A monastery folded into saw-toothed rock, Romanesque churches and quiet country stays.
Montserrat is Catalonia’s spiritual mountain, an hour from Barcelona by road. Beyond it, Central Catalonia offers Romanesque monasteries, medieval towns and country houses few visitors ever see.
From Barcelona
1 h by road
Ideal stay
Day trip or 1 – 2 nights
Places we love
i.
Montserrat monastery
The basilica, the Black Madonna and a monastery set high among the mountain’s distinctive peaks.
ii.
Mountain trails & country stays
Paths between unusual rock formations, quiet country houses and time to settle into the landscape.
iii.
Cardona Castle
A medieval fortress above the town, with stone halls and views across the surrounding countryside.
iv.
Mura
Stone houses, narrow lanes and a Romanesque church — a small village tucked into the folds of the natural park.
