Montserrat

I write this blog to share what actually happened during our day trip to Montserrat. It is a simple story about how we, a family of 3 (including our 5-year-old), managed the heat and enjoyed this trip.

Our hotel was in Barcelona City, and we wanted to visit Montserrat, which is about 60 kilometers away. My wife was eager to visit this place, and so was I, but I was telling her we should visit less crowded places. She told me that the crowd could be lower than in Barcelona City, and convinced me to plan. We had reserved the entry ticket for the Black Madonna beforehand online—I guess I used GetYourGuide to do that.

Because of the heat, we had planned to take a rental car and not public transport or a taxi. I am not sure which one is cheaper, but we started taking rental cars during our trips because it gives us flexibility while traveling with a kid. He can sleep whenever he wants, and it also opens up opportunities to visit places which we might not be able to visit otherwise if we are traveling via public transport. Also, with a car, it is easy on my shoulders because I don't have to carry everything in my backpack. My wife likes to carry less on her, but with a kid, someone should carry those things, and I like to carry a camera with me, so obviously the heavy stuff is mine, and I take the responsibility to carry those things. So a car is easier because you can leave some things in the car. When we usually visit a city, we prefer public transport because it is difficult to find parking, and cities are mostly well-connected with public transport. This time since we were staying in Barcelona City, We deiced to rent a car only for two days, when we will visit places outside the City.

Instead of picking up our rental car in the city, we took a direct train to the airport because our rental company, Thrifty, was based there. These airport trains have special "R2 Nord" numbering and run very frequently, usually every 30 minutes, making the trip super easy.

Just as we were about to reach the airport, I realized that in all the rush to catch the train, I had left my camera in the room. I still had the extra lens and batteries in my bag, but not the camera. Thankfully, I had a power bank with me. Since we were renting a car, I knew I could charge my phone on the road, which was a relief because we needed it for navigation.

Actually, I asked Anjana if we could go back to the room, but Barcelona traffic is no joke. Returning would have added at least 1.5 hours to our drive. I was worried about not having my camera for photos, but I thought today was the day to make the best use of my iPhone and test myself. My iPhone had three lenses and could shoot in RAW, so I decided to trust it and test what it could do.

The biggest reason we couldn't turn back was timing. The Montserrat Cable Car runs on a strict schedule, but the schedule timings and duration of the cable car travel were not clear to us. Furthermore, we had timed tickets to see the famous Black Madonna that we simply couldn't miss.

When we arrived at the airport, we walked to Terminal 2 and picked up our car. We had brought our own child car seat earlier that week to save on rental fees for a car seat. The car turned out to be a relatively new Ford. It was my first time driving one, and I really enjoyed the great music system and how stable it felt on the road.

The Drive - Shot on Iphone

The drive went smoothly, and we reached the mountain parking area right on time. We were lucky to find a free spot without any crowds. We bought our tickets at the cable car office, grabbed a quick snack from a nearby kiosk, and waited in queue. The cable car schedule lines up perfectly with the incoming trains, so the connection can be used by someone who might come by train. The ride up offered incredible views, though it was a scorching day with temperatures climbing over 35°C. I guess it took around 5 to 10 minutes to reach the stop where the cathedral and other places are present.

Joe in Parking - Shot on Iphone

We wanted to ride the funicular railway while at the top, but we missed it, and it ended up closing for the day.

We made it to the top just 5 to 10 minutes before our scheduled entry for the Black Madonna. The statue sits inside a specific area of the chapel with limited, timed entry to keep crowds manageable. After a quick search to find the right entrance and asking a few people, we stepped inside. The interior was such a comfort after the intense heat outside. The whole place inside had fascinating architecture and light. Once you enter the cathedral, it is dimly lit, but the frosted painted glass was so unique.

Cable Car Logo - Shot on Iphone

The queue, which had only about 15 people, took us to the entry to see the much-awaited Black Madonna. For me, seeing the statue up close didn't feel divine, but the feel of the place with the organ playing in the background felt really personal. For anyone like me who likes taking photos and/or videos, please note that flash photography isn't allowed, but the surrounding paintings and sculptures were stunning. The statue gets its name from the dark color of the wood, which turned black over centuries due to candle smoke and chemical reactions in the varnish. After the main viewing, we went into the main chapel to pray quietly (no photography is allowed here). You can actually view the Black Madonna from both the private walkway in a small chapel and the main chapel floor, and photography is allowed in the main chapel area. When I say photography, I mean discreet, random shots—not walking everywhere taking photos while waving your phone or camera around. I take photos only when I feel like taking them, rather than documenting stuff throughout the visit.

Beautiful Tainted Glass Windows - Shot on Iphone

After coming out, we explored the rest of the site. Since we were hungry, we went to the only restaurant there. It was a beautiful one, and the food was delicious. Also, they had an air cooler inside, which made it so comfortable; it was actually a real surprise for us. Our kid also enjoyed the Black Paella and finished with an ice cream.

Fruit Salad, the Dessert - Shot on Iphone

There are some nice outdoor seating areas and clean restrooms, plus a small play area for kids too (though it was a bit too hot to enjoy for long).

Joe during the train ride - Shot on Iphone

There is an amazing art collection museum for anyone who likes art, but if you visit with kids, be careful. Also, backpacks must be worn on your front to protect the artwork. Inside, there is also a souvenir shop that has books. We have a habit of buying souvenirs from places we visit.

A Photo from the Museum - Shot on Iphone

I bought a souvenir book from the shop. My wife always complains when I buy heavy books on trips, but I couldn't resist! Joe also wanted to buy everything in sight, but a simple lollipop saved the day and kept him happy.

Despite forgetting my camera and enduring the heat, it turned out to be an unforgettable trip.