My cruise ships dock in Barcelona for 8 hours. Do I have time to visit Monserrat and if I do how do I get there. Thanks in advance Caroline

Hello Caroline, <BR> <BR>My Mom and I went to Montserrat back in 1996 via local bus. I would suggest you rent a car so you can come and go as you please. We were there for about 5 hours, which was way too much time. All you'll need is a couple of hours there. Since the bus left at a certain time, we had to hang out. Mom wasn't interested in going up the cable car to the very top. It's a beautiful place to visit. If you didn't want to rent a car, contact the tourist office in Barcelona and get the latest information on bus tours to Montserrat. <BR> <BR>There is also Barcelona to visit if you haven't been there before: Las Ramblas, the Gothic quarter, the Cathedral, Picasso's museum, La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guel.

Caroline, <BR> <BR>Monserrat is incredible. Amazing carvings and a beautiful setting. We rented a car and drove their from Barcelona. I can't remember how long the drive is, but I do remember it wasn't very far away and Monserrat itself was VERY busy with long lines. <BR>Also, you could spend eight years in Barcelona and merely scratch the surface. There are many musuems and the city is a walkers' paradise. Unless you have a special interest in seeing Monserrat I would spend the eight hours in Barcelona and save Monserrat for the next visit. You don't want to short change wither place.

Monserrat can be done in eight hours; there are trains that go from Barcelona to the foot of the mountain, then there's a cable car that goes to the top. <BR> <BR>I would be a nervous wreck if I tried to do Monserrat, with a ship that will leave whether I'm on it or not. Stick to Barcelona - lots of great museums, all the Gaudi buildings, shopping, eating...unless you have nerves of steel and don't mind leaping on a gangplank as it's raised. <BR>

You don't have time to see Monserrat if you want to see any of Barcelona...which, although I've been to Monserrat and it's beautiful, I'd much prefer seeing the fantastic architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona itself...not to mention that it takes an hour by train to get there and then another 20 minutes or so on the tram ride up...I think you'd be cutting it VERY close for getting back to your ship.