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If you happen to be in Barcelona, Spain, you must see the beautiful multi-peaked mountain range and plan your trip to Montserrat, Spain accordingly. The distance from Barcelona to Montserrat is just an hour away if you travel by train and is considered the best day trip from Barcelona. Explore the stunning Montserrat Monastery in Barcelona, Spain, and experience its rich history on your short visit.

 

 

I was in Barcelona only a few days and really short on time, but I couldn’t miss seeing Montserrat and headed there early morning. It took me a while to get there because I wasn’t aware of the rare Montserrat train schedule, and, as a fact, I missed one. However, once I got there, I was amazed by the incredible views and beautiful pieces of mother nature it offered.

The Amazing Trip to Montserrat From Barcelona by Train

How to Get to Montserrat From Barcelona

Traveling to Montserrat from Barcelona is easy, and you have a few options for getting there. One of the most convenient and accessible ways to get to Montserrat is by train. There will be some scenic views on your way, so make sure you sit by the window.

 

You will need to go to Plaça España train station and follow the directions towards the R5 train. Once you get to the metro station from wherever you are, you must buy a separate ticket to the train station to take R5. The Barcelona to Montserrat train cost is just €11.50 round-trip which is pretty affordable. You can buy train tickets to Montserrat online or in person at the station.

 

Your regular metro ticket won’t work if you try to use it as I did. Instead, you will need to buy a special ticket to Montserrat, which is sold at the metro station right there. There are several options to travel by Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat)  or the Rack Railway. Selling agents will explain to you the best choice and the price for each one.

 

 

Once you buy a ticket for a cable car, you won’t be able to switch it to a rack railway and backward. So, make sure you make the right choice at the time of your purchase.

 

Avoid this stupid mistake on your trip to Montserrat…

Please don’t make a huge mistake, I made. Before planning your trip to a train station to catch the R5 train, check the train schedule. I didn’t know that it runs only once every hour and I missed one by 5 minutes and had to wait for the next one.

 

Note: if you check the Google Maps directions from Barcelona to Montserrat, it can give you several options. Not all trains have clear signs where they go. To make sure it is your train, it is better to ask the driver.

 

Once you board the R5 train towards Manresa (the final stop to Montserrat), it will take you about an hour and drop you off at Aeri de Montserrat.

 

From there, you go by either cable car or rack railway. Whatever you choose. Don’t make another mistake I made. I got off at the wrong stop (that’s what Google Maps told me), and instead of the rack railway station, I ended up at a cable car station. As I paid for a railway ticket, I couldn’t exchange it for a cable car ticket.

 

I could wait another hour to get to R5, walk about 20 minutes, or pay for a cable car ride. I just bought a new ticket for a cable car ride and waited for about 15 minutes in line.

 

The ride wasn’t that scary and long. So shortly, I got to the top.

 

Pro-tips:

* if you choose a cable car ride ticket, you must get off at the Aeri de Montserrat stop.

* if you choose a rack railway ride ticket, you must get off at Monistrol de Montserrat.

 

Once you get to Montserrat, you go towards the big hill, which will be your main destination. There are also many cute small souvenir stores and cafes/restaurants around, which are a bit pricey.

The Montserrat train schedule can be found here.

Montserrat Barcelona opening hours: From 7.30 am to 8 pm daily.

What to Do in Montserrat, Spain

After reaching the peak, you’ll find various photo-worthy locations where you can take a bunch of selfies. If you arrive at the right time, which is early morning, it won’t be as crowded. However, there are a few things you will want to explore once you are there.

 

Those are:

• Visit the art museum with beautiful artwork from famous artists, including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

 

• Explore the Montserrat Monastery and the Black Madonna. Begin by making a wish and gently touching or kissing the ball, which she holds in one of her hands to bring it to fruition. Locating this statue can be somewhat tricky, as it isn’t visible from the exterior. To see her, you have to go inside and ask the security guy how to find it. Unfortunately, I could not see her at the time of my visit, as there was an endless line of people, and I didn’t want to wait.

 

TIP: Make sure you come very early or in the afternoon if you plan to do that to avoid the lines. Also, it will be less crowded at the time of The Boy’s Choir Performance, which is at 1:00 pm. It is FREE, but you can donate some money at any of the boxes located there.

• Walk on the Cami dels Degotalls. To get there, you need to follow the directions to Monistrol. You will see many impressive sculptures, big trees, and other plants on the road.

 

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Exploring Montserrat on your own is a good idea, but if you want to learn the history and making your visit more enjoyable, I highly suggest taking group tours.

Check all Montserrat tours here.

 

What to Expect on Your Trip to Montserrat From Barcelona by Train

1. Lots of walking

 

2. Some personnel may not be fluent in English and might not assist you with directions if you find yourself lost or have some questions

 

3. Long lines to get inside if you explore on your own (without a tour)

 

4. Waiting an hour for the next train if you missed one

 

5. Paying cash only (on a train/cable car station), if you want to buy a snack or water

 

6. If you choose a cable car, there will be 20 random people with you in the tiny cabin

 

7. Lots of tourists

 

There is a special room where you will see children's clothes, toys and flowers.  Those things belong to th sick kids whose parents asked for help and left those as gifts.

 

What to Take With You on Your Trip to Montserrat

 

I do not recommend taking a lot of stuff with you on your trip as you will be walking most of the time, and you do not want to carry heavy items and be overwhelmed. Instead, you would love to feel as comfortable as possible. That is why I suggest to:

• Wear comfortable shoes
• Have a light backpack/purse
• Take a camera/phone
• Wear sunscreen and a hat
• Take a bottle of water
• Wear sunglasses
• Wear light clothes as it might be pretty hot, especially if you visit in the summer.

 

How Long Should You Spend in Montserrat?

How long the trip to Montserrat will be is up to you. I only spent a few hours there, and it was enough for me (except I wasn’t lucky to get into some places because of the lines). Some people spend a half-day there, or if you also want to go hiking, consider spending the whole day and starting very early.

 

FAQ About Montserrat

1. Do I need a visa if I am a US citizen? No, for US citizens the visa is not needed.
2. Can I drive to Montserrat? Yes, you can drive, but it is more convenient to take a train
3. Is there an entrance fee to Montserrat? No, the Montserrat entry is Free

 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, getting to Montserrat from Barcelona is pretty easy. Is Montserrat worth visiting? Definitely, yes. My train trip to Montserrat from Barcelona was delightful, and I spent a perfect time there. I like that it was very convenient to get there by public transportation, so I had no problem with the transport.

 

Overall, Monte Serrat Barcelona is an excellent place to relax, breathe fresh air, think about your life, and enjoy the greenery part it offers. Therefore, it should be a must-see item on your list of places to see in Barcelona.

 

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