My Guide to the Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona (2025)

Okay, so you’re in Barcelona, and it’s amazing, right? But then you see these flyers for trips outside the city. Honestly, the one that bundles Montserrat, Girona, and the Costa Brava into a single day sounds almost too good to be true. I mean, can you really see three totally different, totally incredible places in just twelve hours without feeling like you are being herded around? Well, I had to find out for myself. This whole idea seemed like a massive undertaking, but at the end of the day, the curiosity got the better of me. Basically, I booked the 2025 version of this popular tour to give you the real story on what it’s actually like. You know, what they don’t always put in the glossy brochures. This trip, in a way, is a sample of what Catalonia has to offer beyond its famous capital. It is just a whirlwind tour that is for sure.

Morning Majesty: First Stop, Montserrat Mountain

So, the day definitely starts on the early side, which you kind of expect. We met up, and as a matter of fact, the bus was comfortable enough for the hour-or-so ride out of the city. The main event, of course, is watching the landscape change. It’s really something to see the suburbs give way to the countryside and then, boom, there it is. The mountain of Montserrat seemingly appears out of nowhere, with these weird, finger-like rock formations that look like they were carved by a giant. Honestly, it doesn’t look real at first. It’s almost like something from a movie set. The guide, who, frankly, knew a lot of little details, was explaining how the mountain got its name, “sawed mountain,” and you can really see why. It is just such a unique geological feature, you know?

Once we got up there, the air was a little cooler, which was a nice change. The main point of interest, naturally, is the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. It’s this beautiful old monastery sort of built right into the side of the cliff. It’s a very peaceful spot, or at least it feels that way before all the tour groups arrive. We had some free time, so I made a point to go see the famous Black Madonna, or ‘La Moreneta’ as the locals call her. There was a bit of a line, but it moved pretty quickly. She is a very small statue, yet she has this incredible presence about her. People from all over the world come to see her, which is kind of amazing. I also timed it so I could hear the L’Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe. To be honest, hearing their voices in that old basilica gave me chills. It’s one of those sounds that sticks with you, you know?

A Walk Through Time in Medieval Girona

Anyway, after the mountain-top experience, it was back on the bus for the trip to Girona. This part of the day feels like a complete change of pace, in a good way. You go from this very spiritual, natural place to a completely charming and historic city. The guide gave us a quick walking tour to get our bearings, which was pretty helpful. We walked through the old Jewish Quarter, which is apparently one of the best preserved in the world. The streets are just a maze of narrow, cobblestoned lanes, and it feels like you’ve seriously stepped back a few centuries. It’s all very atmospheric. You could almost feel the history in the stones under your feet.

Of course, a lot of people know Girona now as a filming location for ‘Game of Thrones’. As I was saying, our guide pointed out a few spots, like the steps of the Girona Cathedral, and it was sort of neat to see them in real life. But honestly, the city has so much more going for it than just that. My favorite part, really, was just walking along the old city walls. You get these incredible views over the red-tiled roofs of the city. Then there are the houses painted in bright ochres and reds hanging over the Onyar River. They are seriously some of the most photogenic buildings you’ll ever see. I grabbed a coffee at a small café in Plaça de la Independència and just soaked it all in for a bit. It’s a very walkable city, and it just has a great, laid-back vibe about it.

What’s the Food Situation Like on this Tour?

Alright, so this is a really practical point to think about on a long day trip like this one. Basically, you’re on your own for lunch, which can be either a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. You pretty much have your main break in Girona, which honestly has a ton of options. You could, for instance, grab a ‘menu del día’, which is a set lunch menu that a lot of restaurants offer on weekdays. They’re usually a great value. Or, you could do what some people on our tour did and just grab a sandwich, or ‘bocadillo’, to save time for more exploring. To be honest, I decided to just find a little bakery and got a few pastries and a drink.

