastery -Lunch at the self service restaurant. This was disappointing. I had read some reviews that it would be a buffet-type lunch. Instead, you order on this massive line, and you only get to pick certain items. We waited at least half an hour, and the food was not good. The options are a sausage + side, pasta, or chicken. I opted for the pasta which was worse than school lunch. While the views were nice, I don't think it was worth an entire day's trip - especially if you are limited on time in Barcelona. We left our hotel at 10 in the morning but didn't get back until almost 8 in the evening, and we didn't even get to see everything (like the monastery). You can probably skip this attraction. Or if you are really dying to go, I would recommend just booking a tour with a tour company so they can drive you straight there. We were debating between going on our own and booking a Montserrat/winery tour. I'm really regretting not doing the latter.

Beautiful monastery high up in the mountain. There are hiking trails with amazing views. A small local farmers market with cheese, fig bread, cottage cheese, honey and nuts are available for tasting and purchase. Mass starts at 11am on Sunday and the sing boy choir starts at 1pm.

Beautiful scenery and architecture all easily reachable as a day trip from Barcelona, make this a popular stop on most people's itineraries. The train on the way out there was even decorated with pictures of Montserrat, and 90% of people got off on that stop. My husband and I went early in the day to avoid the crowds. There still were a decent amount of people in the morning, but the crowds significantly increased in size as the day went on. This was especially true inside the abbey My favorite part was the cable car ride as the mountain is super rocky and scenic. Even after we got to the top, we spent some time just admiring the scenery. The abbey is beautiful as well and ornately decorated inside, but I don't deal well with crowds and made the mistake of exiting too soon. There also were a lot of rude tourists taking photos inside where it clearly said not to do so which angered me. I tried to go back in later to see the Madonna, but there was a service going on, so I couldn't get back in. Later it was insanely crowded. Moral of the story, if you think it's crowded at first, it will probably be more crowded later. I'm glad I went as it truly is a beautiful place despite the crowds. If I returned, I would give the funicular a try. It looked pretty neat!

This was a wonderful experience! You must come here when you're in Barcelona. It's not hard to get here from espanya metro station. Buy a ticket for either cable cart (aeri) or the train that will take you to top of mountain for Monserrat. This is a day trip so plan accordingly. The boy choir sings in gregarian at 13:00 (1pm) daily. The cafe is not good food but you have no other option. I suggest you eat breakfast before you come here. You need to eat to fill up because it's a hike around this place and a lot of walking. I got through a quarter of the hike for the saints in rocks outside and turned back around lol. It started raining and I got tired, I had already spent 3 hours here so I decided to leave. If you do the full hike then it'll take you 4-5 hours. Read this, it'll help you. https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-montserrat.html

6/13/2019 We came in twice within 3 days from Barcelona, it was just an hour train ride(R5 line). Our first trip, 10 of us took the tram to go up to the top of the mountain, and it was already an amazing view from the ride, two of our friends hiked their way up on first day, and they were amazed how beautiful the path was. 6/15/2019 Two days later we decided to come back again. This time, 4 of us came to hike up to the top of Montserrat! The hiking trails was nice and rough as well, there are times you are fully exposed under the sun for long time, and times you will be going through trees with shades. We suggest to hike during this time which is just turning from cold to hot, so you don't dehydrated too much. Remember to bring enough of water, this can keep you hydrated the whole time.

I highly recommend taking the trip here if you are visiting the Barcelona area. It is an easy train ride to get here. You can either take a cable car or train to the mountains once you reach it. The cable car may seem scary but once you are there it is not scary at all. If you go to Espagna station area, just buy your tickets at the information booth and they can explain how to get on the train from there since it can be a little tricky. Beautiful views! Wanted to take Photos on "The stairway to understanding" but it was blocked off. You can visit Basilica at 1 o'clock to listen to the boys choir. You can also visit the black face Madonna there. We saw the black Madonna while the boys chior was singing because there was only a short line at that time. Even if you are afraid of heights, I encourage you to take the funicular to the very top, it looks more intimidating than it really is. Beautiful views up there as well. Food choices here are limited. Don't expect an amazing meal.

