Half day trip to Montserrat-monastery?

Margaret,

You may be interested in reading Enric's excellent post about Montserrat

Keep in mind that it will take you around 90 minutes travel time each way (from Barcelona), so half a day may not be enough, unless you only want to visit the monastery.

Happy travels!

Thank you Priscilla, I will check that link out now! Margaret

Yes, Enric has an excellent post on Montserrat! We bought our transportation tickets at the Barcelona TI. Easy day trip and definitely worthwhile!

I visited Monserrat on a day trip when I stayed over in Barcelona after a business trip in 2010. Since I had already been to Barcelona on vacation with my wife in 2005, I thought it made sense to venture out. I was not disappointed. The process of getting there feels a bit like a pilgrimage in a small way. The setting is very dramatic. The art museum is quite good and was not crowded. I hiked up into the hills above the monastery for a half an hour, then turned back. I agree it's a bit more than half a day unless you get a really early start, if you want to do it justice. If I had less than three full days in Barcelona on a first visit, I don't know if I would spend the better part of a day on Montserrat, but it is definitely a worthy stop.

Definitely do a trip to Montserrat. It's very worthwhile.

Hi Margaret,
I am totally new to this forum, but in planning for our own upcoming Spanish trip (Seville, Granada, Cordoba), I saw your question. In 2010 we had planned a day trip at the end of a cruise in and out of Barcelona. We were tired and I think my husband wished we just went home. However, Montserrat was one of the highlights of the whole trip. We booked a personal guide for our family of 5. It was Holy Week I think. It wasn't terribly busy, but it was amazing. The trip there was great. We used Barcelona Day tours and it was a 5 hour trip. It was sort of pricey, 69 euros per person, but wonderful attention and we got to do it all in 5 hours. Loved it. It was very moving. They had a nice cafeteria at Monsterrat.

Thank you everyone! I have booked a tour with a local to go. I appreciate everyone's advice and look forward to seeing it in person!!Take care all! Margaret

For reflection:

... some people prefer "being taken", other prefer "to discover by themselves". Both have its own advantages and both, of course, are legitimate choices.

If anything I'd like to point out that, while in some regions, one's is often better off hiring a guide due to different factors or 'inconveniences' (lack of infrastructures and/or services, complicated procedures, security, communication barriers, etc), this is hardly the case here in Catalonia. We have had tourism for nearly a century, not only foreign but also internal, we Catalans like very much to enjoy our little nation and it's not uncommon for quite a few to own (or rent) apartments for escapades. This fact has, over time, developed a very powerful tourism and service industries. This is not to say that every corner of Catalonia has reached the same level of maturity, of course, but in all, it's a region fairly easy to navigate and to find accommodation and hospitality, transportation, etc. Coupled with the fact it's in a country with a low level of crime, it makes a perfect combination for the adventurous willing to explore by themselves, at their own pace and with complete peace of mind. Yet of course, in the absence of a guide, one needs to find his facts and information on his own, by doing some research before travelling, locating informative panels on-site and/or carrying a good guide book!

So... just to say that Montserrat is one of those escapades that can be DIYed, without a guide (person). It's a very typical choice for many, both locals and visitors.

Thank you Enric, I actually cancelled the first tour I booked there. It was a great tour with a guide and I was looking forward to it. I love when I hear more things than just a guide book can tell me. For years I traveled by myself and always enjoyed myself but last year I took my first guided RS tour and could not believe how much I enjoyed hearing so much more than any book ever explained. I am taking his tour to Spain in less than 2 weeks and I am very excited. I had unexpected surgery and thought it would be wise to have the guide take me in a car but I have recuperated quicker than I expected so I booked a different DIY tour. I hope I get as much out of this half day tour to Montserrat by myself because I am sure a local guide could only make it better. I will see!