Day Trips

Montserrat Monastery with Black Madonna Access, Audio Guide & Train Tickets from Barcelona

4.5/5(1,627)

Alessandra T

Family

Verified booking

Aug 2026

Everything was perfect. When we arrived at the tourist information office, they gave us a map to help us get around, a guidebook, and a prayer card with a medallion of the Black Madonna. It was a tiring day, but it’s an experience worth having. Highly recommended.

Michael H

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Johnathan was a very good guide. Explained the sites and history at Montserrat. Maria gave very good insight on our way to Montserrat. Roberto was an excellent driver. A worthwhile day trip!

Shaimaa H

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

A wonderful experience and a beautiful journey amidst the mountains and breathtaking scenery. The funicular railway is enjoyable, the place is full of magnificent views, the Black Virgin Church is stunningly beautiful, and the museum is filled with beautiful paintings and historical artifacts. The cinematic presentation is dazzling and well worth a visit.

Ronald W

Group

Verified booking

Jul 2026

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)

Randy V

Group

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Could not do audio as Montserrat wanted a $50 per unit deposit upfront. Directions were bad. Had to purchase arial tram which worked out being way cool. It is an uphill climb, so 3 in my party had difficulty walking.

One easy booking takes you from Barcelona to Montserrat and back with round-trip transfers included, so you focus on the monastery, not logistics.

Spend unhurried time at Montserrat Monastery and its basilica, visiting the revered Black Madonna and exploring the complex at your own pace.

Explore Montserrat Monastery as an active place of worship, where daily services in the basilica shape the atmosphere around the Black Madonna statue.

Approach the Black Madonna inside the basilica with respect for worshipers and service times, pausing for a moment before rejoining the monastery.

Options add guide cogwheel ride, train and rack railway, timed Black Madonna visit Museum audiovisual, audio guide 8 languages, Escolania boys' choir.

Monastery and Black Madonna visit

Round-trip transfers

Expert English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

Cogwheel train ride (as per option selected)

Monastery visit with train transfers from Barcelona and rack railway (as per option selected)

Timed entry to basilica and Black Madonna (as per option selected)

Entry to the Museum of Montserrat and the Montserrat audiovisual exhibit (as per option selected)

Audioguide for the basilica and Black Madonna in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German, Dutch, Russian, and Japanese (as per option selected)

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

Food and drinks

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.

1,627 reviews
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What our guests say
Alessandra T
Family
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Everything was perfect. When we arrived at the tourist information office, they gave us a map to help us get around, a guidebook, and a prayer card with a medallion of the Black Madonna. It was a tiring day, but it’s an experience worth having. Highly recommended.
Karla S
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
Our guide Jon was so knowledgeable about the area and provided great information in two languages, a tough assignment that he pulled off beautifully. We appreciated the precise instructions and the tips he provided. The tour was just right as far as navigating the need to see the history and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Michael H
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Johnathan was a very good guide. Explained the sites and history at Montserrat. Maria gave very good insight on our way to Montserrat. Roberto was an excellent driver. A worthwhile day trip!
Maria D
Couple
Verified booking
6 days ago
It was a wonderful experience—everything went well. The place was charming.
Rêve M
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
A beautiful place—an incredible visit

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

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

Footwear: Wear comfortable, grippy walking shoes for the uphill paths.

Smartphone and earphones: Bring a fully charged phone and good earphones for the audio guide.

Accessibility

Monastery access: Most areas of the monastery are wheelchair accessible.

Black Madonna access: The Black Madonna is not accessible to wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.

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

What’s not allowed

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

Flip-flops: Entering the monastery in flip-flops is prohibited.

Photography gear: Flash photography, tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited inside the basilica.

Photography during services: Taking photos during services at the monastery is prohibited.

Worship times: Entering the basilica during acts of worship is prohibited unless you are taking part.

Additional information

Ticket exchange: The ticket office at FGC Plaça Espanya is open from 8am to 2pm, and you must exchange your ticket here before starting the journey.

Black Madonna slot: The time slot you select when booking is for access to the Black Madonna.

Resident benefit: The basilica and the Black Madonna timed entry are free for Spain residents.

Train timing: 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.

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

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

Travel time: When choosing your Black Madonna slot, factor in travel from Barcelona and the uphill walk to the monastery.

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

Audio guide access: The details to download your audio guide will be sent after your booking is confirmed.

Choir timings: Choir performance times may vary based on religious celebrations and the school calendar, and last-minute changes may occur.

Mass times: Mass at the basilica takes place Monday to Saturday at 11am, and at 9:30am on all holidays including Sundays.

Guided tour option: If you select the guided tour option, an expert English-speaking guide will accompany you and round-trip transfers will be included.