So, you've made it to Montserrat. Even if the only reason you had gone was to check out the mountain, you've probably taken it all in. Are looking for a way spend the time and take in the culture? Then go to the abbey. The building is wrapped up in a lot of European history, so there are stories to tell. Furthermore, the church is pilgrimage-worthy. Just don't touch Mary's orb unless you're ready to have a kid of your own!

We spent the day in Montserrat and I LOVED the area. Everything was just so clean and picturesque. The rock formations and mountains were just surreal. From Barcelona we took the metro and the cool cable cart and the trek was worth every minute. We visited the monastery and the beautiful church. It was packed with tourists but we enjoyed it all and took sooo many pictures. We waited about two hours to see the Black Madonna which I don't have to do again if I return to Montserrat. The wait was not fun! We did see one Monk who graciously took some pictures with us when asked. A must see when planning your trip to Montserrat.

A great day trip from Barcelona. About a 45 min train ride from Barcelona to the base of the mountain passing through Spanish suburbs. From there you can transfer to a train or a tram depending on the maintenance schedule and season. Great view from the mountain top where you can tour the monetary grounds and church in addition to various hiking trails. There are limited food options so your best bet is to pack a to go lunch prior to leaving Barcelona.

The drive through the hills to the monastery was beautiful and the cog wheel train ride up to the top was exciting. The views from the grounds were breathtaking. We got to hear the boys choir sing in the cathedral. The artwork and stained glass inside is truly awe-inspiring. The gift shop was also nice and we got to sample 6 local alcoholic beverages and a sweet bread they made there. If we had more time, we would have like to explore the art museum here. It was worth the trip to see this historic site.

Stunning in every sense of the word. Hard to imagine, upon the mountains, not too far from Barcelona there's a structure as beautiful as Monestir de Montserrat. You don't have to be religious to enjoy this site. It has millions of visitors every month, many of them tourist and of course locals and certainly enjoyable for people of all ages. There's a queue for Black Madonna, so if possible visit during non-peaks hours. If not, prepare to stand in line for hours. The cable car ride is also very fun and you'll be able to see the site in all of its glory. Food wise, there are local vendors similar to a farmers' market with local delights like honey and cheese. There's also a grocery store near by, a short walk from the parking lots.

We took a day trip here on our last day in Barcelona! I would recommend getting out of the city. This place is amazing and about an hr ride away. On the way up the mountain can see the beautiful mountain side and the monastery. We took a train up after getting off the bus and continued our way around the grounds. Lots of beautiful places and scenic to take pictures. We saw the boys Choir sing as well which is a plus as they don't sing all the time were in luck they're so sweet sounding. The line for the black Madonna was really long and we didn't have much time there so we didn't go in. Afterwards we went to the souvenir shop got some liquer tastings, and bought some goodies little overpriced stuff but hey it's up monastery in the mountain. They also had some local vendors selling goods: soaps, cheese, wooden art on the street. Overall I would recommend!

Beautiful church with active Benedictine monastery and school. Incredible views from the mountain top. Worth the line to walk behind the alter to see the black madonna. Light a candle in the luminary. Cath the boys choir practice if you can. Make sure you see the cubist statue of St George which has a matching version made in Bronze at the Sagrada Familia. You can get to the mountain by train from the city, bus or car. A must see in Spain Very highly recommended Slanche

