Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat with Cog-Wheel Train

For the first part of the tour, enjoy a walking tour of the Born neighbourhood and the Gothic Quarter. of Barcelona.

Stroll down one of the most important streets in the city until you reach the Cathedral of Barcelona. Walk the narrow streets of the oldest part of the city and discover the many secrets it holds. Marvel at the quaint medieval places hidden from the crowds and learn about their huge historical significance. Follow your guide through the streets of the Born neighbourhood and the Gothic Quarter and discover places such as Plaça Sant Felip Neri, Arc de Triomf and Plaça Sant Jaume.

Board an air-conditioned coach for a panoramic tour through the city before heading towards the Mountain of Montjuic, the main scenery of the Olympic Games in 1992 and ride the cable car for amazing views over the city. At the end of this part of the tour, you will stop at the MNAC viewpoint to see one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. On the way back to the office, the bus will drive through Passeig de Gracia where you can see some of the most emblematic Gaudi buildings such as Casa Batlló and la Pedrera.

You will need to check back in at the Julia Travel office in Estació del Nord before starting the afternoon part of your tour.

• From April - October departure is at 3.00pm, check-in at the Julià Travel office in Estació del Nord at 2.45pm.
• From November - March departure is at 2.00pm, check-in at the Julià Travel office in Estació del Nord at 1.45pm.

Meet your guide and board an air-conditioned coach to Montserrat. After an approximate 1h drive on the highway, board the cogwheel train up the mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Admire the Mountain’s peculiar morphology, which comes from the Catalan words Mont (mountain) and Serrat (serrated). World-famous for its rocky geography, Montserrat's beautiful scenery was declared a National Park in 1987 to protect its natural and cultural wealth.

Follow your local guide through the site and learn about the history and architectural style of the Monastery. A community of 80 monks currently live and follow the rule of Saint Benedict in Montserrat. Fall in love with the Gothic and Renaissance details of the basilica and sanctuary. Learn about the legend of the miraculous apparition of the Madonna and Child in the cave of Santa Cova. To this day, their woodcarving is kept in the Church of the monastery, which you will be able to visit. The figure is popularly known as La Moreneta (The Black Madonna) as a result of a varnish reaction.

Besides the main area, there are a great number of small churches and trails you can follow. You will be given free time to taste the finest liquors, shop for locally produced treats or visit the audio-visual exhibition once our guided tour finishes.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Get aboard the Montjuic cable car for breathtaking views over Barcelona.
• Montserrat Museum: a wide variety of archaeological artworks from medieval times to avant-garde style. The entrance fee is not included in the tour.
• Hiking routes: although there are plenty of trails to follow, we recommend you to reach the cross of Sant Miquel (approximately 15 minutes from the monastery) as it offers one of the best views of the area.