Please sign in to post.

Repost - All You Want to Know about Montserrrat

PSA - I found an old post (2016) that was very helpful for me with regard to envisioning a visit to Montserrat (I typically try to use posts within the past 2 years):

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/a-visit-to-montserrat-the-holy-mountain-near-barcelona-in-catalonia

First video link is no longer available. Here's a 20 minute, recent one that may be helpful
Many of the other links are no longer available, but the descriptions are great.

I've added some updates per the RS guidebook (and updates to that) below:

​The basilica on Montserrat now charges admission, and requires timed-entry tickets not only to see La Moreneta (the Black Virgin) but to enter the basilica.

Montserrat's rack railway no longer runs from the monastery at 20:15 on weekends; the last train down is now at 19:15 every day.

Timed-entry tickets are now required to view La Moreneta in the basilica on Montserrat. While it's possible to buy same-day ticket on-site, it's smart to book in advance online.

Performances by Montserrat's Escolania (Choir School) now require reservations.

Tickets

https://tickets.montserratvisita.com/


Montserrat Hours

Verify all times/dates/pricing and reserve tickets from the website

Basilica: From 7.00 am to 8.00 pm

Throne of Our Lady (La Moreneta or Black Virgin): From 8 am to 10.30 am and from 12 pm to 6.25 pm

Religious Services and Escolanía (Boys' choir): Link to Pastoral services

Pastoral Coordination Centre: From 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 4.00 to 6.00 pm

Holy Grotto: Everyday: from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm

Tourist Information: From Monday to Friday: From 9.00 am to 5.30 pm; Weekend: From 9.00 am to 06.30 pm

Museum of Montserrat: From 10.00 am to 5.45 pm

Interactive Exhibition: From Monday to Friday: From 9.00 am to 5.30 pm; Weekend: From 9.00 am to 6.30 pm

Santa Cecilia: Closed

La Cafeteria: From Monday to Friday: From 08.45 am to 5.30 pm; Weekend: From 8.45 am to 6.30 pm;
Closed from January 8 to March 13, 2024

La Botiga (The shop): From Monday to Friday: From 9.00 am to 5.30 pm; Weekend: From 9.00 am to 6.30 pm

Buffet: From 12.00 am to 16.00 pm

Restaurant Montserrat: Closed

Bar de la Plaça: From Monday to Friday: From 10.00 am to 5.30 pm; Weekend: From 9.00 am to 6.30 pm

Queviures (Supermarket): Closed

Restaurant Hotel Abat Cinseros: From Monday to Sunday: From 1 pm to 3.15 pm; Closed from 8th to 19th January 2024


Local Montserrat Transport

Aeri Cable Car - Hours and Fares
-- runs every 15 minutes; 5 minute ride

Links with FGC trains:

FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) trains to Montserrat depart from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station every hour from 08.26 am.

The R5 (Barcelona - Manresa) line also links with the Montserrat cable car and rack railway stations.

Rack Railway - Tickets -- runs every 20 minutes; 15 minute ride

Links with FGC trains:

FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) trains to Montserrat depart from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station leave every hour from 08.26 am.

The R5 (Barcelona - Manresa) line also links up with the Montserrat cable car and rack railway stations.

Posted by
388 posts

FOR THOSE IN THE KNOW...Remaining question for me, after this research:

The current last departure for the train is 19:15 and for the cable car is 19:00, but the basilica does not close til 20:00 (and the museum closes at 19:45), conceivably the only way to stay at late as possible is to drive?

We are ending our day at Monserrat rather than starting it there; that's the only remaining inquiry I have!

I presume there may be crowd waiting for those final departures?

Posted by
3071 posts

Hi there, I am glad my post helped. Indeed it's from a while ago so many links have changed. Unfortunately one can't edit older posts. But one of these days I'll create a new one with up-to-date information. Note though that the core of the information remains valid.

In the meantime, feel free to ask :)

Enjoy!