Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 1
48 mi0.5 mi
A Day in Montserrat
This one-day itinerary will take you to wonderful Montserrat, one of the highlights of any trip to Catalonia. Your day will start with a delicious breakfast at a local winery before driving up to visit the monasteries in the Montserrat mountains. After soaking up the peaceful atmosphere and those outstanding views, you'll also make a stop at a fantastic flea market in Sant Cugat.
10:002 hrs
Ca n'Estella
Take a quick drive into the countryside beyond Barcelona, where you'll stop at this fantastic winery outside the town of Martorell. Here, you'll enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful setting, taste some of their wine, and feast on a breakfast of cold meats, cheeses, bread, olives, and the vineyard's olive oil.
19.5 mi
40 min
12:455 min
Car Park
There are several designated car parks for vehicles up at the monastery, which means you'll have a short walk from your car to the monastery itself. Don't forget to pay the parking attendant after you've found a spot!
0.5 mi
10 min
13:152 hrs 30 min
Montserrat Abbey
The incredible Monastery of Montserrat is one of the symbolic hearts of Catalonia, a beautiful complex made up of the monastery itself, a fascinating museum, and the basilica.
Inside the Basilica, the most popular attraction is La Moreneta (Little brown one in English), a wooden sculpture of Mary with the baby Jesus that dates to the 12th century. This is the official patroness of Catalonia, and one of the most revered religious sights in all of Spain. There are also wonderful frescoes, an open-air museum, fabulous artworks in the Museum of Montserrat, and an immersive audio-visual experience. All the while, the views across the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking.
The monastery was built in the 10th century, quickly becoming one of the most important in all of Spain. From this lofty vantage point, you'll be able to appreciate the unique limestone rocks that make these mountains so recognizable, sculpted smooth by the bristling wind over hundreds of thousands of years.
For those who are here for the scenery, there are several short hiking trails leading you around the mountains for views back over the monastery.
Inside the Basilica, the most popular attraction is La Moreneta (Little brown one in English), a wooden sculpture of Mary with the baby Jesus that dates to the 12th century. This is the official patroness of Catalonia, and one of the most revered religious sights in all of Spain. There are also wonderful frescoes, an open-air museum, fabulous artworks in the Museum of Montserrat, and an immersive audio-visual experience. All the while, the views across the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking.
The monastery was built in the 10th century, quickly becoming one of the most important in all of Spain. From this lofty vantage point, you'll be able to appreciate the unique limestone rocks that make these mountains so recognizable, sculpted smooth by the bristling wind over hundreds of thousands of years.
For those who are here for the scenery, there are several short hiking trails leading you around the mountains for views back over the monastery.
2 mi
10 min
16:151 hr
Monestir de Sant Benet de Montserrat
Now take some time to explore this quiet monastery about halfway up the mountain. Monestir de Sant Benet is a tranquil place, home to Benedictine nuns and offering a peaceful environment after the busy monastery above.
There's a picturesque bell tower and a fantastic church, all of which date to the 10th century (although the entire monastery was restored at the beginning of the 20th). Make sure to stop by the shop that sells pottery, all of which is made by the nuns who call this place their home.
There's a picturesque bell tower and a fantastic church, all of which date to the 10th century (although the entire monastery was restored at the beginning of the 20th). Make sure to stop by the shop that sells pottery, all of which is made by the nuns who call this place their home.
24.2 mi
40 min
18:001 hr 30 min
Mercantic
Ease back into the busy city with a stop in Sant Cugat del Valles, the location of the fantastic Mercantic. This is a permanent flea market, a maze of antiques, vintage wear, and endless curiosities, an incredible place to get lost and turn up some treasures to take home with you.
2 mi
10 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Tolimansión Restaurant
For dinner, stop at this restaurant near Collserola Natural Park, the expansive nature reserve that separates Sant Cugat from Barcelona. The paellas here are fantastic, so enjoy your meal.
Make the scenic drive over the mountains and get back to Barcelona. As you come down the other side, the lights of the city make for a fantastic view, twinkling against the inky Mediterranean evening.
Make the scenic drive over the mountains and get back to Barcelona. As you come down the other side, the lights of the city make for a fantastic view, twinkling against the inky Mediterranean evening.