Frequently asked questions from Montserrat
What can you do in Montserrat?
In Montserrat, in addition to attending the liturgical acts that take place in the Basilica, you can visit the Throne of the Virgin Mary, listen to the Escolania Choir (from Monday to Friday), visit the Museum of Montserrat (the Audiovisual Space), take one of the funiculars (Sant Joan or Santa Cova), have a walk around the mountain...
https://www.montserratvisita.com/ca/espiritualitat
https://www.montserratvisita.com/ca/cultura
https://www.montserratvisita.com/ca/natura
Must I pay an entrance fee?
With the aim of enhancing the visit, preserving the atmosphere of prayer and contributing to the maintenance of the Montserrat ensemble, a tourist ticket is available to access the Shrine (Atrium, Basilica and Chapel), with the following exceptions:
· People attending religious services: convent mass/other masses and celebrations/confessions.
· Residents: Catalonia / rest of Spain / countries of the European Union (except groups and organised trips).
· Accommodation: guest house/hotel/flat/hostel.
The funds collected are put towards paying for the maintenance of the Montserrat ensemble and collaborate in the various social activities fostered by the Monastery.
https://rho.montserratvisita.com/docs/entrada-turistica-2024-1_51_106.pdf
How do I book tickets if I am a resident?
Residents must make a booking through the Abbey's website (https://abadiamontserrat.cat/reserves/), to attend Mass, the Escolania choir singing or to venerate the Virgin Mary.
Bookings can be made one month in advance.
How do I book tickets if I am not a resident?
Non-residents or tourists will find the various combinations of tickets on the visitor's website (https://www.montserratvisita.com/).
Travel agencies and guides have the usual channels of the Montserrat Bookings Centre to plan their visit to Montserrat and guarantee access.
Bookings can be made one month in advance.
In the packages that include the Throne of Our Lady, the time chosen/booked is that of the Throne. You can carry out the rest of the visit before or after this time. Check the other schedules when planning your visit.
I have tickets with transport from Barcelona. Where do I pick up the tickets?
For packages that include the train from Barcelona, either by rack rail or cable car, your tickets must be collected at the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat station in Plaça Espanya in Barcelona. Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Outside these hours, the ticket cannot be exchanged.
We want to book a mass/time for the Image of the Virgin Mary. How should we do it?
Residents must make a booking through the Abbey's website (https://abadiamontserrat.cat/reserves/), to attend Mass, the Escolania choir singing or to venerate the Virgin Mary.
Non-residents or tourists will find the various combinations of tickets on the visitor's website (https://www.montserratvisita.com/). In the packages that include the Throne of Our Lady, the time chosen/booked is that of the Throne. You can carry out the rest of the visit before or after this time. Check the other schedules when planning your visit.
Bookings can be made one month in advance.
When does the Escolania choir sing?
The Escolania sings from Monday to Friday at 1:00 p.m. and on Sundays the boys participate in the Conventual Mass.
They are on holiday after St. John's Day until the end of August, after Christmas and during Easter Week.
Performances of the Escolania choir may vary due to special religious services and the school year calendar. See: https://www.escolania.cat/quan-cantem/.
Where can I buy tickets for the funiculars? How much do they cost?
Tickets for the funiculars can be bought at their stations or on the Montserrat Rack Railway and Funiculars website, where you will find their prices: https://turistren.cat/trens/cremallera-i-funiculars-de-montserrat/.
What time do the rack railway trains leave with a connection to Barcelona?
The rack railway trains that leave Montserrat at quarter past every hour are the ones that connect with the R5 Manresa – Barcelona line.
What does the last Rack Railway or Cable Car come down from Montserrat?
Hours vary depending on the season. You can view them at the following links.
Rack Railway: https://turistren.cat/trens/cremallera-i-funiculars-de-montserrat/
Cable Car: https://aeridemontserrat.com/horaris-i-tarifes/
What is the difference between the Rack Railway, the funiculars and the Cable Car?
The Rack Railway and Cable Car are two means of transport to reach the Sanctuary from the foot of the mountain.
Once at the Sanctuary, you find the funiculars (https://www.montserratvisita.com/ca/natura/funiculars):
-Funicular of Sant Joan: commands incomparable views of the monastery, the surrounding countryside and the Pyrenees.
-Funicular of Santa Cova: this line joins the monastery with the spot where, according to legend, the image of Our Lady of Montserrat was found.