Montserrat Day Tours | Private Montserrat Shore Excursions

Montserrat: History and mystery…an ascent into the heights.

About Montserrat

Legend has it that thousands of years ago angels swooped down from heaven and from raw earth carved the serrated, jagged series of peaks known as Montserrat. Their swords, it is said, were made from gold.

Divine swords or not, the rock erupting from the valley below is a breathtaking sight. Montserrat is more than rock, though.

It's mystical heights are home to a Benedictine monastery; a magnificent basilica housing La Moreneta (the Black Madonna), Catalonia's Pope-appointed patroness; the famed L'Escolanía boys choir; a gallery that's home to the works of El Greco, Picasso and Dalí; and views so amazing that, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca.

The rock-hewn monastery also holds secrets of Spain's history. Artists, thinkers and philosophers found refuge there during Francisco Franco's oppressive regime.

As both a symbol and a geologic structure, the jagged ridge of Montserrat is a must-see for the explorer curious about Catalonia's most mystical mountain.

Montserrat History

The Benedictine monastery at Monsterrat was built in 1025. For hundreds of years, it functioned in relative peace. Monks and religious seekers found tranquility and meaning within the monastery's walls.

Napolean, however, did not share this sentiment when his troops ransacked and wrecked the monastery in 1811 in order to deal the country a moral blow. The monastery was repaired and rebuilt 47 years later, a symbol of Catalonia's resiliency.

Pope Leo XIII pronounced La Moreneta the patroness of Catalonia in 1881. Turmoil surrounded the monastery in the following 100 years. A handful of monks from Montserrat died from religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War.

The monastery faced more religious suppression from Franco's regime. As a result, it became a refuge for religious pilgrims and artists.

To this day, visitors still flock to Montserrat's rugged heights to experience the mystical history of the mountain.

Montserrat Highlights

The Black Madonna is arguably the most sought-after aspect of Montserrat's holy heights. Pilgrims and visitors from around the world line up inside the basilica to stand face-to-face with the famed patroness.

Twice a day, the heavenly melodies of the L'Escolania boys choir rise up amid the hallowed heights of the basilica. The choir is the product of the oldest functioning music school in Europe.

The monastery's art gallery features works by famed Spanish painters El Greco, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miro. The works, aside from the famous names that adorn them, are a reminder of the monastery's favored standing with the artists and thinkers of the Franco era.

There is often a small farmer's market that offers the chance to try or buy some handmade local cheeses, pastries and other tasty local foods.

Interesting Facts About Montserrat

-The original monastery was built because of a vision of the Virgin Mary.

-Ignatius of Loyola visited the monastery after a successful military campaign, only to lay down his uniform at the foot of the Virgin of Montserrat. He went on to adopt the Benedictine monks' creed of "poverty, prayer and penitence."

-The monastery is home to one of the oldest running printing presses in Europe, first operated in 1499.

- In 1970, Protesters organized a 300-person sit-in at the monastery in response to 16 death sentences handed out by the Franco regime.

- Montserrat reaches 4,055 feet above sea level.

Pairs Well With...

A wine tour to Penedès. Start your day in the breathtaking heights of Montserrat. Then, plunge to the valley below for a tour of a Penedès winery. Experience the enchanting and refreshing taste of cava, Catalonia's homegrown sparkling wine.

Book a Private Montserrat Shore Excursion

History, mysticism and spirituality pervade the proud heights of Montserrat and its monastery. Cap your day in the clouds with a pairing of choice wines and rustic Catalan cooking on a Penedès wine tour. Read below for your shore excursion options, as well as prices and booking.

Just Montserrat
Montserrat & the Penedes
Terms & Conditions

Images
Just Montserrat Sample Itinerary
Prices & Booking

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Some of the rock formations that make Montserrat so distinctive, even from a great distance.

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Mix & Match

This is a general itinerary intended to provide you with a rough timeline.

We will mix, match and customize your private tour to meet your needs and expectations.

Realistic

We build our itineraries around realistic time frames; no rushing you from place to place as you try to catch a glance of history.

Go At Your Own Pace

Our schedules give you the freedom to stay a little longer at an eye-catching site, or leave a little early. It's all up to you!

Private Montserrat Day Tour Sample Itinerary

09:00 Your friendly, English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel, apartment or cruise ship to start your adventure.

10:00 Welcome to Montserrat. After our spectacular drive up to the monastery we will be rewarded with fantastic views of the valley and beyond. On a clear day, you can see the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean more than 30 miles away!

Explore and immerse yourself in the history, mystery and spiritual energy that attracts millions of visitors (most of them local) each year to this pilgrimage site each year.

12:45 Prepare to hear one of the oldest boys choir in Europe perform just before the daily mass.

13:45 Lunch time! After listening to the choir we will head back down the mountain to a small village to enjoy a nice lunch.

15:30 Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive as we head back to Barcelona in the privacy of your own car.

16:30 Welcome back to Barcelona and an end to a great day.

