From Barcelona: Montserrat Royal Basilica Guided Tour Bilingual Afternoon Tour: English Guide Preferred
ID: GYG1177-1177
Category:
Sight Seeing
, Nature and Landscapes
Country: Spain
Duration:
05:00 hours
Description
Ascend to the top of Montserrat Mountain on this half-day trip from Barcelona. Enjoy a scenic ride aboard a cog-wheel train, visit the Royal Basilica to see the Black Virgin, and walk among the mountain’s unusual rock formations.
Board a coach from the office in central Barcelona and set off for the magical mountain of Montserrat. Famous for its peculiar morphology, its name comes from the Catalan words Mont (mountain) and Serrat (serrated). World-famous for its rocky geography, Montserrat's beautiful scenery was declared National Park in 1987 to protect its natural and cultural wealth.
Follow your local guide through the site and learn about the history and architectural style of the Monastery. A community of 80 monks currently lives and follow the rule of Saint Benedict in Montserrat. Fall in love with the Gothic and Renaissance details of the basilica and sanctuary.
Then, learn about the legend of the miraculous apparition of the Black Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. To this day their wood carving is kept in the Church of the monastery, which you will be able to visit. The figure is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) as a result of a varnish reaction.
Besides the main area, there are a great number of small churches and trails you can follow. You will be given free time to taste the finest liquors, shop for locally produced treats or visit the audiovisual exhibition once the guided tour finishes.
Highlights
- Enjoy a day trip to the holy mountain of Montserrat
- View paintings from the masters, like El Greco, Picasso, and Dali, at the basilica's museum
- Visit the Royal Basilica of Montserrat
- Admire the Black Virgin, a site of pilgrimage for many of the Catholic faith
- Listen to the sounds of L'Escolania, one of the oldest boy's choirs in Europe
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Proper dress code is requested to enter the Basilica at Montserrat. It is not permitted to enter with tank tops, strapless shirts, short shorts or flip flops
• Please be aware that some walking is included in this tour, please come prepared and wear comfortable clothes and shoes
• Please note, the boy's choir does not perform in the afternoon
• Montserrat is a mountains climate, depending on the season you will need mountain weather appropriate clothing
• Check the timetable of the different facilities that you wish to visit during your free time.
• The duration of the tour includes round-trip pickup and drop-off
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You are required to bring and wear a mask
Meet your guide at the local partner's office located on the ground floor right in front of platform 19 in Estació del Nord bus station. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour time.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
