We only used this as a transfer not a tour. We loved the early time. Got there before the HUGE crowds and saw the Black Madonna without any wait. So with it to get there early! We hiked all up the mountain and down and my husband took the funicular down. If you like to hike come here. Always use Google maps to find meetings places here in Barcelona. Apple Maps is not as accurate.

The trip to Montserrat Monastery is a nice change from the city tour of Barcelona. There are several options on site - you can either visit the monastery or follow one of the many hiking trails or dare to take the cable car up another hill or enjoy the beautiful view from one of the viewing platforms. The trip was well organized, it started on time and there was enough time on site (about 3 hours). A little tip: warm things look good up there - especially in spring, the clothes that are worn in the city are not sufficient up there, even if the sun is not shining :)

I didn't take the tour. Just took the ride up and back. Some of us did it on our own, others paid for the tour in addition to the bus ride up and back. Taking this particular bus/tour is the only way to get there early unless you hire a private tour or drive. It was GREAT getting there before the hordes of people but...and this is a huge but....there was NOT enough time to do or see much of anything once there! We got there around 8, and had to meet back at the bus by 10:30. The museum doesn't even open until 10! I never ever ran around an art museum so fast in my life! I literally only had time to see the Black Madonna (that's why I wanted to get there early), walked VERY quickly to St. Michael's Cross, and ran through the art museum in less than 20 minutes! This is such a beautiful place, it deserves an entire day! Too bad there isn't a bus company that will take you up at sunrise and back late afternoon.