Montserrat, a natural park located in the north of Spain, boasts one of the finest mountain ranges in the country. It also houses an ancient 11th-century Catholic monastery that visitors can still tour today. The scenery of this park is absolutely breathtaking!

The name Montserrat means "saw-toothed mountain," referring to the jagged peaks visible from afar. Situated near Barcelona, a day trip to Montserrat from the city is highly convenient, though the tips below may come in handy.

This travel guide will cover how to get to Montserrat from Barcelona (with or without a tour group), what to do there, how to view the mountains and monastery, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Contents Show

• The Clock Tower of Montserrat Square, Spain

• Montserrat Square

• The Railway to the Top of Montserrat
  Montserrat in Spain is easily accessible for a day trip from Barcelona.

Day Trip to Montserrat, Spain from Barcelona

Firstly, if you're on a tight schedule and want to avoid the extra steps of planning a Montserrat trip yourself, numerous companies offer tourism services.

Here's a pre-arranged Montserrat day tour from Barcelona, including an English-speaking guide and an optional lunch.

If you prefer to plan your trip independently, without joining a tour group, the following information is for you.

Where is Montserrat, Spain?

Montserrat is a mountain range and natural park in Catalonia, northeastern Spain.

Montserrat is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Barcelona, making it easily accessible for a day trip.

How to Get to Montserrat, Spain from Barcelona

There are three main ways to reach Montserrat: by train, bus, or car.

I'll explain the train method first, as it's the most common way to get to Montserrat and the one I usually recommend. The train takes you to the foot of Montserrat Mountain, and then you take a funicular or rack railway to the natural park.

The total one-way travel time by train and funicular to Montserrat is about 1.5 hours, making a day trip from Barcelona feasible.

View of Montserrat Mountain from Below

Get a glimpse of Montserrat from below before boarding the funicular.

Montserrat Monastery and Square in the Distance

Montserrat Monastery and Square can be seen from a main walking trail.

By Train

Step 1: Arrive at the Starting Point. Head to the Placa d'Espanya station. You can take a taxi there or walk from your hotel to the station, which is what I did. Once at the station, look for the R5 route (Manresa), which should be clearly marked as "to Montserrat," or seek help at the information kiosk there.

Step 2: Purchase Your Ticket. The round-trip ticket costs approximately 25 euros. Trains depart hourly. The full schedule is available on the Aeri website. There are two ticket types for visiting Montserrat: train + funicular or train + rack railway. You need to choose one. I recommend the funicular (pictured below), as it's faster and offers better views. If you're afraid of heights, the rack railway might be a better option for you.

Step 3: Board the R5 Line. The train journey through Spanish countryside takes about 1 hour. If the train seats are full, you might have to stand, but it's manageable. Depending on the ticket type you purchased in Step 2, you'll disembark at the "Aeri de Montserrat" station (for the funicular) or the "Monistrol" station (for the rack railway).

Step 4: Take the Funicular/Rack Railway. The funicular ride takes about 5-10 minutes, offering stunning views through the glass windows as you ascend the mountain. The funicular can be a bit crowded, and you might stand shoulder-to-shoulder, so keep an eye on your belongings. If you decide to take the rack railway instead of the funicular, the ride will take about 15 minutes.

Step 5: Enjoy Montserrat, Spain! Upon arriving at the Monastery Square, there are plenty of things to do. You can enter the monastery, grab something to eat at the café, start hiking uphill, or take the Sant Joan funicular (yes, another railway) to the main intersection of trails on the mountain. I recommend the latter.

Taking the Funicular Through the Mountains to Montserrat

The funicular ride takes about 5-10 minutes and offers breathtaking views.

After Taking the Montserrat Funicular

The view upon disembarking from the funicular.

By Bus

A company called Autocars Julia operates a round-trip bus from Barcelona to Montserrat, Spain, daily. The bus only makes one round trip per day. It departs from Barcelona's Estacio Sants train station at 9:15 AM and returns at 6 PM.

The bus ticket costs 5.10 euros, slightly cheaper than the train. Their contact number is ☎+34 93 402 6900, and more information can be found on their official website.

By Car

If you rent a car in Barcelona, you can drive to the Montserrat parking lot and then take the funicular or rack railway mentioned in the train section. If you prefer to book a tour, some companies also offer guided Montserrat day trips.

View of the Mountains from the Montserrat Funicular

The view looking back after taking the funicular.

Peaks of Montserrat Natural Park, Spain

Such stunning views can be enjoyed with just a short hike in Montserrat Natural Park.

Attractions and Activities in Montserrat, Spain

• Hiking Mountain Trails

The first thing you'll notice in Montserrat Natural Park is the jagged mountain ranges extending in all directions.

Montserrat offers numerous hiking trails that allow you to admire the spectacular views of these unique mountains. When you disembark at the Monastery Square in Montserrat, I recommend taking the Sant Joan funicular to the main trail intersection and embarking on several hikes from there.

That's what I did, and it allowed me to cover most of Montserrat's routes within a day.

View of Montserrat Mountains from the Spain Square

One of the mountain views from Montserrat Square.

If you use the main trail intersection as your starting point, all hiking routes are relatively flat and easy, so if you maintain a good pace, you might be able to complete all the trails in a day.

If you happen to be a rock climber and are looking for a more challenging experience, there are plenty of opportunities here.

Otherwise, you can still walk the main trails and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Montserrat mountains. The last funicular from Montserrat departs at 7 PM, so if you start your day early, you'll have plenty of time to sightsee.

A Group of Rock Climbers on Top of Montserrat Natural Park

Montserrat is a great place for rock climbing.

Spiky Peaks of Montserrat Natural Park

One of the first sights seen from the Sant Jeroni trail.

• Visiting the Montserrat Monastery

The Catholic monastery in Montserrat, Spain, was built in the 11th century and is beautifully interior-designed.

The cathedral's ceiling is truly impressive, and there's even a massive 19th-century organ inside. Visiting the monastery is free, and photography is allowed in most rooms.

Visiting the monastery doesn't take long, so unless you're genuinely interested in the history or architecture of the monastery, I'd prioritize hiking.

I visited the monastery at the end of my Montserrat trip and spent about 30 minutes inside. It's definitely worth a visit for a while.

Catholic Art Figures on the Monastery of Montserrat Natural Park

Art figures on the exterior of the monastery.

Interior of the Cathedral in Montserrat Square

The interior of the Montserrat cathedral.

• Shopping and Visiting Museums

Montserrat has a small museum housing works by famous artists like Monet and Picasso. Museum tickets cost 7 euros.

There's also a café and restaurant near the monastery, but food prices there are quite high, so it's best to pack a lunch before coming to Montserrat or eat in Barcelona.

Main Square Building of Montserrat Natural Park

The main square of Montserrat.

Smooth and Rounded Peaks of Montserrat Natural Park

Another classic view from the main trail intersection in Montserrat.

A Rock Climber on a High Mountain in Montserrat Natural Park

See the rock climber in blue?

Best of Barcelona Travel

Where I Stayed

I stayed in a private room at Barcelona Gothic Hostel for $54 per night. This hostel is located in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, just steps away from the cathedral, restaurants, the beach, and Plaza Catalunya.

The famous Barcelona Cathedral and Santa Maria del Mar Church are only a 5-minute walk from the hotel! Barcelona isn't the cheapest city to travel to, so I think you'll find this hotel to be one of the best value-for-money options in the area.

Prices may fluctuate occasionally, so keep an eye out for deals.