jent103

I'll be in Barcelona in May, and am hoping to do a day trip to Montserrat (I know some people love it and some people feel very "eh" about it, but from what I've read it sounds like my cup of tea). For those who have been, I'm wondering whether we should either avoid it on Sunday due to crowds, make plans to go on Sunday due to its religious nature, or if it really doesn't matter? We arrive in Barcelona on a Friday night and leave Wednesday morning, so assuming the weather cooperates, we have some flexibility on when to go. The only thing we have planned for sure is a performance at the Palau de la Musica Catalana Sunday night, but it's not until 21:30.

Thanks in advance!

jent103

DANG IT I've been misspelling Montserrat all day and did it again right in the title! Sorry. I am aware of the correct spelling.

adrienne

I'm not sure it's going to matter what day you go to Montserrat. I went on a Monday in April and it was crowded. The church is large but if you want to hear the boys choir you need to find a seat early. I think we went in about 20 minutes ahead of time and the church was filling up fast. The only lines were to touch the Black Madonna (which we didn't do). If you're going to do this, be aware that the line stops moving during lunch (1.5 hours) - there was a notice posted someplace. It was a very long line - out the church and down the loggia.

Also see the museum which is small yet interesting.

We followed the instructions from the site below and had no trouble getting there. We entered the train station at the first entrance we saw and it was the right one - the ticket booth for Montserrat was near the entrance. The train station employees were very helpful and friendly.

The train back had barely enough seats for the funicular people and we had to scramble to get seats. It seems all the cable car people had to stand on the way back.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ontserrat.html

Have fun. I thought it was an OK trip but my friend loved it. Here's a photo.

https://modigliani.shutterfly.com/barcelona/218

sandralist

Don't go at all if it isn't a clear day, in my opinion, but if it is your cup of tea (not mine), then I think it doesn't matter when you go in terms of crowds. I found it crowded and noisy (might have been a school tour) and I wasn't there on a Sunday.

jent103

Thanks to you both for the quick responses! That's all very helpful. Sounds like the weather forecast will be our biggest concern!

adrienne

I forgot to mention that you don't need to get in line to see the Black Madonna - it's visible from the church nave. It's above the altar.

jent103

Oh good - thanks, adrienne! I don't need to touch it, but seeing it will be great.