From Barcelona: Montserrat Monastery & Black Madonna With Train Tickets & Audio Guide

Highlights

Explore the Montserrat Monastery, a sacred sanctuary that clings to a mountainous backbone of rugged, needle-like peaks, at your own pace.

With a train ride from Barcelona and a rack rail ride from Montserrat, your journey to the monastery is nothing less than seamless.

A multilingual audio guide in eight languages ensures you can immerse yourself in exploring the Black Madonna and other key highlights.

Witness the world’s most treasured works of art by El Greco, Monet, and Picasso at the Museum of Montserrat.

Upgrade your ticket to witness the Escolania boys’ choir sing inside the basilica, adding a soulful touch to your experience.

Your Experience

Enjoy a seamless cultural journey from Barcelona to Montserrat with transportation, access to the sacred Black Madonna, and an audio guide that lets you explore at your own pace.

Getting started

Start your journey at FGC Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, where your tickets will be validated. Then, board the R5 line using the train ticket included in your pass. On arrival at Monistrol de Montserrat, switch to the rack railway for a stunning uphill ride to the monastery.

What to expect

Montserrat Monastery

An iconic mountaintop sanctuary, the monastery is revered for its religious significance, breathtaking views, and the statue of the Black Madonna.

Features

Black Madonna: Carved in poplar wood back in the 12th century, the Black Madonna is the monastery’s most sought-after attraction.
Basilica of Montserrat: The basilica is the spiritual heart of the monastery, revered for its intricate architecture and almost breathtaking acoustics.
Museum of Montserrat: Home to more than 1,300 works across six curated collections, the museum is home to artistic wonders by the likes of Monet, Picasso, and Caravaggio.
Train & rack railway: The train ticket from the Plaça Espanya station in Barcelona, and the pass to the rack railway onwards from Montserrat to the monastery add to this experience’s convenience.
Audio guide: A multilingual audio guide in eight different languages ensures you can immerse yourself in the monastery’s wonders and wander through it at your own pace.

Upgrades

Escolania de Montserrat Choir Performance: Composed of around 50 boys, the choir’s voice within the basilica’s solemn walls adds a transcendent quality to your visit. This is a worthy upgrade!

Must Know

Carry a valid ID or passport to get your tickets validated.

Wear a pair of comfortable and grippy walking shoes to enjoy this experience without breaking a sweat.

Bring your smartphone fully charged & your best earphones to make the most of the audio guide.

Men and women must wear clothes that cover their knees and shoulders.

Entering the monastery in flip-flops is prohibited.

Flash photography, tripods & selfie sticks are prohibited inside the basilica.

Photography is also prohibited during services at the monastery.

Entering the basilica during acts of worship is prohibited, unless you’re taking part in them.

Most areas of the monastery are wheelchair accessible.

The Black Madonna is not accessible to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

The train and rack railway are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

The ticket office at FGC Plaça Espanya is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You must exchange your ticket at this office before starting the journey.

The time slot you select while booking your ticket is for access to the Black Madonna.

The first train from Barcelona is at 8:36am, so if you book a time slot before 10am (factoring in a 1.5-hour commute), you will need to arrange alternate means of transportation to the monastery.

The Boys' choir will not sing from 25 June to 20 August, on 29 August, from 1-3 September, 2, 3, and 6 October, and on 24 November.

You can explore the rest of the monastery at your own pace.

When choosing your slot for entry to Black Madonna, factor in your commute time from Barcelona and the uphill walk to the monastery.

Plan and catch a train at least 1.5 hours before your reserved time to ensure a smooth visit.

The Tabernacle of Our Lady is closed during services to ensure silence for those praying.

The details to download your audio guide will be sent once you book your tickets.

Choir performance times may vary as per special religious celebrations and the school calendar.

Note that last-minute time changes may occur without prior notice.

Mass at the Basilica takes place Monday to Saturday at 11am and 9.30am on all holidays, including Sundays.

Ticket Delivery

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the attraction.

Ticket Redemption Point for the Train tickets:

Redeem your ticket at the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) ticket office at Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station. You will need to exchange your voucher for your transportation ticket at the ticket office, open from 8 AM until 2 PM.
The transportation ticket includes the train and the rack railway. There are trains leaving for Montserrat every hour starting at 8:36 AM. You can check the departure times of the train on the official website of the FGC: https://www.fgc.cat/en/.

Ticket Redemption Point in Montserrat

Show your ticket at the Montserrat Tourist Office, to redeem the Open Air Museum tickets.
Address: 08199 Monestir de Montserrat, 08199, Barcelona, Spain.

Get Directions to the Redemption Point