Planning to travel from Barcelona to Montserrat? – Here is all you need to know about this unique day trip in Spain.
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How do you get from Barcelona to Montserrat
Montserrat from Barcelona day trip
Montserrat is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Spain and one of the must-stops in the region of Catalonia. No matter whether you are planning a 10-day Spain itinerary or a weekend in Barcelona, visiting Montserrat simply belongs on your Spain Bucket List. Montserrat is considered one of the top national landmarks in Spain.
Beautiful, magical and peaceful, Montserrat definitely has some unique vibes. After waiting in line for a while, you can touch The Virgin Mary “La Moreneta” and ask for a wish. Locals believe they really come true… (Mine is still on its way through). However, the moment I touched the hand of a Virgin Mary to make a wish, I had a sort of out-of-this-world feeling, as everything stopped for a moment.
Best day tours From Barcelona to Montserrat
The easiest way to visit Montserrat is to book one of the top-rated day tours:
- Montserrat Half Day Guided Tour (check availability)
- Montserrat Tour with Cog-Wheel & Black Madonna (check availability)
- Montserrat Monastery & Scenic Mountain Hike (check availability)
- Montserrat Guided Tour & Return Bus Transfer (check availability)
- Montserrat: Museum and Monastery Experience Ticket (check availability)
- Montserrat Monastery Visit & Lunch at a Farmhouse (check availability)
- Montserrat Half-Day Wine and Tapas Trip (check availability)
- Montserrat Tour, Monastery & Optional Wine/Lunch (check availability)
How to get from Barcelona to Montserrat
What’s the fastest way of getting to Montserrat?
Officially, the quickest way to reach Montserrat from Barcelona is by private transportation. You can either join one of the Montserrat tours or rent a car to visit on your own. However, be aware that when I last visited Montserrat on a Saturday morning, there was already a major traffic jam for parking around 10 am. So, for weekends and peak-season visiting by train might be a better option.
How to get Barcelona to Montserrat By Car
If you’re driving to Montserrat from Barcelona, the journey is quite straightforward and offers scenic views along the way. You can take either the A-2 or the AP-7 motorways. For both routes, you’ll need to exit at Martorell. From there, continue on the C-58 and merge onto the C-55. Follow this road and take Exit 582a toward Abrera. Afterward, you’ll exit at Castellbell i el Vilar, which will bring you closer to Montserrat. The drive takes around 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic, and having a car gives you the flexibility to explore not only the Montserrat Monastery but also the surrounding area. Be aware that parking near Montserrat can fill up quickly, so it’s advisable to arrive early, especially during weekends or holidays. For those planning a hike, there are parking spots at the base where you can walk up to the monastery or take a cable car.
Alternatively, you can park at Rack Railway (Cremallera de Montserrat) or Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) and then go all the way up towards the Monserrat Abbey.
Also, on one of my Monserrat visits the Rack Railway didn’t work because of the strike. Check out your route a day before, just in case.
How to get Barcelona to Montserrat By Train
Traveling to Montserrat from Barcelona is straightforward, with multiple public transport options available. The most convenient method is by train, departing from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona. You can take the FGC R5 line (Llobregat-Anoia) and get off at Monistrol de Montserrat station. From there, visitors can either take the Montserrat Rack Railway or the Aeri de Montserrat cable car to ascend the mountain, each offering scenic views along the way. Train schedules, times, and ticket prices are available on the FGC website.
What not to miss in Montserrat?
- Panoramic Views and Hiking Trails: Montserrat’s unique peaks offer some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Catalonia. Whether you take the funicular up or prefer to hike, there are a variety of trails to explore. The Sant Jeroni trail is the most popular for hiking, leading you to the highest peak with sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape, including the Pyrenees on a clear day.
- Local Cheese and Honey Market: By the entrance of the Montserrat Monastery, you’ll find a charming local market where farmers sell delicious regional products.
