Visiting Montserrat: Everything You Need to Know

Barcelona

Montserrat is the perfect day trip to enjoy a blend of both nature and culture. Located only about 55 kilometres from Barcelona, it makes for an ideal day out for the whole family.

Here at DoYouSpain, we’ve put together this guide with all the practical information you need to plan your trip to Montserrat: what to see at the Monastery, its most iconic spots, parking options, and how to get there easily.

What to see in Montserrat and the Monastery

Montserrat is a designated natural park with centuries of history centred around its Monastery. It is surrounded by unique rock formations that hide iconic spots you simply cannot miss if you are visiting Catalonia.

The Basilica and Our Lady of Montserrat (La Moreneta)

The Basilica is the heart of Montserrat and home to La Moreneta, the beloved patron saint of Catalonia. To see her up close, you will need to go down a side aisle that takes you right behind the main altar.

Around midday, between 12pm and 2pm, you can hear a live performance by La Escolanía, one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe. If you can make the timings work, it makes for a truly complete experience.

The Sant Joan Funicular and the Santa Cova

If you want to make the most of the countryside, you've got two choices for exploring the Monastery grounds:

Sant Joan Funicular: In about 10 minutes, you can head up to the highest part of the mountain. This is the starting point for several old chapels, the main one being the Sant Joan chapel.

Santa Cova Funicular: This option takes you down to the Santa Cova, where legend has it the statue of Our Lady of Montserrat was found. The Santa Cova Funicular is currently closed for maintenance reasons, but you can easily get there on foot by enjoying a walk of about 3 kilometres.

How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona

There are a few ways to get to Montserrat from Barcelona, depending on how you want to travel. Here are the main options:

• Hire car: The quickest and most comfortable option. Driving from Barcelona to Montserrat takes about an hour along the A-2 motorway. By hiring a car with DoYouSpain in Barcelona, you will have total freedom and won't have to worry about timetables.
• Train: You can catch the R5 train (FGC) from Plaça Espanya. Once you reach the bottom of the mountain, you can head up to the Monastery using either the Rack Railway (Cremallera) or the Cable Car (Aeri).
• Organised tour: Guided coach trips take a bit longer (around 1 hour and 30 minutes). If you prefer travelling in a group and learning every detail about the Monastery, it's a good option, but it isn't the cheapest choice, as it usually costs around 140€ per person.

Opening hours and tickets for the Montserrat Monastery

To make the most of your trip and ensure you don’t miss out, it is essential to book in advance on the official Montserrat Monastery website, as capacity is limited.

Here are some of the main opening times, though we always recommend checking their website before you go, as they can change (especially for mass and services).

• The Basilica: From 7am to 8pm
• The Virgin’s Throne (La Moreneta): From 8am to 10:30am and from 12pm to 6:25pm.
• La Escolanía: Between 12pm and 2pm (check the exact time depending on the day).
• Museum: From 10am to 6:45pm
• The Santa Cova: From 10:30am to 5pm (Monday to Friday).
• La Botiga (The Shop): From 09am to 8pm.
• Places to eat: The café is open from 8:45am to 7:30pm, and the buffet is available from 12:15pm to 4pm.
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Where to eat near Montserrat

There are a few places to get something to eat in Montserrat. If you stay at the Monastery, you can just get something quick at the café or the buffet. If you want a more special experience and some traditional meals, we recommend Hostal Abat Cisneros, but you will need to book online.

If you have a car, you don't have to stay at the Monastery. You can easily drive out to try some of the local food:

• La Vinya Nova: This is an amazing old farmhouse at the bottom of the mountain, surrounded by countryside. They even have animals like horses, so it's a great spot to finish the day if you’re travelling with the kids.
• Nearby villages: Towns like Collbató and El Bruc are full of great local restaurants serving traditional Catalan food.

Where to park at Montserrat

You have three main parking options at Montserrat depending on your plans. Just keep in mind that parking on the side of the road is strictly banned.

• Monistrol Vila: You can park here for free and take the Rack Railway up to the top (around 15€ for a return). You can also take the cable car instead (around 9€ each way).
• The Monastery’s official car park: This costs around 7€ for the whole day. It’s the cheapest option if you are travelling in a group since you won't need to buy train tickets for everyone. Just make sure to get there early as it fills up fast.
• Can Massana: The best option if you're heading out on a hike, like the trail to Roca Foradada. It is free during the week, but on weekends (depending on the season) there is a fixed rate of between 3€ and 5€.

Why Hire a Car with DoYouSpain to Visit Montserrat

Hiring a car with DoYouSpain is the perfect way to explore Montserrat your own way. You can make the most of your day and travel at your own pace without having to worry about public transport timetables.

At DoYouSpain, we compare all the available options in real time to make sure you always get the best price. Plus, if you have any questions before or during your trip, we’re always here to help, whether that's through our Customer Service Area, Virtual Assistant , or by calling us directly on +34 964 83 09 95.