Montserrat

Montserrat is an extraordinary mountain of rounded, finger-like pinnacles rising abruptly from the Catalan plain, its name meaning serrated mountain. The rock is a pink conglomerate, the highest summit, Sant Jeroni, reaches 1,236 metres, and the mountain has been a natural park since 1987. Cradled in its cliffs sits a famous Benedictine monastery, home to the revered Black Madonna and a renowned boys' choir, the spiritual heart of Catalonia. Reached by cable car or rack railway, it offers dramatic walks among the strange peaks, an easy day from Barcelona.

What's there

• The monastery - the Benedictine abbey cradled in the cliffs.
• The Black Madonna - the revered statue and the pilgrims who come to it.
• The rock pinnacles - the strange rounded peaks and the walking trails among them.
• The funiculars and views - the rack railways and the views over Catalonia.

When to go

Spring and autumn for walking and mild weather; summer is hot and busy. The boys' choir sings at set times on most days, worth timing your visit around.

What to expect

It is a very popular day trip from Barcelona, so it is busy, especially midday; going early or staying for a walk rewards you. The choir sings only at set times and not every day, so check. Reaching it involves a train plus a cable car or rack railway.

Nearby

Barcelona is an hour away; the Penedes wine country is nearby.

Key facts