If you are looking for a quick trip out of the city, I would suggest coming to Monserrat. However, I would recommend the 1/2 day tour as spending more time might not be worth your time ( plus there is just SO much to see in Barca!). It's a total of ~6 hours and that includes the round trip travel time and about 2 hours to explore. Booked a last minute ticket for $60 USD which included the round trip bus ride, bottled water, AC, Wifi on board and on board tour guide (who was just sort of mehh). But the sites once you got to the top were just superb! The crowds were not awful, the weather was nice and windy but you still got some of the Spring heat. For those of you that get easily car sick ( like me!) I would suggest taking some anti nausea medication or sitting in the front of the bus. The ride up to the top is really intense for those of us that don't do great with motion sickness. At the top, you get some beautiful views and great photo ops as the rock formations are just super unique. Be sure to take some time to see the Virgin of Monserrat Sanctuary. It gets really crowded as lots of people want to go see La Moreneta. Ok, so I might have some people come at me for this.. But I want to be honest, La Moreneta is really not that impressive. So I would say go check the church out and try to snap a quick picture of her. She is behind glass and the glass is actually really dirty so getting good pictures is difficult. She is also A LOT smaller than I thought she would be. The gift shops up there are REALLY overpriced. I am all about supporting local artisans and also buying super unique goods from all over the world. However, there weren't really many unique items and they were just super targeted towards tourists who think they are getting something unique to Monserrat. My two cents, but you can actually find really great things if you roam around Las Ramblas or other parts of Barca. I was really eager to take a picture on the stairway to heaven that they have here. But it was closed off. I have seen some super cool pics on instagram of people doing cool poses. So I was sad that I just got a picture of it from the other side of the fence. All in all, it's a good trip to make if you are looking to get out of the city. It really is beautiful!

Hands down, one of the places you absolutely must visit when in Barcelona! The two hour adventure by metro and trolley is totally worth it. As soon as you arrive, you'll know why you made the trek up into what was once a monastery and cultural center nestled up in the mountains. In addition to spectacular views down the cliffs, this historical site also offers stately Gothic architecture and a huge Basilica. No wonder people still make this a place of pilgrimage and reflection. Everywhere you look is awe-inspiring. MUSEUM: ----------- In case you want to learn all you can about the history and construction of Montserrat, this is the place to turn to. You'll definitely pick up more than a fact or two you didn't know before. CAFE: ------- Don't go expecting too much here. It's basic and also the ordering method is really confusing if your ticket includes lunch. BASILICA: ----------- You need to check out the Basilica! Even if you're not religious, this is an incredibly ornate and well-designed work of art. It also houses the famous Black Madonna, which you can walk right up to and even rub the ball for good luck. FUNICULARS: --------------- Want an even more impressive view? You can ride some steep looking trolleys to coast down or even further up from the main landing. You'll need additional access to ride these trolleys. SHOP: -------- Offers all the gifts and mementos you could possibly want. It's easy to spend quite a bit of time in here too. Make sure you reserve at least half the day for this excursion. You'll leave wishing you had more time, trust me! Packages including access to the museum, Basilica, funiculars, with lunch and even wine tours can be purchased on the Montserrat official website or on sites such as Expedia. I used Expedia since they've always had great customer service if anything has gone wrong. TIP: Note that you will need to pick up your tickets from the visitor center in Barcelona PRIOR to heading up to Montserrat. DATE TIP: Yes! This place will get you an O face (but it probably just means they're so stunned by the amazing views). Lol!

