Home > Barcelona > Montserrat Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Optional Skip-the-Line Ticket to La Sagrada Familia
USD $69.00
Montserrat Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Optional Skip-the-Line Ticket to La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona, Spain
Take a short trip from Barcelona to nearby Catalonia's Montserrat on this small-group tour! With a local guide, head to the top of this rugged mountain to see its main attraction, the Virgin of Montserrat. Then take a walk to enjoy amazing views, or check out a museum. You can combine this experience with another quintessential Barcelona activity by upgrading to include a skip-the-line ticket to Antoni Gaudi’s extraordinary La Sagrada Familia basilica. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 20 people.
Meet your guide in central Barcelona and board your comfortable minivan for the scenic one-hour drive to Montserrat. From the base of the craggy mountain, you have the option to ride up in a cable car (own expense) for fabulous valley views. Alternatively, stay on board with your guide to drive to the mountaintop by minivan.
At the top of Montserrat, visit the 1,000-year-old Santa Maria de Montserrat Basilica to see its claim to fame: the Virgin of Montserrat. Then tour the Museum of Montserrat’s collection of religious art, artifacts and sculpture. If you don't want to visit the museum, follow trails that wind around the mountaintop for wonderful views of Catalonia. For equally stunning views you can take a ride around the mountaintop by rack railway (own expense). La Sagrada Familia Upgrade: Make the most of your time in Barcelona by combining your Montserrat tour with skip-the-line entry to Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia church. With this upgrade, you can choose the time and date of your visit, giving you the freedom to fit it in with your other plans. Simply request the time and date in the Special Requirements section any time between 10am and 6pm. If you do not yet know when you want to make your visit, you can inform the office staff on the morning of your tour, or when you call to reconfirm. Our unique upgrade option allows you to spend as much time inside the church as you wish!
Simply make your own way to La Sagrada Familia and then head inside to enjoy a 45-minute visit on your own. The wait lines here are almost as legendary as the building’s fantastic architecture, but you can avoid them! Before you go inside, admire the sculpted portals, spires and chapels around the basilica’s exterior. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been under construction since 1882, and is not due for completion until 2026.
Please note: audio-guide and towers are not included in this ticket.
Beautiful trip. We met at Explore Catalunya, near the Palau Musica. Nice small group -- 6 in all. Extremely knowledgeable guide. Friendly, and with a great sense of humor. He was from Ireland but has been in Barcelona for quite some time. I especially appreciated the tips about checking out the library at Montserraat and also the Art Museum there. We had plenty of time to explore on our own.
Review by: Jamea W, April 2018
Montserrat was such a majestical place. In my opinion I could've spent an entire day here. Whatever you do please carve out time to ride the monorail up and down. The views are amazing, even the hike is worth it. _br/_ La Sagrada Familia is an amazing basilica. _br/_ Visiting both locations help me to have a deep understanding a growing love for Spain.
Review by: John O, February 2018
The day we took the tour it was raining and this made the tour less inviting than what it could have been if fine._br/_ Beautiful scenery on the trip to/from Montserrat._br/_ A fair bit of walking so it is not recommended for those with walking disabilities._br/_ La Sagrada Familia is a must see._br/_ Outstanding workmanship._br/_ Glad we had the pre-paid tickets as the queues were huge with over an hours wait time to be admitted.
Review by: Benita E, December 2017
Montserrat has spectacular views. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. I was so happy I had the same tour guide I had on my previous tour, Sergio. We were there early in morning so the clouds were still up in the mountain. We had free time so I decided to stay in the Basilica and museum. There are restaurants in the lower parts of the ground where you can get food and drink. I took this tour in the morning with the option to the skip-the-line visit to the Sagrada Familia in the afternoon. Once we returned to the tour site after Monserrat I hopped in a taxi to the Sagrada Familia and had enough time to eat at a restaurant near by before seeing the Cathedral. I am very pleased with all the Viator tours, well organized and great tour guide.
