Montserrat Day Trip with Hot-Air Balloon, Barcelona

Your full-day adventure starts with an early-morning pick-up in Barcelona, followed by a 40-minute drive north to the takeoff zone. Here, you'll watch your crew inflate the hot-air balloon and prepare to take flight as dawn approaches. As you rise into the clouds, your pilot will point out the distinctive natural features of Serra de Montserrat Natural Park, whose needle-like mountains were formed by eroded sandstone, and the lush vineyards of Pla de Bages, a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for Catalan wines. 

After a little over an hour, you'll float back down to earth and join your small group for a Champagne toast. Then, it's time to switch to a 4WD vehicle and set off for Monistrol de Montserrat, a secluded sanctuary home to an 11th-century monastery and important pilgrimage site. Sitting atop the mountain at 4,055 feet (1,266 m), the views from the monastery are unbeatable, and you'll have plenty of time to take photos as you ride the scenic cable car to its summit.

Follow your guide through the site as you learn about its history and importance to Catalan culture, and step inside the 16th-century basilica to see the famous statue of the "Virgin of Montserrat" (or the "Black Madonna") hanging from the altar (though it's not on permanent display). If available, you'll also get a chance to learn more about the town's rich musical history as you stop to hear the boys' choir singing their famous Escolanía de Montserrat.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own; you could ride the funicular to Santa Cova, a religious shrine also known as the "Holy Grotto," or visit the Museum of Montserrat, which features archaeological items and paintings by famous artists like Caravaggio, Dalí, and Picasso. Other ways to pass the time include checking out the farmers market or grabbing a leisurely lunch in a local restaurant. Your day trip wraps up with a transfer back to Barcelona, where you'll say your goodbyes at the drop-off point.