Montserrat, Spain

An hour outside of Barcelona is the impressive multi-peaked mountain range known as Montserrat. Within its dramatic, rocky mountain tops hides the Benedictine Monestir de Montserrat, a monastery popular with visitors from all over the world. Everyone from pilgrims and culture lovers to hikers and speleologists love the spot thanks to the gorgeous hiking terrain and beautiful abbey village built into the mountain and to top it all off, it is an easy day trip from Barcelona. Today, Montserrat is often used to refer to both Montserrat mountain and Montserrat Abbey.

31 Jan 20 · 4 mins read

Montserrat, Spain

Montserrat mountain

An hour outside of Barcelona is the impressive multi-peaked mountain range known as Montserrat. Within its dramatic, rocky mountain tops hides the Benedictine Monestir de Montserrat, a monastery popular with visitors from all over the world. Everyone from pilgrims and culture lovers to hikers and speleologists love the spot thanks to the gorgeous hiking terrain and beautiful abbey village built into the mountain and to top it all off, it is an easy day trip from Barcelona. Today, Montserrat is often used to refer to both Montserrat mountain and Montserrat Abbey.

The History of Montserrat

Inside the abbey
Inside the abbey

The mountain of Montserrat is thought to have been of religious significance since pre-Christian times when the Romans built a temple on the mountain to worship Venus. Montserrat’s monastery was founded in 1025 and legend says that the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, a venerated statue of the Madonna and Child, was found 880. The monastery was built around the statue. In 1811 and 1812 the monastery was damaged, plundered and partially burned by Napoleon’s troops, destroying much of its treasures. In the 1830s the monastery was abandoned due to anticlerical legislation but began to rebuilt from 1858. During the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, many Benedictine monks were killed. Today, a community of 55 monks who live at the abbey. During Franco’s dictatorship, Montserrat Abbey became a symbol of opposition to the leading political power and was the only place to offer religious services in Catalan despite the official ban of the language. Many anti-nationalist leaders took shelter in the abbey.

What to Do in Montserrat

The cable car up the mountain
The cable car up the mountain

The summit of Montserrat stands at 1,236 metres high and offers stunning views of Catalonia and its lush terrain. One of the best ways to experience these views is a cable car ride. If you’re coming to Montserrat as part of a trip to Barcelona, you can come via public transport by catching a train to the bottom of the mountain and then getting the cable car (the Aeri de Montserrat). In the cable car, which takes you to the abbey of Montserrat, you’ll see the village of Monistrol, the River Llobregat and a stunning valley. For those fearful of heights or unsure about cable cars, the other option is the Montserrat rack railway, known as the “Cremallera“. The train ride from Monistrol (the stop at the bottom of the mountain) to the abbey is 20 minutes.

Once you arrive at the monastery, there are two funicular railways. The Sant Joan funicular railway takes you on a steep journey from the monastery up to the peak of the mountain. It gives you an aerial view of the monastery and the opportunity to get views of the other side of the mountain and more of Catalunya. For those interested in hiking Montserrat, the top of the mountain also marks the beginning of a variety of walks. The Santa Cova Funicular is another railway that leaves from the monastery. This funicular ride, however, takes you partway down the mountain to the beginning of a walk that will lead to the cave chapel known as Santa Cova. It is here that the image of the Virgin Mary was reportedly seen by shepherds around 880. While you can walk directly from the monastery to the cave, the walk from the Santa Cova funicular station to the cave is far less strenuous. All four forms of transport offer amazing views of the landscapes and surrounding towns although you cannot see Barcelona, the closest city.

The Benedictine Abbey
The Benedictine Abbey

Catalonia’s renowned Benedictine Abbey encompasses two blocks. On one side there is a basilica and monastery-related buildings and on the other, there are pilgrim facilities and information for travellers. It houses the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as La Moreneta, a wooden statue that most visitors come to the abbey to see. In 1844 La Moreneta as declared to be the patron saint of Catalonia. You can also explore the basilica, with its marbled floors and Art Nouveau frescoes.

Another must-see is the Biblical Museum, or the Museum of Montserrat. Founded in 1963, the museum contains an impressive collection of world-renowned artworks. It is home to the works of Catalan artists, Modernist sculptures and ancient Middle Eastern paintings. There are paintings by Dali, Monet, El Greco and a single piece from Italian artist Caravaggio. It is one of the most visited museums in Spain.

