Combine mountains, history and wine tasting to make the most of your time in port in Barcelona. On this outstanding shore excursion, you’ll head outside of the city to visit two beautiful places – the mountain of Montserrat, where you can enjoy a scenic walk and admire the medieval Santa Maria de Montserrat abbey, and the Freixenet winery, part of Spain’s Cava Trail where you’ll have a cellar tour and a cava tasting. This private tour ensures you'll receive personalized attention from your expert guide.
Highlights
- Private Barcelona shore excursion to Montserrat and the Cava Trail
- Personalized private tour with English-speaking guide
- Free time to explore Montserrat mountain: the abbey, the Black Virgin statue and the scenic parklands
- Visit Freixenet winery's vast cellars and enjoy a wine tasting
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
Recent Photos of this Tour
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Barcelona Shore Excursion: Private Montserrat and Cava Trail Day Trip from Barcelona
Useful Information
Barcelona Shore excursion: private Montserrat and Cava Trail Day Trip from Barcelona
When your cruise ship docks in Barcelona, head out from the port on a wonderful day trip to Montserrat and the Cava Trail wine region. You'll head straight to Montserrat, a stunning, craggy mountain that towers over the Barcelona area. Visit the mountain’s Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, where the famous 12th-century statue of the Black Virgin is housed. At 1pm on weekdays, you’ll also have the opportunity to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat. While you're at Montserrat, you’ll have time to visit the fascinating Museum of Montserrat, go for a walk or ride the rack railway or cable car up the mountain.
In the afternoon, leave Montserrat to visit one of the most famous cava producers of the Penedes region, Freixenet (cava is a Spanish sparkling wine). Visit their vast wine cellars, sample the product and learn why this sparkling wine has acquired international fame.
See the Itinerary section below for more details about the shore excursion.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Barcelona port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
In the afternoon, leave Montserrat to visit one of the most famous cava producers of the Penedes region, Freixenet (cava is a Spanish sparkling wine). Visit their vast wine cellars, sample the product and learn why this sparkling wine has acquired international fame.
See the Itinerary section below for more details about the shore excursion.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Barcelona port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Itinerary
Depart the Barcelona port and head straight to Montserrat, just over 1.5 hours away. On arrival, you have various options. A visit to the sanctuary in the Benedictine abbey where the Moreneta (a black Virgin Mary statue) is housed is a must. The sanctuary has been in use for almost 1,000 years by pilgrims and other visitors who have climbed this spectacular mountain. At 1pm on weekdays you may have the chance to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat. You can also visit the fascinating Museum of Montserrat, with its five collections including Archaeology, the Biblical East and Modern Painting and Sculpture.
In addition to these cultural possibilities, you can enjoy some gorgeous scenery on the mountain. The paths of the Montserrat parkland lead you around a number of walks, each offering a different perspective on the stunning views over the surrounding landscape and many are peppered with small chapels and hermitages. There are routes to suit all tastes and energy levels, from fairly strenuous treks to gentle strolls around the park area, all of which allow you to marvel at the views and enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this protected natural park. Another option is to take one of the two rack railways, or the cable car, which all offer different views of the area. Alternatively, simply savor the views from the café, which offers panoramic vistas of the valley.
In the afternoon, the tour will leave Montserrat to drive down to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the “Cava Capital,” via Gelida. Here, you’ll visit some of the biggest underground wine cellars in Europe. Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is situated in the Penedes wine-growing region, which boasts one of the widest varieties of grapes of any wine-growing region in the world. The region received a major boost in the late 19th -century when French vineyards succumbed to parasites although Penedes itself was later struck by the same problem. Production has since recovered, and cava is now a major rival to Champagne; in fact, the main difference between cava and Champagne is simply the region in which they are produced.
One of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region is Freixenet, and your tour includes a visit to their vast wine cellars, where they will demonstrate exactly how the famous sparkling wine is produced, from the first pressing of the grapes to the second fermentation in the vast expanse of cellars. This will of course be accompanied by a tasting of the product so you can find out exactly why it has acquired such international fame. From here, the tour returns to Barcelona, arriving back at the port at 4:30pm.
In addition to these cultural possibilities, you can enjoy some gorgeous scenery on the mountain. The paths of the Montserrat parkland lead you around a number of walks, each offering a different perspective on the stunning views over the surrounding landscape and many are peppered with small chapels and hermitages. There are routes to suit all tastes and energy levels, from fairly strenuous treks to gentle strolls around the park area, all of which allow you to marvel at the views and enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this protected natural park. Another option is to take one of the two rack railways, or the cable car, which all offer different views of the area. Alternatively, simply savor the views from the café, which offers panoramic vistas of the valley.
In the afternoon, the tour will leave Montserrat to drive down to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the “Cava Capital,” via Gelida. Here, you’ll visit some of the biggest underground wine cellars in Europe. Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is situated in the Penedes wine-growing region, which boasts one of the widest varieties of grapes of any wine-growing region in the world. The region received a major boost in the late 19th -century when French vineyards succumbed to parasites although Penedes itself was later struck by the same problem. Production has since recovered, and cava is now a major rival to Champagne; in fact, the main difference between cava and Champagne is simply the region in which they are produced.
One of the most famous wine producers of the Penedes region is Freixenet, and your tour includes a visit to their vast wine cellars, where they will demonstrate exactly how the famous sparkling wine is produced, from the first pressing of the grapes to the second fermentation in the vast expanse of cellars. This will of course be accompanied by a tasting of the product so you can find out exactly why it has acquired such international fame. From here, the tour returns to Barcelona, arriving back at the port at 4:30pm.
Recent Reviews of this Tour
Reviewed by Anonymous, September 2012
Montserrat, what an amazing place! The tour was great and we couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. Great option to do if staying in Barcelona.
Reviewed by Anonymous, September 2012
I wish I could remember our tour guide's name because he was excellent. Montserrat was truly incredible. Not to be missed. The entire tour was professional, fun, safe and our guide was so knowledgeable and went above and beyond to make it a great day!
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