Early-Morning Express : Montserrat Guided Tour

Embark on a journey into the heart of Montserrat early in the morning in an air-conditioned bus from Barcelona. Put the bustle of the city behind you as you climb the hills outside Barcelona and make your way to the ‘serrated mountain’, Montserrat. After a one-hour’s ride, you’ll find yourself in the rugged and majestic landscape of this Catalonian region, a treat for nature lovers of all ages. What’s more, since the tour leaves early from Barcelona, you will reach the monastery a little before most other visitors, thus avoiding the long lines that form daily in front of the Benedictine Monastery and the Black Madonna.

You will have a brief orientation with your guide upon your arrival, after which the guide will lead your small group into the Gothic Basilica nestled in between the rock spires and sheer cliffs. Here you can see the famous Black Madonna, believed to be carved out of wood in Jerusalem in the late 12th Century. The Benedictine monks, purportedly, built the monastery around the statue because it was too heavy to be moved, thus turning this remote outpost into a pilgrimage spot.

Once you’re done with the tour, you will have some free time in Montserrat, in which you can either take a cable car ride through the stark mountains or spend some time at the interactive historical exhibition which tells you about the impressive history of this region. Alternatively, you can also go to the museum of contemporary art, where masterpieces from Monet, Picasso, and Dali are on display.

Finally, you can also enjoy the local culinary specialties, from herbal liquors to cheeses, cured meats, and honey, at the stalls set up by the local artisans to let visitors sample and purchase their wares. These delicacies will give you an authentic taste of the regional Catalan cuisine, nicely rounding off your trip before you return to Barcelona.