Montserrat Monastery and Nature Park

The mountain of Montserrat with the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat is located approximately 45 km northwest of Barcelona. Montserrat offers plenty to see and discover, making it ideal for a half- or full-day trip.

The natural park boasts an incredibly beautiful landscape: fresh air, breathtaking views of the Catalan hinterland, and numerous scenic hiking trails leading to deserted hermitages. Nature lovers will adore Montserrat.

And of course, the monastery: Here you can experience a wealth of culture, including the museum, the basilica, and the famous Black Madonna, a destination for pilgrims from all over the world. Culinary delights of Catalonia can be savored in several fine restaurants with panoramic views.

Traveling to Montserrat Monastery

Getting to Montserrat by public transportation is spectacular and very easy.

From Plaça Espanya station, the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) R5 line (Barcelona Manresa) departs every 20 to 40 minutes. The journey to Montserrat takes about an hour. A highlight of the journey is the ascent to Montserrat Monastery via cable car (Aeri de Montserrat station) or rack railway (Monistrol de Montserrat station). The R50 line follows the same route but is less frequent and does not stop at the Montserrat cable car. You can find the R5 line schedule here.

At the "Aeri de Montserrat" station, you can transfer to the cable car, or continue one more station to "Monistrol de Montserrat" station. From there, a rack railway departs every 20 minutes, taking you directly to the monastery atop Montserrat. The 15-minute journey is worth it.

Tickets for the journey

Here is an overview of the various tickets for arrival and the attractions on site. Our special recommendation is the "Tot Montserrat" ticket, an all-inclusive package for your Montserrat excursion.

Arrival by car

Those arriving by car or motorcycle enjoy one of Spain's most scenic winding roads.

Getting there is quite straightforward: take the A2 highway, exit at Martorell, then take the National Road N II until the Montserrat junction. It's about 70 km from the center of Barcelona.

There is a paid parking lot in front of the monastery.

Trips to Montserrat Monastery and Natural Park

Have a good time: book a private or open excursion and experience a beautiful day in a wonderful setting in comfort.

Hiking in Montserrat Natural Park

From the monastery itself, there's about a 300-meter ascent to the peaks of Montserrat. A cogwheel train runs almost to the summit. From there, you can hike along several well-maintained and signposted trails through Montserrat Natural Park. Several trails of varying lengths lead from the mountain station of the funicular to the abandoned hermitages. You'll be rewarded for your efforts with breathtaking views of Catalonia.

While the trails are well maintained, sturdy footwear is essential. Most trails require moderate fitness levels, but you can also find easy and challenging trails in Montserrat.

Please stay on the designated paths to protect the delicate and sparse vegetation!

Our tip: Take the funicular to the top and hike down the approximately 6 km trail to the monastery.

The Montserrat Monastery

The mountain massif is situated amidst a very beautiful natural park. Even the journey by train and cogwheel train or cable car, or by car or motorcycle along well-maintained and winding serpentine roads, is a foretaste of what awaits you at the summit of Montserrat.

Upon arriving at the Montserrat Monastery, an indescribable view unfolds all the way to the Collserola Mountains overlooking Barcelona and to the Pyrenees.

The monastery of Montserrat itself is not particularly architecturally remarkable; it's the setting into which the buildings were integrated that captivates.

Museum of the Monastery

In the museum of the Montserrat Monastery, you can see works by significant artists such as Dalí, El Greco, Monet, or Giordano. Additionally, there are archaeological and liturgical exhibits.

The Black Madonna 

Many visitors come solely to see the statue of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. The figure, also known as La Moreneta, dates back to the 12th century and presides over the high altar in the monastery's basilica. It is revered in Catalonia, and pilgrims and visitors from all over the world come to the pilgrimage site.

The statue, carved from wood, owes its dark appearance to the choice of wood and the aging process. The statue is often adorned with a golden crown and mantle.

The boys' choir Escolania de Montserrat

In honor of La Moreneta, around 50 choirboys from the "Escolania de Montserrat," the boarding school choir of the monastery, perform church hymns - Salve Regina and Virolai - daily (Mondays to Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. by the boys' choir of the monastery school, Sundays and holidays at 12:00 p.m.).

The Escolania is the oldest music school in Europe. The choir was first mentioned in records in 1307. Approximately 40-50 students aged 9 to 14 attend the school. They can stay overnight and spend their free time there, although it is not a boarding school.

The parents of the choirboys pay 20% of the tuition fees, with a significant portion covered by the Catalan Ministry of Culture. The remaining amount is covered by a foundation. If parents are unable to pay their share of the tuition fees, the "Fundació Abadia de Montserrat 2025" also covers this.

In addition to singing, students learn to play the piano and another instrument of their choice.

Boys' choir Escolania de Montserrat

History of Montserrat

The mountain of Montserrat has had religious significance since pre-Christian times. A temple dedicated to the worship of Venus was built here by the Romans before Christ. The first documented mention of Montserrat in 888 reported the construction of an initial monastery around 880 AD. It was hermit monks who had built various hermitages on Montserrat. The monastery was then founded in 1025 through the expansion of the hermitage of Santa Maria.

The Black Madonna, found in the 12th century and still the destination of pilgrimages today, is attributed with miraculous deeds. These attributed miracles led to the strong growth of the monastery.

In the 16th century, during the transition between Gothic and Renaissance periods, the basilica of the monastery was built. The Black Madonna is preserved in the basilica.
Numerous famous personalities made pilgrimages to Montserrat: Pope Benedict XIII, Columbus, Cervantes, von Humboldt, King Ferdinand and Isabella, Charles I, Philip II, and Louis XIV.
On his second voyage in 1493, Columbus named an island in the Caribbean Montserrat.
In 1811, the monastery was largely destroyed by Napoleonic troops. The Benedictine monastery was rebuilt.

During the Franco dictatorship, the monastery resisted. Catalan continued to be spoken there despite the ban, and masses were held in Catalan. Hundreds of Franco regime's persecuted were hidden here. 23 monks were executed as a result.
This resistance makes the monastery today an important symbol of Catalan identity and the struggle against oppression. The Catalans are still grateful for this.

Why visiting Montserrat

There are many reasons why you should visit Montserrat:

• We particularly want to highlight the natural beauty of the mountain landscape. The "serrated mountain" is spectacular and the views are breathtaking.
• If you enjoy hiking, the many trails through the mountains offer you plenty of opportunities to admire the beauty of the region. There are hiking trails for all skill levels.
• In addition to the monastery, there are other cultural attractions. For example, the Museu de Montserrat with an impressive art collection.
• Montserrat is an important pilgrimage destination with a Benedictine monastery that houses the Black Madonna, a significant religious symbol.
• Even if you are not religious, you will surely be impressed by a concert of the boys' choir of the music school.

Plan enough time for the excursion. The fresh air on the mountain, the great views, the cultural offerings, and the peace and spirituality that you experience even as a non-believer create an exciting contrast to the city.