Tour Details
A half-day chauffeured private tour from Barcelona to visit the stunning Montserrat mountain. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat with the Black Madonna, the world-famous Boys’ Choir and the stunning rocky landscape are just some of the highlights of this excursion.
Duration
- 5 or 6 hours (depending on what you would like to see)
- Monday to Friday:
- 5h tour: includes either the Black Madonna shrine or the children’s choir (“escolania”).
- 6h tour: includes both the Black Madonna shrine and the children’s choir (“escolania”).
Saturdays:
- 5h tour: includes the Black Madonna shrine. No Boys’ Choir on Saturdays.
Sundays:
- 5h tour: includes both the Black Madonna shrine and the children’s choir (“escolania”).
Price
- 5 hour tour:
- 1 to 6: € 630
- More than 6: contact us
- 6 hour tour:
- 1 to 6: € 735
- More than 6: contact us
- Prices are per tour, not per person. Includes a chauffeured car/mini-van, separate driver and guide.
- Price does not include the entrance fees to the Art Museum and funicular at Montserrat in case you would like to add those options.
Meeting point
Pick-up service at your accommodation in Barcelona city or cruise terminal (there is a surcharge for airport collections)
Highlights
Montserrat Monastery / Holy grotto / Black Madonna shrine / Art Museum / Boys’ Choir (“escolania”) / nature walks
+ More details
Reviews
GREAT CHOICE FOR A PRIVATE TOUR
"We had a great experience with Gemma on our private Gaudí Experience tour in April 2018. This was the most affordable and easily available of the private tours I found online but I didn't find it lacking in any way; the pace was perfect and the conversation was good." Read on Trip Advisor
LOVED THESE TOURS!!
"Elisabet was our guide and she was WONDERFUL! She was able to tailor the tour to keep the interest of our teenagers. We really enjoyed every aspect of this tour - Elisabet was so friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!" Read on Trip Advisor
WHAT A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE
"Gorka was especially helpful in arranging the tour and answering my many questions about the tour and Barcelona. Our guide was Dani who spoke very good english and was easy to be around was perfect for our group. Our tour ended with a meal made all the more special by Dani's participation. The ability to relax and socialize with a local Catalan was priceless." Read on Trip Advisor
Meeting Point
At your accommodation in Barcelona city or cruise terminal (there is a surcharge for airport collections)
Tour Highlights
Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat
With its origins in the 11th century, the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat definitely takes a prominent space in the mountain. More than 70 monks still live there using the basilica for mass. This newer church is open to the public and we will visit it during the tour.
Black Madonna shrine
[Only on the 6 hour tour or on the 5 hour tour without the Boys’s Choir]
The basilica is home to the oldest image of the Black Madonna of Montserrat, patron saint of Catalonia. It is a beautiful 12th century Romanesque statue situated above the altar and in the early morning you can access the shrine to take a closer look. To kiss the virgin’s hand and orb is definitely a spiritual experience.
Boys' choir ("escolania")
[Not available on Saturdays and school’s holidays]
The Escolania de Montserrat is one of the oldest Boys’ Choirs in Europe. Formed by more than 50 children aged 9 to 14, this is a world renowned group that even performs internationally so to see them on home territory is a special treat.
Photo by Jean Robert Thibault [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Art Museum
A big surprise to any visit to Montserrat is the fantastic Art collection that its museum holds. Among the 1,300 pieces you can find works by Caravaggio, El Greco, Monet, Dalí or Picasso. This is a must if you are an Art lover.
Holy grotto
The Holy Grotto (or “Santa Cova”) is a very important place of pilgrimage as this is where, according to tradition, in 880 the image of the Black Madonna was found. The 1.5 km walk to the cave and chapel is a delight with a monumental rosary including works by Catalan Art Nouveau names like Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch or Josep Llimona.
Photo by J.Maria Viñolas.
Nature walks
For many, the highlight of a visit to Montserrat is not in the religious aspect but in the magnificent surroundings. There are many walks around the area to enjoy the fabulous rock formations. Five of the routes leave from the monastery so, depending on your level of fitness, you might want to take a stroll and admire the views.
Important Info
- Once we confirm availability for the tour we will send an invoice for the payment to your email address through our bank’s online secure payment system.
- You can decide with your guide what activities you would like to do during your time at Montserrat: take a look at the monastery, see the Holy Grotto, visit the Art Museum, ride the funicular to the top, do some walks in the area, etc
- Price includes transport in a comfortable vehicle with a separate guide and driver.
- Price does not include the entrance fees to the Art Museum and funicular at Montserrat in case you would like to add those options.
- The tour can be extended for 1 or 2 hours to include lunch where the guide can sit down and give advice and help with the rest of your stay.
Cancellation policy for the tour:
- Full refund for tours cancelled more than 72 hours before the scheduled starting time.
- No refunds for tours cancelled less than 72 hours before the scheduled starting time or for no shows.
- In the case of heavy rain the tour will run as usual so please bring suitable rain gear.
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