Barcelona montjuic: Montjuïc Barcelona – 12x Things to do at the Montjuïc hill

Montjuïc Barcelona – 12x Things to do at the Montjuïc hill

Barcelona / Montjuïc

The Montjuïc hill, castle and park in Barcelona

The Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona. Visit the magic fountain, the MNAC, Poble Espanyol, the castle or the Olympic stadium located in the Montjuic hill park.

Montjuïc Park in Barcelona

The green Montjuïc (213 metres) is the most famous hill in Barcelona. Because of the 1929 World Fair in Barcelona, palaces, pavilions, parks, botanical gardens, sports stadiums, and exhibition rooms were built on the hill. Some of those buildings still remain today and serve as museums. The Olympic sports stadiums stadiums were renovated and others were added for the 1992 Summer Olympics. If you get off at the metro stop Espanya, the walk starts at Plaça d’Espanya, forming an entrance to the Montjuïc with two Venetian towers and a fountain. The fountain on the Montjuïc is colourfully lit in the evening with the magical fountain show.

The Montjuïc hill seen from the Columbus monument

View from Palau Nacional

From the Font Magica you will have a view of the Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina and the escalators up the hill, with the Palau Nacional, at the top, where the Museu d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), (Museum with Gothic and Medieval art) is located. The original Olympic stadium already existed in 1929, but was renovated for the 1992 Summer Games and adjusted to accommodate 70,000 spectators. The façade is beautiful and does not really look like it harbours a stadium at all.

Castle of Montjuïc

Via two cable cars , it’s possible to get from the harbour to the Montjuïc castle at the top. This castle was built on the hill in 1640 to control the city. From here you’ll have a wonderful view of both Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. Another highlight on the Montjuïc park is ‘Foundation Joan Miró’. If you enjoy Miro’s work, this museum is certainly worth a visit. Both paintings and sculptures are on display in the Miro museum.

12x Things to do in Parc de Montjuïc

MNAC (Palau Nacional)

MNAC: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, art museum located in the Palau Nacional

Magic Fountain

Font Màgica Montjuïc, the show of the magic fountain of Barcelona

El Poble Espanyol

Poble Espanyol, an open-air museum located on the Montjuïc hill

Miro museum

Foundation Joan Miró, the museum of the artist Joan Miro

Cable car port

Transbordador aeri del port, the cable car from the port to the mountain of Montjuïc

Cable car Montjuic

Telefèric de Montjuïc, with the cable car to the castle on top of the mountain.

Castle of Barcelona

Castell de Montjuïc, the castle on top of the Montjuïc

Botanical gardens

Jardin Botanico, visit the botanical gardens of Barcelona

Olympic Stadium

Olympic stadium Barcelona, named Estadio Lluís Companys

CaixaForum

CaixaForum is an art gallery and an exhibition center with temporary exhibitions

Mies van der Rohe

The German pavilion is one of the main works of the architect Mies van der Rohe

Olympic Museum

Olympic Museum, the Olympic museum is located near the Olympic stadium

Where is the mountain in Barcelona?

Our readers say

4. 8
(95.83%) 13
reviews

February 28, 2023

Michael: “We had an amazing trip to Barcelona city because of the interesting local tips for sightseeing, activities and best things to do in Barcelona Spain.”

Park Güell

Barcelona things to do

Magic Fountain

Sagrada Familia

Picasso Museum

Camp Nou

Montjuïc

Casa Mila

Casa Batllo

Montjuïc Barrio Guide – Barcelona

Page Content

MNAC at Montjuïc

Montjuïc, which means Jewish Mountain, is a useful point of reference when, like me you haven’t got the best sense of direction. It lies opposite Tibidabo and has become a tourist attraction in itself. The castle (Castell) on the top offers fantastic views over the city and now also holds the military museum.

Montjuïc was strongly affected by two large events that occurred in Barcelona. The first being the 1929 World Fair and the second the 1992 Olympic Games. The 1929 World Fair brought about the building of the Barcelona Pavilion by German architect Mies Van de Rohe, towering over that, the spectacular Palau Nacional.

Montjuïc

The stunning Palau Nacional makes a beautiful backdrop to Plaça España and is also known as MNAC, a museum which has the largest collection of Catalan art in the world. The museum is well worth the visit, and not to worry there are escalators the whole way up if you can’t manage the many stairs.