Private Montserrat Shore Excursion Price & Booking Information

Group Size	Flat fee (price is the same for one person as it is for 6)
1-6 People	620 euros
7 or More	Contact us for a proposal based on your group size.
Book Now	Click here to book your private Montserrat day tour.

Unsatisfied with this itinerary? Questions about our tours? Contact us to start a dialogue about what you need and when you need it.

Images
Montserrat & Wine Tour Sample Itinerary
Prices & Booking

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Young, healthy grapes growing on the vine.

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Mix & Match

This is a general itinerary intended to provide you with a rough timeline. Final itinerary may vary based on booking choices, dates and bodega availably.

We will mix, match and customize your private tour to meet your needs and expectations.

Realistic

We build our itineraries around realistic time frames; no rushing you from place to place as you try to catch a glance of history.

Go At Your Own Pace

Our schedules give you the freedom to stay a little longer at an eye-catching site, or leave a little early. It's all up to you!

Montserrat & the Penedes Shore Excursion Sample Itinerary

09:00 Your friendly, English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel, apartment or cruise ship to start your adventure.

10:00 Montserrat lies hidden among the rounded pillars of stone strech to the heavens. Part of our drive will take us up the winding path to reach the nearly 1000 year old monastery, home to the "Moreneta" (black Madonna) a beautiful wooden figure of Mary holding baby Jesus.

The views afforded from this remote vantage point are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean over 30 miles away!

12:00 Onward to the Penedes wine country.

13:00 Enjoy a relaxing "country" style lunch with the perfect wine or cava.

15:00 After lunch and a short drive, enjoy a visit to a local wine or cava bodega.

16:30 Finish the day with a calm, comfortable ride to Barcelona. Catch up on some sleep, or talk about the day's adventures.

17:30 Welcome back to Barcelona and an end to a great day.

Private Montserrat & Wine Country Day Tour Price Information

Group Size	Flat fee (price is the same for one person as it is for 6)
1-6 People	650 euros
7 or More	Contact Us. for a proposal basesd on your group size.
Wine/Cava Tasting	Basic wine and/or cava tasting Included. You can upgrade prior to your tour.
Book Now	Clck here to book your private Montserrat & Wine Country shore excursion.

Unsatisfied with this itinerary? Questions about our tours? Contact Us to start a dialogue about what you need and when you need it.

What´s Included
What´s Not Included
Payment Methods
Cancellations

All transportation: Private vehicle or modern coach for your comfort, security and group size.
Basic wine and cava tasting: all wine tours include a tasting in the quoted price. You can always upgrade your tasting to suit your tastes and wishes.
Punctuality: We pick you up on time, and we drop you off on time. Our clients never miss their boat.
All sales tax.
Full support during your tour, attention to detail and a high level of personal service.
Travel consulting and area recommendations before and during your stay.
Flexible itinerary that allows for on-the-fly adjustments.
Mix-and-match options that allow you to create your own itinerary.
Friendly, local, English-speaking guides who make communication clear and easy.
Exclusivity and privacy, which allow you to maximize your time without the hassle of a large group.
A go-at-your-own pace philosophy in which you choose the speed of your tour.
Advance ticket purchasing options, in which we take care of your tickets before you arrive to avoid long lines and delays the day of your excursion.

Lunch: To allow you the flexibility of choice and preference, the cost of your meals are not included in the cost of the tour.

You decide where, when and what you want to eat. Your guide and host will have suggestions for you.

Lunches typically cost between 10 and 25 euros per person. Your guide's meal will be included in your lunch bill.
Entrance fees: Entrance fees to museums and other attractions are not included in the price of the tour unless otherwise noted.

You can choose which attractions you want to enter.

We'll work with you to acquire the tickets for the sites that suit you.
"Cattle syndrome": Many shore excursions turn into cattle-herding lessons; huge groups frantically craning their necks to find their tour guide in hopes of hearing a fact or two.

You receive personalized, attentive service from Barcelona Experience; in other words, no bull.
Hassle and worry: Our tours are private, fun and professional.

We take the hassle and worry out of your tour so you get the best experience possible during your visit to Barcelona and beyond.

Full payment is due at the time of booking. Payments are made through our secure online booking system, with PayPal, by phone or in person.

For clients who create a customized itinerary, payment is due once the itinerary and price are finalized.

All major credit cards are accepted. A 2.9% transaction fee will be applied to credit card transactions.
Cash is accepted.
Prices do include Spain´s 21% sales tax, unless specified otherwise.

Common Language

Credit card companies and PayPal never miss an opportunity to charge businesses for received payments. Lame, right? To offset some of this cost, we charge a small percentage for these types of transactions. Please don't hate us!

Cancellations made 30 days or more from the date of your tour will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made between 29 and 21 days from the date of your tour will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations made between 20 and 14 days from the date of your tour will receive a 25% refund.
Cancellations made within 13 days days or less from the date of your tour will not receive a refund.
Barcelona Experience is not responsible for cancellations that are out of our control. If you miss your connecting flight to Barcelona and consequently miss your scheduled tour, we follow the guidelines stated above.