Montserrat: the monastery on the mountain
Montserrat, the serrated mountain, rises suddenly from the plain an hour north-west of Barcelona, a wall of rounded stone fingers. Halfway up, on a ledge, stands the monastery that is the spiritual heart of Catalonia.
- What it is
- Day trip
- Time to allow
- A full day
- Cost
- Train or a tour, the basilica is free
- Best time
- A clear day, early
Barcelona this week
Why Montserrat is worth it
A Benedictine community has lived here since the eleventh century. The monastery was sacked by Napoleon's troops in 1811 and rebuilt in the nineteenth century, and the monks still live and pray in it.
Its basilica holds La Moreneta, the Black Madonna, a Romanesque statue of the Virgin and Child, darkened with age, and the patron of Catalonia. Pilgrims queue to touch the orb in her hand.
The Escolania, the boys' choir of the monastery, is one of the oldest in Europe, and sings in the basilica on most days.
What to see
La Moreneta
The Black Madonna above the altar of the basilica, reached by a stair behind it.
The Escolania
The boys' choir, singing in the basilica at set times on most days.
The rack railway and the cable car
Two ways up the mountain from the plain, each with views over the valley.
The mountain paths
Funiculars and paths lead higher, to hermitages and to the peak of Sant Jeroni.
How to do it well
- Trains run from the Plaça d'Espanya in Barcelona to the foot of the mountain, where the rack railway or the cable car takes over.
- Go early: the queue to see the Black Madonna grows through the day.
- Check the times of the choir before you go: it does not sing every day, nor in the holidays.
- Bring a layer: the mountain is cooler than the city.
Where it is
Address
Montserrat, about fifty kilometres north-west of Barcelona
Nearest station
Train from Plaça d'Espanya, then the rack railway or the cable car
Tickets and tours: Montserrat
Montserrat: common questions
- How do you get from Barcelona to Montserrat?
- By train from the Plaça d'Espanya to the foot of the mountain, then up by the rack railway or the cable car. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
- What is the Black Madonna of Montserrat?
- La Moreneta, a Romanesque statue of the Virgin and Child darkened with age, kept in the basilica of the monastery. She is the patron of Catalonia.
- Is Montserrat worth a day trip?
- Yes, for the mountain itself as much as for the monastery. Allow most of a day.
- How much time do you need for Montserrat?
- Allow a full day. That is this site's estimate for an unhurried visit.
What visitors say about Montserrat
Rating from Google
Things to do in Barcelona
- 1Stand inside Gaudí's forest of stone at the Sagrada FamíliaEixampleChurch, 1.5 to 2.5 hours, ticket with a start time, sold online
- 2Sit on Gaudí's mosaic bench at Park GüellGràciaGarden, 1 to 2 hours, ticket with a start time for the monumental area
- 3Walk through the house of bones at Casa BatllóPasseig de GràciaMonument, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket
- 4Walk among the chimney warriors on La Pedrera's roofPasseig de GràciaMonument, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket
Artists to see near Montserrat
The museums nearest to here, and the most famous artists on show in each.
National Art Museum of Catalonia, 36.3 km away
Fundació Joan Miró, 36.7 km away
Where to eat near Montserrat
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Barcelona. Distances are in a straight line.
- Casa Almirall4.3Bar, Raval36.0 km away
- Els Quatre Gats4.1Café and restaurant, Casa Martí36.3 km away
- Granja Viader4.4Granja, Raval36.3 km away
- Casa Leopoldo4.7Restaurant, Raval36.5 km away
Hotels near Montserrat
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Barcelona. Distances are in a straight line.
- Hotel Casa Fuster4.5Five-star hotel, Passeig de Gràcia34.4 km away
- Monument Hotel4.6Five-star hotel, Passeig de Gràcia35.0 km away
- Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona4.7Five-star hotel, Passeig de Gràcia35.1 km away
- Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona4.7Five-star hotel, Passeig de Gràcia35.4 km away