Horseback Riding Montserrat from Barcelona: Monastery & Mountain

An hour on horseback through Montserrat's sawtooth peaks and hermitage routes

Horseback riding in Montserrat's National Park from Barcelona combines a 50-minute drive, entry to the Benedictine Abbey, and a guided ride through the mountain's unique rocky terrain. You'll visit the 11th-century monastery, browse the local farmer's market, then ride at a walking pace suitable for all levels, no experience needed. The group stays small, capped at eight riders, and includes an air-conditioned van and a certified guide speaking English, Spanish or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Montserrat horseback riding and monastery visit

• Drive from Barcelona to Montserrat
• Visit Montserrat Monastery and Basilica
• Walk around Montserrat Natural Park
• Horseback ride at Montserrat ranch
• Return to Barcelona by vehicle

The experience

The day starts in Barcelona with a pickup and a 50-minute drive north through the city's main avenues (Paseo de Gracia, Diagonal Avenue, the Royal Palace) before the landscape opens into Montserrat's National Park. The mountain itself is unmistakable: a jagged, sawtooth ridge of rock that rises abruptly from the plain and has anchored Catalan spirituality for centuries. The Benedictine Abbey sits at its heart, built in the 11th century and home to the Black Madonna, a symbol woven into the region's identity.

After touring the Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat, you'll have time to walk through the monastery grounds and browse the local farmer's market for regional products. Then the group heads to a working ranch positioned on one of the park's most dramatic hillsides, with views back across the mountain. The horseback ride itself follows a three-hermitage route at a walking pace, designed for all levels and all ages from twelve up. No prior experience is required. The terrain and the pace are set for riders who have never sat on a horse before.

After the ride, there's time to rest at the ranch before the drive back to Barcelona. The van is air-conditioned and seats eight comfortably, so the group never swells beyond that. A certified guide leads the day in English, Spanish or German, and the whole experience (drive, monastery, ride, and return) runs about six and a half hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Premium small group capped at eight riders.
• certified and professional guide in English, Spanish or German.
• one hour of guided horseback riding at a walking pace.
• eight-seater air-conditioned van with pickup and return to Barcelona.
• entrance to the Basilica of Montserrat Monastery.
• optional guided walk through Montserrat Natural Park.
• free time to relax at the ranch.

Information

Lasts 6h 30m, runs Tuesday to Friday at 08:00, from € 109 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and German, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (12 to 14 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Tours by Uni - UNIque Tours Barcelona

Is this one for you?The van pickup from Barcelona means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to reach the mountain. The walking-pace ride suits anyone from age twelve onward, regardless of experience, and the small group size keeps the day unhurried and personal.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 14 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Montserrat Monastery, and why is it significant?

The Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat is an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey built into the mountain and home to the Black Madonna, a revered symbol of Catalan spirituality and cultural identity. The monastery sits at the heart of Montserrat's Natural Park and is recognized as the center of Catalan tradition.

Do I need horseback riding experience to join this activity?

No experience is required. The ride follows a walking pace suitable for all levels, and the route is designed for first-time riders. Children from age twelve are welcome, and the guide will ensure everyone is comfortable before setting out.

What are the Romanesque hermitages we pass on the ride?

The hermitages are small stone chapels built along the Way of Saint James in the area known for its Romanesque architecture. The three-hermitage route winds through the park's distinctive rocky landscape, and you'll pass them while riding through the mountain's unique geological formations.

How does the group size affect the experience?

The group is capped at eight riders maximum, which keeps the pace manageable and the experience personal. A small group also means the guide can attend to each rider's comfort and adjust the route if needed.

What happens if I don't have a car or I'm staying in Barcelona?

The activity includes pickup and an air-conditioned van for the 50-minute drive from Barcelona to Montserrat and back, so you don't need your own transport. The van seats the full group, and the drive is part of the day's itinerary.