Private tour Montserrat & Barcelona from Salou

We’ll begin our trip from your hotel in Salou, Cambrils, or Tarragona at the agreed-upon time, embarking on a private day combining spirituality, art, and the urban essence of Catalonia, designed exclusively for you and your group. Our first stop will be the Monastery of Montserrat, which we’ll reach after a drive of approximately one and a half hours by private vehicle. Montserrat is much more than a religious site: it is a uniquely shaped rock massif that has inspired artists, mystics, and scientists for centuries. Its name, meaning “serrated mountain,” refers to its sharp ridges. In this majestic setting stands the Benedictine Abbey of Santa María de Montserrat, founded in the 11th century and rebuilt several times, especially after the destruction caused by Napoleon’s troops in 1811.

During this private tour, we’ll tour the basilica, where the Virgin of Montserrat, known as “La Moreneta” (The Black Madonna) due to the dark color of the 12th-century Romanesque carving, is venerated. The patron saint of Catalonia since 1881, we’ll admire its impressive organ—one of the largest in Europe with over 4,200 pipes—and learn the stories that have made this place an important center of pilgrimage. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy free time to explore the natural viewpoints, which offer spectacular views of the Llobregat Valley and the surrounding mountains, at your own pace.

After this spiritual experience, we’ll head to Barcelona by private vehicle for an exclusive, approximately four-hour guided tour of some of the city’s most iconic sites. Our first stop will be the majestic Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, whose construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing. We’ll tell you the story behind its towers, facades, and rich religious iconography, as well as the architectural and technological advances being applied today to complete the temple.

Afterwards, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s most elegant avenues, lined with luxury shops, modernist buildings, and monuments that reflect the bourgeois splendor of the late 19th century. Here, you’ll see Casa Batlló, with its façade inspired by organic and marine forms, and La Pedrera, also known as Casa Milà, both World Heritage Sites. You’ll also discover other modernist gems such as Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera.

After a lunch break (not included), we’ll continue on a personalized walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, the city’s historic center, where traces of Roman, medieval, and modern Barcelona coexist among narrow streets and lively squares. We’ll visit Plaça del Rei, where the former royal palace stood; Plaça Sant Jaume, the political heart of the city with the headquarters of the City Council and the Generalitat (Generalitat); and Plaça Reial, with its palm trees and streetlights designed by a young Gaudí. We’ll also visit Barcelona Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Eulalia, and stroll through the old Jewish quarter, known as El Call, with alleys that retain their original medieval layout.

We’ll conclude our tour in the central Plaza de Cataluña, the meeting point between the Old City and the modern Eixample district, and one of Barcelona’s busiest and most iconic locations. At the end of this unique and personalized experience, we’ll head back to your accommodation in Salou, Cambrils, or Tarragona, wrapping up an unforgettable day of history, culture, and exceptional landscapes.

1. Montserrat Monastery
Located more than 700 meters above sea level, the Montserrat Monastery is one of the great spiritual centers of Catalonia. Founded in 1025, this Benedictine monastery has been a place of pilgrimage and meditation for centuries. The star of the place is the Virgin of Montserrat, known as La Moreneta , a Romanesque image carved from dark poplar wood in the 12th century, officially crowned patron saint of Catalonia by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. The monastery is nestled on a mountain with unique geological formations that, according to legend, was sculpted by angels. Its jewels include the impressive organ with more than 4,200 pipes, the museum with works by artists such as Caravaggio, Dalí, Picasso, and El Greco, and its natural viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the Llobregat Valley.

2. Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
The Sagrada Familia is the symbol of Barcelona and one of the most astonishing architectural works in the world. Its construction began in 1882 under a neo-Gothic design, but in 1883 it passed into the hands of Antoni Gaudí, who transformed the project into his greatest modernist masterpiece. Although Gaudí only lived to see a small portion built, he left behind models and detailed instructions. The temple is full of religious and naturalistic symbolism: each of its 18 towers represents biblical figures, and the facades visually explain key episodes from the life of Christ. In 2005, UNESCO declared the Nativity and Crypt façades a World Heritage Site. The project is estimated to be completed between 2026 and 2030. Its interior, with branched columns resembling a forest, creates a mystical atmosphere unique in the world.

3. Gothic Quarter (Barcelona)
This maze of medieval streets and historic squares is the oldest part of Barcelona. The ancient Roman city of Barcino was established here , the remains of which can still be seen underground in Plaça del Rei. The Gothic Quarter retains its medieval layout and is home to gems such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, begun in the 13th century in the Catalan Gothic style, and the historic Call , the former Jewish quarter that flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries. Plaça Sant Jaume is home to the centers of political power: the Palau de la Generalitat and City Hall. Plaça Reial, with its arcaded layout, streetlights designed by the young Antoni Gaudí, and vibrant atmosphere, completes this tour that unites history, architecture, and urban life in one place.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private tour, exclusive for your group
• Private vehicle adapted to the number of passengers
• Private expert guide throughout the tour
• Visit to the Montserrat Monastery with audio guide
• Exterior visit to the Sagrada Familia
• Private walking tour of Barcelona’s Modernist Route and Gothic Quarter

Maximum capacity: 15 people.
Meeting point: Pick-up at the hotel.
Reservation confirmation is required.

CANCELLATION POLICY

One-day tours are cancellable up to 24 hours in advance.