The Top 12 Things To Do in Montserrat in 2024

Barcelona’s best day trip is the monastery that sits in the peaks of Montserrat where you’ll find the shrine of La Moreneta (the Virgin of Montserrat). The mix of religious intrigue and stunning scenery makes this one of Spain’s most memorable landmarks. And there’s plenty to do and see when you get there. So, let’s look at the top things to do in Montserrat.

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Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our Montserrat guide for more planning resources, our top Montserrat tours for a memorable trip, and the best restaurants near Montserrat.

12 Memorable Things To Do and See in Montserrat

The city of Barcelona has so much to offer it’s easy to overlook the spectacular mountain landscape nearby. But no trip to Catalonia is complete without a visit to the Benedictine Monk retreat in Montserrat.

Montserrat boasts many religious and historical treasures, but it also appeals to nature lovers. The mountain views stretch to the Mediterranean on one side and the Pyrenees on the other (weather permitting). What’s more, the rugged terrain features some of the best hiking in the region.

The site is 50 km (31 miles) west of Barcelona. You can reach the foot of the mountain by train. From there, you’ll take a cable car from Aeri Monserrat. Or, you can take the Cremallera railway from Monistrol Monserrat to arrive at the monastery.

If you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy Montserrat from Barcelona, check out our Montserrat day trips. You’ll enjoy roundtrip transport, a guided tour of the monastery, and free time to explore a few of these recommended activities and things to do in Montserrat.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to do a Montserrat day trip from Barcelona.

12. Take a Trip on the Funicular

A trip on the funicular is an integral part of any trip to the monastery, but you’ll need to plan ahead as they can take up to an hour. There are two funicular railways in the Montserrat monastery: Funicular de Sant Joan and Funicular de Santa Cova.

The Santa Cova line takes you to the start of a 20-minute walk, which leads to the Santa Cova cave chapel. The cave was a hiding place for the statue of the Madonna during the Moorish invasions. There, you’ll also find an exhibition featuring information about the cave and the railway.

The Funicular de Sant Joan takes you higher into the mountains. It has a glass roof, so you’ll get unobstructed views as you scale the peaks. From the top, you can enjoy spectacular panoramas in all directions. You’ll have access to some of the stunning walks around the natural park.

Keep in mind that the Cremallera railway, which gets you from the bottom of the mountain to the Montserrat Monastery, is sometimes referred to as a funicular—not to be confused with these two funicular railways.

Address: 08293 Monestir de Montserrat

11. Get Artsy at the Montserrat Museum

If you love art, don’t miss the Montserrat Museum. It opened in 1963 and the curators filled it with archaeological objects and Renaissance and baroque paintings from the monastery.

According to the museum’s website, it sits in a building constructed between 1928 and 1933 by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Later, in 1982, an expansion project added a donation of 19th and 20th-century paintings.

Donors included architect Xavier Busquets and cotton trader Josep Sala Ardiz. The Ardiz inheritance included early works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali as well as some of local artist Fortuny’s best-known work. Today, the museum also features temporary exhibition rooms filled with contemporary art, historical photographs, avant-garde paintings, and more.

Address: 08199 Montserrat

Best Montserrat Tours from Barcelona

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.

10. Grab Some Local Produce at the Market

One of the nice features of the Montserrat monastery is the daily market. This is a welcome addition to the usual souvenir stores, which you can also find on-site. The market maintains an old tradition where local villagers gathered to sell their wares.

Much of the produce is as it was years ago. So, you can expect to find local honey, cheeses, bread, cakes, fruit, nuts, and much more. You can even stock up on enough food and drink to enjoy a picnic in the nearby recreation area.

Address: 08199 Montserrat

9. Hike to Santa Cova

Montserrat offers a wealth of hiking options to suit all levels. For an easy walk, you can skip the funicular and head to Santa Cova on foot. Your reward is 15 decorative altars depicting the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary you’ll see along the way.

Many are crafted by famous local artists including Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and Joan Martorell. Allow for an hour to walk the route at a leisurely pace. Also, you can always walk one way and take the funicular back.

Address: 08293 Monestir de Montserrat

5. Enjoy Lunch in the Monastery

There are a few places to eat at the monastery, but you’ll have the best dining experience at Restaurant Abat Cisneros. It’s part of the Hotel Abat Cisneros and is in a building that dates to the 16th century. The dining room is in the old stable block and features a great stone archway that extends the length of the room.

There is a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for lunch. The food is traditional Catalan and takes inspiration from the mountain and sea. Don’t forget to pair your dishes with one of the excellent local wines.

