From the Catalan language meaning, “serrated mountain”, Montserrat is a stark contrast from the nearby metropolis of Barcelona. The city is energetic, vibrant and outgoing. Montserrat is relaxing, serene and introspective, one of the best day trips from Barcelona.
The mountains are also known to be a special, mystical place for the local Catalan people. It’s home to the statue of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, who is believed to perform numerous miracles, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world staying in Barcelona city.
History
Rent a holiday home in Montserrat and discover it's ancient history and religion, dating back when Romans constructed a temple to worship Venus. The area later became tied to Christianity as hermit monks built several hermitages around the mountain. In 1025, the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery was built and began attracting pilgrims, who witnessed and proclaimed the miracles performed by the Virgin of Montserrat.
In 1409, the monastery became an abbey. It expanded in size and eventually became a cultural centre, which included the Montserrat Music School. The Monastery was destroyed and abandoned during the French War in the early 1800s. However, it was rebuilt again, but then became a place of religious violence during the Spanish Civil War. It was saved and recovered by the Catalonian government.
Things to Do in Montserrat
The square atrium in the centre has a beautiful open-air courtyard, which has a gorgeous marble floor with Latin inscription.
2. Take a hike around the mountains
For nature explorers, Monsterrat has several footpaths and trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Some footpaths are wide and well-paved, so you can even take small children. The easiest route is from the monastery to Degotalls.
The trails have signs you can follow, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Along your walk, you may see several stations of religious statues and sculptures.
If you’re daring, you can try hiking on the most difficult route to Sant Jeroni, the highest point in Montserrat, which is 1236m high. It’s about a 5-hour hike, but in the end you get rewarded with a 360º views of Barcelona and Penedes. And on a clear day, you can see as far as Mallorca.
You can also go mountain climbing — if you’re adventurous like that.
3. Go up the funicular Sant Joan
The funicular is a short 7-minute ride, but it elevates you up to 1,000m above sea level. It’s also the steepest funicular in Spain. You’ll see stunning views of the monastery, the Pyrenees mountains and the picturesque countryside below.
Where to eat
If you don’t want to bring a picnic lunch, there are several restaurants around the monastery area.
2. Restaurant Montserrat. A restaurant serving Mediterranean food, Restaurant Montserrat is convenient for large groups. Look for signs that say “Mirador dels Apostols”. A huge plus: it has even more breathtaking panoramas of the mountains and the Llobregat valley.
3. La Cafeteria. With an open-plan seating, La Cafeteria is a casual place to have lunch. Although there are two floors, this restaurant can be really crowded that you can’t even find a place to sit. They have a self-service area for sandwiches, chips, soft drinks and on-the-go-type food. But head to the “canteen” if you’re looking for a warmer meal.
How to get there from Barcelona
With so many visitors over the decades, exploring Montserrat has become one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona and easier to reach and it has many forms of transportation available. Even just getting there gives you great views of the mountains.
More information
Visit the official Montserrat website, which is pretty comprehensive. Then head to Montserrat for the ideal day trip on your holidays to Barcelona.