Sant Joan Funicular & Santa Cova Funicular
The Funiculars of Montserrat
There are two funiculars at Montserrat: the Sant Joan Funicular and the Santa Cova Funicular.
In addition, the Montserrat Rack Railway is sometimes called the Montserrat Funicular.
While the Montserrat Funicular, the Cremallera, takes you from the bottom of Montserrat Mountain to Montserrat Monastery, the Sant Joan Funicular and the Santa Cova Funicular take you from the monastery to specific places at the top of Montserrat Mountain.
Planning a trip to the historic mountaintop abbey? Bookmark our Montserrat Monastery website for the complete rundown on visiting Montserrat!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Barcelona, check out the some of the top day trips from Barcelona, which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Fleshing out your Barcelona itinerary? Browse our round-up of the top 10 things to do in Barcelona — iconic attractions and activities you just can’t miss on your first visit to this vibrant city, from La Sagrada Familia to Montjuic.
Sant Joan Funicular vs Santa Cova Funicular
| Category | Sant Joan Funicular | Santa Cova Funicular |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Montserrat Monastery → Sant Joan Viewpoint | Montserrat Monastery → Santa Cova Cave |
| Elevation Change | +248 m (813 ft) to ~1,000 m above sea level | –118 m (–387 ft) descent |
| Line Length | 503 m (1,650 ft) | 262 m (860 ft) |
| Travel Time | ~6 minutes each way | ~2.5 minutes each way |
| Operating Hours | ~10:00 AM–6:00 PM daily; seasonal schedule applies | ~10:00 AM–6:00 PM daily; seasonal schedule applies |
| Current Ticket Price | Adult €3.90 (one‑way); Child (4–13) €1.95; Senior €3.50 | Same fares as Sant Joan; purchase at lower station, valid for one‑way or return |
Pro Tip: Combine Sant Joan up and Santa Cova down for a loop that highlights both panoramas and pilgrimage sites—just one ticket covers both on the same day 🚠
The Sant Joan Funicular at Montserrat
Want to travel further up Montserrat Mountain from the Montserrat Monastery?
The Sant Joan Funicular is a must-ride for visitors looking to explore walking trails and viewpoints higher up the mountain.
⛰️ Explore the majestic Montserrat Monastery and witness the revered Black Madonna. This premium small-group tour offers an intimate experience of this spiritual site. Check price and availability now!
When you alight at the upper station of the Funicular de Sant Joan, be prepared to be awe-struck by the spectacular views that greet you.
From the viewpoint here, the Mirador de Saint Joan, you can look down over all of Montserrat Monastery as well as the other side of Montserrat Mountain.
If you visit on a clear day, pretty much all of Catalonia lies below you and you can see the Pyrenees.
There is also a small nature museum to browse at the top. Exhibits describe the flora and fauna in Montserrat Natural Park, as well as the geology and climate.
🏰 Experience Montserrat’s beauty via cogwheel train, followed by a gourmet wine tasting and tapas or lunch. A blend of natural splendor and gastronomic delight. Check price and availability now!
While the views alone are worth the ride on the Sant Joan Funicular, walking and hiking enthusiasts can explore Montserrat Natural Park further at the top.
Several walks begin by the funicular upper station and are well sign-posted.
Experienced hikers can walk right up to the top of Montserrat Mountain on a challenging hike via Sant Jeroni.
There is also a much less challenging hike here that offers views over the Llobregat River and Valley.
You can buy tickets for the funicular at the ticket office at the lower station of the Sant Joan Funicular, for either the round trip or just one way (some people like to walk back down).
Combination tickets with the Montserrat Rack Railway or individual funicular tickets are available online here.
The Sant Joan Funicular takes seven minutes each way. Schedules vary based on busy times and less busy times, usually starting at 10 a.m. and running up to 5 p.m. or beyond to 6.30 p.m.
🍷 Combine a visit to Montserrat with a delightful tasting of local wines and tapas. Experience Catalonia’s cultural and culinary heritage. Check price and availability now!
The Santa Cova Funicular at Montserrat
The Santa Cova Funicular runs between Montserrat Monastery and a point slightly down the mountain from where you can walk to the Santa Cova Cave Chapel.
The Santa Cova walk is a very popular walk at Montserrat, and many people walk down and return via the funicular to avoid the steep uphill climb back.
🏰 Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket! Bypass the queues and delve into Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece with an expert guide. Experience the intricate details and profound symbolism of this iconic basilica. Check price and availability now!
Santa Cova is significant because this is where the vision of the Virgin Mary (Mare de Deu de Montserrat) appeared to shepherds in the year 880.
Since then, the Santa Cova site has been deemed sacred and has been a place of pilgrimage over the centuries. Today, you can visit the grotto and the chapel when you visit Montserrat Monastery.
You can choose to walk down to the cave and the chapel and back up for a strenuous hike, or take the funicular back up, or the funicular both ways.
At the lower station of the Santa Cova Funicular, you can browse exhibits about the cave and chapel as well as get some information about the funicular.
🍷 Dive into Barcelona’s culinary scene with this authentic tapas tour. Savor traditional dishes and local wines while exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Check price and availability now!
You can buy tickets for the funicular at the ticket office at the upper or lower station of the Santa Cova Funicular, for either the round trip or just one way (some people like to walk down).
Combination tickets with the Montserrat Rack Railway or individual funicular tickets are available online here.
Schedules vary based on busy times and less busy times, usually starting at 10 a.m. and running up to 4.30 p.m. or beyond to 5.30 p.m.
Top-Rated Montserrat Tours from Barcelona
<