The most sacred spot in Catalunya, Montserrat towers in the mountains 1 hour away from Barcelona. It offers both a mountain top Benedictine monastery (Montserrat) nestled in the jagged mountainside and hikes through a unique and impressive terrain of rocky peaks. It’s been the most important pilgrimage site in this part of Spain for over a thousand years. There are 2 ways to get up to Montserrat: park and take a cable car or park and take a funicular. Of note, the monastery (bascilica) is very ornate and modern and feels a little out of place in the history and scenery – though a church on the site has been in use since the 11th century. Pop into it, famous for it’s Black Virgin, take a hike on one of the many beautiful and well marked paths, and if you have extra time listen to the world’s oldest boy choir perform.