It's hard to know where to start in describing Montserrat: there's so much history, religion and geology all bound up together. But, suffice to say, it makes a stunning day out from the bustle of Barcelona. Essentially, Montserrat itself - the 'jagged mountain' - is a spectacular rock formation rising to around 4,000ft, 40 miles or so north of Barcelona, occupying a stunning position overlooking the Llobregat river valley. The religious history begins in the early middle ages, when (according to the myth - only recorded in the 13th century) a statue of the Virgin and child was discovered in a cave near the site by shepherds around 880AD, along with accompanying visions of the Virgin herself. Supposedly carved by St Luke, the statue is in a late Byzantine style, suggesting a rather later date (probably 12th century). No matter: by the 9th century, the mountain was home to several shrines, and a major place of pilgrimage. In the 11th century, a monastery was founded, and expanded continuously until the present grand Basilica was built on the site in 1592. The shrine has always been something of a national place of pilgrimage to the Catalans, who rebuilt the site after it was destroyed by Napoleon's troops in the late 18th century. Further restoration took place after the Spanish Civil War, but it was the construction of the cable car and funicular railway that helped pave the way for the present mass tourism - now joined by streams of tourist coaches from the nearby Costa Blanca, as well as pilgrim tours from all over the Catholic world. Today, the shrine is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, who come to visit the shrine, see the statue, listen to the famous boys' choir (the Escolonia), or just set out to hike the various mountain paths around the mountain massif. Even for those not of a religious bent, the views are amazing, with much of natural interest: the mountain provides a micro-climate for all sorts of rare wildlife. What to see The first thing is the mountain itself: the rock formations are spectacular, and the views and scenery don't disappoint: from the top of the Sant Joan funicular, you can see all the way to the coast, and both cable-car and rack railway provide stunning views. The sprawl of the monastery complex itself, however, can come as something of a shock: as well as the church (the original basilica rather spoiled by an ugly 20th century frontage) and the monastery, the site has several large hotels; the funicular, rack-railway and cable-car stations; shops, museums, and lots of parking for the inevitable coach parties, much of it built on a staggeringly ugly artificial platform, supported on metal girders. And in summer, and on Sundays in particular, the site can be almost full to bursting with visitors. The Abbey church itself - a mixture of late Gothic and classical styles - is impressive in a gloomy sort of way, however, and is appropriately lavishly decorated. The statue itself is located high up above the main altar, reached by a passage on the right hand side of the church, passing chapels which display the monastery's undoubted wealth. Times of the Mass are listed on the Abbey website. There is an impressive collection of religious art and devotional objects, if that's your thing, and an audio-visual display providing information about the religious and natural history of the site. For an alternative approach, you could walk to the various hermitages access from the Sant Joan cable car summit station, for which sensible footwear is needed. The Santa Cova funicular takes you down the mountain to reach another, more level footpath, to the shrine and cave where the stature was allegedly first found. Facilities The site has several shops, selling everything from food items to souvenirs and the usual religious objects - although, to be fair, the quality is rather better than at some religious shrines. There are several bars and cafeterias, all of which are a bit pricey, of patchy quality, and often overwhelmed by numbers in the summer. (Some of these close in winter). You may wish instead to bring your own picnic and drinks, and the site has several water fountains dotted around if a can of coke at EUR1.50 a go seems a raw deal. Similar queues can be expected in high season to climb the stairway to see the statue of the Madonna itself; you can wait up to 40 minutes. Alternatively, a visit off season will be repaid by virtually no queues at all, although the site can get very cold and windy in winter (remember it is over 3,500ft up). Practicalities The monastery complex can be accessed by road, the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, or by the Montserrat rack railway (cremallera in Spanish - literally 'zip railway'). Both rack railway and the cable car can be reached by the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) suburban train service from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station, which provides two trains

I'm not one for visiting old churches or monasteries but with Montserrat I made an exception and darn glad that I did. I took a bus out of Barcelona, about a two hour unimpressive ride until we reached Montserrat, then everything change; the adventure began. The ride up the mountainside was awesome and once on top, some of most spectacular views I've ever seen. How they managed to construct this remote basilica along with surrounding structures is in itself mind boggling. Should you go here, and since it is a place not to be missed, you should, but you can be rest assured that you won't be the only tourist. It gets crowded, the lines can be long, especially to view the "Black Madonna" (La Moreneta) up close. However, not to worry as everything is well organized, planned out and large enough to handle not only the tourist crowd but the local Catalans who make regular pilgrimages to this, one of their most important as well as impressive religious shrines. As the monastery is still very much active only its basilica is open to the public, but there are plenty of shops as well as local vendors, a museum and a restaurant to visit. You might also want to try some Amores de Montserrat, an alcoholic drink developed by the Benedictine Monks of Montserrat. Though you will probably be told that it is still made by the monks using 15 different herbs, don't believe them. Though at one time true, today it is factory produced by Anis del Mono Badalona in Barcelona using only 12 herbs, however, the stills used are the same ones used by the monks when they conducted their own moonshining operations.

Excellent Day trip from Barcelona. We went by train from Espanya Plaza Metro Station. And took R5. You can buy tickets for tain and also for the cable ride once you arrive at Monserrat, from the Espanya Plaza. The Monserrat has stunning views and some incline even after taking cable ride so wear comfortable walking shoes. Don't worry though, many elderly people were at the Monserrat and they were able to make the trip. We arrived during mass which was interesting for me. The black Mary is at the very back wall and of church, up top. You cannot go to the statue during mass but lines will form outside as Mass is conducted. As soon as Mass is over they open the gate and you can see people going up to the Black Mary. We ate at the cafeteria afterwards which was not too bad or expensive, depending on what you get. I recommend going to the tourist/ information location as soon as you get off the cable. They have a free map and can answer all questions.