Address: Plaza del Monasterio, s/n, 08199 Monestir de Montserrat

8. Get Romantic at Saint Michael’s Cross

If you’re looking for the best views for the least effort, do the hike to La Creu de Sant Miquel (Saint Michael’s Cross). This walk takes well under an hour but offers some of the most romantic views of the monastery.

Along the way, you’ll discover an outstanding sculpture of musician Pau Casals by Joan Rebull. You’ll also encounter a sculpture of Saint Francis of Assisi by Josep Viladomat made in 1927 to mark the 7th centenary of his death.

This route is suitable for all ages and levels. It’s also the shortest one, so you won’t have to trek too far to get some incredible photos.

Address: 08293 Collbató, Barcelona

7. Follow the Path of the Hermits

Want to get a glimpse of what hermit life was like centuries ago? You can hike the Path of the Hermitage from the monastery or from the top station of the Sant Joan funicular. Follow the signs for Sant Joan’s trail and discover ancient hermitages nestled in cracks in the rocks.

The area also features ancient stone sculptures and steps leading up to the Santa Magdalena hermitage. You’ll also pass several chapels along the way and may even encounter some local wildlife such as mountain goats and eagles.

Address: 08293, Barcelona

Popular Barcelona Tours

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.

6. Scale the Peak of Sant Jeroni

If you can only do one hike on your trip, make it this one. It’s one of the most popular hikes from Montserrat to Sant Jeroni. This four-hour trek finishes at the highest peak of the Montserrat mountain range. Despite the length, the walk is rated low difficulty, so don’t be put off.

On a clear day, you’ll get 360-degree views across Catalonia. From the plains of Lleida and the peaks of the Pyrenees on one side to Barcelona city and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.

Address: 08691, Barcelona

4. Have an Evening Meal at Restaurant BO2

After a hard day’s site-seeing it can be tough choosing where to eat your evening meal. If you ate at the monastery during the day, why not head down the mountain and end the day with a bite at the best place to eat near Montserrat Restaurant BO2.

This eatery is in the heart of Monistrol de Montserrat, a few minutes from the Cremallera railway. Chefs María José Lara and Marcela Orellana put their own stamp on classic Mediterranean flavors. Using only the best local ingredients.

They even do themed-menu nights focusing on international cuisines such as Japanese, Italian, or Mexican. But this is more than a gimmick. This is top-quality cooking across the board.

Address: Carrer Sant Joan, 32

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Montserrat Guide for more info.

3. Listen to the Boys’ Choir

The Montserrat boys’ choir is one of the oldest in Europe. That’s because the monastery has hosted a music school since the 14th century. And they have the documents to prove it. The choir, known as the Escolania, accompanies ceremonies and prayers in the basilica. The choir boys who study at the music school also perform all over the world.

To see the choir sing live is one of the great religious experiences of the monastery. Many graduates have gone on to work as professional musicians, teachers, and composers. There are usually performances on every day apart from Saturdays. But check first, as times may vary according to religious and school holidays.

Address: Passeig de l´Escolania, s/n, 08199 Monistrol de Monserrat

2. Feel Blessed at the Shrine of La Moreneta (Black Madonna)

No trip to Montserrat is complete without a visit to see the Lady. The shrine of the Lady of Montserrat is a 12th-century Romanesque carving located in the basilica. La Moreneta means the “Dark One” and refers to the dark skin tone of the statue.

This is why she is also known as the Black Madonna. Legend tells of an earlier image discovered by 9th-century shepherds nearby on which the later carving is based. In 1881, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed the Lady as the Patron Saint of Catalonia.

Today, the shrine is a spiritual sanctuary for visitors from all over the globe. Many travel here to be blessed, including newly-wed couples. And there are many more legends attached to the shrine and its origins, which you can discover on your trip.

Addresss: 08199 Monestir de Montserrat

1. Marvel at the Basilica

The basilica is the main church of the abbey and contains many notable features. The building showcases the Gothic and Renaissance styles and much of the work is the result of extensive restoration work. The central nave features sculptures of Ezekial, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Daniel hand-carved by Josep Llimona and installed in 1886.

At the back of the church, a mosaic staircase leads to the niche. From there, you can also access the throne room of the Virgin. There, more mosaics tell the story of the Lady of Montserrat’s proclamation as the patron saint of Catalonia. Everywhere you look, there are details to admire and artwork that inspires.

You can complete your basilica tour with a trip down to the crypt, the entrance of which sits at the side of the niche. The room opened in 1951 and is the resting place of the monks who perished in the Spanish civil war.

Address: 08199 Montserrat

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to do a Montserrat day trip from Barcelona.