How to Plan the Perfect Montserrat Day Trip (With or Without a Tour)
Planning a Montserrat day trip from Barcelona is one of the best ways to experience a different side of Catalonia. Just an hour outside the city, Montserrat offers dramatic mountain landscapes, a historic mountaintop monastery, and panoramic views you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re into hiking, culture, wine tasting, or just escaping the busy streets of Barcelona, Montserrat makes for a memorable day trip—and this guide will help you plan it perfectly.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to visit Montserrat, including the best ways to get there, whether to book a guided tour or go on your own, and what to see once you arrive. I’ll also share my honest review of the full-day Montserrat and wine tour I took (which I absolutely loved), plus my top picks for tours in 2025.
If you’re looking for a peaceful change of pace, incredible views, and a uniquely Catalonian experience, this guide will show you exactly how to make the most of your time at Montserrat.
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Why Visit Montserrat from Barcelona?
Montserrat wasn’t even on my radar when I first started planning my trip to Barcelona. I stumbled on it while looking for a wine tour—and once I saw those dramatic mountain views, I knew it had to be part of my itinerary. I’m so glad I ended up booking a Montserrat day trip from Barcelona because it quickly became one of the most memorable parts of my time in Spain.
Just an hour from the city, the Santa Cova de Montserrat offers a completely different side of Catalonia. You’ll swap bustling city streets for rolling hills, rugged peaks, and a mountaintop monastery that feels almost otherworldly.
It truly is a site worth seeing.
This day trip is truly one of a kind. While other Barcelona day trips whisk you away to beach towns or neighboring countries, a visit to Montserrat gives you panoramic views, peaceful hiking trails, and a deeper cultural connection. All within a hour’s drive from Barcelona.
What You’ll See on a Day Trip to Montserrat
A guided Montserrat day trip usually covers the essentials—and then some. Here are the highlights most tours include:
- Montserrat Monastery – Home to the famous Black Madonna statue and centuries of Catalonian history. The mountaintop setting is just as impressive as the basilica itself.
- Scenic Views & Funicular Ride – Soak in sweeping views of jagged peaks and rolling hills. Many tours include time for a funicular ride to even higher vistas.
- Local Market or Shops – Grab regional cheeses, fig cakes, or handmade crafts sold by local vendors at the base of the monastery.
- Wine or Cava Tasting (on combo tours) – Some tours end with a visit to a nearby winery or cava producer, complete with tastings and a relaxing lunch.
Tour vs. DIY: How to Plan Your Montserrat Day Trip from Barcelona
There are two main ways to plan your Montserrat day trip from Barcelona: book a guided tour or piece it together on your own. Here’s how to decide which option makes the most sense for your trip.
Taking a Tour to Montserrat
Booking a guided Montserrat day trip from Barcelona is often the easiest—and surprisingly, sometimes the most affordable—way to visit.
The best tour for you really depends on what you want out of your day: a quick visit to the monastery, or a full-day experience with wine tastings and lunch.
If you’re just looking to visit Montserrat Monastery, you’ll find half-day guided tours for under $50. But if you want to turn it into a full experience with a winery stop or tapas lunch, expect to pay a bit more.
I booked this all-day tour that included a wine tasting, tapas lunch, and guided visit to Montserrat—and I loved the entire experience.
My Honest Montserrat Tour Review
I booked one of the more comprehensive Montserrat day trips from Barcelona, which included a guided visit to the monastery, a wine tasting, and a delicious tapas lunch.
Our day started early with a meet-up at the bus terminal. While it was a bit outside the main tourist zones like the Gothic Quarter, it was easy enough to reach by metro or taxi.
The drive through the Catalan countryside was peaceful, and our guide shared helpful tips and local history along the way. Once we arrived, we had a short guided tour of Montserrat—yes, including a visit to the famous Black Madonna—and then some free time to explore on our own.
There’s a gift shop and café near the monastery, but the real gem was the hiking trail to the scenic overlook. If you have the time and energy, don’t miss it—it was easily one of the best views of the day.
Want to book the same tour I did?
Click here to check availability and pricing for the full-day Montserrat and wine experience. It was the perfect balance of culture, food, and scenic views—and I’d absolutely do it again.
From there, we headed to Oller del Mas, a nearby winery, where we were treated to a relaxed tapas-style lunch and a tasting of local wines. Afterward, we had time to sip more wine on the patio or grab a bottle to take home.
All in all, I thought the full-day tour was more than worth it. Even as a budget traveler, the combination of transportation, food, wine, and incredible views made it a great value.
Visiting Montserrat on Your Own
If you’d rather skip the guided experience, visiting Montserrat from Barcelona on your own is absolutely doable—but it does require a little extra planning and patience. The upside? You can move at your own pace and customize the day however you like.
You can purchase entry tickets in advance online, which I highly recommend to save time. If you’re up for something different, it’s even possible to stay overnight at the Montserrat Monastery for a peaceful and spiritual experience—though options are limited and book up quickly.
The biggest hurdle to a DIY Montserrat day trip is figuring out transportation. The quickest and most flexible option is renting a car. The drive takes just under an hour from Barcelona city center and drops you right near the entrance.
