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Introduction
Known as the Seesaw mountain range in Spanish, the peaks of Montserrat loom large with their rugged outline...Head here for a day trip from Barcelona to Monserrat to see its unique architecture, look up its amazing Monastery, or profit from its pristine nature and hiking opportunities, here are the top ten tips for you to have a perfect day trip to Monserrat...
How to get from Barcelona to Montserrat : Aeri de Montserrat and Cremallera Monserrat Funicular
First and foremost, one of the most scenic ways to travel to Montserrat monastery is by train. Make your way to Espana Station, accessible via the green and red metro lines, for you to hop on a Line R5 train to either Aeri de Montserrat or Cremallera Montserrat Funicular, for you to get whisked up to Santa Maria de Montserrat.
Both rides cost the same if you purchase Trans Montserrat Round Trip Tickets, setting you back just 44 euros for a round trip ticket to Monistrol de Montserrat or Aeri de Montserrat for you to have a scenic fabulous cable car ride experience.
You can also book a ride with Andy from any point within Barcelona for a day trip to Montserrat. Click here to book your ride.
Things to do in there
Montserrat is not just its stunning basilica, it is also the surrounding Catalan farmland, including vineries, and some unique Santa Maria's experiences.
Pay a visit to Santa Maria's Benedictine Monastery
First and foremost, visit the Benedictine monastery.
The Montserrat Abbey is an impressive architectural masterpiece and is definitely worth a visit. Some of the best things to do on a day trip to Montserrat besides see the abbey itself include:
Visit the Basilica: The Basilica of Montserrat is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and is home to the Black Madonna statue. It is free to enter the Basilica.
Explore the Museum of Montserrat: The Museum of Montserrat is home to an impressive collection of art and artifacts, including works by artists such as Caravaggio, Chagal Picasso, Dalí, and El Greco.
Also, there is an exhibition dedicated to the Iconography of Our Lady of Montserrat.
How much does it cost ?
Note that even though entrance to the abbey itself is free of charge, you will have to pay a small fee to enter the museum.
In terms of the architecture of the abbey itself, one of the most interesting features is the atrium, a veritable palimpsest of different styles and epoques, or the basilica's other parts.
For example, also of interest is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, which bears witness to the influence of Antoni Gaudí in its design...
Bear in mind that even though is no fee to enter the Basilica, there is a fee to enter the Museum of the Montserrat monastery.
However, there are some free areas to explore within the abbey, so it is possible to visit without spending any money.
La Moreneta
Another one of the most popular attractions in Montserrat is the Black Madonna, also referred to as La Moreneta.
The statue is thought to have been carved in the 12th century and is one of the most venerated religious relics in Spain.
To visit it, it is best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the throngs of tourists, especially during peak tourist season.
The best way to get to the sanctuary where the statue is housed is by taking the funicular railway, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Another must-see attraction in Montserrat is the Holy Cave, also known as the Cave of Saint Ignatius.
This cave is believed to have been the site where Saint Ignatius of Loyola prayed and meditated, leading to his conversion to Christianity.
To visit it, it is best to go on a guided tour, by the monastery.
Priced into the guided tour also are a visit to the cave and a short hike to a lookout point that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Overall, Montserrat is a beautiful and spiritual destination that offers a unique experience for visitors.
Whether you're interested in history, religion, or nature, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this magical place.
Take Montserrat Tours
One of the best things to do in Montserrat is to take a tour of the mountain range... When you are hiking, you will be able to see prime Montserrat landmarks, Holy Cave, to add to the beautiful abbey itself...
Note that some tourist packages include not just the visit to the mountain's landmarks, but also provide free transport and may even include exclusive Montserrat experiences such as tasting of local Catalan wines on your trip, making visiting Montserrat from Barcelona and visiting Barcelona from Montserrat a truly worth-while undertaking...
Wine Tasting tour from Barcelona to Santa Maria de Montserrat
One of the best tours that combine the two is Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines, which costs 87 euros...
It features organic wines, a visit to the monastery, along with a lunch with mouth-watering cold tapas. Also included is transportation yet without a hotel pick-up/drop-off.
Other unique Montserrat tours and experiences include but are not limited to the following: the above-mentioned Santa Cove Montserrat guided tour; or the cable car ride itself, which will bring from Monistrol de Montserrat or the Aeri and its prime landmarks such as Santa Cova.
Note that you can take either the cable car from Monistrol de Montserrat or the Aeri.
Also bear in mind that you need to specify which station you would like to choose as your destination of choice at the railway, since the tickets are not interchangeable, even though come at the same price if you purchase the combined Trans-Montserrat Ticket...
Purchase ToT Montserrat Ticket, one of the best value option
Note that you can also purchase, ToT Montserrat Ticket, round trip ticket for which you will have to cough up 65 euros. Into it are priced the following experiences, namely, a lunch at a buffet during your trip, and the tour of the monastery's stunning art house, which is the subject of one of the best Montserrat tours there is...
Conclusion
All in all, don't forget to pay attention to what round trip tickets you buy to make your trip to Montserrat from Barcelona since a day trip to Montserrat is not just about your destination but also about the scenic journey...
Don't hesitate to take a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona and don't forget about wine tasting that will color your trip in new hues and colors.