Some people on the tour, however, had come prepared with their own packed lunches, which is a pretty smart idea if you want to save a bit of money or have specific dietary needs. You can just find a nice bench on the city walls or by the river and have your meal there. It’s just about planning ahead a little. I wouldn’t recommend waiting until you get to the Costa Brava stop, because by then it’s late afternoon. Your time there is more limited and you’ll probably want to spend it walking around, not trying to find a restaurant that is serving a late lunch. So, Girona is definitely your best bet for a proper meal break. It’s pretty much the logical halfway point of the entire day’s activities.

The Grand Finale: Sun and Sea on the Costa Brava

Finally, the last stop of the day is the much-anticipated Costa Brava. You know, that famous ‘wild coast’. After a day of mountains and medieval cities, it’s just the perfect way to wrap things up. We drove to a town called Calella de Palafrugell, which is basically the picture-postcard version of a Spanish fishing village. Think whitewashed houses, blue shutters, and little wooden fishing boats pulled up on the sand. Seriously, it’s that pretty. The moment you step off the bus, you can smell the salt in the air. It’s incredibly refreshing after a long day of travel.

Our time here was more or less about just enjoying the scenery. The guide pointed out a coastal path, the ‘Camino de Ronda’, and a small group of us went for a little walk along the cliffs. You get these just stunning views of the little coves, or ‘calas’, with their incredibly clear, turquoise water. I have to say, it was very tempting to just jump in. A few people from our group actually did roll up their trousers and wade into the Mediterranean. For me, it was enough to just find a spot on the beach, take my shoes off, and relax for a bit. It’s a very laid-back, calming kind of place. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the grand scale of Montserrat and the historical density of Girona. You sort of feel your shoulders drop a little when you get there.

Is This All-in-One Day Trip Really for You?

So, here’s the thing. This tour is, in a way, a marathon. It is definitely not a leisurely stroll. You cover a huge amount of ground and see three distinctively different parts of Catalonia, which is honestly its biggest selling point. If you’re in Barcelona for a short time and want to see as much as you possibly can, then this is an absolutely fantastic option. The logistics are all handled, you don’t have to worry about train schedules or driving, and you get a decent overview of each location from a guide. It is extremely efficient. There is literally no way you could do this on your own in a single day using public transport. You just couldn’t.

On the other hand, if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to linger, to spend hours in a single museum, or to have a long, three-course lunch, this trip might feel a bit rushed for you. The schedule is pretty tight, and your time at each stop is limited. At Montserrat, for example, you have to choose between, say, spending a lot of time in the basilica or taking the funicular higher up the mountain for views. You probably can’t do both. It’s a trade-off. It’s a tasting menu of Catalonia, not an all-you-can-eat buffet. You get a little bit of everything, but not a full helping of anything.

As a matter of fact, the best way to think about this tour is as a sampler. It’s a fantastic way to discover which of these places you might want to come back to and explore more deeply on a future trip.

A Few Practical Tips to Make Your Day Smoother

Okay, so if you do decide to go for it, here are a few little things that I think will make your day just a bit better. This is the kind of stuff I wish someone had told me before I went. It just helps manage expectations and your own comfort level throughout a very, very long day of sightseeing.

• Wear super comfortable shoes: Honestly, this is the most important tip. You will be doing a lot of walking on different surfaces, from mountain paths to cobblestone streets, so good shoes are a must. Your feet will definitely thank you at the end of the day.
• Bring layers of clothing: The weather at the top of Montserrat in the morning can be a lot cooler than in Girona or down by the coast in the afternoon. So, having a light jacket or a sweater that you can take on and off is a really good idea.
• Pack water and snacks: Seriously, just do it. It is a long day and you’ll be on a bus for a good portion of it. Having your own water bottle and some nuts or a cereal bar can be a real lifesaver between stops, especially if you get hungry.
• Manage your battery life: You will be taking a ton of photos, obviously. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged before you leave in the morning. I’d even suggest bringing a portable power bank, you know, just in case.
• Listen to the guide’s time cues: This seems basic, but it’s pretty important on a trip with a tight schedule like this. The guides are really good about telling you exactly when and where to meet, so just pay attention to that to keep the day running smoothly for everyone.

Read our full review: [Montserrat Girona Costa Brava Day Trip Full Review and Details]

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