Day Trips

From Barcelona: Montserrat Monastery & Black Madonna With Train Tickets & Audio Guide

Open today

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Transfers available

Visit Montserrat with a round-trip scenic train and rack railway ride, see the Black Madonna, Virgin’s Throne, and enjoy insights from the audiovisual room and museum. Upgrade to experience the Escolania Boys' Choir performance.

4.5/5(413)

Ronald W

Group

Verified booking

4 days ago

Everything went really well. The directions should mention that the ticket counter is located underground at the train station. The email instructions show a photo of a location, but the ticket counter isn’t actually there. You’ll find it in the basement near the entrance to the train station. That’s also where you pick up your tickets. Take the train to the Monistrol de Montserrat station and get off at the cogwheel train. The first station marked “Montserrat” is the cable car station. This detail is also missing from the description. The cogwheel train runs only once an hour. Please check the schedule beforehand so you don’t have to wait too long for the cogwheel train to depart. Otherwise, it was a great trip—if you keep these small details in mind, I can recommend it to everyone.

анастасія М

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

What I liked most about the tour was the combination of nature and culture. The train ride was comfortable and very easy to follow, and upon arrival, the monastery made an immediate impression. The audio guide is very well done and helps you understand the history of Montserrat and the significance of La Moreneta. The visit was well-organized, relaxed, and allowed plenty of time to enjoy the views and the atmosphere of the place.

Florea D

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

The location is very beautiful, especially if you combine it with a hiking trip. However, I cannot give it a perfect score due to difficulties in using the booked services. You have to go to many different locations to pick up train tickets or gain access to the museum. These locations are not described in great detail. Also, the description mentions the option to choose between train + rack railway or train + cable car. In reality, we received a reservation for train + rack railway, with no option to choose the cable car.

Mary H

Solo

Verified booking

Feb 2026

It was the most amazing place to visit. Tickets where easy to pick up at station, and staff there were very helpful. First issue was getting the audio guide . Would be helpful for more information on the steps to receive that as would have helped. We only found out near end that information point was place to go. The monastery was stunning and the black Madonna was something I'll never forget . But definetly more practical information would be great assistance

Explore the Montserrat Monastery, a sacred sanctuary that clings to a mountainous backbone of rugged, needle-like peaks, at your own pace.

With a train ride from Barcelona and a rack rail ride from Montserrat, your journey to the monastery is nothing less than seamless.

A multilingual audio guide in eight languages ensures you can immerse yourself in exploring the Black Madonna and other key highlights.

Witness the world’s most treasured works of art by El Greco, Monet, and Picasso at the Museum of Montserrat.

Upgrade your ticket to witness the Escolania boys’ choir sing inside the basilica, adding a soulful touch to your experience.

Timed entry to the Black Madonna

Free entry to the Basilica and the Black Madonna for Spanish residents

Entry to the Museum of Montserrat

Entry to the Montserrat audiovisual exhibit

Train transfers from Barcelona

Rack railway ride in Montserrat

Audio guide for the basilica and Black Madonna in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German, Dutch, Russian, and Japanese

Map & informative booklet

Escolania de Montserrat boys' choir performance (as per option selected)

Food & drinks

Guided tour

TOTAL DURATION12 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERTrain
Timeline
Map
Start point
Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station
Get direction
1 hr by train
57 km
1. Montserrat Monastery
Tickets included
2 attractions
2 activities
Hop on a train from Barcelona and let the journey begin! You'll soon be soaring up the mountain on a thrilling rack railway ride, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Once at the summit, explore the majestic Gothic basilica and gain exclusive access to the revered Black Madonna. Unravel the mysteries of Montserrat's history with an immersive audio guide and marvel at priceless art by Dali and Picasso at the museum.
Highlights
Basilica of Montserrat
Tickets included
Museum of Montserrat
Tickets included
Things to do
Rack railway ride
Included in price
Montserrat audiovisual exhibition
Included in price
End point
Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

