A visit to Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona, and combining your trip with a visit to a winery in the Penedes is the perfect way to spend a day! While you can do this independently, joining a guided tour is certainly the easiest way to combine Montserrat and the Penedes wine region, and this Montserrat tour from Barcelona with a visit to a cava winery is one of the best Barcelona tours I’ve done. Read on for my full review of this tour to Montserrat from Barcelona with Devour!
I received a complimentary Devour Montserrat Tour in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Why Choose This Montserrat Tour?
There are lots of Montserrat tours from Barcelona that you could choose, all offering slightly different things, but this Montserrat & Cava Winery Day Trip from Barcelona by Devour is certainly one of the best tours of Montserrat you can find.
I love Devour Tours. I have taken two other Devour food tours in Barcelona and adored them both, and took one of their tours in San Sebastian which was just as fantastic.
The Devour tour guides always know their stuff inside and out, and the itineraries are well-planned to include some history and facts about the location, as well as delicious food and drink. This tour to Montserrat from Barcelona is no different!
Highlights of this Montserrat Tour from Barcelona with Devour include:
- Small Group tour with a maximum of 15 people
- Transport in a comfortable private minibus
- Early departure from Barcelona to arrive at Montserrat before the crowds
- Visit to the Black Madonna and a guided tour of the Monastery Basilica
- Free Time to explore Montserrat with the chance to taste local cheeses at the Montserrat farmer’s market
- Visit to a family-owned winery in the Penedes wine region
- Tour of the winery to learn about cava (Catalan sparkling wine)
- Cava bottling experience to see how cava is bottled
- 4×4 Tour of the vineyard
- Delicious farmhouse lunch in the vineyard with wine pairings
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My Devour Barcelona Tour to Montserrat
Devour Tours invited me to join this tour on 27th April, which is a special day in Montserrat as it is the feast day of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat (Our Lady of Montserrat), La Moreneta (the Black Madonna).
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great on the day we visited, with thick cloud and some rain when we arrived. Although it did clear up, that’s something to bear in mind and make sure you check the weather before you book – a sunny day is much better if you can arrange it so you can enjoy the views!
Some of the photos in this article are from my other visits to Montserrat when there was better weather, I’ve included a mix to give you an idea of the difference a cloudy day makes.
The Journey to Montserrat
We left Barcelona early in the morning, departing a moment or two after 7.50am (tours leave on time and there is no waiting for late-comers!) from the meeting point on Passeig de Colom. I requested a seat at the front of the bus due to my motion sickness, and off we went.
The journey was smooth, with little traffic. I’m not sure if that was because of the route we took along the Ronda Litoral, along the port and behind Montjuic, or if there isn’t much traffic on Saturday mornings. On a different Montserrat tour I took during the week, we hit quite a bit of traffic leaving the city on Diagonal, so either way I think this is a good way to drive.
Our guide Jordi shared some facts about the port of Barcelona and Montjuic as we passed by, and other titbits along the way, but stayed fairly quiet until we got close to Montserrat and could see the mountain from the road.
Well, we should have been able to see it, but the poor weather meant that Montserrat was covered with clouds!
Jordi did his best to describe the serrated, saw-like spires of Montserrat, which literally means Serrated Mountain, and explained the legend of the Black Madonna and the founding of the monastery in her name.
From Monistrol de Montserrat, the road twists and turns up the mountainside, so I was glad of my front-seat view! It’s about a 15 to 20 minute drive up the mountain with constant turns, so if you suffer from motion sickness, I’d suggest getting a seat at the front and/or taking medication.
Through gaps in the cloud, we had wonderful views of the valley below us as we climbed, but when we arrived at the Monastery, the clouds and rain hid most of the mountain.
The Black Madonna and Guided Tour of Montserrat
Our first stop was a visit to the Black Madonna herself, Our Lady of Montserrat and Patron Saint of Catalonia (along with Sant Jordi). She sits on a throne at the back of the basilica, and Jordi had pre-booked the timed-entry tickets we needed to go in and see her.
We walked along the right-hand side of the basilica, with a growing number of people, passing through an ornate alabaster archway and staircase, decorated with mosaics of female saints of Catalonia.
We waited our turn to see La Moreneta. She looks out over the Basilica and we each had a few moments to see her and touch the sphere in her hand that represents the entire universe. It is said that she will grant wishes and has the ability to heal people who touch her.
Before you leave La Moreneta, be sure to look behind you to see the magnificent basilica, before you get ushered along by the attendant.
We also visited the chapel behind the Black Madonna, which is beautifully decorated with carvings, mosaics and stained glass windows. The architect who designed the chapel, Francesc de Paula del Villar i Lozano, was helped by a young Antoni Gaudí.
On leaving La Moreneta we had the opportunity to buy a candle to light if we wished to, and then we stopped outside the entrance to the basilica to admire the statues and the marble flooring.
Jordi pointed out details in the statues of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles that stand above the entrance that I would have missed, such as the shell on Sant Stephen’s (Santiago) robe, which has come to represent the Camino de Santiago, and the V-shaped cross carried by Saint Andrew.
