Montserrat

Beautiful place although our tour guide was terrible and besides seeing the basilica we didn’t do much - not a single thing recommended in the guidebook when we checked later! So go on your own if you can.

Beautiful scenery and location. Must visit. We waited for at least an hour to take the cable train up the location. However. The wait was worth it. Beautiful way to spend the day. Plan for a day to take it all in. Recommend day time. It’s will be money and time well spent.

Visited Montserrat mountains in Spain, and the experience was truly breathtaking! The unique rock formations create a surreal landscape that's unlike anything I've seen before. The journey up the winding roads is an adventure in itself, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Upon reaching the monastery, I was captivated by the blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. The Basilica is a masterpiece, and the Black Madonna statue is a must-see. The funicular and cable car rides provide panoramic vistas, making the exploration even more exhilarating. The trails offer a chance to immerse in nature while enjoying the awe-inspiring rock formations. The ambiance is serene, creating a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. The staff is welcoming, and the information provided enhances the overall experience. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or seeking spiritual solace, Montserrat has something for everyone. It's a remarkable destination that truly deserves its reputation as a must-visit landmark in Spain. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enriching adventure!

Very beautiful monastery on a mountain top, the exterior architecture and interior architecture are stunning. It’s quite a trip to get here, they have a gondola that takes you up to the top ever further. You will not regret visiting this place. I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Take your time to enjoy the wonderful Montserrat, especially going up to the top (Sant Juan) with the funicular. It is worth a day trip when you are in Barcelona.

I joined a tour to visit this place and it was great learning the history. I loved the variety of things to do there: the farmers market, long or short hikes to see amazing views, museums, shops, and the beautiful buildings.

Amazing!!! Montserrat is a must see, who knew this jem is just an hour away from Barcelona. Beautiful nature, nice hiking and great culture, there is a little farmers market with cheese and honey.

It’s a must visit place for those who are going to Barcelona. It’s just 1 hr by car or taxi. It’s also accessible by train and bus. If you are there you must try the buffet restaurant and it’s worth it for 20 euro. You will have 5 course meal. Try the funicular service also but the service is up to 5 pm so plan your trip. Montserrat is also a perfect place for adventure enthusiasts.

Beautiful mountain range and historic, famous church hidden away in the mountains. I would recommend going with a tour guide, who is knowledgeable and can provide information about the rich history of the church and the community there. We took the cable car to the top of the mountain, and then hiked our way back down to the main church area. The hike had a small uphill portion, but the remainder of it was a moderately steep hike downhill. There are some hikers who go up the path the opposite way for an insane work out. The outdoor areas were very dog and children friendly. There is also a small farmers market in various little cafés with local food and drink.

Montserrat Mountain offers a mesmerizing view that's nothing short of awe-inspiring. The jagged peaks and unique rock formations create a breathtaking panorama. Beyond the visual feast, there's a sense of tranquility and spirituality that adds to the overall experience. Whether you reach the summit by cable car or on foot, the journey itself is an adventure. Montserrat is a must-visit for anyone seeking a blend of natural beauty, history, and a touch of spiritual resonance.

The rock formations are impressive. The views are fantastic. If you are not joining any tour, 2 hours is more than enough for pictures and maybe a snack/meal.

If you're staying in Barcelona, do yourself a favor and take a trip to Montserrat. There are a few ways to get there, but the easiest thing to do is book a tour and enjoy the guided entry. It's essentially a fully functional town up on the mountain with plenty of hiking trails, shops, bathrooms, etc. Well worth the expense and time.

Montserrat is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Barcelona. You can also take the train there. I chose to drive. It was mostly expressway driving and when I arrived at the Aeri Cable Car there was plenty of parking. Buy the all-inclusive ticket so you can access all areas. If you want to hear the boys choir that is an additional ticket. It seems to be very popular and I was unable to get one. They perform every day at 1 PM. There are options for dining there. You can also take an additional Funicular railwayup to the top of the mountain and there are about five or six options for hiking. If you like to hike, you can stay at the hotel and spend a couple of days there hiking different routes. The shortest route is a low level taking about 30 minutes and it’s mostly downhill. But they have a level five hike that takes about 2 1/2 hours.

Worth the trip if you have the time! Try to go first thing in the morning!! Get up uncomfortably early and you'll get to experience this famous place in peace before the crowds and tours descend on the area. I recommend getting a guide to help you see the details you may have missed otherwise and understand the importance of the monastery and how things are done there. Being there before gobs of people helps you appreciate the beauty of the building and the mountains! There is a sort of farmers market that sets up outside. Locals sell mostly cheese and honey. I bought a little trio of honeys (rosemary, elderberry and eucalyptus). The man let me taste each one and was very friendly! By the time I'd seen the monastery and was heading back to the bus, the area was packed! Such fun to see more of the area outside of Barcelona.

Great day trip from the city. The hikes around the mountains have plentiful panoramic views. I was highly impressed with the ease of access with local transport!

Many travel blogs mention confusion on getting here - the R5 train platform was well marked at the Espanya metro station. The tickets were very easy to purchase at the ticket machines at the Train platform ($25eu for return train and Montserrat tickets combined).

When you board the funicular - I recommend trying to get a seat on the left side of the train facing towards your destination for the best view. The rack railways up to the top were not running when I went up (January).

The 15km hike from the village on the St Jeroni Sumit Loop (All Trails has great maps on this) was amazing.

Deffinitley recommend making this a full day trip if you are looking for some fresh air while in Barcelona.

The store in the village sells food (and small bottles of Cava 😉)... great way to celebrate when you get to the top.

Incredible place to hike. The trail signage at the beginning wasn't very clear. We ended up on a pretty steep uphill trail. There were some amazing views though.

We rode the train to the cable car to get to the main area. There is a cafeteria by the gift shops. Unfortunately, we could not get in to see the boy's choir and walk around inside the monastery. They said you had to have reservations.

Amazing, I’m speechless. The views are breathtaking, the food was ok, the Monastery it’s full of history and the museum has wonderful paintings.

Amazing place for a day trip. You can reach the top by cable car, which runs at regular intervals (for those who are afraid of heights, I recommend closing your eyes during the trip), there is free parking. You can see the church up there, there's a cafe, a gift shop, and you can also take an easier walk in the woods.

I like going to places that are away from the city, Where you can see the city from atop. The whole place is incredible, It attracts lots of tourists from all over the world. The mountains, the buildings, and the climate were all harmonious. I visited this place on January 13th, 2024, my flight to Boston was scheduled for later that day so I tried not to exhaust myself nor climb the mountain further ( so I don't sweat on the plane 😅).
I need to mention that parking can be a hassle. You can consider using public transportation though.
I will indeed revisit this place again and plan a whole day over there.

We visit here by car from Barcelona, you can park at the top for the price of 7 euro. This is a large complex with multiple options for visiting. You can enter the church, see a movie, take a funicular up into the mountains or select from several hiking trails in varied length and difficulty levels. There is an information station there, and they will be happy to help.In addition, there is a small market with local products.
We took the Sant Joan Funicular which has a very steep incline, one way up and then ascending by foot.
The food selection in the area isn't really impressive. There is a buffet restaurant and a cafeteria , but if you come after the regular lunch hour there is only a kiosk.