413 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Germany and over 29 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ronald W
Group
Verified booking
4 days ago
Everything went really well. The directions should mention that the ticket counter is located underground at the train station. The email instructions show a photo of a location, but the ticket counter isn’t actually there. You’ll find it in the basement near the entrance to the train station. That’s also where you pick up your tickets. Take the train to the Monistrol de Montserrat station and get off at the cogwheel train. The first station marked “Montserrat” is the cable car station. This detail is also missing from the description. The cogwheel train runs only once an hour. Please check the schedule beforehand so you don’t have to wait too long for the cogwheel train to depart. Otherwise, it was a great trip—if you keep these small details in mind, I can recommend it to everyone.
Philipp K
Solo
Verified booking
May 2026
Everything went smoothly, but the train was absolutely packed. However, they charge a €50 deposit for the audio guide—that should be mentioned in the description here. That’s why I’m giving it only 4 stars, since this important information was missing. (Cash or card accepted)
Nataliia K
Solo
Verified booking
May 2026
Good experience. Amazing landscape and friendly staff
Aleh N
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Очень живописное и красивое место.
Anand K
Family
Verified booking
May 2026
Nice trip. Well maintained and clean. Easy to travel from Barcelona sants

Enjoy a seamless cultural journey from Barcelona to Montserrat with transportation, access to the sacred Black Madonna, and an audio guide that lets you explore at your own pace.

Getting started

Start your journey at FGC Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, where your tickets will be validated. Then, board the R5 line using the train ticket included in your pass. On arrival at Monistrol de Montserrat, switch to the rack railway for a stunning uphill ride to the monastery.

What to expect

Montserrat Monastery

An iconic mountaintop sanctuary, the monastery is revered for its religious significance, breathtaking views, and the statue of the Black Madonna.

Features

Black Madonna: Carved in poplar wood back in the 12th century, the Black Madonna is the monastery’s most sought-after attraction.

Basilica of Montserrat: The basilica is the spiritual heart of the monastery, revered for its intricate architecture and almost breathtaking acoustics.

Museum of Montserrat: Home to more than 1,300 works across six curated collections, the museum is home to artistic wonders by the likes of Monet, Picasso, and Caravaggio.

Train & rack railway: The train ticket from the Plaça Espanya station in Barcelona, and the pass to the rack railway onwards from Montserrat to the monastery add to this experience’s convenience.

Audio guide: A multilingual audio guide in eight different languages ensures you can immerse yourself in the monastery’s wonders and wander through it at your own pace.

Upgrades

Escolania de Montserrat Choir Performance: Composed of around 50 boys, the choir’s voice within the basilica’s solemn walls adds a transcendent quality to your visit. This is a worthy upgrade!

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or passport to get your tickets validated.

Wear a pair of comfortable and grippy walking shoes to enjoy this experience without breaking a sweat.

Bring your smartphone fully charged & your best earphones to make the most of the audio guide.

What’s not allowed

Men and women must wear clothes that cover their knees and shoulders.

Entering the monastery in flip-flops is prohibited.

Flash photography, tripods & selfie sticks are prohibited inside the basilica.

Photography is also prohibited during services at the monastery.

Entering the basilica during acts of worship is prohibited, unless you’re taking part in them.

Accessibility

Most areas of the monastery are wheelchair accessible.

The Black Madonna is not accessible to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

The train and rack railway are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Additional information

The ticket office at FGC Plaça Espanya is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You must exchange your ticket at this office before starting the journey.

The time slot you select while booking your ticket is for access to the Black Madonna. The Basilica and the Black Madonna (Timed Entry) experience is free for Spanish residents.

The first train from Barcelona is at 8:36am, so if you book a time slot before 10am (factoring in a 1.5-hour commute), you will need to arrange alternate means of transportation to the monastery.

The Boys' choir will not sing from 25 June to 20 August, on 29 August, from 1-3 September, 2, 3, and 6 October, and on 24 November.

You can explore the rest of the monastery at your own pace.

When choosing your slot for entry to Black Madonna, factor in your commute time from Barcelona and the uphill walk to the monastery.

Plan and catch a train at least 1.5 hours before your reserved time to ensure a smooth visit.

The Tabernacle of Our Lady is closed during services to ensure silence for those praying.

The details to download your audio guide will be sent once you book your tickets.

Choir performance times may vary as per special religious celebrations and the school calendar.

Note that last-minute time changes may occur without prior notice.

Mass at the Basilica takes place Monday to Saturday at 11am and 9.30am on all holidays, including Sundays.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.