He also explained some things to look out for in the Basilica and we went inside. It was starting to get busy at this point, there was a large mass planned for the celebration of the feast day of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat, and chairs were set out alongside the benches in every available space.
It was lovely to have such detailed information about this special place, and we had plenty of time to explore inside the Basilica.
Free Time at Montserrat
When we came out, we had some free time to explore – about an hour – which was enough given the poor weather.
On a sunnier day perhaps we would have spent less time inside and would have had more time to go up the funicular or walk to the Creu de Sant Miquel but there wasn’t much point doing that as the cloud still covered everything!
The Museum of Montserrat
I decided to visit the Museum of Montserrat, an art museum that happened to be free on that day, as it was the Feast Day! It’s a lovely museum, filled with art and with a section displaying the remnants of the original walls of the oldest buildings in Montserrat.
There is a wonderful collection of art by Catalan artists and artists who spent time in Catalonia, including works by Salvador Dalí and Picasso. I recognised many scenes from Barcelona and paintings of Montserrat in pieces by Josep Palau Oller and Joaquim Mir.
There is also a large collection of religious art, including Penitent Saint Jerome by Caravaggio, and various depictions of the Madonna and child and some intricate altarpieces. If you are interested in art and art history, then this is certainly one of the best things to do in Montserrat – especially on a rainy day!
By the time I made my way out of the museum, the sky was beginning to brighten, and some of the clouds had lifted to reveal glimpses of the mountain, so I paused to take some photos before heading to the Farmer’s Market where we had agreed to meet.
Other Things to Do in Montserrat
If you don’t want to go in the museum, other things to do in Montserrat in your free time during the tour include:
Riding the Sant Joan Funicular
Take a ride on the funicular railway to reach the summit of Sant Joan, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Montserrat and its surroundings (subject to weather conditions!). On a clear day the view from the top is absolutely stunning, and you get some excellent views of the Monastery on the ride up (and down).
Once at the top, there is a viewing platform and paths to different hikes. Depending on how much time you have you could just take a few photos at the viewing area and then come back down, or explore more.
The Espai Audiovisual Interactive Exhibition
The Espai Audiovisual at Montserrat is an immersive exhibition that uses cutting-edge museographic techniques and state-of-the-art audiovisual elements to give visitors the chance to learn more about Montserrat and monastic life through three key pillars – the mountain, monastery and sanctuary. There is also a video of the Boys Choir performing.
Tickets cost €5.50 per adult and can be bought on the day of your visit.
Hiking to the Creu de Sant Miquel
This is a moderate walk that takes around 25 minutes at an average pace, although it is almost all uphill. I had time to do this on a different tour, but check with your guide how long you have to explore. It is a lovely viewpoint with 360 views of Montserrat mountain, the monastery and the countryside.
There are several other hiking trails around the mountain, but due to time constraints, you’re unlikely to be able to do any of the others on this tour.
Cheese Tasting at the Farmer’s Market in Montserrat
Our Montserrat tour guide Jordi had arranged a time for us to meet at the farmer’s market.
Every morning, there are several stalls that set up between the car park and the monastery, selling local cheeses, honey, nuts and dried fruits. Most of the sellers will offer you tastings of the cheeses, and I bought an AMAZING truffle cheese that was delicious.
Other varieties we tried included charcoal and a basil pesto cheese, which was also very tasty. Another popular item is the soft cheese mató, which is a bit like ricotta, and when served with honey is a typical Catalan dessert called mel i mato.
We were all on time back at the minibus and headed off to El Penedes wine region to a fabulous winery.
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Vins i Caves Joan Segura Pujadas – Winery Visit
There are hundreds of wineries in the Penedes, and this region is renowned for its cava production. Cava is Catalan sparkling wine and is produced in the same way as champagne, but, in my opinion, it tastes even better!
We were taken to Vins i caves Joan Segura Pujadas in the village of Torrelavit in the heart of the Penedes. It is a family-run winery and we were lucky enough to be joined by the owner Joan, and Gina, who explained everything to us in English.
We were welcomed with a glass of rose cava and a selection of cheeses to start our wine tasting experience, and Gina took us into the cellar and explained how cava is made.
Cava Making & Bottling
Gina showed us bottles of cava at different stages of the fermentation process, and one volunteer got to remove the frozen “mother” of the cava, the yeast that needs to be removed before the corking process. Our volunteer did a great job and got to take home her bottle of cava – I wish I had not been shy about giving it a try!
Gina also explained the different kinds of cava available, and the difference between reserva and gran reserva cava, and what brut means. It was fascinating to see the rows of bottles and barrels waiting in the cellar, wondering how much longer they would need to wait before being popped open and drunk!
Lunch in the Vineyard
After the tour, we hopped into two cars – one 4×4 and another minivan and were driven to the vineyards a short distance away. It was the end of April and you could see the vines starting to come to life, with green leaves and shoots starting to grow on the stumps of the vines.
We stopped outside a little hut, which turned out to be built over a shelter that had been carved out of the rock in the hillside. Inside, a table was set for lunch, a log fire crackled in the corner and a pot was simmering on a stovetop. When the weather is good enough, the table is set outside for an al fresco lunch, but with clouds still threatening rain, we ate inside.
