Barcelona is by far one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited — from the architectural wonders of Gaudí to the diverse options of Catalan cuisine. Like any major city, however, Barcelona has its drawbacks to consider as well, such as overcrowding, hecticness, and a somewhat dreary atmosphere that lacks a connection to nature.
Luckily, one of the most famous mountain ranges in Spain sits just 40 miles northwest of the city — which offers the perfect day-trip getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Montserrat delivers a total opposite atmosphere from the city, known for its dramatic cliffs and stunning mountain views. Here’s everything you can do and see in a day trip to Montserrat — from scenic hikes to panoramic views of Catalonia to a visit to the famous Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey monastery.
Why you should visit Montserrat
One thing I love most about a day trip to Montserrat is the diverse range of activities it offers, appealing to a wide range of travelers. For the food-focused travelers, the local food & cheese markets that line the streets of Montserrat are worth the trip alone. For the outdoorsy traveler, Montserrat offers over 70 different hiking trails that range in difficulty levels.
Meanwhile, a visit to see the Black Madonna inside Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey and a visit to the Museum of Montserrat appeal to travelers who want to learn and explore culturally significant landmarks. Even if none of these things appeal to you, nearly everyone will appreciate the incredible scenic views from atop Montserrat.
If you’re visiting Barcelona for any extended period of time, the busy nature of the city can be exhausting. This is especially true if you’re not someone who is a true “city” person. With that in mind, a visit to this scenic mountain range creates the perfect nature-inspired escape that’s accessible as just a day trip from the city. The cool mountain air and views provided a scene of peacefulness and calmness for me, even during a brief visit for a couple of hours.
What to see and do
There’s a lot to do and see once you arrive in Montserrat. If you’re looking for a well-rounded experience for your visit, I recommend adding a mixture of the following activities to your day-trip itinerary.
Local markets
Once you reach Montserrat via cable car or rack railway, you’ll find dozens of stalls lining the streets. These local market stalls sell a huge selection of locally-made products such as cheese, honey, baked goods, olive oil, and more. While you can eat at one of the few dining locations up on the mountain (such as the dining food court or the buffet), I found the local markets much more appealing to grab a light bite.
A great snack to grab at the local stalls is the Mel i mató, a traditional Catalan dessert made of fresh mató cheese drizzled with honey. You can find this snack at any one of the markets for only a few Euros. The dessert is almost as the consitency of a cottage cheese, yet creamier and fresher-tasting. I also indulged in an assorted cheese cup with red and green pesto cheeses and a Catalan cheesecake.
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey
For many travelers, one of the major appeals of a visit to Montserrat is a chance to see Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. This monastery houses one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe, as well as housing the Black Madonna statue from the 12th century. To visit inside, you’ll need to purchase timed tickets ahead of time directly through the official website or through a third-party like Get Your Guide. If you know ahead of time which day you plan to visit Montserrat, I recommend buying these tickets early to ensure they don’t sell out.
Scenic hikes & views
If you’d like to hike Montserrat, plan on doing some research ahead of time. There are several trails to explore that require a hefty time commitment and energy expenditure level, such as the Sant Jeroni Trail. Trails like these require a full-day commitment and advanced preparation, but deliver some of the most beautiful views of the mountain range. If you’re not ready to commit to a massive hike, I recommend checking out easier options like Santa Cova and Monastery Walk that can be done in an hour or two. Be sure to also check out the ‘Stairway To Heaven’ monument.
Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona
The easiest way to access Montserrat while staying in Barcelona is through public transportation. While you can take a car, driving up to the mountain can be stressful for travelers. I don’t recommend using Uber or Taxi options, as they are inconsistent and unreliable due to the remote nature of Montserrat (and quite pricy). Navigating public transportation isn’t my forte, but I still found the process to be pretty straightforward to navigate.
From Barcelona, the easiest way to access Montserrat is by taking the R5 train from the Plaça Espanya station. Here, you can select a round-trip ticket that includes the R5 train and the transfer to either the railway or the cable car. From the R5 train, you’ll get off on either the Aeri de Montserrat station (if you’ve selected the cable car) or the Monistrol de Montserrat stop (if you’ve selected the rack railway).
Both the rack railway and the cable car leave you in the same spot; however, the choice comes down to preference. The rack railway takes slightly longer, but offers a smoother, more comfortable, and scenic view. Meanwhile, the cable car is a bit speedier but can get more crowded (and be a little scary for those who have a fear of heights). Either way, the process of getting from Barcelona to Montserrat takes about an hour to an hour and a half.
