If you find yourself in Barcelona, I highly recommend a visit to Montserrat! While you can choose between a full-day or half-day, I found a half-day to be perfect. If you want to hike, a full-day would be for you. A half-day will give you enough time to see it all while also having down time. I booked through Viator (an exact link to the tour can be found here). The tour was great and I have nothing but positive things to say! The bus picked us up and dropped us off in central Barcelona, and our tour guide gave us a lot of (actually) interesting history along the way. We had plenty of time on our own to explore the beautiful mountains. Here is how to spend a half day in Montserrat, Spain!
View the Black Madonna
The Black Madonna is at the center of the cathedral in Montserrat, and is one of the most celebrated images in Spain. Whether or not you are religious, the statue is a remarkable work of art, despite her origins being unknown. Viewing the Black Madonna is free, but the line gets long. I would highly recommend booking with a tour group so you can skip the line. Even first thing in the morning and in off-season, there was a lot of people waiting to get in and we got to go right to the front. To get to the Black Madonna, you must walk through the cathedral and up stairs. No talking is allowed as to show respect. Once you get to her, you can touch the ball in her hand and it is known to bring good luck and good fertility.
Tip: once you are at The Black Madonna, don’t forget to turn around for a spectacular view of the cathedral!
Stroll the grounds
Again, whether or not you are religious, there is no denying the beauty of Montserrat. The monastery and cathedral are works of art and are worthy of appreciation! Inside the cathedral you will find many statues and beautiful mosaic tile work. I also loved the open courtyard and the open grounds outside the church. The stone arches make for the perfect view with the mountains peeking through on the other side. If you wander a bit farther towards the hotel, you’ll walk through picturesque narrow alleyways. There really is so much to explore in Montserrat!
View the “Stairway to Heaven”
While the sound of “Stairway to Heaven” may make your heart flutter thinking it’s some kind of steep hike- fear not. (Is that just the chubby girl in me who thinks that?). The Stairway to Heaven is a monument in Montserrat that consists of 8 rectangular stone blocks that rise in a spiral. It’s a perfect Instagram shot waiting to hit your grid. It’s located right near the bus parking lot, so it’s a perfect first or last stop on your day in Montserrat, Spain.
Tip: During my visit, the monument was fenced in due to people climbing it and taking pictures. If there is no fence when you visit, please do not climb!
Ride the Sant Joan Funicular
Sadly on my visit in February 2023, the funicular was down for scheduled maintenance. However, if it’s up and running on your visit, this would be a perfect addition! This steep mountain railway will take you from the central area with the monastery up to the top of Montserrat mountain. Here, you will get unobstructed views of the mountains and valley. The funicular runs every 12-15 minutes (depending on the time of year- check here) and will cost about €14 for a round trip ticket.
Photo Ops Galore!
In addition to the monuments, cathedral, and funicular, there are countless more photo ops to be taken on your day in Montserrat! If you go to this pin here and walk up the path, you’ll find many cutouts that would make the perfect place to set up your tripod and have a photoshoot. The views over the mountains and valley and phenomenal! My favorite spot however, was in the courtyard (pin here) where you can get a 180 degree view of the mountains and beautiful buildings. Wherever you choose to explore on your day in Montserrat, your camera will thank you.
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