10/10 MUST do this early morning tour! - Albert was so great! Full of jokes and smiles. He was great with my 11 year old. So knowledgeable about the history of Monserrat. We got up there early so there was no one else— THIS IS A MUST. By 11am the place was packed! I’m so glad we chose a tour that arrived first thing and beat the crowds. This meant better pictures, quiet, and free admission to mass (if you’re interested). We visited the museum, took the funicular (must do), and Albert offered to wait in line and buy our tickets so we could have lunch! 10/10 HIGHLY recommend this tour. PS: I think some travelers don’t understand you’re supposed to tip your tour guide- please don’t be rude and forget to do this. This is how people like Albert make a living. One couple was dropped off at their hotel, said thank you, and just left! I was shocked and disappointed. Okay, rant over! :)

Wonderful - The most memorable part of tour was being at Monserrat before anyone else. It was quiet and peaceful. To be able to see black Madonna on such a personal basis. Being picked up at our hotel meant a lot also.

Incredible intimate tour of Montserrat - Now I understand why Albert does this tour in the early morning. In the morning you get to experience the wonder of the place with very few people (8 people on our tour plus a few people on their own) property was such a different experience as more people arrived. This tour is also great for those who want to do a little hiking- we were the first ones up the funicular and had the mountain basically to ourselves. Our guide, Albert, was very informative and passionate about Montserrat. He even gave bits of Barcelona and Catalunya history as we drove. The tour is the perfect amount of time. Listen to the monks, then visit the cathedral and the black Madonna, then the audiovisual tour, then a short hike with Albert, then first ones up the funicular for hiking. There was still time for the museum (normally you stay to listen to the boys choir but they were not singing our day). Albert provided wine, cheese and crackers at the end which is a nice touch. Highly recommend this tour!

Definitely choose this tour if you want to experience the best of Montserrat - This tour with Albert is the best way to experience Montserrat. We had a wonderful morning enjoying a variety of activities. We had plenty of time to see everything including the Black Madonna, the monks singing, the museum, the funicular and views from various points. We unfortunately didn't get to see the boys choir because they were away on tour but Albert let us know this in advance. Albert was a helpful and considerate guide who provided excellent communication both before and during the tour. We couldn't speak highly enough of the way the tour was planned and executed.

A fantastic day in Monsteratt - It was an amazing day with Albert. We left early in the morning but well worth it. We were able to hear the monks sing and later the boys choir. Albert was very clear with instructions, great views and other suggested activities like the museum, funicular. Even with a thunderstorm Albert was able to provide wine, cheese and biscuits at the end. Loved every minute.

Great day perfect timing to go early. - So great to there so early in the morning before the bus loads of tourists. I was confused at first but it all worked out perfectly and very organised. A wine and cheese at the end was a bonus. Very well worth it to beat the crowds. Finicular is a must.

Wonderful magical trip that was very well organized - Montserrat was amazing and the trip was perfect. We arrived early brother very large crowds and it was magical to have this space to ourselves. The Black Madonna was so special and we were able to see it without crowds or any feeling of being rushed. The hike to the top of Magdalena Peak was breathtaking. Then to top it all off was listening to the boys choir. We would definitely do it all again. Very well organized and we didn’t have to worry about anything.

You have to go in the morning. - Albert was excellent at communicating with us from the time to booking until pickup. The morning started a bit late with some customers before us being tardy….folks plain and simple be on time for your pickup. Once we got going it was a nice drive up to the mountain. The sun rise on the mountain is amazing as you approach. The highlight of course was our early arrival. Picture being at the Basilica pretty much by yourself. That is the draw of this tour. A listen to the monks morning service and then straight to the Black Madonna no line first ones in and plenty of time to admire the beautiful relic and the back areas of the chapel without the mass of people that were soon to come. Then it was on to the short video then up local area around the funicular waiting for it to open. At 10am up we went. It was fun to be high above the monastery and watch the masses come in. By 1100 the place was packed and it was supposedly a light day. Since we had to be back down by 1300 to see the boys choir we did a couple of 30 minute hikes in each direction went on the down car and hiked quickly to the cave and back (1 hour round trip). The boys choir was amazing and then it was time for wine at Monserrat and then back to Barcelona. Albert was a great guide with a lot of knowledge and guided when he needed to but if you wanted to roam we could do that also.

It was a great once in a lifetime visit. - We really enjoyed hiking to the top of the mountain after riding the funicular to the upper most drop off. The ruins and trail, along with the hermitage were very interesting! The pastries at the supermarket were delicious! The painting of Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with the young Jesus Christ is beautiful!!! It’s in a side chapel.

Experiencing Montserrat in the early morning is the best - The best thing about this tour is that we were picked up right in front of our condo, and that we were able to get in to Montserrat before the other tourists. The place is really so different when you have very few people walking around. It felt more holy and peaceful, almost mystical. Albert as a tour guide is so-so because he has difficulty speaking the English language. He was very nice though. He got us to and from Montserrat safely, which I appreciated because the road winding up a mountain was a bit stressful. He got me and my husband tickets for the mass, which had initially run out of tickets, which I appreciated. He also gave a nice little picnic of wine and some cookies after the tour, and he also gave us some religious souvenirs. He is very nice, but it would be beneficial if he could give more information to tourists. All in all, this trip was worth it, and I would recommend it to other people visiting Montserrat.