Montserrat Very Early, Hiking, Maximum 7 Participants

Alberto gives you a very personalized experience for a small group and no waiting in lines. Our Lady of Montserrat will not disappoint.! The hike was absolutely breathtaking. Alberto is an amazing guide and knowledgeable. His Renault van is clean, comfortable and has air conditioning.

This tour is for you if you want: (a) an early departure with arrival at the Abbey early, before anyone else is there; (b) an “off-the-beaten path” hike at a good pace that is not technical, but is challenging at a few places; (c) a small group; and (d) an absolute expert guide, Albert. We had an incredible time on this tour, led by Albert, and cannot imagine having seen Montserrat any other way.

We enjoyed our visit to Montserrat and the wonderful hiking trail . The hike is not super hard- but the trail is rocky and you should have good shoes . Don’t training flip flops!

This Montserrat tour was one of the best experiences of my life. Our guide, Albert, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and made the whole day feel seamless. While you can definitely visit Montserrat on your own, the convenience of being picked up and having everything organized was a huge highlight. It made the experience so much more relaxing and enjoyable. The views and hiking were absolutely incredible—something I’ll never forget. Highly recommend!

This was a highlight of our trip! Being able to see the Abbey with almost no other visitors early in the morning was so peaceful. Our guide Albert was great, proving the context and history of the abbey. In our opinion, the best part is the hike through the mountains. The mountains side and views from the top are really something else - a beautiful way to take in all the natural beauty. Here too Albert was a great guide! High energy and clearly a passion for the outdoors. Comfy shoes are an absolute must. The hiking trail can be challenging in parts but totally worth it once you are at the top.

Albert was a very knowledgeable about the history and was an excellent and safe guide on the hike. The views on the hike were just amazing and breathtaking. The hike can be difficult at times so highly recommend you are in good condition for the hike. Albert took us to a small town after our hike, where we were able to have as small snack and enjoy a glass of wine. If you have time during your stay in Barcelona, I highly recommend this experience. You won't regret it.

The tour was breathtakingly awesome! The tour started early and on time. There was no problem going to the pick up point because Albert, the tour leader was giving us updates ahead of time. Albert went above and beyond during the tour. He made us all safe during hiking of Montserrat. He’s very professional and friendly. He also gave us some history and insights about Monserrat and the monastery. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience a hiking adventure and breathtaking sceneries of Montserrat.

This is the Montserrat tour to book! The hike is the main feature, and it was an amazing adventure! Be prepared to do a little amateur rock climbing up a ravine if you want the most spectacular view! (You can also choose not to do the most strenuous climbs) Albert is fun and very knowledgable. PS. it can be extremely windy on the mountain, so wear layers if the morning is cold!

I highly recommend this experience to see an incredible sunrise, beat the crowds and see amazing viewpoints. Albert was very responsive and helpful leading up to the trip and confirmed convenient pickup points near our hotel. THE DRIVE: The van was spacious and comfortable. Albert is a speedy driver up that mountain so be prepared for a wild ride. I recommend Dramamine if you get carsick easily- lots of twists and turns up and down the mountain road. THE WEATHER: It was quite chilly and windy the day we were there in January so dress in layers. The sunrise was breathtaking! THE BASILICA VISIT: One important thing to be aware of is that for this specific experience, we were visiting before the Basilica opens. We went through very quickly and were not given a lot of time to really take in the different chapels and sights. The "pro" was that it was literally just our small group of 5 so it was empty and peacefully quiet. After we returned from the hike though, I was disappointed to learn that we didn't have official tickets to go back inside to visit with the limited time we had left. THE HIKE: Albert warns several times in his listing that this isn't a light stroll. You need to be prepared for a hike up 800+ stairs, take routes off unmaintained routes off the path with elevation gain. The pace was medium to hard. He took us to incredible viewpoints that you might not see otherwise which made it worth it. We also got lucky with the weather- sunshine and no rain. Although it'd rained a bit beforehand, so some areas were slippery and/or muddy. Real hiking shoes with traction would have been ideal but we made due with our normal Nike sneakers since we were limited on luggage space. Overall, great trip with Albert. He's friendly, very knowledgeable, and has a great sense of humor. Book it!

