Barcelona to Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Day Trip

Summary

Montserrat’s monastery, Girona’s old town walls, sea breeze in Costa Brava

You’ll leave Barcelona early and find yourself among Montserrat’s surreal peaks before most people have had breakfast. In Girona you’ll walk medieval streets and cross Eiffel’s bridge, then breathe in sea air along Costa Brava’s coast. The day is full—guided stories, local flavors, time to wander—and ends with sand still clinging to your shoes.

What’s the experience like?

The bus left Barcelona behind before I’d even finished my coffee. One hour later, Montserrat just appeared — those jagged rocks look stranger up close than in photos, almost like someone stacked them on purpose. Our guide Marta had this way of telling stories that made the monastery feel alive; she pointed out the Black Madonna statue and I swear even the air inside the basilica felt heavier, like incense and old stone. I’m not religious but there was something about that quiet moment in the cloister — just a bell echoing somewhere — that made me pause longer than I expected.

After winding roads (I get why people talk about motion sickness here), we rolled into Girona. The city felt like a movie set — turns out some Game of Thrones scenes really were filmed here. Walking through the Jewish quarter with its narrow lanes and uneven stones, Marta explained how many families had lived there for centuries before being forced out. I tried to imagine life behind those thick walls. We crossed the red iron bridge designed by Eiffel (yep, same guy as Paris) and watched kids toss pebbles into the Onyar river below. Lunch was on our own; I grabbed a sandwich at a tiny bakery where the owner insisted I try her homemade olive tapenade — still salty on my tongue as we climbed up to the old city walls for that view.

Costa Brava came last — Tossa de Mar, specifically. The sun was lower by then, light bouncing off white boats in the harbor. There’s this smell near the water: salt and grilled fish from somewhere nearby. We wandered down to a rocky cove where some locals were playing cards under an umbrella (they barely looked up). I let my shoes fill with sand and just listened for a minute — gulls overhead, waves slapping at stones. It’s funny how fast you can go from city noise to this kind of quiet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montserrat, Girona and Costa Brava tour

• Bus ride to Montserrat
• Guided tour of Montserrat Monastery
• Bus ride to Girona
• Explore Girona Old Town and Jewish quarter
• Visit Girona Cathedral and Eiffel Bridge
• Walk Girona medieval walls and Game of Thrones sites
• Leisure time for lunch in Girona
• Bus ride to Costa Brava
• Explore Costa Brava village and coves
• Bus return to Barcelona

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 11-12 hours including travel time between sites.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No, lunch is not included but you’ll have free time in Girona to eat where you like.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, entry fees for Montserrat Abbey and Arab Baths (or an alternative on Sundays) are included.

Is transportation provided between all locations?

Yes, all transfers are by comfortable air-conditioned bus with pickup in Barcelona.

Will we have a local guide throughout?

A professional multilingual guide leads each group at every destination.

How many people are in each guided group?

You’ll be divided into smaller groups of up to 25 people per guide after arrival at each site.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour include Game of Thrones filming locations in Girona?

Yes, your guide will point out several filming spots from season 6 during your walk in Girona.

What’s included

Your day includes guided visits at Montserrat Abbey, Girona’s historic center (with entry to the Arab Baths or an alternative if it’s Sunday), plus time exploring a fishing village along Costa Brava. All entrance fees and comfortable bus transportation from Barcelona are covered—you just need to bring curiosity (and maybe some extra snacks).