Review by: Irene D, December 2017
Interesting place. We were there in November so a lot of the facilities were shut. A good bonus was there were not big crowds so it was easy to see the Black Madonna. The art gallery is very good
Review by: Susan Lizardo, November 2017
A bit disappointed with this tour. The Monserrat Monastery though was an amazing place to visit specially good to know that the Black Madonna was enshrined at the basilica. We even had the chance of hearing a mass celebrated in Catalunian language. The guide's command of the english language was so so. Sometimes hard to even understand maybe due to the tour guides different accent. We were handed our ticket to the Sagrada Familia and I asked if a guided tour would be provided and he said only audio guide. When we got to Sagrada, the lady at the entrance said our ticket did not come with an audio guide. Apparently, the guide gave us a wrong info. So disappointing.
Review by: judy p, November 2017
Our guide was very knowledgable and since this was a small group of about seven, we were able to see and do a lot. I would_br/_ recommend this tour.
Review by: jaymewatson, November 2017
This was a well organized and well planned trip. Scenery was beautiful and guide did a great job of explaining the history behind the religious significance of the Madonna at Montserrat. There was ample time to browse the gift shop and outside vendors and have a light lunch. It was very convenient as well to buy the skip the line ticket to La Sagrada Familia as part of the package. We went there after the morning tour to Montserrat was over. The ticket significantly reduced the wait time to get in and of course the cathedral is a must see destination. Both can easily be done in the same day.
Review by: Elizabeth A, November 2017
Wonderful experience
Review by: Karyn L, November 2017
Great tour with very knowledgable and personable tour guide. Loved it and highly recommend this tour.
Review by: p.smithaust, October 2017
It was a good tour, it wasnt the best place I have been to but Gloria and Giuseppe made it so much better. It is a pretty place and they really look after you
Review by: Kirsty M, October 2017
Great tour. Lovely and knowledgeable tour guide with great information and sense of humour thanks Gloria. I can recommend and suggest the 8.30am start as we did so that you can see the Virgin Mary and also enjoy the funicular railway before it gets crowded. Kirsty and Paul
Review by: Sheila M, October 2017
There were so many options we could do with this tour on Sunday could have gone to mass,took the trolley lift to the mountain top or walk to the cross and back. It was a very busy day on Sunday at Montserat and in the city. The tour guide was so informative re Barcelona itself. Wish we could have been there longer at different time in Barcelona's Political STRUGGLE! Small group was a great way to visit this spot.
Review by: zabrina s, October 2017
Great guide!
Review by: zabrina s, October 2017
Great guide!
Review by: Pinklikejill, October 2017
Great trip. The guide made the tour. He was so knowledgeable and very personable.
Review by: Nina V, October 2017
a little short because we did not have time to take the cable to go up, otherwise the tour guy was friendly, and give us lot of information.
Review by: George K, October 2017
Wonderful trip with a wonderful guide. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, and it was rainy and cloudy, with made it hard to see the magnificence. However the art museum was an unexpected surprise. Paintings from all the greats, and great sculptures. Well worth the price and the trip. We had to find our own way to LaSagrada and back, but it was only a short 5 cab ride from the office.
Review by: Beju, September 2017
Montserrat was a beautiful place to visit but our tour guide was not very fluent in English which made it very difficult to understand him._br/_ Recommendation to travellers reading this, take a local train to Montserrat, a tour is not necessary. Tour price also did not include the funicular ride to top of mountain which has spectacular views and a walking path.
Review by: Margaret C, September 2017
Montserrat is beautiful and guide is very professional. Expect long lines going up and down the mountain._br/_ La Sagrada Familia is amazing! Since this optional pm tour is packaged with the am tour, it would be helpful if the company can provide 1 direction/transportation suggestion of how to get from one location to the next, and 2 a brief outline of what to see on our own with the skip-the-line ticket for example, besides the building architecture, there is the basement museum which we only learnt from another tourist on site.
