The 8 Best Train Experiences in Barcelona

1.Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,290 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $81Our pick

Leave Barcelona by air-conditioned bus for Montserrat, where an English-speaking guide leads a monastery visit and you ride the cogwheel train up the mountain. Choose extra time at Montserrat or continue to a family-run winery for three wine tastings with tapas or a multi-course lunch. Guides vary, with past tours led by Thais, Vince, Mariana, Toni, and others.

“We had such a good time on this trip. Thais was an amazing tour guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. We would highly recommend this trip. It was nice to get out of Barcelona for the day.”

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2.Montserrat with Cog-Wheel Train & Black Madonna Priority Access

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,400 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $63

Travel from central Barcelona by air-conditioned coach, then ride the cogwheel train up Montserrat. Your bilingual guide introduces the Benedictine monastery and basilica before you visit the Black Madonna and sample four local liqueurs. You also get free time for the audiovisual exhibit, a short hike or a meal. Tour times run about five and a half to seven hours.

“Great tour with Jon. We learned a lot about Monsersatt and had a good deal of time to roam freely. Eat at the restaurant at Hostel what a great meal!! The highlight of course was the Black Madonna. The perfect trip!”

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3.Montserrat with Winery, Lunch, and Train Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 525 reviews · 5 - 9 hours · from $63

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, then choose more time at the monastery or a day that adds the cogwheel train and Oller del Mas winery. Options include a Catalan meal or tapas and wine tasting inside a 10th-century castle. Guides such as Laia, Xavi, and Elena are part of the rotating team.

“It was amazing! The best way to spend a day. Our tour guide Azul was very knowledgeable and sweet. The other guides on the tour were also very nice and professional. I highly recommend booking this tour.”

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4.Montserrat Tour, Rack Railway & Licor Taste

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 269 reviews · from $50Best value

Travel from Barcelona by coach, then climb Montserrat by rack railway for mountain views and a guided visit to the basilica and Throne of the Virgin. You’ll hear live commentary in English and Spanish, see the Romanesque Moreneta, and taste liqueurs made by the monks. Guides vary; past tours have included Lorena, Nuria, Carlos, Gabby, Martina, and Alexia.

“Good tour guide, full of knowledge and energetic. Sasha explained all the visiting places along the walk, giving enough time to absorb the beautiful view points. Excellence service!!”

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5.Panoramic Barcelona and Montserrat with Cog-Wheel Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 268 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $115

This full-day Barcelona combo pairs city sights, a Gothic Quarter and El Born walk, and the Montjuïc cable car with an afternoon coach trip to Montserrat. Ride the cog-wheel train, visit the basilica and Black Madonna, and taste four local liquors. The schedule can involve separate morning and afternoon check-ins, and guides may speak in both English and Spanish.

“Really enjoyed however the guide had to do the tour in both Spanish and English - this was hard on her and made the tour move slower than it should have therefore we were really rushed”

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6.Montserrat Tour by Train with Cable Car and Cogwheel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 254 reviews · 6 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Take a morning train from Barcelona to Montserrat with a guide such as Monica or Marcelo, then travel by cogwheel railway and cable car. You’ll get a short orientation and about 2.5 hours to explore on your own. Train and mountain transport are included; basilica and Black Madonna entry costs extra.

“We had a wonderful day at Monserrat! Our guide Monica was fabulous!! She was very knowledgeable as well as kind!! We appreciate all we learned and are grateful the Monica helped make our day so wonderful! Monserrat is beautiful and I highly recommend a visit there!!”

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7.Montserrat Small Group Tour with Train and Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 251 reviews · from $108

Travel from central Barcelona to Montserrat in a group of no more than 14, with an English-speaking guide, a cable car ascent, priority Basilica access and a cogwheel train descent. Guides such as Monica, Marcelo and Nuri lead the trip. You also get about 1.5 hours to explore independently.

“Our guide was very friendly and made alot of effort to make sure the entire group was comfortable. He took care of everything for us. I went to Montserratt with nothing much to expect, but left with alot of wonderful memories. Definitely a tour I’d recommend to friends!”

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8.Girona Private Guided Tour by High-Speed Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 56 reviews · 5h 18m · from $283

Ride the high-speed train from Barcelona to Girona, then explore the old town with a private guide. Expect the Eiffel Bridge, El Call, the Arab Baths and a climb along the medieval walls. Guides named on past tours include Katja, Jimena and Roger, though your guide may differ. The tour lasts about five hours and 18 minutes.

“Facundo was an amazing tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, social and pleasant to be around. The tour itself of Girona was fantastic - such a beautiful town with great history. It was really nice to have a tour guide walk us through and educate us on history, sites to see etc.”

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