While you’ll need to factor in the cost of the rental, parking, and entrance fees, driving also gives you the freedom to stop at a nearby winery or explore more of the Catalonian countryside on your own schedule.
Alternatively, you can reach Montserrat via public transportation, but expect the journey to take a few hours round-trip. First, take the R5 train from Barcelona’s Plaça Espanya station to Monistrol de Montserrat. From there, you’ll either board the Cremallera rack railway or the Aeri cable car, both of which take you up the mountain.
The train ride is scenic, and both options offer great views on the way up—but be sure to double-check departure times, especially if you’re visiting outside of peak tourist season.
While going on your own takes more effort, it can be a rewarding and budget-friendly way to explore Montserrat—especially for slow travelers or those wanting more independence.
What to Do in Montserrat
Must-Sees at the Montserrat Monastery
If it’s your first time visiting Montserrat, here are the key highlights to make time for:
Hike to the Viewpoint – If you have extra time, take the trail behind the monastery for incredible views of the valley and mountain peaks. It’s one of the best parts of the visit.
The Basilica & the Black Madonna – The heart of Montserrat. Step inside the stunning basilica and see the famous Black Madonna statue, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain.
Escolania Boys’ Choir – One of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe. If your timing lines up, catching a live performance in the basilica is an unforgettable experience. (Usually performs around 1 PM—check ahead!)
Montserrat Museum (Optional) – Art lovers can explore works from Picasso, Dalí, and El Greco. If you’re short on time, this is the easiest to skip.
Cafe – Great for a quick coffee or snack. It’s casual but convenient if you’re not joining a tour that includes lunch.
Gift Shop – Stop by to pick up local specialties like herbal liqueurs, cheeses, and religious souvenirs.
What to Expect on a Wine Tour Experience
Many Montserrat day trips from Barcelona include a stop at a nearby winery—and it’s honestly one of the best ways to end the day.
I visited Oller del Mas, a family-owned estate with a cozy, relaxed vibe and a beautiful patio overlooking the vineyards. Most tours include a guided tasting of 2–3 wines, and some offer a small tapas-style lunch as part of the experience.
After hiking and sightseeing at Montserrat, slowing down with wine and food in the Catalan countryside felt like the perfect balance. It’s a great way to soak in the region’s culture beyond the monastery.
Not all Montserrat tours include wine, so if that’s important to you, double-check before booking. Look for small group tours with high ratings and mention of cava if you’re a fan of sparkling wine.
Many tours combine Montserrat with either a winery visit or a stop for local lunch—so pick based on what you value most. (I did this one!)
Best Montserrat Day Tours from Barcelona (2025 Update)
Best Montserrat and Wine Tour
This full-day tour includes everything you could want: a guided visit to Montserrat, a relaxing tapas lunch, and a wine tasting at a local estate. It’s the tour I personally booked—and honestly, it’s still one of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve had in Spain.
Want to book the same tour I did?
Click here to check availability and pricing for the full-day Montserrat and wine experience. It was the perfect balance of culture, food, and scenic views—and I’d absolutely do it again.
Best Montserrat-Only Tour
If you’re mostly interested in the monastery itself, this comprehensive Montserrat tour is a great fit. It includes early access to the basilica and extra time to explore, making it ideal for history lovers or anyone wanting to dig deeper into the cultural and religious significance of the site.
Best Montserrat and Lunch Tour
This tour combines a guided visit to Montserrat with a delicious lunch at a countryside farmhouse overlooking the Catalan landscape. It’s a great choice if you want a relaxing, scenic experience without adding wine tasting to the day.
Best Tour on a budget
This small-group tour keeps things simple and affordable with round-trip transport and a guided visit to Montserrat. While it doesn’t include extras like lunch or wine, it’s a solid, well-reviewed choice if you’re short on time or sticking to a tighter budget.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Montserrat?
Montserrat is worth visiting year-round, but the best seasons are spring and fall—you’ll get mild weather, clearer views, and fewer crowds. I visited in the winter and still had a great experience, but summer can be hot and crowded, especially in Barcelona.
Most tours leave early in the morning to avoid peak visitor times, and I recommend doing the same if you’re visiting on your own. Try to avoid weekends, when locals often head to Montserrat for a quick escape.
FAQs About Visiting Montserrat
Absolutely. Montserrat offers a completely different side of Catalonia—stunning mountain views, rich history, and a peaceful break from the city. Whether you go for the monastery, the hikes, or the wine, it’s well worth the day.
DIY train and cable car tickets cost around €35. A basic guided tour starts at $50, while full-day tours with wine and lunch are typically $100–$130.
Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours at the Montserrat Monastery. That gives you enough time to explore the basilica, see the Black Madonna, browse the gift shop, grab a coffee, and even take a short hike or ride the funicular.
If you’re visiting on your own and want to hike longer trails or visit the museum, give yourself closer to 4–5 hours.
More Spain Travel Tips + Inspiration
- Barcelona can be expensive. That’s why I created this complete Barcelona on a Budget guide to help plan your trip
- Sagrada Familia is also a great choice when visiting Barcelona – here’s the best time to visit
- Looking for something a bit cheaper or more local? Check out my cheap eats guide to Barcelona
