Montserrat – a trip from Barcelona that is really worth a day

When you're in Barcelona, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city: Gaudí's wonders, tapas bars, sunsets on the beach – but if you have a day to dedicate to nature and something completely different, Montserrat is a place you shouldn't miss. It really is like stepping into a completely different world, and you don't even have to go far.

The train leaves from Plaça d'Espanya and in less than an hour you'll be at the foot of the iconic, saw-toothed mountain. The train ride itself is great: as you slowly move away from Barcelona, the hustle and bustle of the city fades away and the landscape begins to take on a fairy-tale shape. And towards the top of the mountain you have two options: the cogwheel train or the cable car. I chose the cable car – a little adrenaline, a wonderful view, a 100% experience.

Montserrat is not only famous for its unique rock formations, but also for its Benedictine monastery, which has been a spiritual center for centuries. The building itself has a serious atmosphere, and even if you are not religious, there is an intangible peace in it. If you are lucky, you will even catch the singing of the famous boys' choir.

The history of the Montserrat monastery dates back to the 9th century, when, according to legend, some shepherd boys found a small statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave. This “Black Madonna” (La Moreneta) is still the monastery’s greatest treasure and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The Benedictine monastery was built in the 11th century and has been in operation ever since: the monks still live here, pray and take care of the holy place. The monastery has been an important spiritual and cultural center in Catalonia for centuries, surviving wars, looting and political storms. The building itself has been rebuilt several times, but its atmosphere is still as if centuries of wisdom had seeped into the stones.

There is also the possibility of hiking on the mountain, if that interests you. Because Montserrat is actually a huge outdoor adventure park for those who like to move. There are plenty of hiking trails between the mountains, from easy walks to more serious hikes. I went up to St. Michael's Cross: it's not too long a walk, and the view is amazing.

You should either pick up lunch in the small shops around the monastery – local cheese, bread, olives – or sit down in a panoramic restaurant if you prefer to sit down and relax.

In the afternoon, you can head back to Barcelona, and by the time you get back on the metro, you'll feel like you've been on a whole different journey. Montserrat is a little escape from the rhythm of the city, where you're both out in nature and yet part of something bigger, timeless.

If you only planned one day trip from Barcelona, I think this should be it. Montserrat is not just a mountain, not just a monastery – it’s an experience. And that’s something that really sticks with you.

Useful information:

• If you are not a Spanish resident, there is a fee to visit the interior of the monastery (basilica and the “Moreneta” sanctuary): the basic ticket costs around €7–8 online/offline, while the combined ticket – which includes the basilica, the Black Madonna, the audiovisual room and the museum – costs €18 online or €20 on site. If you also want to listen to the famous boys’ choir, the “basilica + Mora + choir” package costs around €25–27. The museum ticket is €8 on its own , and is cheaper for students and pensioners.

• For transportation, you can choose the economical Trans Montserrat ticket (~ €45), which includes train, cogwheel or cable car, the basilica and the audio-visual exhibition. For those who want the full experience with a buffet lunch, museum visit and unlimited funicular rides, the Tot Montserrat ticket (~ €69–70) is a great choice.

• The basilica is open every day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the museum is open from approximately 10:00 AM to 6:45 PM (it may close earlier in winter). It is worth buying your ticket in advance, as you need an appointment to visit the Black Madonna sanctuary – and this will also help you avoid the queue.