We used Walking tours of Barcelona. They provided great transportation, and just the right amount of structure to the tour. We came here kind of last minute. What a nice respite from the city. It would be nice if there was a little better infrastructure for relaxing with some nice food and wine, but I get it. The history is fascinating, the buildings great, the story is really great. I expect that nobody wants to see if the black madonna is willing to move, these days, so to speak. The views are wonderful. We decided we didn't need to spend a long time in line to see the black madonna. We had a pair of binoculars that gave us a perfectly fine view from the pews.

One of the major highlights of my trip to Barcelona was making the day trip out to Montserrat. This monastery sits on top of a huge stone mountain - and the only way to go up is via a cable car or a tram. Putting my fear of heights aside, I went with the cable car. We soared into the clouds, reaching the top of the mountain in about 5 minutes and it was actually not terrifying at all. Super smooth....and the time went by insanely fast. There's a ton of places to take photos once you are up there. It's one of the most beautiful views I've seen. The look of the mountain is super unique. Making our way through the small town at the mountain top we made our way around just checking out the surroundings. We made it to the opposite side of where the cable car leaves you and got even more breath taking views. There's a little "trail" that takes you a little down, and has some nice open spaces to snap photos, sit and relax or like some other people visiting - sip champagne and take ridiculous (almost dangerous) photos. Don't be those people. After walking back up, we heard the bells. We headed over, walking up a flight of stairs and through a beautiful open plaza. Inside...it was PACKED. Me scooted inside and made it through a few gaps in the people and made it in to get a good view of the boys choir. It's pretty hard to explain the feeling...I'm not the most religious person on this earth, but there's something about being on top of the world, inside a beautiful building, listening to voices echo off the walls that made this experience so surreal. We headed out once they finished and noticed a little farmers market. I regret not picking up a cheese or other artisan goodie. There was a large food court type of area inside a more modern building. We skipped it in favor of having something a little less commercial back in Barcelona. So we hopped back on the cable car - this time with a lot less people....and made our decent. This was hands down one of the most beautiful, impressive, magnificent places I've visited. If you are visiting Barcelona it's a MUST to carve out a few hours to make it here. The trains are super efficient and with our portable WiFi, we had plenty of stuff to keep us entertained. Do it!

Beautiful and breath taking place. MUST SEE when in Barcelona. The only thing I didnt like are disrespectful tourists. I saw one tourist spit outside the church and tried to push into the cracks.

I knew ahead of time that my time in Barcelona would be crossing as many UNESCO sites off the list and the Monserrat monastery perched among the mountains would be a 'must do'. It didn't disappoint... if anything, it surprised me with it's incredible courtyard and unbelievable gorgeous views further up after riding their funiculars. To miss this while visiting Barcelona would be a huge mistake! I highly recommend coming during the week and first thing in the morning... we chose to do a private Barcelona tour with our dedicated driver. First thing was Montserrat. We've heard the singular road up the mountain can be the biggest headache in the busy season and it's common to be sitting for hours waiting to get through. Our drive from 9 am was an easy 50 minutes from Barcelona and I have to admit that the mountain ranges views were a bit dizzying. If you're easily queasy... grab a gravol... or two. Maybe close your eyes. It was quite hilarious as we saw cyclist slowly scale up the mountain between the very narrow roads. I swear someone was going to go off the side a few times. We did pass the cable car and heard that can be a wonderful view but was mostly told that the line up can be 1+ hours wait. No thanks. After arriving to the top, the fresh crisp air makes you feel alive... hmmm thinking about it, it might be the stairs and inclined walks around the whole area that might be doing that instead! The monastery itself is closed off but our early arrival, we nearly had the place to ourselves. It's quiet serenity only broke when the cathedral bells rung out. At first, I didn't think much of the monastery... silly I know. It was a nice box like beige with not much ornamentation. I thought the landscape was just stunning and the real reason why UNESCO awarded the designation. As you move towards the cathedral, the entrance is a darkened hallway with two intricate and amazing burial sites for religious knights from the 1500s. The bright sunlight clearly beckoned you to go forward into the courtyard. I was not expecting the beauty of it... 13 statues that look more live than stone stood like guardians above the cathedral door. Their clothes draped and almost seem to be moving with the wind... just beautful. The cathedral itself is quite beautiful and worthy of going inside. One of the other gems is the funicular .. there's 2 and we decided to go the the St. Joan path. It's one of the longest and steepest ride i've had in a funicular and it gives you an incredible view of the whole monastery plus the mountain ranges. Once you're up there... I was expecting a bit of a wind but nope... perfect selfie conditions, bright blue skies, calm winds, and the most incredible mountain range as your backdrop.

