Tour Details
Montserrat Morning Tour
Visit the jagged and serrated mountain of Montserrat and its Benedictine Monastery on this morning tour.
After departing from Barcelona, you will drive through the picturesque countryside dotted with little villages during the one-hour drive to the incomparable setting of the mountain of Montserrat. Rising majestically to 4,051 feet, the peaks of Montserrat can be seen long before you arrive. The curving road around the mountain will offer you incredible views out across the valley. Upon arrival, you will board the cogwheel train for a scenic ride up the mountain, allowing you to take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Upon arrival at the parking area, you will join your guide and climb several steps to reach the plaza of the Royal Basilica of Montserrat. Its cliff-side location and neo-Romanesque architecture is a scenic wonder, but it is perhaps the famous 12th-century Romanesque carving of Virgen Moreneta, the Black Virgin, that draws so many to this mountain location. According to legend, the figure of the Black Madonna and Child was discovered in the Santa Cova cave, and to this day, it remains housed in the church of the monastery. The Royal Basilica has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain for hundreds of years.
Follow your guide through the monastery grounds and learn about its Gothic and Renaissance architectural details. A community of 80 monks currently resides at the monastery, following the Rule of Saint Benedict. After an orientation tour of the grounds and description of the basilica, you will be given ample time to visit the sites that interest you the most.
On most weekdays, the Escolanía de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys' choirs in Europe, performs in the monastery at midday. There is a museum, restaurants, and shops, as well as the opportunity to view the Black Virgin from a passageway that circles the altar where she is located. You will also be given the opportunity to taste some of the typical liquors of Montserrat. Additionally, you may choose to visit the market where local farmers offer agricultural and traditional products from the region.
At the appointed time, you will meet your transportation and begin the drive back to Barcelona.
Please Note: This tour is narrated in both English and Spanish.
Duration: 7 hours
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Reference: Costa Cruises, Costa Favolosa, Departing Wed, Apr 23, 2025
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More about this tour
Shore Excursion Size: Standard
Shore Excursion Type: Scenic, Cultural, Historical
Shore Excursion Duration: 7
Shore Excursion Departs From: An approximately 10 to 20-minute taxi (approximately 8-12 EUR each way, not included) is required to reach your departure location. Full details will be provided in your electronic ticket upon confirmation.
Activity Level: Moderate
Food/Beverage Provided: Beverage Included
Recommended Dress: As you will be visiting a religious or memorial site, shoulders and knees must be covered. Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes, sun glasses and sun screen are recommended. Some guests may appreciate a light waterproof jacket, due to the mountainous clima
Restrictions: Guests must be able to walk on paved, as well as cobblestone surfaces. There are steps required to enter several of the sites, including the Basilica Plaza, and to view the Virgin, as well as steep curbs in some areas.
