It was time to start the road trip part of our journey, so we picked up our rental car from Barcelona Airport. Our first destination was Montserrat, located about an hour’s drive from Barcelona. This is truly a magnificent destination that should definitely be combined with a visit to Barcelona. In addition to driving, you can conveniently reach Montserrat by public transport with a few transfers, and the train takes you directly to the destination itself. The views are surely spectacular even by train, especially the final ascent to the village of Montserrat as the train winds its way up towards the mountains.
However, we were traveling by car, and as Barcelona faded into the distance and Montserrat approached, the road began to ascend higher into the mountains, with the landscapes becoming incredibly beautiful. The scenery suddenly changes as you reach the other side of the mountain range. The steep rock walls are truly breathtaking and diverse. The mountain road winds forward, and around every corner, there are more and more stunning views. The mountains differ from the so-called normal mountain walls, as they are very round in shape.
Upon reaching Montserrat, there are several parking areas near the village where you can leave your car. At least the nearest parking lot was paid, costing around €5 per day. From there, it’s about a 600-meter walk to the viewpoint located at the corner of the village.
The main attraction in Montserrat is the monastery, which dominates the village’s landscape. The views in Montserrat are stunning in every direction, with the rounded mountain range and the valley view stretching as far as the eye can see. The monastery and other buildings blend beautifully into the mountain walls.
If desired, you can continue from the village upwards towards the peak of the mountain, which you can reach by funicular departing from the village. From the top, there are hiking trails, and the views are guaranteed to be amazing. We didn’t go higher up the mountain village this time, but next time, we’ll definitely explore that area too.
In addition to the monastery, Montserrat also has a hotel, as well as a few cafes and restaurants. There’s nothing more enjoyable than having a coffee while admiring these views.
Montserrat is an interesting destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those interested in religious sites alike. We particularly enjoyed the stunning landscapes, and even afterward, looking back at the photos, it brings warm memories.
We didn’t consider Montserrat a one-time visit destination at all; quite likely, we’ll return here when we next visit Barcelona. Next time, we’ll definitely take the train and continue our journey higher up to the peak.
From Montserrat, we continued our journey towards the Pyrenees, with more to come in the following posts.
