When Is the Best Time
The monastery is open from 7am to 7.30 pm. To beat the crowds come either early or late in the day. Avoid the summer months, and be there as early as possible. Buses arrive around 10 in the morning. It gets hot and crowded, up to 1000 people each day. Montserrat is famous for the Black Madonna. Even in March, you have to line up for half an hour or longer to see and touch her. At 1 p.m. you can listen to the Montserrat Boys Choir.
Located on an elevation of 1.236 m which can cause icy and slippery road conditions in the winter.
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
I took the train from Barcelona which takes almost an hour. Check the timetable first, one train each hour only. After arriving at the station, you have two options to get to the top: either the mountain train or the funicular. I bought a combined ticket in Barcelona for the metro, train, and mountain train. Price is reasonable IMO.
Monks are running different stalls like a bakery, honey, goat cheese, liquor, and typical souvenirs. There are a couple of hikes to discover the natural beauty of the mountains which I enjoyed a lot. Maps are provided at the information center. Stay here overnight to enjoy the tranquillity of this awesome place. I highly recommend this day trip if you spend a week in Barcelona. You can also go by car; there are plenty of parking lots.
More information about the monastery
