Montserrat Private Tour Barcelona: Boys' Choir & Black Madonna

Hear the Boys' Choir sing in a 900-year-old monastery an hour from Barcelona

You're picked up from your Barcelona hotel and driven to Montserrat in a private van, then guided through the monastery's history and into the basilica to see the Black Madonna. You attend the Boys' Choir performance (guaranteed on singing days), taste four monk-made liqueurs, and return to Barcelona by evening. Hotel pickup and all entry fees are included. The choir performs Sundays only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Montserrat private tour from Barcelona

• Pick up from Barcelona hotel
• Drive through Montserrat Natural Park
• Brief explanation of Montserrat area
• Optional cable car ride to Monastery
• Private guided tour of Abadia de Montserrat
• Visit Royal Basilica and Black Madonna
• Attend Montserrat Boys Choir performance
• Free time at monastery gift shop
• Guided tasting of local Montserrat liquors

The experience

What if you could skip the tourist crowds and walk straight into a performance that's been happening in the same basilica for centuries? That's what a private Montserrat tour from Barcelona does. It gets you there without the logistics, and it gets you in on a singing day when the L'Escolania de Montserrat (the boys' choir, one of Europe's oldest) performs during Sunday mass. Your driver picks you up from your hotel or apartment, and you head southwest through Catalonia's natural park, past the jagged rock formations that make Montserrat look like something from another planet. The drive takes about an hour, and your guide talks through the geography and history as you go.

Once you're at the monastery, the day unfolds in stages. You'll walk through the Abadia de Montserrat with your guide, who explains the pilgrimage routes and the religious significance of the place, then you move into the Royal Basilica to see the Black Madonna: the statue that drew pilgrims here starting in the 12th century. It's viewed from inside the church, not from the throne, but it's close enough to understand why people have made this journey for so long. Then comes the choir performance, which is guaranteed on singing days (Sundays only, not Saturdays, and not during summer or Christmas holidays). The boys sing during mass, and your spot is already booked, so you don't queue. After that, you get 20 minutes in the monastery gift shop, and then your guide walks you through four local liqueurs (each one made to a recipe the monks created), and you taste them one by one. It's a small thing, but it lands differently when you're standing in a 900-year-old monastery.

The whole day is private, meaning it's just your group in the van with your driver-guide. You can ask questions, move at your own pace through the monastery, and linger on the views without waiting for a group to catch up. The van is a Mercedes with good legroom, and bottled water is included. If you're traveling with young children, infant seats are available. The only thing to know: the choir doesn't perform every day, so you need to book on a Sunday when they're singing (and not during summer or Christmas breaks). If for some reason the choir isn't available on your date, you'll get notified right after you book, so there's no surprise on the day.

What’s included

Hotel or address pickup and drop-off in Barcelona, private Mercedes van with air conditioning and bottled water, guided tour of the Abadia de Montserrat and Royal Basilica, guaranteed Boys' Choir performance admission (on singing days, fee included), viewing of the Black Madonna, 20 minutes at the monastery gift shop, tasting of four monastery liqueurs with monk recipes (fee included), and private driver-guide throughout the day.

Options for this experience

6 options

Throne and Boys Choir at the BasilicaGuide in English · Available from 20 Oct 2027Pickup is included

Boys' Choir with BasilicaGuide in English · 10:00Includes a Basilica visit, the Boys' Choir, and a glimpse of the Black Madonna statue from inside the Basilica (no throne attendance). Private tour, only for your group, operated by Mercedes Van Tour. Language: English. Pickup is included.

Basilica and Throne, without ChoirGuide in English · 07:30Choir absent: the boys will not be singing on your date; instead, you attend the Black Madonna's Throne (Basilica visit included). Private tour, only for your group, operated by Mercedes Van Tour. Language: English. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Basilica, Throne and Mass with ChoirGuide in English · Available from 8 Nov · 07:30Includes a Basilica visit, the Black Madonna's Throne, and the boys' or adults' choir during Mass (Mass attendance included from 10:45 to 12:15). Private tour, only for your group, operated by Mercedes Van Tour. Language: English. Pickup is included.

Choir and Cable Car with BasilicaGuide in English · 10:00Includes a one-way cable car ride, a Basilica visit, the Boys' Choir, and a glimpse of the Black Madonna statue from inside the Basilica (no throne attendance). Operated by Mercedes Van Tour. Language: English. Pickup is included.

Cable Car and Basilica, without ChoirGuide in English · Available from 25 DecChoir absent: the boys will not be singing on your date; instead, you attend the Black Madonna's Throne (includes a Basilica visit and a one-way cable car ride). Operated by Mercedes Van Tour. Language: English. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 10:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Barcelona Y Day Trips

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to attend the Boys' Choir performance without arranging your own transport, booking the choir in advance, or timing the monastery visit yourself: the private pickup and guaranteed choir spot are what make a Sunday performance possible in one day from Barcelona.

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Top questions

What days does the Boys' Choir perform?

Sundays only, during mass. The choir does not perform on Saturdays, or during summer holidays, Christmas holidays, or certain afternoons. Check the Montserrat website for exact dates.

Is the cable car included?

No. You can ride it during free time if you wish, but the ticket is not included in the tour price. It costs extra and takes you up to nearly 4,000 feet with views of the monastery.

Can I visit the Black Madonna's throne?

The standard tour includes viewing the Black Madonna from inside the basilica. If you want to visit the throne for personal prayer, contact the tour operator after booking. It may be possible with additional fees and timing changes.

Is the liqueur tasting included?

Yes. You'll taste four distinctive local liqueurs made to monk recipes, and the tasting fee is included.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.

What if the choir isn't available on my date?

It's rare, but if the choir doesn't perform on your selected date, you'll be notified promptly after booking so you can reschedule.

Where is pickup?

From your hotel, apartment, cruise port, or any address in Barcelona that you provide.