This tour is hike focused and it is a long and hard hike. Over 800 stairs to start. I would rate it difficult. My friends watch recorded 99 floors and the other couple with us would have liked a little more of a relaxed pace also. If you want an invigorating hard workout in a beautiful setting this is great - but if you weren’t expecting this level of exertion it wasn’t great. The best part was comfortable transport to the mountain - and early arrival. We were alone with the Madonna and could have had a very peaceful experience but we literally ran through the montestary and were rushed along to get hiking. My recommendation- definitely get an early morning ride with someone who already has the tickets. Dress warm. There is easier hiking to enjoy the mountains but this was hard with not a lot of time to enjoy the quiet early mornings at the site. Great tour if you just want a ride to the mountains and get a killer workout.

We are happy to visit this place. With such an inspiring guide as Albert, this morning at the monastery was unforgettable. The hiking was interesting: magical mountains, beautiful clouds.

Had an amazing morning watching the sunrise over Montserrat! No crowds or queues. Albert was a great guide, took me to all the best view points, had great knowledge and was lovely to talk to. Would definitely recommend!

A great way to experience Montserrat and the hike was a great challenge with stunning views that were worth the challenge. Albert was a great tour guide and kept the journey fun. Overall it was a great experience

So wonderful to be in the cathedral before the crowds of people and busses arrive! In addition, the hike was a road less travelled and had amazing views! Albert is a true historian with a delightful delivery! Totally recommend for the outdoor enthusiast!

This is a fantastic tour. First, extremely convenient transportation as Albert will pick you up at 2 min walking from your place. Secondly, if you wish to see the monastery without crowds and with the sunrise as a bonus, this is the tour. Absolutely breathtaking. Third, if you love hicking, please do yourself a favor and book this tour. The hikes were awesome and the views stunning. However, these are moderate in difficulty with some good inclines at times. Please make sure to be able to handle the pace (moderate speed) or simply plan to take the funicular if your fitness isn’t quite there. But if you are in good shape you will love this! Albert is very nice and quite funny. Highly recommended!

This hike absolutely blew my mind! Be ready for an adventure you’ll never forget. It’s definitely challenging, but the views are beyond words totally worth every step. Albert was hilarious, super knowledgeable, and full of great energy and positivity. Be prepared for lots of stairs, but trust me, it’s so worth it. A must-do experience!

I got up at 4:45 AM and stood on the street corner in the dark, where I was told to meet my guide. He never showed up. Later he admitted he went to the wrong corner. He left me standing there and went on the tour without me. He deleted me from the group chat and refused to come back and get me even though he was only five minutes or less away . He never called to check on me. I really wanted and needed this spiritual experience. Very disappointing.

Such a great experience from start to finish! Albert was a great host, all instructions were very clear and simple. Starting very early is definitely the way to go, arriving at the monastery as the sun rose was magical. Seeing the black Madonna with no queues, no question I would prefer that to crowds. I took the hike to the top, it is very tough, you need hiking/mountain experience as it's up-up-up. The views along the way and the top are an ample award. The cable car on the way down was awesome, I don't like heights but when in Barcelona! The train down was an option. Albert was a great host for our group throughout, apparently he doesn't have super-powers to change the weather but maybe offer your prayer to the black Madonna for a clear day. Albert was definitely the (mountain) G.O.AT, thanks for making this the best day of my visit. Id recommend to anyone, and even if you are not mountain-fit just the sunrise, early start and a smaller walk to the cross and church would be worth every penny.

Montserrat is a unique and spiritual experience. Words cannot adequately describe it. Being there so early when the sun rises (and before all the tourists get there) is the only way to do it. Albert is a superb tour guide and driver. He gave us all the options... whether to hike to the top, or hang out on the main level and go at your own pace. I went to the 11 am mass in the monastery. Took the funicular up to the top, and then met the group via zip train down the mountain. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience... take this tour with Albert!

