12 Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Spain Worth Booking

1.Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,290 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $81Our pick

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by air-conditioned bus and cogwheel train, tour the Basilica with an English-speaking guide, then choose wine and tapas or a full lunch at a centuries-old winery. Guides such as Thais, Toni, Mariana, and Lesly are praised for clear explanations and warm humor.

“The tour and our tour guide Vince was absolutely amazing and super knowledgeable!! Beautiful experience!”

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2.Montserrat, Black Madonna, Rack Railway & Liquors

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 679 reviews · 5 hours · from $28Best value

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by comfortable coach and scenic rack railway. Depending on your option, your English or Spanish guide leads you into the basilica, the Throne of the Virgin, audiovisual rooms, and a monk-made liqueur tasting. Guides have included Laura, Blanca, Enrique, and Anna.

“A gentle, slow-paced tour. Perfect for anyone looking for something more reflective than fast-paced sightseeing.”

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3.Montserrat by Train, Cable Car and Cogwheel

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 471 reviews · 55 minutes - 6.5 hours · from $34

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by electric train, ascend by cable car, and return by cogwheel railway. Your English-speaking guide, often Marcelo or Monica, leads a small group through the monastery, Basilica, and Black Madonna visit, with about 1.5 hours to explore on your own.

“Monica deserves more than a five star rating. She instantly became our friend well before the tour started by leaving feedback and instructions which was very helpful. She was prompt with everything and looked after us like we were her brothers and sisters or her family. In fact, if we lived in Barcelona, we would definitely be friends with her. She’s such a great person, very knowledgable and made the whole day more than we expected. We hated to see it end. She is one very special person that made our trip very extra special. Above and beyond!”

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4.Montserrat Tour by Train with Cable Car and Cogwheel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 254 reviews · 6 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by electric train, mountain railway, and cable car with a small English-speaking group. Guides Monica and Marcelo lead the visit, explain the monastery’s story, and leave about 2.5 hours for viewpoints, walks, local foods, and the basilica.

“This tour to Montserrat was outstanding. Our tour guide Marcelo was at our meeting point early, and was extremely friendly. He was able to point out a place to grab a quick coffee before we left. Through out our journey, Marcelo was extremely knowledgeable and gave us a historical tour of the Basílica and provided free time to explorer on our own. Marcelo is a good conversationalist, and spent time equally with all guests. He also bought us sweets during our trip. Upon our return to Barcelona, Marcelo recommended a local restaurant that specializes in local food. The entire day was outstanding, and Marcelo was the most professional and thoughtful…”

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5.Semi-Private Montserrat Monastery, Funicular & Scenic Nature Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $89

Join a maximum of eight people for a six-hour escape from Barcelona to Montserrat. Guides such as Jordi, Frank, Juan, and Jesus lead you through the basilica, up the Sant Joan Funicular, and along a mostly downhill nature walk with mountain views.

“Beautiful scenery with history from our guide Frank. Frank was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. Tram up and a downhill walk back to monastery.”

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6.Bulnes: Excursion with funicular and Cabrales cheese cave in the Picos de Europa

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $81

You’ll ride the underground funicular to road-free Bulnes, view Picu Urriellu, and visit a Cabrales cheese cave in Arenas. An English or Spanish guide leads the day. Santiago has earned praise for clear communication, though the cheese visit may use Spanish with an iPad translation.

“It was well planned and the communication was excellent”

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7.Bilbao Tour + Artxanda Funicular in Spanish

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $28

Meet your Spanish-speaking guide at Bilbao Funicular Station for a small-group ride to Artxanda, about 200 meters above the city. In roughly two hours, take in the Guggenheim, Iberdrola Tower, San Mamés Stadium, and Casco Viejo before ending near Plaza Nueva.

“Es la primera vez que visito Bilbao y no será la última. Me ha encantado la guía Edurne, ha hecho muy ameno el recorrido y se nota que le apasiona la historia de su ciudad. Excelente experiencia.”

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8.Montserrat Tour with Cogwheel Train, Monastery & Black Madonna

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 5 hours to 6 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Travel from Barcelona by air-conditioned coach, ride the Cremallera cogwheel train, visit Montserrat Abbey and the Black Madonna, taste four local liquors, and explore on your own. Guides such as Anna, Miriana, and Valeria have led especially strong tours.

“What an incredible tour, such interesting history, more than 1000 years! Our tour guide Miriana was so knowledgeable about the history and shared many stories and legends during the tour. It was a great experience!”

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9.Montserrat Day Trip from Barcelona with Cogwheel Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $163

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat on a shared tour capped at 20 people. Visit the Basilica and Black Madonna, learn the local legends, see an audiovisual exhibition, taste four liqueurs, and enjoy free time around the monastery. The tour lasts about six hours.

“It was wonderful … What an amazing place!!! Just be sure you allow lots of time there .. as it has so much to see and do!”

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10.Full-day Montserrat Private Tour by Train + Cable car and/or Rack Railway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $660

Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat with a private English-speaking guide, riding the cable car up and rack railway down. Visit the monastery, see the Black Madonna, try for the boys’ choir, and choose between a hike, museum, meal, or funicular ride.

“Excellent 👌 many history and legends, everything was very good, the virgin Brunette is beautiful 💖 we hope to return.Auto-translated”

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11.Pyrenees Private Tour from Barcelona with Easy Hike & Cogwheel Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $462

Leave Barcelona at 8 a.m. in a private air-conditioned minivan with a local guide such as Ferran, ride the Cremallera de Núria into the mountains, hike near the sanctuary, and visit a well-preserved medieval village. The day lasts about 10 hours and includes transport, train tickets, water, park fees, and hotel pickup.

“I cannot stress what an absolutely wonderful time we had on this day trip. it was jaw droppingly stunning but really it was the tour company Mont Escape Tours that made this trip so fantastic. Our driver and tour guide, Ferran was WONDERFUL. He was very knowledgeable and showed us so many sites in and around the Pyrenees. 7 STAR EXPERIENCE!!!”

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12.Excursion to Picos de Europa : Bulnes, funicular and cheese Cabrales

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $83

Travel from Gijón into the Picos de Europa with local guide Santiago or another Buendía guide. Visit Bulnes, ride the return funicular, view Naranjo de Bulnes, pass through the Cares Gorge, and tour a Cabrales cheese cave with cider tasting.

“The trip was very well organized and executed. From the pick up, to the destinations, and the return- it was all very well done. Santiago, the tour guide, made sure everyone was accounted for and was very responsible and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this for solo travelers who want to get to the Picos and don’t want to drive or figure out transport. The cheese tour was good too- a good way to unwind from the excitement of the Picos de Europa.”

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