Beyond Barcelona
Montserrat: the back story
The back story
About Montserrat: the back story
Montserrat’s jagged peaks rise from the plain north-west of Barcelona, with the Benedictine monastery and basilica on a ledge halfway up. The Black Madonna, La Moreneta, is venerated in the basilica.
Getting there
FGC’s R5 runs from Plaça d’Espanya to the foot of the mountain, where you change to the Aeri cable car or, at Monistrol, to the Cremallera rack railway (fgc.cat; cremallerademontserrat.cat).
The monastery
The basilica and La Moreneta, and the Escolania boys’ choir; check times on montserratvisita.com.
Take the FGC R5 from Plaça d’Espanya and the rack railway or cable car up.
The mountain
Funiculars climb higher for walks along the ridge.
Nearby
L’Ó at Món Sant Benet, in Sant Fruitós de Bages, holds One MICHELIN Star (2026).
Our advice: go on a weekday, and start early.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The monastery
- The mountain
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Montserrat: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Montserrat: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Park Güell33 kmCar or taxi 94 min
- La Pedrera35 kmCar or taxi 99 min
- Sagrada Família35 kmCar or taxi 100 min
- Casa Batlló35 kmCar or taxi 100 min
- Palau de la Música36 kmCar or taxi 103 min
- La Boqueria36 kmCar or taxi 103 min
- Barcelona Cathedral37 kmCar or taxi 104 min
- Museu Picasso37 kmCar or taxi 104 min
- Barceloneta beach38 kmCar or taxi 108 min
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport39 kmCar or taxi 109 min
Main railway stations
- Barcelona Sants35 kmCar or taxi 99 min
- Plaça d’Espanya (FGC)36 kmCar or taxi 101 min
- Passeig de Gràcia (Rodalies)36 kmCar or taxi 101 min
- Plaça de Catalunya (Rodalies, FGC)36 kmCar or taxi 102 min