Just 1 hour from Barcelona lies a jewel of Catalonia: Montserrat and its abbey, a major pilgrimage site. Here are our tips for a successful visit to Montserrat and its splendors.
When we think of Barcelona, many things come to mind: the Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and La Rambla. But just a few kilometers from the city stands Montserrat, a 1,200m mountain known for its various peaks, its abbey and its breathtaking views. A visit to Montserrat is definitely a must if you’re coming to Barcelona for the second or third time, or if you’re spending a week in the Catalan capital.
Visiting Montserrat: the legend
Photo credit: WikiMedia – Mikipons
Montserrat’s fame stems from a legend about its famous statue of the Black Madonna, La Moreneta. It was discovered in 800 AD by a group of children who, according to legend, had repeatedly noticed strange lights coming from the sky. They persuaded the Bishop of Manresa to go there, and once there, they discovered the statue and Montserrat acquired a religious and mythical status.
But the story doesn’t end there: under Franco’s dictatorship, the monastery became a place of resistance. It is also the place where the first Bible in Catalan was published.
Visiting Montserrat: things to do and see
Photo credit: Flickr – Jean-Paul Navarro
Perched on the edge of the mountain, Montserrat Abbey is an architectural gem. Founded in 1025, the monastery now houses around 80 monks. Visits to the Basilica are free and open from 7.30am to 8pm. You’ll also find a museum with 5 collections and over 1,300 exhibits. The Basilica is also home to the statue of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. This statue has to be seen to be believed, as in the summer months it’s packed with tourists and pilgrims.
For hiking enthusiasts, there are many walks for those who want to explore the mountains and enjoy the incredible views of Montserrat and its surroundings. One of the best known is the ascent of Sant Jeroni peak, a 12-kilometer excursion to the highest point in Montserrat. To make the most of Montserrat’s walks, come early in the morning, before 10 a.m.: the mornings are cooler and you’ll be able to walk without tiring yourself out too much.
Driving to Montserrat from Barcelona
Photo credit: Pixabay – Maria Michelle
Getting to Montserrat by car couldn’t be easier: just take the A2 out of town and continue to the Martorell exit. Then take the Route Nationale N to the Montserrat junction. For parking, there’s a guarded parking lot next to the monastery, at €6.50 a day and €10.50 for three days. There’s another free parking lot at Cremallera de Monistrol Vila, but it closes just after the last cogwheel train passes through.
Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona: the bus
Autocars Julia offers a route between Barcelona and Montserrat, but please note that there is only one way to get there and one way back during the day. As a general rule, departure is at 9:15 a.m. from the Sants bus station and return at 6 p.m., but it’s best to check on the official Julia Bus website before you leave. The journey takes an average of 1h25 and a one-way ticket costs €5.10.
Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona by train
Photo credit: WikiMedia – Steve Jurvetson
If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to visit Montserrat is by train. Go to Espanya station, easily accessible from downtown Barcelona, and take the R5 line to Manresa. A word of advice: get there early, as Espanya station is very large and the R5 line is hard to find. The first train to Manresa leaves at 8.36 a.m. and the last train to Barcelona leaves at 6.41 p.m.
When you buy your tickets to visit Montserrat at the Espanya train station, make sure you buy the right ticket. There are two ways to get to the monastery: by cable car or by rack railway. When you buy your tickets, you’ll be able to choose your means of transport directly: if you want to take the cable car, take the ticket that stops at Montserrat Aeri, and if you want to take the Funicular, take the ticket that stops at Monistrol. A return ticket for an adult costs 22€ and for a child 16.80€.
Excursion to Montserrat from Barcelona
If you want to avoid all the organizational hassle (transport, parking, visits…), you can also book online (see button below) a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona. This excursion includes your return train ticket from Barcelona, an audiovisual guide during your visit to the abbey and site of Montserrat, entry to the Montserrat museum and a liqueur tasting to end the day on a sweet note.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Jorge Franganillo