Home > Barcelona > Barcelona Day Trip: Montserrat, Colonia Guell, and Gaudi Crypt
USD $80.00
Barcelona Day Trip: Montserrat, Colonia Guell, and Gaudi Crypt
Barcelona, Spain
Visit two outstanding attractions on a day trip from Barcelona to Colonia Guell and Montserrat! Discover a lesser-known work of Antoni Gaudí – the crypt at Colonia Guell. Ride the rack railway to the top of Montserrat for wonderful views, and visit the mountain’s Benedictine monastery. This partially guided tour gives you plenty of time to spend at leisure at both attractions.
Start your day trip from Barcelona at Colonia Güell, a small worker's village built in 1882. Here, enjoy a guided visit of Antoni Gaudí's crypt, an impressive church, which Gaudí built but never fully finished. Be impressed by the stunning architecture, which is similar to Gaudí’s most famous work – the beautiful Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Your next stop is Montserrat, a craggy mountain outside of Barcelona. Montserrat is home to a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century and provides a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia who is enshrined in the monastery's Royal Basilica.
Also at Montserrat, ride to the top of the mountain on the rack railway, and enjoy the panoramic views. You will have free time to explore Montserrat on your own and have lunch in one of the restaurants to taste the Spanish cuisine. Your guide will always be there to answer any questions.
This was one of the best day trips during our 2-week trip to Spain. Laila, our tour guide, was exceptional! She explained everything very well and was very much conscientious of the needs of the people in the tour. The tour is well-organized. Everyone is given a one-way bluetooth headset so that you can hear clearly the guide speaking.
Review by: Michele B, April 2018
Mark was a fantastic tour guide. Very detailed in his explanations. Lovely day!
Review by: Aimee C, March 2018
We had a terrific tour. The balance of guided time versus free time was perfect, both at the Colonia and at Montserrat. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and enhanced our appreciation of both destinations. It was a delight to hear the boys choir sing. I recommend this tour highly.
Review by: Anna m, January 2018
This is a trip not to be missed. While there are a multitude of trips to Montserrat I didn't see any other trips that included Colonia Guell and the Gaudi Crypt, indeed I hadn't heard about the Gaudi Crypt but would highly recommend it if you have the chance to go. The crypt had all the components of La Sagrada Familia. Montserrat itself is beautiful. I would highly recommend the art gallery as the collection is really amazing. _br/_ If you are looking to join an organised tour to Montserrat then this is the one to get.
Review by: Anna, November 2017
We liked it a lot!!!
Review by: Michael D, November 2017
Very well organised and informative tour. We both really enjoyed the day. A good mix of organised part and free time.
Review by: lynnette w, October 2017
The works of Gaudi intrigue me and seeing the Gaudi Crypt and having his works and imaginations explained to us by our tour guide were so impressive. I would have liked more time in the town though to really appreciate it. The views driving up to Monsterrat have to be seen to be believed. We experienced a real treat at the school. We not only had a closeup of the students singing and the black Madonna but we were also given an inside tour of the boys school. A really great experience
Review by: Jessica A, October 2017
I sent my parents and my 8 and 9 year old children on this tour. They came back raving about their day. Their tour guide Alex was very informative and they had exclusive access to a few things that many other tours did not provide. They loved hearing the boys choir sing. They were also very intrigued by the things they learned in Colonia Guell. They had packed a lunch to bring with them which made it possible for them to make the most of their free time. They truly had a wonderful experience.
Review by: Eugene O, September 2017
Brilliant trip. From colony Guell and Gaudis crypt to the thrilling train trip up Montserrat and the spectacular view, from the beautiful singing of the boys choir to the wonderful guide Lyla that gave us the background to what we were seeing and answered every one's questions this trip was amazing. We also visited the art gallery at Montserrat which was interesting. It did rain so we didn't climb any higher than the monastery but we were able to appreciate the view before the rain. Well worth doing. We also visited the black Madonna and I found it quite moving.
Review by: Jee Meng C, September 2017
Glad we took this trip as the Colonia Guell was as interesting if not more than the Montserrat. Also the private tour of the school and private viewing area with quick access to the black madonna - all made the trip much more interesting and enjoyable.
Review by: Laura K, September 2017
I really enjoyed this tour - Colonia Guell was very interesting and our guide very knowledgeable. Montserrat was amazing! Although it was a cloudy day with some rain at the end it was still an awesome experience and there was lots to do - I highly recommend the museum as there are some incredible painters on display there!
Review by: Elaine R, September 2017
Stunning. And visiting the Gaudi Crypt was helpful as we went to the church in Barcelona the next day. A great guide. She had lots of helpful information for us. It was also nice to skip some lines at Monserrat.
Review by: kmy888, July 2017
I really enjoyed this tour - we had a relatively small group. The guide was very good. Definitely buy a ticket to go up the funicular - really worth it.