Review by: Cynthia C, September 2017
Our guide was excellent. However he did arrive late. But on the other hand he stayed late with us as well. I think the tour does not schedule enough time to explore Montserrat. We only had about 30 minutes to wander around. I would have like a couple of hours._br/_ Part of the problem was a lot of traffic. LA Sagada was amazing. We were free to spend as much time as we wanted there. I wish I had know you have to buy into the audio tour before you get there. THat would have enhanced our visit.
Review by: Michael W, September 2017
Great trip. Would highly recommend.
Review by: Beth V, September 2017
Bring comfortable shoes and clothes! It is a climb and the guide was fantastic!
Review by: debi.graci, September 2017
It was a rainy, cold day but our tour guide was knowledgeable and extremely friendly. You need more than half a day to see it all.
Review by: Ronald D, September 2017
I enjoyed Monserrat tremendously. What beautiful place. Although I was able to see the views and the virgin, i was disappointed that we didn't have time to hear the boys choir since we had to leave by 12:30. I really loved La Sacrada Familia as well but was disappointed that the ticket I purchased didn't include the audio tour. i was told by the morning tour guide that it would be. When i tried to purchase the audio portion at Sacrada Familia, i was told it had to be purchased with the entrance ticket. i was never told by Viator that this was the case or I would have done so.
Review by: Michael L, September 2017
My family and I had a few days in Barcelona before our cruise departure. Montserrat was one of the sites we wanted to see and this half a day tour looked perfect. Our tour guide Robert was fun and informative . The only blemish was we were not offered the ticket option for La Sagrada Familia .
Review by: Matchpoint, September 2017
Just loved our tour to Montserrat...such a special place...thank you Viator for an amazing experience!!!!!
Review by: Gale H, August 2017
Our guide was excellent. Would like to have had more time on our own to explore and hike the interesting trails.
Review by: Dagmy, June 2017
Me encanto este viaje al Monasterio de Montserrat, el guia muy simpatico, atento y professional lo recomiendo 100, tambien la visita a la Sagrada Familia fue una experiencia increible :D 3
Review by: Ana C, June 2017
Un lugar muy lindo pero para mi gusto nos falto tiempo no pudimos ver todo.
Review by: Ilona K, June 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Ted H, June 2017
Montserrat is a wonderful religious and natural site an hour outside of Barcelona. If mountains, countryside, and Catholic religious sights appeal to you, I'd highly recommend this tour. Once we arrived at Montserrat, the tour's driver dropped us off, parked, and then met us in 15 minutes. He walked with us to the Basilica, shared some of the history of it, then told us we were to meet him back at the drop-off site in 2 hours. So this gave us some free time, which my wife and I used to visit the Museum of the Montserrat Abby, which is a real gem! You'll see many originals of important Spanish artists, including Picasso, Casas, Pissarro and several others. You'll also view a number of important originals from other European painters, including Manetti, Caravaggio, Monet, and Sisley. The museum isn't large and isn't crowded. You'll have as much time as you like to closely examine the artwork on display in this wonderful museum.
Review by: Stephen W, June 2017
Our guide to Monserrat, Laura, was excellent. By the time we reached the Montserrat, we knew enough to make good decisions about how to spend our time there. We had two hours of free time - which we could have used to touch the Madonna, visit the museum, take a cog rail to the top of the mountain, hang out at a coffee shop, shop, or hike. As it was raining, after visiting the madonna and church, we toured the museum - it was very worthwhile. It includes an amazing Picasso of an old mad, as well as works by many other painters of the past two centuries, and artifacts from the past.
Review by: kimhtex, June 2017
Beautiful trip. Our guide, Laura, was very knowledgeable. We took the tram up to the top. Amazing views!! I would high recommend this trip. The Skip-In-Line ticket to La Sagrada Familia was worth the entire cost of the whole day - the most awe-inspiring place we've ever been!!!
