Barcelona is a lively city with so many incredible sides to it, but if you have extra time, I strongly suggest getting out of the city and exploring a bit more of the Catalonian surroundings.
Whether that’s taking a day trip to lovely Girona or Besalú or exploring the mountainous area of Montserrat and its proximity to Penedès wine region, you’re sure to enjoy a break from Barcelona when its small town and countryside is this beautiful!
If you’re a wine fan, I strongly suggest combining a tour of Montserrat with a wine tour of Penedès for the best possible day out.
These combination Montserrat wine tours make an easy day out where you tick off two of Catalonia’s most iconic experiences in one easy day trip.
You’ll have time to explore this mountainside monastery with 1,000 years of history and enjoy a taste of Catalonia’s iconic wine tradition, the bubbly, effervescent sparkling wine called cava.
Salut!
Top 3 MontSerrat Wine Tours
I’ll go into more detail in the full post, but here are my top 3 picks in case you’re pressed for time and just want to the quick details!
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Montserrat Wine Tour with Lunch
✔️ Cogwheel train ride up to Montserrat
✔️ Winery visit & choice between tapas lunch and 3-course meal
#2 PICK
VIP Montserrat Wine Tour
✔️ Private tour that follows your pacing
✔️ Winery visit with three tastings & tapas included
#3 PICK
The 5 Top Montserrat Wine Tours from Barcelona
Montserrat Wine Tour with Cogwheel Train Ride & Tapas or 3-Course Lunch – Book Here
- 5/5 stars with nearly 1,500 reviews!
This unique Montserrat wine tour is one for the bucket list!
Train lovers will be in paradise, since you get to take the cool, old-fashioned cogwheel train all the way up to the mountaintop, where you’ll find the stunning Montserrat Monastery.
In addition to exploring the beauty of this mountain and its surroundings, you’ll also get to try some local treats and liquors, like coca de Montserrat and Montserrat liquor.
Afterwards, you’ll pay a visit to one of Catalonia’s most beloved wine cellars, Oller del Mas Château, a pioneer in organic Catalan wines.
You’ll get a tour of the cellar, get the chance to explore the vineyards, and of course, be led through a wine tasting by one of the experts at the winery, tasting at least three different wines.
You can either have a tapas brunch at the château for something a little more finger-food-y or you can have a more belly-busting 3-course meal at a nearby restaurant.
You’ll enjoy everything in a small group of less than 20 people, knowing that this full-day tour won’t disappoint as it’s won the Viator Badge of Excellence.
Note that the tour does not include pick-up and drop-off, but you will meet at an easy-to-find meeting point at Estación del Norte.
Private Montserrat and Cava Winery Tour – Book Here
- 4.5/5 stars, 15+ reviews
Prefer to avoid larger groups and have a more personalized experience? This private Montserrat wine tour is an excellent choice to skip the crowds!
Since this tour is limited to your group only, you can be assured you won’t be rushed from spot to spot and that you are able to get individualized attention from your guide throughout the entirety of the tour.
This tour follows a similar itinerary to most Montserrat wine tours, but at a more leisurely pace. You’ll get to visit the Montserrat monastery where you can see the Basilica, the statue of the Black Madonna, and the Holy Cave as well.
You can also attend the choir performance of the famous La Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys’ choirs in all of Europe!
After touring Montserrat extensively with your guide, you’ll make your way over to the Penedes wine region, famous for its delicious cava wine.
There, you’ll get to taste 3 delicious regional wines and cavas, all paired perfectly with local tapas to maximize your tasting experience.
You’ll get picked up and dropped off in a private car, so it couldn’t be easier: just show up ready to explore and taste!
All fees, except any additional food or drinks you want to buy outside the tasting, are included.
Half-Day Montserrat Wine Tour From Barcelona with Tapas – Book Here
- 4.8/5 stars, 750+ reviews
This express 7-hour tour is one of the most budget-friendly options when it comes to picking a Montserrat wine tour from Barcelona.
This tour is in a bit of a larger group capped at 20 people, which helps lower the cost, but it still includes all you’d want in a Montserrat wine tour.
You’ll get transported to Montserrat in an air-conditioned bus, where a local guide will give you a 1-hour tour of the monastery before letting you have an hour of free time to explore as you wish.
After that, you’ll visit a winery specializing in Catalan regional wines like cava, where you’ll get to taste three wines paired alongside tapas — and dessert, too!
Note that hotel pick-up and drop-off is not included in the base price but can be added on for a fee, or you can meet at the meeting point to save money.
Montserrat & Vineyard Tour From Barcelona – Book Here
- 5/5 stars with 140+ reviews
For an exciting two-for-one day trip that combines mountains and wine tasting, taking this Monserrat & Penedès wine tour from Barcelona is right up your alley.
The best part? It’s just for a small group of 8 people, so you won’t be lost in a huge group, feeling like you’re being herded from spot to spot.
First up, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in a fancy minivan with A/C, and off you go to the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat.
It’s an awe-inspiring place, and you might even catch the boy’s choir if they’re performing that day.
And let’s not forget the Montserrat mountain itself – a real jaw-dropper!
Next, you’ll visit the nearby Penedès wine region. Here, you’ll learn from the winemakers themselves on how they make the delicious wine the area is famous for.
Champagne fans, rejoice, because this area is particularly known for its own style of sparkling wine called cava.
You’ll visit a winery, explore a wine cellar, and get all the information so you can feel like a true wine connoisseur by the end of it. Fancy a taste? You can, but it’s extra, so keep around 18 euros handy if you want to indulge.
So if you’re into culture, nature, and a little bit of bubbly, this Monserrat & Penedès wine tour might be just the day out you’re looking for. Cool, right?
Montserrat Visit and Cava Wine Tour – Book Now
- Brand new — be the first to review!
For a taste of something beyond the city’s busy, buzzy vibe, this Montserrat wine tour has a bit of everything: history, religion, art, nature, and of course, wine!
First thing’s first, you’ll want to set that alarm because this tour kicks off bright and early. Why? To beat the crowds to Montserrat, that’s why!
This tour guarantees you have some quality time with La Moreneta, the famous Black Madonna, a famous 12th-century wooden statue that is kind of a big deal and has been the star of countless pilgrimages for its supposed healing powers.
Beyond the statue, there’s a lot more to explore the basilica and monastery grounds, and your guide will give you all the background information on this millennia-old religious site.
After that, you’ll have some free time to explore the area. You could hit up the art museum packed with masterpieces by Dalí and Picasso, hike to a gorgeous viewpoint, or just chill at the café with a delicious cup of coffee.
Next, it’s on to the Penedes wine region, where you’ll visit a small family-run cava winery that’s going to welcome you with – what else? – a glass of bubbly.
After you’ve finished your welcome drink, you’ll hop into a 4×4 to explore the vineyards. If you’re visiting during pruning or harvest season, you can even get your hands dirty!
Hungry after all that hard work? The winery owner’s got you covered with a homemade lunch that’s all about local flavors, accompanied by the winery’s best wines.
You’ll also get to see how they bottle and label the wines, finishing the journey from grape to bottle.
One thing to keep in mind: hotel pickup isn’t part of the deal, but the meet-up spot is at a central place on Passeig de Colom.
Plus, all entrance and tasting fees are included, so all you need to do is show up and have fun.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.