This is the way to do Montserrat! Got there with plenty of time to see the monastery and Black Madonna before any big groups arrived. It was awesome to see the sunrise as well! Albert was a great guide and was chill and flexible when I decided to change hiking plans along the way. Van was comfortable and convenient. Highly recommend!

Albert was a fantastic tour guide. Full of knowledge and information. Punctual and accommodating. We had an amazing experience. Highly recommended.

Today’s journey with Albert to Montserrat was unforgettable. ✨ I can not imagine a better way to visit this magnificent place. You arrive well before the crowds. Visited the Black Madonna in the chapel, where I felt such closeness to God. 🙏 Then hiked to the summit of Santa Magdalena — truly an act of God in itself! 🏞️ Motivated by some friendly goats along the way, I climbed 15,000 steps, and 100 flights of stairs to reach the top. 🐐⛰️

Awesome experience. Worth getting up early for. Beat the rush before crowd. Great views from the top.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Albert, our guide, was incredible! Immediately after booking the tour, he began communicating with me via WhatsApp providing me with articles and information to prepare myself for the experience. 🚐 ⏰ This trip included pick up, which made things very easy and Albert was punctual to the dot. He picked me up in a clean and comfortable van and pointed things out in the city on the way to pick up more members of the group, 🏙️ so we got a little mini city tour before the hike even started. 🌄 Because this was an early morning hike we were able to witness the incredible sunrise and fog in the mountains completely by ourselves as no other tour buses arrive that early -it honestly felt magical. This also meant that we were able to tour the monastery ⛪️ and take photos with no one around. 🥾 The hike itself was the best part! It was no joke (we climbed over 1,000m), which took our whole small group by surprise in the best way possible! Because of the challenge it felt very exhilarating and accomplishing to reach the summit! ⛰️ During the hike Albert chatted with us and felt more like a friend than a tour guide. He also balanced our small group perfectly -making sure everyone was looked after individually and that no one fell behind as well as communicating in both English and Spanish for the needs of our group. ⭐️ Albert really went above and beyond. He offered us hiking shoes in case anyone needed them, carried water 💦 in a backpack for us up the mountain, offered to take photos 📸 at the key view points and even opened a bottle of wine 🍾 at the top so we could celebrate! At the end, he shared local chocolates 🍫 with us that he purchased at the market in Montserrat before heading down! He’s super down to earth, easy to talk to, really knowledgeable, and honestly for the price I paid (around $80), this was insanely good value. I would’ve expected something like this to cost triple

Early morning was awesome. Mountains are more beautiful near sunrise. We pretty much had the entire monastary complex to ourselves with no one to interrupt the photos. The hike to the top was in the cool of the morning which avoided the heat of noon and afternoon. The ride down on cable car empty becuase the crowds were only just arriving. There are only positives to going early if you can get ready by 600 to 630am. Alberto was lovely and knowledgeable. He provided lots of communication and background info on whatsapp prior the trip. You have to be relatively fit to climb to the top. There are some gravelly and steep paths and the pace had everyone sweating and panting (From teenagers to 50 year olds). I wouldn't recommend to anyone with balance issues, joint issues or is of below average fitness for a 60 year old. But you could always just hang around the monastery area for the morning by yourself and forego the hike to the top. Otherwise, this tour was one of the best decisions of our trip.

Albert was awesome! Definitely recommend the early morning booking to beat the heat and crowds. Van seats 7 so guaranteed a small group.

Best experience of my entire trip! Definitely worth getting up early - there were hardly any other people there and the views just after sunrise were simply breathtaking. Albert, my guide was extremely knowledgeable and the hike just sooo much fun!

This is a fairly challenging physical hike but well worth the early morning start and physical effort! The views are spectacular and the small group format is ideal. Albert is a fantastic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.

