Sant Joan Montserrat is one of the best areas of the mountain for visitors who want panoramic views, short walks and small trekking routes above Montserrat Monastery. The area can be reached on foot from the monastery, but the easiest option for most visitors is to take the Funicular Sant Joan from the lower station next to the monastery to the upper station.
From the Funicular Sant Joan upper station, several viewpoints and walking routes begin. Some are extremely easy and require almost no effort, while others feel much more like proper Montserrat mountain routes, with steeper paths, exposed sections or short scrambles.
This guide lists the main viewpoints in the Sant Joan Montserrat area in order of difficulty, from the easiest lookout at the funicular station to the most exposed viewpoint in this selection.
Quick answer: for most visitors, the easiest way to explore the Sant Joan area is to take the Funicular Sant Joan from Montserrat Monastery, start with the viewpoints near the upper station, and only continue towards the more demanding routes if you have enough time, good weather and suitable footwear.
Sant Joan Montserrat viewpoints by difficulty
These are the main Sant Joan viewpoints listed from the easiest to the most demanding:
- Viewpoint Funicular Sant Joan – Aula de la Natura Exhibition 🚶♂️
- Viewpoint Upper area of Pla de les Taràntules 🚶♂️🚶♂️
- Viewpoint Mirador de Sant Joan 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
- Viewpoint Mirador d’Icona / Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
- Viewpoint Miranda de Santa Magdalena 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
- Viewpoint Mirador de Sant Jaume 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ 🚶♂️⚠️
They are shown on the Montserrat map and listed here in order of difficulty, from the easiest viewpoint next to the funicular station to the most demanding and exposed mountain option. Check the viewpoints on the Montserrat map before your visit, using the upper station of the Sant Joan Funicular as your main reference point in this area.
Sant Joan Montserrat viewpoints: quick comparison
The table below compares the main viewpoints in the Sant Joan Montserrat area. Use it to decide how far you want to walk from the Funicular Sant Joan upper station and which viewpoint best matches your time, fitness and mountain experience.
| Viewpoint | Difficulty | Access | Best for | Main views |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funicular Sant Joan – Aula de la Natura | 🚶♂️ Very easy | Upper funicular station | Quick views, families, first-time visitors | Tebaida area and the mountain zone in front of the station |
| Pla de les Taràntules Superior | 🚶♂️🚶♂️ Easy | Short walk from the upper station | Tourists who want better views with little effort | Tebaida, La Trompa de l’Elefant, La Mòmia, La Prenyada and La Trumfa |
| Mirador de Sant Joan | 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ Moderate | Small trekking route via Camí de Sant Joan | Walkers wanting a stronger mountain feeling | Tebes area, Les Tisores area and upper Montserrat landscape |
| Mirador del Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni | 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ Longer walk | On the route towards Sant Jeroni | Visitors walking farther into the mountain | Gorra Frígia and the Tebaida area |
| Miranda de Santa Magdalena | 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ Demanding | Hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre area | Hikers and mountain lovers | Wide views over the Montserrat massif from around 1,132 m |
| Mirador de Sant Jaume | 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ ⚠️ 🚨 Exposed | Exposed mountain route with a Grade II scramble | Experienced mountain walkers only | Solitude, exposed terrain and special high mountain views |
How to reach the Sant Joan Montserrat area
The easiest way to reach the Sant Joan Montserrat area is by taking the Funicular Sant Joan from the lower station next to Montserrat Monastery. The upper station is the starting point for several viewpoints, short walks and small trekking routes.
You can also walk up from the monastery, but that option is much more demanding. For most visitors, the funicular is the most practical choice because it saves time and effort while still giving direct access to the upper part of the Montserrat mountain.
Once you arrive at the upper station, you can stay close to the building for the easiest views, walk a few hundred metres towards Pla de les Taràntules, or continue farther into the mountain towards Sant Joan, Santa Magdalena, the Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni or the more exposed Mirador de Sant Jaume.
UMG local tip: if this is your first time in Sant Joan, start with the Aula de la Natura viewpoint and Pla de les Taràntules Superior. They give you excellent views with very little effort and help you decide whether you want to continue into the more demanding mountain routes.
Recommended Montserrat tickets if you want to include transport + funiculars
Includes: round-trip transportation from Barcelona and access to the mountain via the Rack railway or Cable car. Unlimited rides on both funiculars, and admission to the Audiovisual Center. Basilica & Black Madonna.
1. Viewpoint Funicular Sant Joan – Aula de la Natura Exhibition
Best for: the easiest view in the Sant Joan area
Difficulty: very easy 🚶♂️
Good for: families, quick visits, first-time visitors, people who do not want to hike
Funicular Sant Joan – Aula de la Natura Viewpoint
Location: Funicular Sant Joan upper station · Style: Terrace viewpoint · Difficulty: Very easy 🚶♂️
Best for: Easy views Effort: Minimal Approach: 2 min Ideal visit: 5–10 min
The easiest viewpoint in the Sant Joan Montserrat area is located at the Funicular Sant Joan upper station, around the Aula de la Natura Exhibition. This is the best option if you want mountain views almost immediately after leaving the funicular.