Review by: OccuPant, July 2017
Very nice tour, very informative.
Review by: gleny41, June 2017
I really enjoyed my day especially Montserrat which is quite amazing. Not so much Gaudi Crypt as it wasn't what I expected and I also felt we spent too long at the village. I personally would rather have had longer time at Montserrat.
Review by: Pablo V, June 2017
Very nice tour. The Gaudi Crypt is beautiful and very interesting, since it was Gaudi's studio or lab where he designed most of what he later used in designing the Basílica of the Sagrada Familia. Colonia Guell is nice. Montserrat is very beautiful from the outside, the ride in the rack train was fun and you must definitely buy the ticket to ride the funicular to the top of the mountain. The guided tour inside the monastery was less than what I expected. All in all, what made this tour really good was Carlos, our guide. Very professional and really knew his stuff.
Review by: Madhu T, April 2017
Guide Mark was good. Montserrat was not great. Gaudi Crypt was wonderful.
Review by: Anica A, April 2017
Great tour with combination of more recent history and architecture at Colonia Guell and ancient history at Montserrat. Good amounts of time spent in each location, enough to see the sights but not so much that the day was exhausting. Drive time wasn't too bad and the guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Surprise finding was the art museum at Montserrat with a fantastic collection of Catalan modernism works.
Review by: George Z, April 2017
Great experience. Wasn't sure what to expect from the Colonia Guell and Guadi Crypt but found that part of the tour to be very interesting. I especially appreciated the Guadi Crypt and learning a bit about his architectural approach before going on to see Sagrada Familia later in my stay. The context on a smaller scale was helpful to better appreciate Sagrada Familia.
Review by: Sylvia J, March 2017
The instructions were clear on paper. We found the man who distributed radios and left with another tour guide. Fifel carried a small flag, went thru with the group and shared the history of the Eiffel. He was very knowlegeable, pretty funny and offered to take me and my hiusband's picture. We enjoyed the views and the tour guide took time for us to ask questions, if any. We enjoyed the tour, most specially the Seine River cruise, which also had a glimpse of where we were going. Pretty spectacular package. Thank you!
Review by: Terry W, March 2017
Excellent trip. A good full day. Lots to see.
Review by: Ruth R, March 2017
Our bus was delayed in the city due to traffic, which ended up making all the difference at Montserrat itself, where there was insufficient time for us to have both lunch and take the funicular to the top of the mountain. Other than that, I and my 3 sisters were pleased with the stops along the way and Montserrat itself. We opted for a tour of the boys' school, which we enjoyed, and the highlight was their singing later in the church itself.
Review by: Mark R, March 2017
My wife and I enjoyed our day trip to Colonia Guell, Gaudi Crypt and Montserrat. Our tour guide, Layla and our bus driver Jose Antonio were excellent. Layla was very informative with sights we have seen, and I was even more impressed with her having to speak in both English and Spanish. Colonia Guell was our first stop and it was a nice little town. We got there early, so we avoided any other tour groups that might go and visit. In Montserrat, we had a separate tour inside the boy's choir music school, which was a nice added feature. We were able to skip the lines and know a little more about the school. The afterwards, we saw the choir perform 2 songs in the basilica and went up to see the Black Madonna. FYI, the choir doesn't perform on Saturday, so if you want to see the choir perform, you have to book between Monday-Friday. The only issues we had was that sometimes the headphones we used to hear Layla had interference, but that was to no fault of hers. We also wished we had another hour or 2 in Montserrat, because during your free time, you can take the Sant Joan finicular to the top and hike around. We only hiked halfway, b/c we ate first, and then wanted to hit the gift shops before we got back on the bus. I recommend this trip, during your stay in Barcelona, you must have this as a must-do.
Review by: comptos46, October 2016
A great day experience. Colonia Guell was a real find and we had a good guide, walk around the town as well as the really interesting church. Montserrat was also a highlight including the tour of the school and the preferential entry to the cathedral and the Black Madonna. A must do day's experience.
Review by: Ionela V, September 2016
We almost missed it because the department store mentioned as start point, El Corte Ingles, has two separate locations in Pl. Catalunya, on opposite sided of it. Also, it was a bit rushed and we did not have time to enjoy it properly. Otherwise, all places we visited were wonderful.
Review by: Jayme D, August 2016
This is a long, tiring day, filled with lots of walking but it's well worth it. Highly recommend.
Review by: Angel, July 2016
Excellent. We had a wonderful tour guide and a great driver. Scenic view was awesome. I would do it again.
Review by: gene, June 2016
Gaudi Crypt was worth while to visit. _br/_ I've been in monastry of Monserrat several times before, at this time I spent most of time in hiking._br/_ The view from the mountain was great. I was sorry I had only 4 hours free time in mosserat including lunch time.
Review by: Madeline C, June 2016
Nice guide - Hector. We got to see the choir up close and it was a super performance. Wished we had more free time at Monserrat to take the funicular.