Outside, we were poured a glass of white wine and we admired the view of the fields full of vines. Jordi explained the origins of the porró, which I was familiar with after giving it a go on my Gracia food tour a couple of weeks before!
Jordi admitted he wasn’t an expert – nowadays it’s quite hard to find these in local restaurants, it does seem to be more of a tourist thing, but it is nice that someone is carrying on the traditions, even if it is just for tourists!
We all had a go at drinking out of the porró – some with more success than others – and then we settled down to eat.
Farm to Table Lunch in the Vineyard
First up was a selection of cured meats served with another Catalan classic, pa amb tomaquet – bread with tomato. Jordi showed us how to prepare it properly, by rubbing a garlic clove over the toasted bread, then slicing a soft, ripe tomato in half and rubbing that over too. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and enjoy!
It was a deliciously simple starter, and a typical Catalan food to try when you are in visiting Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia. Then came the main course, a botifarra sausage served with white beans – another traditional Catalan dish.
It was excellent, and we all tucked in (variations are available for vegetarians and some other special diets), with a glass of red wine to go with it.
I was starting to feel the effects of the wine, and with a full belly and great company, sat in a cosy hut in the middle of a vineyard I was very happy indeed.
Dessert was a chunk of coca bread, sweetened with sugar and anise, and locally produced chocolate. A sweet wine was the perfect accompaniment.
Great food doesn’t have to be complicated, and the meal we enjoyed together was delicious, and all prepared by Teresa, Joan’s wife.
Joan doesn’t speak English so Gina did most of the talking, but I had a chat with Joan in Spanish and he showed me the little cave they had found when renovating the shelter and the little statue of the Black Madonna he had put inside. He and Gina were both so passionate about the winery it was hard to leave this lovely place.
Once we were back at the cellar, I bought two bottles of the cava we had tried (which was excellent value at just €9.50 a bottle) and would have been quite happy to stay here drinking cava, chatting with Joan and Gina and petting the cute dog that was wandering around.
But it was time to head back to Barcelona, and we all piled back into our minibus and dozed most of the way home, dreaming of cava. The journey was smooth and we were dropped off close to where we started our adventure.
What I Loved About this Montserrat Tour
While the early start wasn’t pleasant (we left at 7.50am, meeting 10 minutes before), it was well worth the effort as it was quiet when we arrived at Montserrat and we managed to see the Black Madonna before the lines got too long. This was a great way to start and miss most of the crowds.
Jordi was a fantastic guide and extremely knowledgeable about Montserrat and wine, and was friendly and chatted amiably to everyone.
The winery was wonderful, I loved it, and we were warmly welcomed by Gina and Joan. Not only were the wines excellent, but they were also such good value, and the ride up to the vineyards was quite an adventure.
It was so idyllic eating that delicious traditional lunch surrounded by fields of vines, I didn’t want to leave!
Anything I Didn’t Like?
I suspect this was mostly due to the weather, but we didn’t have much time to explore Montserrat ourselves – if it had been sunny, I would have liked more time here.
If you are hoping to do some hiking in Montserrat, this isn’t the tour for you, as it was focused on the basilica and the Madonna, but in sunnier weather, I presume we would have had more time outdoors and probably would have had time to do the Sant Joan funicular or hike to the Creu de Sant Miquel.
Everything else was fabulous, and I would absolutely recommend this Devour Montserrat tour from Barcelona to anyone interested in history and/or incredible food and wine!
How to Book Your Devour Montserrat Tour from Barcelona
Devour’s Montserrat and Cava Winery Tour is not available every day so check the prices and availability on the Devour website to find a suitable date for your trip to Barcelona.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Montserrat and this fantastic winery, and that it has inspired you to book a tour to learn more about the history and wine in Montserrat and Penedes.
If you’ve booked a Devour Barcelona food tour or this tour to Montserrat, then let me know how you got on – I’d love to hear what you thought! You can also join our Facebook group and share your tips and opinions there.
Other Devour Food Tours in Barcelona
Devour have some fantastic food tours to choose from, each one focusing on a different style of food and drink in Barcelona, and with a different neighbourhood to explore – here’s a taster! The Ultimate Barcelona Food Tour is my personal favourite as it has a wide variety of food options to try, but you can browse all of their food tours here.
BROWSE MORE BARCELONA FOOD TOURS
Ultimate Barcelona Food Tour: Taste Barcelona’s Most Iconic Bites
This varied Barcelona food tour combines a market visit with tapas tastings in El Born neighbourhood and ends with a traditional paella in Barceloneta. It’s quite rare to have paella included on a food tour so I love how this one combines tapas and paella in one food-filled adventure! ➡️Check prices and availability here. You can also read my personal review of this tour here.
Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour
This delicious tapas tour in Barcelona takes you deep into the Gothic Quarter for either a lunchtime or evening tour. Your guide will share how the history of Barcelona has impacted the food culture here and you’ll have a historical walking tour through the Gothic Quarter as well as eating at some of the most authentic tapas bars in the neighbourhood. ➡️ Check prices and availability here.
If you’re more interested in Catalan wine, take a look at these wine tasting tours in Barcelona.