Monestir de Montserrat

The prime attraction of Monestir de Montserrat, 50km northwest of Barcelona, is its incredible setting. The Benedictine monastery sits on the side of a 1236m-high mountain of weird, bulbous peaks. The monastery was founded in 1025 after a statue of the Virgin Mary was found here, and pilgrims still come from all over Christendom to kiss the Black Virgin (La Moreneta), the 12th-century wooden sculpture of Mary that’s regarded as Catalonia’s patron.

Mass is held several times daily; at the 1pm Monday to Saturday mass the monastery’s boys’ choir sings.

Besides this all you can also bring a visit to Museu de Montserrat or take a walk around the mountain, to its various caves and  ruined hermitages. To have a wonderful view of the Pyrenees, make the easy walk called Los Degotalls. A funicular (cable car) ascends from the Placa Santa Creu to the Santa Cova and another will lift you up to the Hermitage of Sant Joan. From her you can make a spectacular walk in just over an hour up to the Hermitage of Sant Jeroni.