Review by: Howard L, June 2016
This day trip to Montserrat and Colonia Guell was fantastic because of the knowledge and friendliness of our guide. A comfortable bus ride, plenty of free time, and a most accomodating and enthusiastic guide.
Review by: Dana L, May 2016
We certainly received much more than I was expecting from the tour. Everything from the Cava at Colonia Guell to the boys choir at Monserrat was very enjoyable and interesting. The day was paced perfectly. Our guide, Carlos, was fabulous! He was very knowledgeable, upbeat, and made sure that we understood his directions and explanations. He gave us great tips throughout the day about what to see and how to best avoid the crowds. Great day!
Review by: Isa B, January 2016
Great tour. Beautiful places!
Review by: Gayle B, November 2015
Montserrat and the rail rack ride were great. Well worth seeing the basilica and surround art works. The highlight of the tour for me, though, was seeing Gaudi's crypt currently used as a church. Beautiful and inspiring. Definitely recommend. .
Review by: marluce_silva, November 2015
The guide of this tour was amazing. The site was also fantastic and a must see.
Review by: swyehtx, November 2015
The overall trip experience was enjoyable. It's quite an experience and fun taking the almost vertical train up to the very top of the mountain. The only heads up is that lunch takes place at Montserrat and the options are very limited as there are only a couple cafes up there.
Review by: Karen S, November 2015
We appreciated getting to see a part of Barcelona we wouldn't have otherwise seen Gaudi's crypt and Colonia Guell. We really enjoyed Montserrat and appreciated having time to do some hiking on our own.
Review by: tanmezh, October 2015
This was a really nice tour. An amazing tour guide, Olga, who is really eager to share her love to her country with the group. Colonia Guell is off main track, but with Olga's help this where I started to understand Gaudi, his innovation in architecture and structural design. MOnserrat was also very interesting, and the tour to the boys' school building was impressive. I would highly recommend this new tour.
Review by: Angelina C, October 2015
I loved this tour. Anything Gaudi designed is truly other worldly and so worth seeing. Like the Gaudi crypt. Truly beautiful. Montserrat was magical, spiritual and the views stunning. The monastery is impressive and highlight was listening to boys choir and then guided through their school.
Review by: LuAnn H, October 2015
Besides the Monastery, Montserrat offers a splendid Natural Park. The Gaudi Crypt gave a glimpse into Gaudi's incredible architecture, as we had not seen Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and informative. We also had a local guide from Montserrat who gave us a tour of the school in the Monastery.
Review by: LLF1249, October 2015
Our visit to the Gaudi Crypt helped us to appreciate our tour of Sagrada Familia. The history of Colonial Guell is very interesting and we're glad that it is still an active community today. Really a unique site to visit. Montserrat is amazing. In particular I enjoyed the tour of the boys' school and the funicular up the mountain for a spectacular view of the monastery. In addition, Paula in your home office was a great help to us during our stay in Barcelona.
Review by: Sally C, September 2015
Great day out. Colonia Guell was interesting and the crypt is lovely I think it's world heritage, so should be. Montserrat is GLORIOUS! Skip the audio/visual and head up the funicular St Joan additional 10E and have a walk for as long as possible! The monastary and its Bacillica are lovely, but the 'boy's choir/school tour was a bit long, especially as they were NOT performing when I was there.
Review by: Maria M, September 2015
Perfect package. Colonia Guell and the Gaudi Crypt are not to be missed. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgable.
Review by: dave.currid, September 2015
The tour guide Hector was great. The Colonia was a great trip back in time and to get up close to one of Gaudi's works was very impressive. To see the attention to detail was incredible. Montserrat was breathtaking. Instead of waiting in line for an hour to see the Madonna, we took the funicular to the top and took some really good photos. Definitely recommend this tour!
Review by: Naki Pete, June 2015
An outstanding day trip. So much to see but didn't feel rushed at all. Just wished we had not booked a Saturday so we could have heard the boys choir singing. Definitely recommended.
Review by: Ingrid R, June 2015
This tour was fantastic! Tour guide, Carlos, was friendly, accomodating and knowledgable. Would recommend this tour.
Review by: Steven A, June 2015
Wonderful
Review by: Sheena T, June 2015
Amazing tour!! Definitely spring for the full day trip, you won't regret it!
Review by: Susan W, June 2015
Long Day, but worth it. Lots of Walking, Always up-hill !!!
Review by: Steven P, June 2015
This was really a grand day out spent looking at the Gaudi Crypt absolutely beautiful, touring the small community of Colonia Guell, and then continuing on to see the Monastery at Montserrat. After spending the previous day in Barcelona, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing these additional sights, and even seeing the countryside on the way to Montserrat was enjoyable.
Review by: manda m, June 2015
Fantastic day, brilliant tour guide. Highly recommended.
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