When they say "guided hike" they aren't kidding. We climbed to the very top which was NO JOKE. It was fantastic but be prepared to get your heart rate WAY up. Gorgeous views and our guide, Albert, was absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend.

If you plan on going to the Monstserrat the "Early Trip Small Party Tour" is the only way to go. Our driver "Albert" promptly pick us up in front of our hotel. We were transported along with 3 other passengers in a clean comfortable van. While en-route to our destination, our tour guide, Albert, would point out points of interest and answered other question that were not tour related. He was very informative and personable. He even provided cool bottles of drinking water. The benefit of arriving early gave us an opportunity to explore without the crowds. We were fortunate to attend a portion of the mass and hear the monks sing. (Within two hours the Monstserra was packed with arriving tour buses.) Our tour guide continued to provide informative information and gave us an opportunity to explore on our own, while still maintaining an eye on our small group. We truly enjoyed this tour and our tour guide.

Albert was more than just a guide—he was genuinely dedicated to making sure everyone was enjoying themselves, always going the extra mile for each of us. He led us on an incredible hike with stunning views, though I’ll say it’s definitely a challenge if you’re not at least a bit athletic. He even brought water for us, which he carried all the way up the mountain, and the moment we reached the top, he opened a bottle of wine to celebrate! Afterwards, he recommended a great spot for lunch and even dropped us off there. What an amazing experience and such a lovely guide. Albert, I can't thank you enough for this On another note, i highly recommend to take the morning trip to avoid tourist jams (youll take the best pictures because the church will be empty). Met some amazing people that I ended up spending then day with, we visited Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus after we finished our trip with Albert if you like another amazing spot!

This was an absolute highlight of or trip to Spain. Montserrat was breathtakingly beautiful and the experience of arriving early before the crowds, was what really made it special. Albert was a wonderful guide. There was excellent communication before the trip, he even sent links about some of the history as well as maps and very detailed pick up instructions. Transportation by van was comfortable and we even got to experience the funicular and zipper train! The hikes were just the right amount of challenge for us, with rewarding views at the top! Albert was well prepared for the hiking and prompt with getting us where we needed to be on time. We were back in the city by 1:30 and felt very accomplished having seen and done so much. Highly recommend this experience!

Incredible and challenging experience. Loved everything thing about it. Amazing sights, views and a hell of a work out

Albert was great. Views were spectacular ! Even though it was raining when we arrived we were still able to enjoy the sight

Albert is a phenomenal guide and we had a wonderful time learning about Montserrat and did some great hiking. As we started early we were one of a few at Montserrat, was able to see the last portion of the morning diario with the monks at the church, and start hiking before all the large tours arrived. Highly recommend wearing hiking shoes as there are some paths through woods and on rock.

Albert was an amazing communicator leading up to our excursion. He provided us with information about the day and was punctual when he arrived. The ride to the monastery was beautiful, and he insured we were there just as the sun came up. He provided us with all of the knowledge we needed to know to enjoy our time there. The hiking itself was tiring, but it was worth every step! Make sure you are comfortable shoes - good sneakers or even hiking shoes. Albert will accommodate everyone's skill level, and be considerate to make sure that you have a wonderful experience. I could not imagine coming to Barcelona without doing this excursion. Thank you Albert for an amazing time and one that we will not forget!

Although the guide was very knowledgable and pleasant. It turned out to be a different experience than expected. We were matched with people that maybe didn’t understand the type of excursion that was advertised: a hike. The guide did his very best to acomodate everyone making these few hours really enjoyable. My suggestion is to make sure that everyone who has signed up with you knows what they are getting themselves into.

The best way to experience Montserrat! Beat the crowds and the heat, and the guide, Albert, is fantastic! We had a great experience, learned a lot, got some good exercise, and saw the majestic Montserrat in all of its breathtaking glory. Wear good shoes and eat a good breakfast and you'll be fine. Although beware, the ride up is a bit twisty in parts!