It is impressive and the cremallera (cog railway) provides a great view as you ascend and descend. €42 which includes for two people: FGC R5 train ride from Barcelona to Monistrol + Cremallera + all the free places at Montserrat. Total travel time was about 5 hours. Tip #1: If the weather is good, the best patio for lunch is at the small food stand in the Mirador dels Apostols building. We bought 2 beers and a bocadillo for €11.60 and enjoyed a gorgeous view for no additional cost. Tip #2: It can be much cooler up on the mountain than in Barcelona. The only queue we encountered was the one to "kiss the virgin's foot" or something like that. Atheists don't do queues.

Located outside of Barcelona the Montserrat Monastery resides on a mountainside accessible by cable car, train or hike, the Church and small village at the top a quaint little space with access to various building save for the Church itself subject to various fees. Be wary of visiting during times of Mass as access will be restricted, or use that time to peruse one of the various gift stores featuring wines and spirits made right there on the mountain.

We took a train about an hour outside of Barcelona to arrive at the foot of Montserrat (serrated mountain), a multi-peaked mountain located in Catalonia, Spain, and named for its peculiar rock formations. You can take a rail train, but I recommend taking the 5 minute ride in a cable car up to the Monastery. I'm not a huge fan of heights, but you can't beat sailing above the clouds. It was December 2015 and unseasonably warm (50 degrees) although a bit chillier at the top of the mountain. I had read on trip advisor that visitors wait hours to see the Virgin of Montserrat, a statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Christ at the monastery. She is Patroness of Catalonia and one of the black Madonnas of Europe likely carved from wood in the 12th century although some accounts peg the image to the early days of the church in Jerusalem. According to one account, the Virgin statue was hidden in a cave on the mountain to escape the invading Saracens in the year 718 and rediscovered almost 200 years later by shepherds who reported lights and music emanating from the mountain. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the Monastery to see the Madonna, but learned that it was closed for mass and would re-open in about an hour, so we went to check out the museum. What a treat for just 7 euro each! Picasso, Dali, Renoir, and Carravagio were a great way to kill an hour, and they let you take pictures of the art (no flash). We decided to grab lunch in the cafeteria to avoid the first rush of tourists at the Monastery. This turned out to be a good decision because by the time we made our way back, we were the only ones there and had plenty of time to admire and take photos with the Madonna all by ourselves. Another fun fact: in 1940, Hitler's most trusted lieutenant, Heinrich Hemmler, visited the Monastery in search of the Holy Grail. With the day quickly closing in on us, we decided to take the rail way even farther up the mountain to Sant Joan's funicular for what we were told are the best views just behind Sant Jeroni's peak. They are breathtaking - like being on top of the world. We stopped at the gift shop before heading back down to the foot of the mountain. Montserrat's gift shop is known for their wide variety of angel souvenirs. You'll want to put aside an entire day to spend at Montserrat - a must-see in Barcelona.

Took the train here and got to see some decent scenery on the way. Once there the monastery is really something to see, as are the surrounding areas. Arrived kind of early, but the crowds were really large. Waited about 30 minutes in line , without moving to see the black Madonna- before abandoning ship. Didn't want to waste the whole day. Seemed a bit unorganized.