On a clear day, the views from the Montserrat summit are spectacular, but most people visit this sacred mountain because of the 16th century monastic complex, Monestir de Montserrat. One of the displays at the Montserrat monastery is La Moreneta, the Black Virgin, who is venerated by many Catalans.
How to Get to Montserrat from Barcelona
The easiest way to get to Montserrat is via train from Barcelona. Trains run from the station at Placa Espanya starting at 9am. About five to ten trains run each day, depending on the season. A combination ticket for the train to Montserrat and the cable car to the top of the mountain where the monastery is located can be purchased at the station. The ride lasts about an hour, and follows the River Llobregat. Exit the train at the Aeri de Montserrat station, which is the lowest stop for the Montserrat cable car. The cable car ride to the top is quite exciting and runs every 15 minutes.
For those with a car, the drive is relatively short, but the drive to the top of the mountain is winding and steep. Guided bus tours also run from Barcelona and can be purchased at your hotel or cruise ship. The bus tours drive to the top of the mountain so you don't ride the cable car. Be sure to take along a jacket - it's cooler at the summit of Montserrat than in Barcelona.
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