Barcelona Travel Forum

My wife and i are looking forward to trip to Barcelona at the end of August.
We would like to go on tours of Tarragona and Montserrat, but worry about not getting a tour if we booked when we arrive there. Should I be worried?

I was wondering if I do really need to book ahead? On the internet, Viator, appears to be marketed heavily, are there any other alternatives? Viator is the middleman, is there a possibility to enquire with the actual tour agency itself?

thanks in advance.

chuck2006

You don't need to book a "tour" for Montserrat. You can buy the ticket in Barcelona or maybe now even in this site:
http://www.montserratvisita.com/How%20to%20get%20here/_pUI7-gXTbraorWsYtYXV_fIGEfGYtK_WcyKckGNjcD67HnRGDEcA2A

I thought I got ours at the Espana or Plaza de Espana stop but I cannot locate it in the metro map - but maybe you can get it on the site. In case the link does not work, just go to http://www.montserratvisita.com/ - click on English, then How to get there - it has directions from Barcelona. It's very, very easy to get there. The web site is very nice, it has suggestions of what to do once there.

Do get the "all-inclusive" tour. It was 30 Euro four years ago, and well worth it. Includes:

- train from Barcelona
- Cremallera up to Montserrat
- Lunch (including wine)
- Access to *all* facilities (one funicular alone was around 7 Euro)

Leave for Montserrat early - it's nice every time, but particularly in the morning. Be careful not to miss lunch time (it's easy to get carried away).

Great link Nomad. Thanks. Seems one can't buy the ticket online?

BTW - Do you know if one get the whole package (audio visual, museum, lunch etc) with the cable car, rather than with the metro + racktrain?

I full agree with Nomad above, my tip would be 'do it by yourself', you will pay a lot less and see what you want at your own pace

In Montserrat, you can get the option recommended above with lunch, or without lunch. You can grab some food to have a picnic up Sant Joan mountain (this is what I usually do). If you like hiking, you can walk back the monastery from Sant Joan, about 3 hours not really difficult, with some breathtaking views

Going to Tarragona by train can't be easier: it will cost you about 6 € each way, from city centre to city centre (Tarragona is really walkable), and the train follows the seashore so is a nice trip

Why give your money to an intermediary, to milk a dirty great profit out of you?

This is SPAIN (sorry, Catalunya).

First, Montserrat. Are you staying in Barcelona? If so, have a look at the www.fgc.website. FGC run trains from Barcelona Plaça d'Espanya station (about 700 m south from the RENFE station Barcelona-Sants) to Monistrol, on the line to Manresa (hourly service, fast and comfortable). At Monistrol, change to the FGC rack railway to Montserrat (connecting service). Super views on the ascent. At Montserrat, ride the Santa Cova and Sant Joan funiculars - the latter right to the upper part of this incredible massif. Fares? As far as Montserrat is coveredc on the T-Día (all zones) day ticket for Barcelona public transport. All zones for one day currently E 16.50 per person.

For Tarragona, just use RENFE Cercanías/Media Distancia trains - buy an ida y vuelta (return) ticket, get off at the main station, just below the city centre and Roman ruins. Walk around, enjoy the place.

And if you have time, visit Martorell (medieval bridge over the Llobregat, nice pedestrianised town centre) and Gélida (funicular to the town from the RENFE station in the valley below).

Forget the 'tour operators' - they always milk you. Use public transport - like the locals do - and have a wonderful time exploring a delightful part of Catalunya!

thanks for all the tips. i think we will bypass the tour agency.

i did find the one day all inclusive for montserrat but it was at :

http://www.cremallerademontserrat.com/website_cremallera/cat/index.asp

Another request:

are the aqueducts at Tarragona far from the town center. I understand they are out of town. what would be the best way to get there.

regarding Montserrat, you can buy your tickets on the spot, in Pl. Espanya. There is English speaking staff that can help you if needed. I would not bother booking in advance, these trains do not have reserved seats anyway, and this way you are more flexible (i.e, what if rains? is not frequent in August but may happen... being Montserrat a mainly outdoors daytrip, better be there on a clear day)

Reg. Tarragona, yes the aqueduct ('Pont del Diable' = devil's bridge) is a bit far away from town. Not sure there is public transport (I think to remember there is a bus) but I'd say your best bet is taking a taxi.

Thanks Belsaita, I was wondering about that :)

this has been so helpful.

for those who still want to buy tickets to montserrat on line, here is the correct address:
http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/Tot-Montserrat/_vf-SMlY1yIuKQTV1aq49kDsdISBNb-j_iKSld-d1GKjchCTK2Rch2w

No need to buy them on line.