When you travel to Montserrat, try to be in the basilica at 1pm. There is boy chorus performing and the experience is quite unique. Don't try to wait in the line for the black Madonna, go to San Joan funicular instead and take a lift up the hill. There are several trekking trails you can choose from. I recommend you go from San Joan to the lower funicular station on foot instead of taking return ride in funicular. It'll take you just about 1 hour and the views are amazing... If you arrive at monastery again around 3pm, it will be the best time and if you're lucky enough, you won't stay in the line for black Madonna for long.

When you fly into Barcelona (from England) you will notice these mountains sprouting up from the Catalonian countryside and little do you know there's actually a Benedictine Monastery there. Although full of day trippers, the monastery and it's setting is quite magical albeit once you take a short walk from the Monastery on it's trails so you can enjoy the peace and setting. Inside the monastery many flock to see the 'black' Virgin Mary and Jesus

It is a magic place with wonderfull views. You can arrive there by train from Barcelona (1h30min). I would recommend that you climb at the highest point in the mountains.From the monastry you can walk through a nice path or you can take the minitrain that will take you in an amazing place...It is a surprise what you will be able to see from there... :)

Try to be there on a foggy atmosphere! The scenery is amazing and the church scenic. Although it's better to have some food with you as the only restaurants are touristic with awful food and quite expensive!

Very interesting....I and my friends from Barc had a good trekking trip at Montserrat. Very good spot for people fond of outdoors, walking/trekking and nature.