Montserrat and Sagrada Express

Informazioni generali

Destinazione
Barcellona, Spagna

Il programma nel dettaglio

We begin our tour with an early morning trip to Montserrat, departing from central Barcelona by comfortable, air-conditioned bus. After a short hour’s drive, during which you’ll be entertained by local legends and history from your expert guide, arrive to Montserrat and enjoy a privileged early visit to the mountain – well before most other travellers! This precious time advantage allows you to soak in the serenity and beauty of your surroundings before the daily crowds form in front of the world-famous Benedictine monastery and iconic “Black Madonna” statue.



Upon arrival to the mountain, you’ll enjoy a brief orientation tour as your guide leads you to the monastery and the majestic gothic basilica, where you can make a wish in front of the famous Black Madonna. According to legend, this Romanesque wooden statue was discovered by Benedictine monks in the 8th century and was so powerful and heavy, despite her small size, that the monks could not move the statue and decided to build the basilica on the mountain to accommodate her, making Montserrat the world-wide pilgrimage site that it is today!



You’ll have ample free time to explore - take an optional cable car ride to take in the sweeping views and bizarre rock formation; enjoy the impressive collection of local and international art at the museum; or learn even more about the history and current activities of the mountain and its monks at an interactive exhibition. Finally, save a bit of time to savor regional delicacies, from herbal liquours to a variety of local cheeses and honey.



After your Montserrat morning, arrive back to Barcelona and enjoy some free time near the Sagrada Familia to have a quick lunch before the second part of the tour begins.



With its tall airy spires that seem to defy gravity, and its seemingly animated figures and artistic details, the Sagrada Familia is unlike any church you’ve probably seen before. Your English-speaking local guide, an expert in all things Gaudí, will share stories and anecdotes that will help you get the most from your visit to this monument – currently the most visited building in Spain.



We’ll marvel at the two stunning completed façades and eight dizzying towers – see if you can find the similarities and inspiration that Gaudi drew from the peaks of Montserrat! After more than 100 years of tireless work, the basilica is still under construction, and it’s easy to understand why. Your guide will share tales of Gaudí’s love affair with this final work, how he considered the project his personal holy mission, and the great personal sacrifices he made to ensure its completion. Sadly, he would not live to see it finished, he but left behind enough of a legacy to ensure that future architects and artists would follow his vision while adding their own artistic flair.



Our trademark Skip the Line access will bring us straight past the long entrance lines and into the heart of the Basilica. Once you’ve entered this seemingly alternate universe, you’ll be overwhelmed by Gaudí’s characteristically disorienting wavy lines and soaring tree-like pillars. Though the basilica is estimated to be completed in 2026, the majority of the basilica can be visited today.



Whether you’re experiencing the beauty of the Sagrada Familia for the first time or you’ve been here before, this constantly evolving masterpiece will never fail to surprise and inspire you!



Languages

English