It was a joy to see the monastery early in the morning, before the crowds arrived later in the day. It is absolutely worth getting up early for! The hike was perfect with gorgeous views. Albert is an excellent guide, very knowledgable and easy to chat with. It’s clear that he is very experienced and passionate in what he does. I wouldn’t hesitate to book another tour with him next time I’m in Barcelona. Thanks!

Breathtaking views from Montserrat. The cloud filled sky looked like the ocean below the monastery. The monks singing in the morning was beautiful. The hike was strenuous but made this my husband's favorite tour we did during our 7 day trip to Spain. This tour is for those that are physically fit and love nature. Our guide, Albert, was very knowledgeable about the monastary and the trail. He was very nice. You will see several historical buildings during your hike and possibly a goat or two. After the hike, there will be a local market with cheeses, nuts, and other items for sale. Try the paper cup with the assorted cheeses! Overall, the tour was amazing!

So nice to be up there early before the crowds! We had the whole area basically to our small group. The hiking was great! Went pretty much all the way up—very scenic and great exercise. Our guide Albert was very knowledgeable and experienced hiker! Highly recommend.

Our guide Albert did a very good job in all aspects of the trip. My wife said she was very happy with this tour when we got back to our hotel.

We were blown away by both the tour guide Albert & Monserrat itself. Albert was impeccable with his WhatsApp messages & provided us with loads of information prior to our trip. He accommodated us when I was unable to do the hiking section due to an injury & ensured we had lots of things to do. The furniclar was fabulous, the museum terrific but the black Madonna & the monastery - breathtaking. Honestly Albert was faultless & this trip was such a highlight. Thank you Albert!

This was totally worth getting up early for! I cannot recommend this tour or the tour guide, Albert, enough. Even though it was just the two of us and I said it was ok if it wasn't worth his time to only take two people, he still took us on this tour. It was so wonderful to be there before the crowds showed up. It felt like we had the entire monastery to ourselves. We were also able to see the Black Madonna without anyone else being there. The sunrise itself was really stunning and we got some great pictures. The hike itself was also really cool. We saw great views and Albert was on the lookout for goats as we were interested in seeing them. Unfortunately, the goats did not want to visit with us this time. Albert actually kindly sent me a picture a few days later when he took another group and they were able to spot a goat. We also really enjoyed the information Albert shared with us about the area; he has a great sense of humor too!

This one of the best tour we've had thanks to Albert our excellent tour guide. Our itinerary was well calculated so that we can have the best experience in Montserrat. The sea of clouds, the beautiful sunrise, the solemn voices of the monks in the abbey, the very private visit to the black Madonna, and the unforgettable hike and majestic view... priceless experience of a lifetime. Albert is the best, went beyond expectations for us! We highly recommend this tour if you want the place to yourselves very early in the morning. Overall experience is excellent, couldn't ask for more.

Alberto was great. Lots of energy and knowledge of Montserrat. Getting there early was amazing, as we were the only people there at sunrise and we saw the early mass. We had time for a nice hike, that could be self directed, but as a hiker I took a path that was challenging with a little scrambling near the top, while my wife did a lesser hike and took the funicular down where we meet at the museum for a quick tour through. Montserrat is breathtaking and we took it all in as the first one up the mountain and were back at our hotel by 2:30. I highly recommend the tour for those that enjoy hiking and want the full small tour experience. Thanks Alberto

What an awesome day with Albert! His knowledge of Montserrat was incredible and it made the experience at the church and the hike in the mountains surrounding the monastery that much better. Highly recommend going on this early morning trip as you basically have the monastery and the hike to yourself for pictures!

Amazing day. (Late to writing this review but we travelled Oct 2024) And great guide. Highlight of our whole vacation. Another review from the same tour as us said “too rushed”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Albert made sure we got to see everything and have the best experience. Also super kind and friendly. I think the day was planned out perfectly and I wouldn’t have changed any of it.

We're from California. Albert spoke good english and was on time. He showed us stuff that you wouldn't have a chance to see unless you're early. More power to Albert and his company.