Just round the corner from the Palau Nacional is another popular tourist attraction and a remnant from the World Fair: Poble Espanyol. Poble Espanyol was created to illustrate some important Spanish architecture and the different styles used in the different autonomies of Spain. It houses craft shops, workshops such as glass-blowing that you can watch, and many varied restaurants and cafes. At night there are also 2 clubs which open up which makes for quite a bizarre experience.

In front of the Palau Nacional I can also not fail to mention the Magic Fountain which is always popular with all the family and consists of the beautiful fountain lighting up in different colours to a background of classic music. It’s free and well worth the trip.

Magnificent View of Barcelona from Montjuïc

Now to the Olympics and what they produced in the area. One of the best things to do in the summer months is to go and make use of the Olympic swimming pools which are up on the side of Montjuïc and are open to the public. During the summer they also have an event where they project movies onto the wall so you can swim and watch at the same time. Also in the same area is the large Olympic stadium and Palau Sant Jordi.

There are also some lovely picnic spots and an outdoor bar up on Montjuïc near the mirador which is where you can see out onto the sea.

Transport to Montjuïc is varied. There is a metro stop at Plaça España which is perfect for visiting the Palau Nacional and the surrounds. There is also the Funicular de Montjuïc which takes you from Paral.lel metro stop to near the castle. Or there is also the cable car that also leaves and arrives from near the castle and mirador and travels all the way to Barceloneta.

Location map showing the attractions in Montjuïc

Centro Comercial Arenas de Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373 – 385

Caixa Forum
Avenida de Francesc Ferrer i Guardia, 6-8

Plaça España

Castell de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc

Fundacio Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc

Palau Sant Jordi
Passeig Olimpic, 5-7

Telefonica Tower Barcelona

Barcelona Pavilion
Avinguda Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 7

Barcelona Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olimpic)
Avinguda de l’Estadi, 52

Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Plaça de Carles Buigas, 1

Jardi Botanic de Barcelona
Carrer del Doctor Font i Quer, 2

España Metro

España Metro

BSM Ciutat del Teatre Car Park

BSM Rius i Taulet Car Park

This map is copyright registered and protected and may not be copied.

Hotels Near Montjuïc

Click A Hotel Name Below To Read Our Review Of That Hotel

B Hotel Barcelona – 3 stars
Catalonia Hotel Barcelona – 4 stars
InterContinental Barcelona Hotel – 5 stars

Parking in Montjuïc

We created a parking map showing the secure parking facilities in Montjuïc district. You can click on any parking icon on the map to see detailed information about each car park facility. To ensure your parking space is available when you need it you can book your parking space in advance. Follow the link below for more information.

Parking in Montjuïc

Luggage Storage

Click to see luggage/bag storage facility near Magic Fountain Of Montjuic

Highlights of area

Castle + mirador
Palau National (MNAC)
Mies Van de Rohe Pavilion
Poble Espanyol
Olympic Stadium / Pools
Cable Car

Montjuïc: all about the mountain – Guide Barcelona ТМ

Montjuïc (cat. Montjuïc) is a famous mountain in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. The height of the mountain is 173 meters. It hosted the 1929 World’s Fair, and in 1992, Barcelona chose the area as its venue for the Olympic Games.

The mountain attracts many tourists due to the large number of parks and attractions. However, Barcelona residents themselves are happy to spend time here.

The origin of Mount Montjuic has not yet been fully established. Based on the main versions, it is believed that the name may come from the “mountain of Jupiter” (from the Latin mons Jovicus) or the “Jewish mountain” (from the old Catalan Mont juïc).

What to see on the mountain Montjuic

Today, the mountain houses a number of interesting museums in Barcelona, ​​sports facilities for the 1992 Olympics, as well as attractions built for the 1929 World Exhibition. In addition, there is a whole collection of gardens and parks for walking with stunning views of the sea and Barcelona itself.

  • Singing Fountains in Barcelona
  • The Museum of National Art of Catalonia (MNAC), which contains within its walls a large collection of works by Catalan artists.

Slightly higher:

  1. The Jardi Botanic and Jardins de Mossèn Costra i Lljobera parks of Montjuïc Nou amaze with their diversity of flora and fauna.
  2. Olympic Ring with the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium and Sant Jordi Sports Palace.
  3. Museum of one of the most famous artists of Catalonia, Joan Miro – Joan Miro Foundation, containing more than 8000 drawings representing the individual style of the master.

