A day trip to Montserrat

An hour from the city, the jagged mountain of Montserrat rises out of the Catalan countryside, crowned by a centuries-old monastery and laced with hiking trails and cable cars. It's the perfect contrast to the urban buzz of Barcelona: big views, mountain air, and a sense of calm. You can do it independently by train for not much money, or take an organised tour with transport and a guide if you'd rather not juggle the logistics. The walks at the top are the highlight, and many are free. We'll help you weigh the DIY train trip against a guided day tour.