Montserrat with Cog-Wheel Train & Black Madonna Priority Access
Description
Discover one of the most mystic Catalan wonders on this half-day tour. Take the cog-wheel train and enjoy a breathtaking ride up the mountain. Walk around the sanctuary and imagine the many lives lived by the monks at the site through the centuries. Visit the Black Madonna, popularly known as la Moreneta, and get a free gift.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Leave our office in Barcelona on an air-conditioned coach towards Montserrat cogwheel train station.
After a 1h drive on the highway, board the cogwheel train up the mountain and enjoy the amazing views over the area. Admire the Mountain’s peculiar morphology, which comes from the Catalan words Mont (mountain) and Serrat (serrated). World-famous for its rocky geography, Montserrat beautiful scenery was declared National Park in 1987 to protect its natural and cultural wealth.
Follow your local guide through the site and learn about the history and architectural style of the Monastery. A community of 80 monks currently lives and follow the rule of Saint Benedictin Montserrat. Fall in love with the Gothic and Renaissance details of the basilica and sanctuary.
Line up and learn about the legend of the miraculous apparition of the Black Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. To this day, their woodcarving is kept in the Church of the monastery, which you will be able to visit. The figure is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) as a result of a varnish reaction.
Besides the main area, there are a great number of small churches and trails you can follow. You will be given free time to taste the finest liquors, to visit the basilica and the Black Madonna and get a free gift, to shop for locally produced treats or to visit the audio-visual exhibition once our guided tour finishes. We would like to show you some activities that you can do during your free time. Please, bear in mind that your free time is limited so you will have to choose one of the activities. Montserrat Museum: wide variety of archeological artworks from medieval times to avant-garde style. Entrance fee not included on the tour. Hiking routes: although there are plenty of trails to follow, we recommend you to reach the cross of Sant Miquel (approximately 15 minutes from the monastery) as it offers one of the best views of the area.
Go back to Barcelona on an air-conditioned coach.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
It is essential to inform the hotel or apartment booked, if possible, at the time of booking.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Duration 08:00AM Tour: 5h30min approx. Duration 10:15Am Tour: 7h approx. (The duration of the tour includes transportation).
- Correct dress code is requested to enter the Basilica at Montserrat. It is not permitted to enter with tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or sandals.
- Please note that the tour is conducted on foot upon your arrival in Montserrat, come prepared and we recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes.
- The weather is mountainous. Depending on the season, you will need warm/rain clothing.
- Check the schedules of the facilities you wish to visit during your free time before your tour.
Reviews(3,515)
This was a fantastic experience. Everything described in the tour was correct. The tour guide Julie was very friendly and informative. The pace was very relaxed and the transportation to and from the venue was excellent.
Time may be broken up in to smaller pieces due to the ticket timing to view the black Madonna. Company should try to schedule this at the beginning or end of the tour to allow more time to go to other look out points.
Seeing the mountain that Monserat is built into for the first time is awe inspiring. The attention to detail for the Basilica can't be described in words. It must be seen to be believed. The entire facility is IMHO a wonder of the world.
Beautiful spiritual and religious experience. The cogwheel train was fairly comfortable and a great way to experience the naturally beautiful scenery. Just wish our tour guide would have spoken about St Ignatius’ journey to Montserrat.
Great trip. Our guide was super friendly and relaxed. She made it a wonderful day. The black Madonna is inspirational with amazing views
Good price-performance ratio. Nuria was a mega tour guide. The cogwheel train to the summit was worth the money.
Scammed experience, no tour guide contact, avoid this one and book a different credible tour to Montserrat. Disappointed in the experience and the TA app for this
Terrible experience. 8am trip - poor check in directions. No one in office. Julià Travel Agency unavailable by phone at 8am. We showed up 10 minutes early and could find no one to assist. Apparently walked right past the bus we needed but who would know. No signage. No guide.
It was a wonderful experience. The guide and driver were excellent. Transportation was comfortable to the site. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided great insight into the history and structure of Montserrat. There was adequate time to explore on your own. Only regret is that we did not take the funicular to the top of the mountain. Perhaps with might be recommended or provided as part of the tour.
I think this was an ok experience, but having a mixed group of Spanish/English speaking was suboptimal. It was confusing to hear both explanations in our ear pieces that functioned poorly.