The view of Montserrat from Sant Join
The view from the top of the Sant Joan funicular

On the path the connects the Montserrat Monastery to the Santa Cova there are a group of sculptures known as the Monumental Holy Rosary of Montserrat. They were built between 1896 and 1916 by many prestigious artists including the architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi drew a lot of inspiration from his visits to Montserrat and the works at Montserrat are considered to represent the most important outdoor Modernista religious site in Catalonia.

While there are some accommodation options in Montserrat, most people come as part of a day tour. If you would be interested in seeing this important religious site or hiking the wonderful mountain landscape, take a look at our Barcelona City Explored and Discover Spain tour which both visit Montserrat and the abbey.

landscape tree nature

Articles about Spain published by Odyssey Traveller:

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Spain:

Related Tours

Pre-guaranteed
Barcelona city

21 days

Apr, Sep, Aug

Barcelona Small Group Tour | The city explored in-depth

Visiting Spain

Small group journeys from one of the best small group tour companies Europe that delve into Barcelona's history, culture, and cuisine. Daily itineraries for couples and solo travellers with like minded people. An escorted tour of Barcelona based in an apartment with local guides sharing authentic experiences and knowledge.

From A$12,925 AUD

View Tour
Torre de Belem Lisbon, Portugal

21 days

Jun, Sep

Lisbon & Barcelona small group tour

Visiting Portugal, Spain

An escorted tour for like minded people that provides mature couples and solo travellers with daily itineraries that provide authentic experiences with qualified local guides in the great cities of Lisbon and Barcelona over 21 days. For solo travellers a nominal single supplement is charged.

From A$14,250 AUD

View Tour
Barcelona-Spain

21 days

Sep, May

Discover Spain

Visiting Spain

Join this small group travel, 21-day tour of Spain. For couples or solo traveler with minimal single supplement has daily itineraries with local guides that provide authentic experiences for those who seek small group journeys. Escorted tour begins in Madrid, finishes in Barcelona.

From A$14,750 AUD

View Tour
Habsburg Spain Tudor England

21 days

May, Aug, Sep

Habsburg Spain vs Tudor England: small group tour exploring 16th century history of England & Spain

Visiting England

This holiday with a leading tour operator allows the escorted tour for seniors to explore the life and times of the royal families responsible for making England and Spain so significant in the 16th century with local guides providing the travel experience for the detailed itineraries. We spend 10 days travelling from London to Madrid.

From A$14,295 AUD

View Tour
Moorish architecture of Seville, Spain

17 days

Mar, Oct

Moors in Spain

Visiting Spain

A small group tour of Spain exploring Spain's Moorish past. Your tour leader discovers and traces of the art, architecture, and culture and religious reign and of the Moors in Spain visiting their key cities of Madrid, Toledo, Seville and the cities of Andalusia.

From A$15,100 AUD

View Tour
Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour

19 days

Sep, Jun, Aug

Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour (The Camino)- Spain

Visiting Portugal, Spain

Experience pleasant sections of the Way of Saint James, crossing some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. We follow the pilgrims on easy distances of The Way to the mythical destination, Santiago de Compostella. Not since the middle ages has this adventure for body and mind been more popular. We also get to discover the artistic highlights and rich history of Northern Spain and Portugal, as well as enjoying local wines and exquisite food.

From A$14,135 AUD

View Tour
Short Spain tours

11 days

Sep, Apr, Aug

Short Spain Tour for senior and mature travellers

Visiting Spain

Join our small group guided tour of Spain, exploring this fascinating country over 10 nights with like minded people. We start in Barcelona and make our way slowly towards Madrid. Enjoy the food and culture while learning about the history of each location from our expert local guides and Odyssey Program Leader.

From A$7,610 AUD

View Tour
The Pena National Palace Sao Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal

18 days

Aug, Apr

Discover Portugal

Visiting Portugal

Join Odyssey Traveller small group journeys with like minded people on this immersive 18-day escorted tour of Portugal. This travel experience takes us from the capital of Lisbon, through Portugal's many historic cities and key UNESCO World heritage sites.

From A$11,275 AUD

View Tour

Join 22,383 like-minded travellers receiving our weekly newsletter.

Special offers and promotions
A$500 AUD first trip travel voucher
The latest tours and articles