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Santa Cueva de Montserrat

Santa Cueva de Montserrat: Our most recommended tours and activities

Montserrat & Cava Wineries Day Trip from Barcelona w/ Pickup

1. Montserrat & Cava Wineries Day Trip from Barcelona w/ Pickup

Discover the beauty of Mount Montserrat and visit the Montserrat Monastery on this day trip in an airconditioned van from Barcelona. Head to Santa Cova and have the chance to hear the Montserrat’s Boys’ Choir. Savor wine and tapas at an ancient winery in Sant Sadurní d'Anoi.  Depart Barcelona and drive towards the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range for a morning visit to the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat, world-renowned for its shrine to the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as the "Black Madonna." Marvel at the monastery and its surrounding scenery on a curious-shaped rock that rises 2,380 feet above sea level. Enter the monastery to see its Romanesque icon of the "Black Madonna" which is thought to date back to the 12th century. Get unparalleled views of the magical landscape, declared a national park in 1987. Head to the Santa Cova ("Holy Grotto") where, according to legend, the virgin appeared before some shepherd children in a vision.  Benefit from the chance to hear the angelic voices of La Escolania de Montserrat (Montserrat’s Boys’ Choir ), one of the oldest children's choirs in Europe (subject to seasonal availability). Head to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in the heart of Catalonia's cava wine producing region and visit a premium cava winery, where the tradition of making sparkling wines date back almost 5 centuries. Visit the cellar and descend to the dungeons where the wine is stored for several years. Learn about wine production and vineyard maintenance. Taste 3 varieties of local wines and cavas paired with traditional cheeses and cold meats. Gaze out at views of the Catalan countryside with Mount Montserrat in the background. Hear about the process of producing cava at a family business that first produced it according to traditional methods in 1872, and by using grapes from the Penedès region. Return to your meeting point in Barcelona at the conclusion of your tour. 

Barcelona: Montserrat Guided Tour with Optional Cog-Wheel

2. Barcelona: Montserrat Guided Tour with Optional Cog-Wheel

Visit Montserrat Monastery on this half-day trip from Barcelona.  Scale Montserrat Mountain on the cogwheel train. Admire the beauty of the monastery's architecture and hear stories about its famed Black Madonna statue. Board a bus from Barcelona and set off on a ride to the magical mountain of Montserrat. Discover its rocky geography, beautiful scenery, local liquors, and cultural wealth with a guide. Follow your local guide through the site and learn about the history and architectural style of the monastery. Fall in love with the Gothic and Renaissance details of the basilica and sanctuary. Then, learn about the legend of the miraculous apparition of the Black Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. Visit the Church and see the Black Madonna. Enjoy free time to taste the finest liquors, shop for locally produced treats or visit the audiovisual exhibition once the guided tour finishes.

Montserrat: Morning or Afternoon Half-Day Trip with Pickup

3. Montserrat: Morning or Afternoon Half-Day Trip with Pickup

Take a half-day trip from Barcelona to Monserrat. See views from the mountain, visit a famous monastery, and take a walking tour. Begin your day with pickup and get read to enjoy the most exclusive views of this spectacular natural setting, the Holy Mountain. This rocky monument is known for the whimsical shapes of its peaks soaring through the sky. See a mountain at a height of 2,380 feet above sea level. Tour the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria and the Basilica, where you’ll see the Virgin of Montserrat, known as the Black Madonna. After visiting the monastery, your guide will take you on a walking tour to take in the stunning views from the site that was declared a national park in 1987. Next, you’ll visit the Holy Cave, where legend has it the Virgin appeared. It is now a center of pilgrimage and prayer. To conclude the tour, you can enjoy listening to the angelic voices of La Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest children's choirs in Europe. You will return to Barcelona with the guide at around 2:30 PM if you take the morning tour, or at 8:30 PM if you take the afternoon tour.

Barcelona: Montserrat Railway, Museum Tickets, & Audio Guide

4. Barcelona: Montserrat Railway, Museum Tickets, & Audio Guide

Take advantage of the best option to reach Montserrat from Barcelona via this round-trip train and Montserrat Rack Railway combo ticket. Enjoy added perks including a pre-booked visit to the Virgin of Montserrat, tickets to the Montserrat Museum and the Audiovisual Space, and a liqueur tasting. Start your trip via the Montserrat Rack Railway and climbs over 600 meters to fully enjoy the mountain surroundings, straight to Sanctuary of Montserrat (instructions on how to redeem your train and railway transportation ticket can be found on your confirmation voucher).  Once in Montserrat, you’ll get further instructions on how to receive your included audio guide and confirmation of the time for your visit to the Virgin of Montserrat. Thanks to an audio guide, map, and informative booklet, you can discover on your own all the most important facets of the monastery's history, including the major sites of the Sanctuary of Montserrat. Follow your personal audio guide as they cover the main itinerary of your trip, taking you to the basilica and to the Virgin of Montserrat, as well as helping you to discover architectural and sculptural heritage that illustrates Montserrat’s history. Visit the new and completely renovated Montserrat Audiovisual Space, the result of the monastery's desire to provide more information to the thousands of pilgrims and visitors who want to know what Montserrat is and what it means.  Explore the exhibition that’s based on three fundamental pillars: the mountain, monastery, and sanctuary. Get to know Montserrat in all its complexity through an exhibition itinerary that uses different and innovative museum resources as well as the latest generation of audiovisual elements.  Next, stop at the Museum of Montserrat, home to work by Caravaggio, El Greco, Rusiñol, Casas, Picasso, Dali, Monet, and others. Witness a valuable collection of the Archaeology of the Ancient World with artifacts from the Near East.  You’ll also get to see the Basilica of Montserrat, home to the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, a Romanesque sculpture dating from the late 12th century featuring delicately carved features. Your ticket allows you to book an access time to the sculpture advance, which is mandatory. During your visit, take a break at any moment to enjoy a tasting of Montserrat spirits at the nearby shop, La Botiga.

Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Cueva de Montserrat

Want to discover all there is to do in Santa Cueva de Montserrat? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Santa Cueva de Montserrat

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 376 reviews

Marcel was an excellent guide. he was so knowledgeable about the Monserrat, and made our tour very enjoyable. i liked that it was a very small group. Kudos to Gert Your GUide for a great day!!

Eduard was amazing. The pick up and drop off was seamless and the tour was amazing. We had time to explore though I wish the time was more as we did not see the black Madonna

My family truly enjoyed this day trip. Our guide was Ariadna. She was great and very knowledgeable about Montserrat. We enjoyed the winery as well.

Such a fascinating site with stunning vistas! The tour was just the right length of time, and our guide was friendly and knowledgeable.

El lugar tiene una historia increíble, un lugar de mucha paz.