Review by: Cheuk Yi Cheryl H, May 2017
We had a very nice weather day Montserrat is a Must to visit ! I will return again next time !
Review by: bill_hk_88, May 2017
Fantastic tour. Definitely recommend. Everything worked perfectly. Tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Very comfortable transportation. Monserrat and the surrounding area is a feast for the eyes.
Review by: Michael F, May 2017
Great Trip! Would recommend for all to do it........
Review by: Matthew H, May 2017
Not something we would do again. Montserrat is stunning and somewhere I and #39;d like to return to however this tour didn and #39;t give you enough time it and #39;s a 1.5 hour drive then a short guided tour which lasted maybe 30 mins but you only get an hour to explore before you leave, not enough time to see everything
Review by: Richard M, May 2017
Arnold was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable. He also went to extra lengths to ensure that we got to La Sagrata Famila on time as we were stuck in heavy traffic on the way back and without his help would have missed our ticket time.
Review by: Barbara G, May 2017
If you have the energy, do climb the grotto. Amazing views! Otherwise, just line up to view the Black Madonna at the church. There's a long line though. A once in a lifetime experience
Review by: Christopher B, May 2017
The monastery is very pretty, and worth seeing. There is also a nice art gallery featuring Carrevagio, Monet, Picasso and Dali. The tour is rather on the long side and they probably could have shaved down the time you spend on the mountain.
Review by: Maylani S, May 2017
The tour of Monserrat was great! Seeing the Black Madonna was inspiring! The guide was knowledgeable and informative. Unfortunately, we had scheduled our entrance into the La Sagrada Familia for 11:00 a.m. and we're given 7:15 Skip-the-Line tickets. This was a great inconvenience but visiting the inside of La Sagrada was truly awesome!
Review by: Maria M, May 2017
We loved our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and wonderful. She gave us a lot of history and information about every site we saw. This tour covered a lot of beautiful scenery and a beautiful church in Monserrat.
Review by: Bruce N, April 2017
Gorgeous tour on a cold morning as we rose up through the clouds to Monserrat we popped out through the clouds to a stunning sunny vista. The tours itself was well timed and beat the crowds and there is time to catch the cable car up to the top of the mountain. My only objection was we didn't really need to hear the political views of the tour guide.
Review by: tntperry, April 2017
Beautiful place and amazing tour! Such a beautiful experience! Take the tram up and take a quick walk around afterward - incredibly beautiful!
Review by: Diana G, April 2017
Loved the small-group tour aspect - so much more personal. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge about the history of Monserrat and the origins of the monastery, and made several suggestions on how to spend our free time while there. He also provided lots of commentary about the countryside on the way from Barcelona to Monserrat and back again. An enjoyable and educational experience!
Review by: anotherqzl, March 2017
It was the last day we were in Barcelona, and it was amazing experience taking the tour. Our tour guide Veronica, who is very knowledgeable not only on Montserrat but also in Barcelona and Spain in general. A small group of three people took a one hour ride to the mountain and another one our back, we never stopped talking. The tour itself was excellent, Veronica gave us some intro and options for us to chose. We did the rail to the top of the mountain, walked around, visited the cathedral including the boys choir. Every thing is perfect! We are so lucky decided to take the tour! Also the office adjusted the La Sagrada Familia ticket to the 1st day when we got Barcelona, which gave us more convenience. Thank you!
Review by: Michael G, March 2017
Wonderful day trip w/ beautiful scenery and views of the Pyreneese Mountain range. Tour guide was great!
Review by: Sylvia V, February 2017
Nice small group trip. Definitely not enough time to really see everything there if you want to do some hiking. Also, make sure you buy a roundtrip ticket for the lift if you don't want to have to hike back down. We learned this the hard way, but it was a beautiful hike back down.
Review by: Marilou F, February 2017
A place not to be missed when visiting Barcelona. The view is truly breathtaking, my only complaint, time was so tight that we didn't really have time to explore Monteserrat.
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