The viewpoint is connected with the upper floor of the station building and the outdoor terrace around the exhibition area. From here, you can see the mountain zone in front of the station and enjoy very good views without following a trail.
The main views are towards the Tebaida area, one of the most characteristic sectors of the Montserrat mountain. It is a perfect first stop before deciding whether to continue towards Pla de les Taràntules, Sant Joan, Santa Magdalena or the Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni.
2. Pla de les Taràntules Upper Viewpoint
Best for: excellent views with very little effort
Difficulty: easy 🚶♂️🚶♂️
Good for: tourists, short walks, photography, first-time visitors using the funicular
Pla de les Taràntules Upper Viewpoint
Location: Near the Funicular Sant Joan upper station · Style: Scenic mountain viewpoint · Difficulty: Easy 🚶♂️🚶♂️
Best for: Short walks Effort: Low Approach: 5–8 min Ideal visit: 10–15 min
The Pla de les Taràntules Upper Viewpoint is one of the most visited viewpoints in the Sant Joan area because it is very close to the upper funicular station and offers excellent views with little effort.
After leaving the Funicular Sant Joan upper station, walk to the left and continue for a few hundred metres towards Pla de les Taràntules. Around the second bend in the path, leave the main track briefly to reach the viewpoint.
The views are similar to the Aula de la Natura viewpoint, but slightly higher and more open. From here, you can enjoy the Tebaida area and several iconic Montserrat rock formations, including La Trompa de l’Elefant, La Mòmia, La Prenyada and La Trumfa.
This is probably the best option for visitors who want a short and easy walk from the station without turning the visit into a longer hike.
3. Viewpoint Mirador de Sant Joan
Best for: a short trekking route with a stronger mountain feeling
Difficulty: moderate 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Good for: walkers, visitors with extra time, people interested in the Sant Joan and Sant Onofre hermitage area
Mirador de Sant Joan
Location: From the Funicular Sant Joan upper station · Style: Mountain viewpoint with short trekking approach · Difficulty: Moderate 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Best for: Short trekking Effort: Medium Approach: Moderate walk Altitude: Around 1,073 m
The Mirador de Sant Joan requires a small trekking route from the Sant Joan upper station. The route follows the Camí de Sant Joan in the direction of the old hermitage area of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre.
At a certain point, you leave the main path and enter a more mountain-like section. After overcoming a short climb, you reach the contrafort de la Miranda de Santa Magdalena, at around 1,073 metres.
The final approach is not very long, but it feels much more like a real mountain walk than the first two viewpoints. From this area, you get excellent views towards the Tebes area and the Les Tisores area.
This viewpoint is a good middle option in the Sant Joan Montserrat area: more adventurous than the easy station viewpoints, but not as demanding as Miranda de Santa Magdalena or Mirador de Sant Jaume.
4. Viewpoint Mirador del Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni
Best for: longer walks from Sant Joan towards Sant Jeroni
Difficulty: moderate / longer 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Good for: visitors walking towards Sant Jeroni, hikers, mountain photography
Mirador del Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni
Location: On the Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni · Style: Scenic viewpoint along a longer mountain route · Difficulty: Moderate / longer 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Best for: Longer walks Effort: Medium-high Route: Towards Sant Jeroni Good for: Hikers & photography
The Mirador del Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni is the farthest viewpoint in this Sant Joan selection. It is located on the Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni, the route that continues from the Funicular Sant Joan upper station towards the highest summit of Montserrat.
From the upper station, follow the direction of Sant Jeroni. After roughly the first third of the route, you reach a very scenic viewpoint with open views towards the Gorra Frígia and the Tebaida area.
Although this viewpoint is farther away, the route is not technically difficult in normal conditions. There are some stair sections and uphill parts, but much of the path is easy to follow. It is a very good option if you want a longer walk without necessarily completing the full Sant Jeroni summit route.
5. Viewpoint Miranda de Santa Magdalena
Best for: summit feeling and wide mountain views
Difficulty: demanding 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Good for: hikers, mountain lovers, visitors who want the strongest viewpoint in this selection
Miranda de Santa Magdalena
Location: Near the Sant Joan and Sant Onofre hermitage area · Style: High mountain viewpoint · Difficulty: Demanding 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
Best for: Summit feeling Effort: High Altitude: Around 1,132 m Good for: Hikers & mountain lovers
The Miranda de Santa Magdalena is one of the most impressive viewpoints in the Sant Joan area. It is located near the old hermitage area of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre, and it gives a much stronger mountain feeling than the easier viewpoints close to the funicular station.
At around 1,132 metres, this viewpoint offers wide views over a large part of the Montserrat massif. From the Miranda de Santa Magdalena, you are close to the upper rock formations of this sector and can look towards Magdalena Superior, one of its neighbouring formations.
The effort is greater, but the reward is excellent. This is the viewpoint to choose if you want a more complete mountain experience in the Sant Joan Montserrat area and you are comfortable with a more demanding walk.
