Montserrat mountain is one of the cultural, spiritual and religious symbols of Catalonia – a place where people go to see the shrine of the Black Madonna and the children of the choir singing the Virolai hymn. But Montserrat is also a natural park with its own personality: provided by the dozens of rounded needles that characterise its line of summits.

Very close to Barcelona, you have all kinds of opportunities to get away and discover in a morning or a day places you did not know and that you can visit either by public or private transport or by bicycle.

If you have a curious mind and are looking for a family-friendly activity, then plan a day trip to the colònies tèxtils (textile model villages) of the regions of Barcelona. Built between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, they’re still full of working machines, fabrics you’re allowed to touch and plenty of amazing stories. Ready to journey into the past?