Also here is the Fortress of Montjuïc built in 1640. From here you have a beautiful view of Barcelona and its port. From the mountain you have a great view of the city.

Mountain View

Mountain Attractions

MNAC

  • Magic Fountain
  • National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, MNAC)
  • Spanish Village
  • Barcelona Olympic Ring
  • Joan Miro Foundation Museum
  • Fortress of Montjuic
  • Montjuic Cemetery
  • Botanical Garden
  • Gardens of Mossen Costa y Llobera

Magic Fountain

History of Montjuic

In the struggle to defend the Spanish crown in 1705-1714, Montjuic was a point of defense. Today, there are many different buildings and monuments on the mountain, each of which can tell visitors a piece of Catalan history.

Spanish village

Montjuic forms the largest park in Europe with an area of ​​70,000 hectares. Attractions located here are open to tourists around the clock. Most of them were erected for the World Exhibition of 1929. In this form, the mountain has retained its appearance to this day.

How to get to Montjuic

There are several routes to get to Montjuic. One of them starts from the Plaza de España, where in 1929 the entrance to the World’s Fair was located.

Funicular

But there is a more interesting and memorable route to the famous mountain. Red cabins, swaying merrily in the wind, will take you from the Old Port to the very top of the mountain. You can also always use the convenient funicular, which starts its journey near the Parallel metro station. He will take you to the famous fortress.

Do you dream of riding the Montjuïc cable car? Go to on the link to book your ticket in advance online.

The closest metro stations to the mountain are Espanya and Paral-lel. They are located at the very foot of the mountain.

Montjuic location

  • How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for Sagrada Familia and Park Güell skip the line.
  • How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi is KiwiTaxi .
  • Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.
  • We advise you to take out travel insurance so that there are no unpleasant surprises while traveling to Barcelona.
  • Barcelona City Pass is a one-stop card that makes organizing your holiday in Barcelona easier and saves a lot of time and money.
  • Hotels in Barcelona: are our selections and recommendations.
  • Bus Turistic is a tourist bus and a great way to get to all the necessary monuments of Barcelona quickly, with a breeze and comfort.
  • Drimsim is a universal international SIM card and a free travel application. Best prices, fast internet and worldwide calls.

Montjuïc in Barcelona: nine sights on one mountain – Top sights in Barcelona

List of attractions on Montjuic. Description of the sights on Montjuic.

Montjuic is located in the south of Barcelona, ​​near the commercial port. Previously, there was a Jewish cemetery here, which may have given the place its name: according to one version, Montjuïc sounded in the old Catalan language, which translates as “Jewish mountain”.

Today, this 177 m high hill has become a favorite holiday destination for residents of Barcelona and numerous travelers. On its slopes there are various museums, attractions, entertainment centers. Many people spend the whole day here, wandering along the green alleys and admiring the historical monuments. Walking trails run throughout the mountain, separated from the embankment by Ronda Litoral Avenue (Ronda de lLitoral).

Thanks to its convenient location, Montjuïc has always played a strategic role in the life of the city. It was this hill that was once chosen for the settlement of the Iberians. To protect the territory in 1640, a fortress was built on top of the mountain, the bastions of which were used for many years to defend Barcelona from attacks from the sea and land.

Gradually, the protective functions were lost, and in the 20th century the mountain turned into a public park, the largest not only in Spain, but throughout Europe. This place was chosen to be held at 1926 World Exhibition, and in 1992 attracted many participants and guests of the Olympic Games. The objects built for this event are still visited by Barcelona residents with pleasure.

The centuries-old history of this most famous mountain in Spain is told by monuments and structures that amaze with the interweaving of architectural styles. Here you can see both a medieval castle and houses typical of a Spanish village, as well as modern and sports facilities.

What can you see in Montjuic?

Magic Fountain

It is located at the very foot of the mountain from the Plaza de España side. If during the day it is just a beautiful fountain that looks impressive against the backdrop of the National Palace (Palau Nacional), then in the evening the real magic begins.

The lighting and the shape of the water jets change to the sound of ever-changing melodies. As a result of carefully calculated and selected effects, various magical pictures arise. Read more >>>

National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña, MNAC)

Opened in 1990, this museum offers the opportunity to enjoy masterpieces from all eras, from the Renaissance, Gothic or Baroque to modernism and contemporary art. The collection of novels presented at the exposition is one of the largest in the world.