Route note: Miranda de Santa Magdalena is not just a quick viewpoint stop. Treat it as a proper mountain walk. Wear suitable shoes, avoid bad weather and do not continue if the terrain feels beyond your level.
6. Viewpoint Mirador de Sant Jaume
Best for: experienced mountain walkers looking for solitude and exposed views
Difficulty: exposed / advanced 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ ⚠️ 🚨
Good for: experienced hikers only
Mirador de Sant Jaume
Location: Sant Joan mountain area · Style: Exposed mountain viewpoint · Difficulty: Exposed / advanced 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️ ⚠️ 🚨
Best for: Experienced walkers Effort: High Exposure: Serious Good for: Experienced hikers only
The Mirador de Sant Jaume is the most exposed viewpoint in this Sant Joan Montserrat guide. It is not a normal tourist viewpoint and should only be considered by people with real mountain experience.
Do not attempt this route in wet, windy or low-visibility conditions, and do not continue if you are not fully comfortable with the terrain.
The Mirador de Sant Jaume is the most exposed viewpoint in this Sant Joan Montserrat guide. It is not a normal tourist viewpoint and should only be considered by people with real mountain experience.
The route involves exposed terrain and requires a Grade II scramble, including sections where you need to climb and downclimb carefully. It is only recommended for people used to exposed paths, scrambling and mountain terrain where a fall could have serious consequences.
The solitude and the views make Mirador de Sant Jaume a special place, but safety is the priority here. Do not attempt this route in wet, windy or low-visibility conditions, and do not continue if you are not fully comfortable with the terrain.
Safety warning: Mirador de Sant Jaume is exposed and involves a Grade II scramble. It is not recommended for casual visitors, children, people with vertigo or anyone without experience in exposed mountain terrain.
Which Sant Joan Montserrat viewpoint should you choose?
If you want the easiest possible viewpoint, choose the Aula de la Natura / Funicular Sant Joan upper station viewpoint.
If you want a short walk with excellent views, choose Pla de les Taràntules Upper Viewpoint.
If you want a small trekking route with a stronger mountain feeling, choose Mirador de Sant Joan.
If you are already walking towards Sant Jeroni and want a scenic stop on the way, choose the Mirador del Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni.
If you want the most complete mountain experience in this selection, choose Miranda de Santa Magdalena.
If you are not an experienced mountain walker, avoid Mirador de Sant Jaume and choose one of the safer Sant Joan viewpoints instead.
If you prefer the best Montserrat tickets to organized your visit from Barcelona:
Includes: transportation and access to the mountain via the rack railway or cable car. Admission to the museum and the Espai Audiovisual, plus a traditional Catalan lunch. Unlimited rides on both funiculars. Basilica & Black Madonna of Montserrat.
Are the Sant Joan viewpoints worth visiting?
Yes. The Sant Joan viewpoints are among the best additions to a visit to Montserrat if you want to go beyond the monastery area and experience the mountain more fully.
The great advantage of this area is variety. You can enjoy a very easy viewpoint directly from the Funicular Sant Joan upper station, take a short walk to Pla de les Taràntules, or continue into more demanding mountain routes towards Sant Joan, Santa Magdalena or the Camí Nou de Sant Jeroni.
For most first-time visitors, I would recommend this simple combination:
Funicular Sant Joan upper station + Pla de les Taràntules Superior
That gives you excellent views with limited effort. If you have more time and feel comfortable walking, continue towards Mirador de Sant Joan or Miranda de Santa Magdalena.
Planning your full Montserrat day?
Compare the best Montserrat tickets and tours from Barcelona.
FAQ about Sant Joan Montserrat viewpoints
What is the easiest viewpoint in the Sant Joan Montserrat area?
The easiest viewpoint is the Funicular Sant Joan upper station viewpoint around the Aula de la Natura Exhibition. It gives you mountain views almost immediately after leaving the funicular.
Do I need to take the Funicular Sant Joan to reach these viewpoints?
No, you can walk up from Montserrat Monastery, but the Funicular Sant Joan is the easiest and most practical option for most visitors because it takes you directly to the upper station where the routes begin.
Which Sant Joan viewpoint is best for first-time visitors?
For most first-time visitors, the best combination is the Funicular Sant Joan upper station viewpoint and Pla de les Taràntules Superior. They offer excellent views with limited effort.
Is Mirador de Sant Jaume safe for normal visitors?
No. Mirador de Sant Jaume is exposed and involves a Grade II scramble. It is only recommended for experienced mountain walkers used to exposed paths, scrambling and downclimbing.
Where can I find Sant Joan Montserrat on a map of Montserrat?
The easiest landmark is the upper station of the Sant Joan funicular, known as Pla de les Taràntules. From there, you can locate the area around the Sant Joan Hermitage, the Miranda de Santa Magdalena, and the trail to Sant Jeroni.
Related Montserrat guides
- Sant Jeroni hike from Montserrat
- Best viewpoints near Montserrat Monastery
- Hermitages hike in Montserrat
- Montserrat Monastery guide
If this guide helped you plan your visit, then it has done its job.
Sergio López Prieto · Local Montserrat Expert
Some links may be affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
“`