- La Virgen de Montserrat (The Black Madonna): One of the most sacred religious icons in Catalonia, also known as “La Moreneta” due to her dark skin tone, attracts pilgrims from all over the world. While the wait to see her can sometimes be long ( up to 2 hours), in our case (visiting right after the opening) it was just 30 mins
- Montserrat Museum: If you have time, the Montserrat Museum is worth a visit, as it gives the visitors a taste of Catalonia’s rich artistic heritage.
- L’Escolania Boys’ Choir: If you’re lucky, you may catch a performance by the Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe. Their angelic voices provide a serene soundtrack to your visit and add a layer of spiritual significance to the experience.
Montserrat day trip from Barcelona: More tips
- Go early in the morning! I went there on a holiday Friday, and they were supposed to open from 10 a.m. Around 10.20 I was by the parking entrance and waited for 1h just to access the parking. And I guess, it was even fast comparing to people who arrived around 1 p.m, the line went even crazier later on!
- Check the official web a day before, just in case ( for ex. the day I went to Montserrat, the Rack Railway didn’t work because of the strike)
- Buy tickets in advance from the official Barcelona tourist office. There are three main options: Trans Montserrat Ticket, TOT Montserrat Ticket and Montserrat Express. You can also buy your tickets the same day. There are ticket machines at the train station. But there might be a line and you’re most likely to arrive in Montserrat from Barcelona later.
- If you plan traveling to Montserrat from Barcelona by train – check train schedules in advance. Your train to Montserrat will leave from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, R5 line. Then you’ll need to take either a Cable Car or a Rack Railway to get to the monastery. If choosing a Cable Car – you get off your train earlier at Aeri de Montserrat, with Rack Railway – its the next train stop Monistrol de Montserrat
- Cable Car vs Rack Railway: note that it´ll be the same train taking to Barcelona from either Cable Car or Rack Railway. So, if you choose a Rack Railway you’re most likely to get a seat on the way back. With a Cable Car option, you get off the train earlier on your way to Montserrat from Barcelona, but at the end of your visit, while heading back to Barcelona, you’ll get on your train after those coming with Rack Railway.
- Note that food and drinks at Montserrat are overpriced
- If you plan to hike you´ll need Sant Joan funicular tickets to go further up the mountain (it´s included with the combined tickets you buy from the official Barcelona tourist office)
Have you ever visited Montserrat or traveled from Barcelona to Montserrat?
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Oh this looks amazing!
I love to travel so this article is right up my alley 🙂
I have heard of Montserrat but have never visited. Good tips on going there in the early morning. I would not want to wait for an hour to get access to parking.
I would love to visit Montserrat. It looks like an amazing place to visit. I just need to get to Spain first! haha 🙂
Although the word Monserrat was familiar, I wasn’t sure what it was. It looks like a lovely setting for a day-trip. Thank you for sharing this information.
Your photos make me want to see these places in person! I’ve heard it’s beautiful there!
Montserrat looks like a lovely location, beautiful weather and settings! I hope i get to travel there one day
Your photos really come to life in your post. These are some amazing places that I’d love for us to visit.
Another one of my dream destinations. Montserrat is so beautiful! Your photos captured the prettiest sights there. I would want to know more about how you felt when you touched the hand of the Virgin Mary and was your wish granted?
Nnniiiiccceeeee…I wouldn’t miss the view from the hill-tops on my hikes here! Montserrat is on my bucket list.
Wow, this place is lovely. The mountain peaks are cool!
Ooh we’re guilty of visiting Barcelona but not making a visit to Montserrat! It looks beautiful! I think we’ll need to plan another trip! Thanks for the great guide!
Hannah
Adding this to my Spain bucket list !
The architecture and the land around Montserrat are beautiful! I’m glad you finally made it here!
I guess I missed Monserrat as well! I have been to Barcelona x2 and loved it. There is so much to see! I bet the cheese and honey at the market are so good! Makes me hungry 🙂