The museum is housed in the restored Palau Nacional, built for the opening of the World Exhibition. For his creation, intended for the Pavilion of Electricity, the architect Pedro Sendoy Oskoz chose the neo-baroque style. Read more >>>

Spanish Village

This is an original museum of architecture, where 117 copies of buildings are located right in the open air. Some of them are made in natural size, the size of others is reduced to scale. But the accuracy and reliability of their manufacture is especially striking.

The originals of these buildings, representing different styles and eras, can be seen in various parts of Spain. The Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), built in 1929, became part of the International Exhibition. Craft workshops and numerous souvenir shops have become an important part of this facility. Read more >>>

Barcelona Olympic Ring

In Barcelona, ​​for the XXV Summer Olympics, many objects were built, which are located on Montjuic around the Calatrava television tower. In Barcelona, ​​the Olympic Ring (L’Anella Olímpica de Montjuïc) includes the Sant Jordi Sports Palace, called the Catalan Colosseum, the Estadio Olímpico athletics stadium, the Montjuic and Picornell water sports pools. This ring also includes the Institute of Physical Education and the museum dedicated to the Olympics. Read more >>>

Joan Miró Foundation Museum in Barcelona

Connoisseurs of contemporary art will be interested in the exhibition center of the famous surrealist artist Joan Miró – Fundació Joan Miró, which presents both the works of the master himself and his contemporaries. The first glance at the museum building, erected in the style of cubism, makes the visitor expect something unusual.

The exposition, which includes famous paintings, graphic miniatures, sculptures and even a huge tapestry, is far from classicism and encourages viewers to show their imagination. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions. Read more >>>

Castle (Castle) Montjuïc

Located on the very top of the mountain, the fortress (Castell de Montjuïc) since its construction was completely reconstructed in the 18th century. The original defensive value of the castle was lost.

For some time a prison was located within its walls, and in 1963 the Military Museum was established here. The bastions of the fortress allow you to admire the stunning panorama of Barcelona and the seascape. Read more >>>

City of the Dead

Ironically, a tour of the Montjuic Cemetery (cementerio de Montjüic) in Barcelona, ​​open to the public from 8 am to 6 pm daily, can be both exciting and educational. In Spain, death is treated philosophically, considering it a source of knowledge not only of historical and cultural heritage, but also of modernity.

Looking at the neoclassical tombs and mausoleums in the Montjuïc cemetery, you can imagine the Barcelona of yesteryear. Beautifully executed by architects, including very famous ones, the sculptures and pantheons tell a lot about the people who once lived, belonging to different social strata, their customs, grief and joy. Read more >>>

Botanical Garden

In Barcelona, ​​between Montjuic Castle and the Olympic Stadium, on the southeast side of the mountain, there is a botanical garden (Jardí Botànic de Barcelona), a visit to which will cost only 3. 5 euros. It was created in 1999 not so much for tourist excursions as for the study of plants from all over the world.

Flora from all continents is represented here, including Australia, Africa and the Americas, in particular Chile and California. However, the main specialization of Jardí Botànic is the cultivation and protection of plants typical of the Mediterranean climate. The section devoted to the vegetation of the Canary Islands is located apart. Read more >>>

Gardens of Mossen Costa y Llobera

Another park in Barcelona is located on a slope descending to the sea. This garden (Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera) bears the name of the famous Spanish poet Mikael Costa i Llobera and invites everyone to enjoy the exhibition for free.

This is the only park in Spain dedicated entirely to exotic plants. The collection includes many species of palm trees, more than a dozen of which are not found in Spain, more than 800 species of succulents, including cacti. Created back in 1970, the gardens were closed in 2006 for 5 years, but now they delight and surprise visitors again. Read more >>>

How to get to Montjuic? 3 options

Of course, it is possible to get around Montjuïc on foot, following numerous trails, but Barcelona’s transport system provides several ways to get to the desired point.

Bus

This is the most traditional mode of transport. From the center of Barcelona there are several routes passing through the territory of Montjuic.

Plaza de Catalunya with the Park on the mountain is connected by routes no. 13, 23, 55, and from the square of Spain you can get to the Castle of Montjuic by buses no. 107, 125 or 150. Funicular de Montjuic , which has become the most convenient way to climb to the top of the mountain.

Every 10 minutes, a train with a capacity of 400 passengers departs from the station located near the Paral-Lel metro to Montjuïc Park. Climbing 76 meters takes only a few minutes.