Montserrat Boys' Choir 2026: Free Performance & Booking Guide

Montserrat Boys' Choir Performance

After Attending Sunday Mass & Enjoying a Free Performance

When you're exploring Barcelona, Montserrat is an absolute must-do day trip.

Beyond the breathtaking mountain scenery, the monastery is renowned for its Black Madonna statue and, of course, the incredible Boys' Choir.

I visited Montserrat on a Sunday recently and was fortunate enough to hear their angelic voices for free. Let me share all the details on how you can too!

1. The Montserrat Monastery Boys' Choir

📌 Key Information

The Escolania, Montserrat Monastery's Boys' Choir, is celebrated as one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious boys' choirs.

Considering the time and cost to get to Montserrat, it's a shame to just see the scenery and leave. If your schedule allows, catching a choir performance makes the trip so much more rewarding!

2. Choir Performance: Paid or Free?

There are essentially two main ways to experience Montserrat's Escolania:

1. Purchase a choir ticket to attend a performance on a weekday (paid).

2. Reserve a spot for Sunday morning Mass and hear the choir perform during the service (free).

📌 Comparing Your Viewing Options

I opted for a Montserrat tour on a Sunday, which aligns with the last option in the table.

This meant I didn't need to purchase a separate choir ticket; instead, I pre-booked my spot for the Sunday Mass at the basilica.

3. Montserrat Ticket Types and Reservation Prices

Tickets related to Montserrat Monastery, the Black Madonna, and the Boys' Choir can be purchased through the official booking website.

Booking online is usually about ~$1 cheaper than buying on-site, so it's always a good idea to reserve in advance.

▼ Official Ticket Booking Website ▼

Montserrat: Integrated Ticket Sales Managementtickets.montserratvisita.com

Keep in mind that ticket prices can fluctuate seasonally, so always double-check the official website before finalizing your reservation.

The three main ticket types tourists typically compare are:

If you plan to see both the Black Madonna and the choir, the ~$17 ticket is likely the most cost-effective option.

However, note that viewing the Black Madonna with this ticket is only possible after 3:30 PM, so be sure to factor that into your itinerary.

Many Montserrat tours departing from Barcelona city center on weekdays include basilica admission, and depending on the tour schedule, you might also get to see the Boys' Choir performance.

Since options vary by tour operator, I recommend carefully reviewing them to choose what suits you best.

🔎 Tours with Private Options

🔎 Other Montserrat Half-Day Tours

4. How to See the Escolania for Free with Sunday Mass

On Sundays, you can hear the choir by participating in the Montserrat Basilica Mass.

They sing at various points throughout the service and perform a final hymn as it concludes.

To attend the Sunday performance, you *must* pre-book your spot for Mass.

▼ Reserve Your Mass Spot Here ▼

Abadia de Montserrat: Integrated Ticket Sales Managementreserves.abadiamontserrat.cat

When I made my reservation, dates typically opened up about a month in advance.

During peak seasons, seats can fill up quickly, so I highly recommend checking the booking window as soon as your travel dates are firm.

When you access the website, it might initially display in Catalan. Simply switch the language setting to English in the top right corner, and the process is straightforward.

Here's the reservation process I followed:

After entering your details and clicking 'Continue,' you'll be prompted to enter your personal information.

Be sure to double-check your chosen date, as both Saturday and Sunday Masses might be listed to avoid selecting the wrong one.

Once your reservation is complete, you'll receive a confirmation and ticket via email. You can save the file to your phone or take a screenshot to show upon entry.

I also received a reminder email a few days before my reserved date.

Important Tips Before Mass & My Experience

If you've reserved for Sunday Mass, it's a good idea to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time.

Entry is not permitted once Mass has begun. So, trying to sneak in just for the choir's final performance isn't an option.

Remember, Mass is a genuine religious ceremony for local worshippers, not simply a performance for tourists.

Therefore, you'll need to attend the entire service, which lasts approximately 1 hour from 11 AM, before the choir's performance concludes.

My husband and I aren't religious, so attending a Catholic Mass was a completely new experience for us. We had no idea what to expect or the order of service.

Still, we respectfully participated, standing when others stood, and exchanging smiles and greetings during the 'peace be with you' segment.

It was certainly a unique cultural immersion, and admittedly, my attention wavered a bit in the middle. However, hearing the Escolania's voices amidst the local congregation truly made it a memorable and enriching experience.

💡 Final Summary

• The Montserrat Escolania is one of Europe's oldest and most traditional boys' choirs

• You can see them with a choir ticket on weekdays or by reserving for Sunday Mass

• Sunday Mass is free, but you must attend the entire service

• If you plan to see both the Black Madonna and the choir, double-check reservation times

• You can still catch a choir performance even on a day trip tour

Even though I'm not religious and it was my first Mass, the Boys' Choir's voices resonating within the basilica were a truly unforgettable moment of my Montserrat trip.

On my Sunday tour, I specifically booked only for the Boys' Choir, without adding basilica admission or the Black Madonna, and I was quite satisfied.

I noticed other people in my group opted to add tickets for the basilica and Black Madonna, moving with the guide.

With so many options, you can consider your preferences and goals to choose the best way to experience Montserrat.

Wishing you all a fantastic trip to Barcelona!