A Local's Guide to Montjuïc
Perched above the bustling streets, this hill is more than just a patch of greenery—it’s a cultural hotspot packed with museums, gardens, and a fortress that’s brimming with stories of old Barcelona. Whether you are looking for some of the best places to hike in the city, visit some of the Olympic sites, or to catch an event at Palau St Jordi - it really has a lot of variety. My suggestion would be to pack a blanket (to sit on) and some food and drink and go and explore/get lost - as there is a lot to see.
Barcelona’s got more than its fair share of iconic spots, but if you want a place that mixes history, art, and a boatload of city views, Montjuïc should be at the top of your list. It feels like a different world from the crowds and concrete of the city, to the oasis of calm moments away from the bustle of the city.
Perched above the bustling streets, this hill is more than just a patch of greenery—it’s a cultural hotspot packed with museums, gardens, and a fortress that’s brimming with stories of old Barcelona. Whether you are looking for some of the best places to hike in the city, visit some of the Olympic sites, or to catch an event at Palau St Jordi - it really has a lot of variety. My suggestion would be to pack a blanket (to sit on) and some food and drink and go and explore/get lost - as there is a lot to see.
A Brief Stroll Through Montjuïc’s Past
It’s hard to believe this serene hill was once a strategic military lookout—complete with cannons and a castle! Montjuïc’s vantage point made it the perfect defensive spot back in the day, and Montjuïc Castle still stands guard as a reminder of its storied past. Over the years, the area transformed into a cultural area for locals and visitors alike. Fast-forward to modern times, and you’ve got a hill decked out with world-class museums, gorgeous gardens, and some of the most breathtaking views in town.
Montjuic is 173 metres tall (583 feet), which will make it slightly taller than Sagrada Familia - which is by design. Gaudi designed Sagrada Familia to be 170m tall (558 ft) when it is finally completed, which will be slightly shorter than Montjuic - as Gaudi believed that no human creation should be taller than God's work.
Getting to the Hill
Depending on what you want to do that day, and where you want to get to - you have several options on how to get there.
Walking
It’s a nice hike to the top, but expect to take a few hours to get up there depending on which route you take and what your level of fitness is, however, there are several other options. Start from Plaça d’Espanya, and walk up from there, via the Magic Fountains, up to the National Museum of Catalunya and start exploring. There are several escalators along this part to make things a bit easier. From here you can walk to the Olympic Stadium, visit the botanical gardens, or get the (massively overpriced) cable car to the top.
Funicular
There is a funicular that runs from Parallel Station to Parc de Montjuïc, which is about 2/3rd of the way up the hill. You can use your T-Casual card (or any other Barcelona Travel card) to find the funicular and it takes a couple of minutes to go up/down).
It will take you close to the Olympic diving pool (open in the summer as a public swimming pool) which has a bar called Salts which is worth a stop for the views alone. It is also close to the Fundacio Joan Miro, which is a museum showcasing the work of one of Barcelona’s most famous artists. You also have a couple of nice gardens and parks, such as Circuit de Montjuic and Jardins de Joan Brossa - both of which are nice places to relax and enjoy the green spaces.
It also drops you at the lower station of the Montjuic cable car aka Telefèric de Montjuïc, which is a cable car that takes you to the castle (and back). It’s a bit of a gimmick, and for me, really expensive for what it is - which is in essence a 5 minute ride, albeit with some geat views. You can get a 10% discount if you buy online. Top tip is to check to see what time the sunset is, and watch it from the cable car for a great view.
Taxi or car
You can get a taxi up to Montjuic, depending on where you are catching it from expect to pay around €15 (for central locations to the cable car, which is the heart of the hill). You can also drive up there if you have a car, there is free parking, but leave your car at your own risk as I have seen many cars with windows smashed where people have left valuables on display (I guess).
Bus
You have a few options for the bus, most of them from Plaça d’Espanya, for the below three routes (the tourist bus requires a separate ticket) you can use your T-Casual or other Barcelona transport cards.
You Have:
Line 55 - this will take you as far as the Joan Miro Foundation.
Line 150 - this goes all the way up to the castle and runs from 7am to 9pm daily.
Line 13 - this has a more limited route and covers some of the stops from line 150.
Cable Car
Yea, you read it right, there is a second cable car the “Port Cable Car” - in possibly the most useless implementation of a cable car ever, you have the cable car that goes from the W Hotel and beach area to the Miramar scenic point (and back). It will drop you off in a quite useless part of the city on either side and costs €12.50 each way, or you can get a return for €20. If you want to buy tickets, you can do this on the cable car website here. There can be some big queues for this in peak times for some bizarre reason, so be warned.
Bikes
It is a hill, so be warned unless you are ready for some cardio to get an electric bike. If you want some exercise outside of the city streets, it is one of my favourite places to cycle however I tend to go around the sights to the top and around instead of leaving my bike there. There are some Bicing stations up there, but as with all hills, expect them to be full of electric bikes a the top, and always check CityMapper to see what the availability is like at your start point and destination.
The Attractions of Montjuic
There is quite a lot of things to do on the hill, so I have given a few things I can recommend to do when you are exploring. Note, you can enter for free on some of the attractions, marked with a * using the Guardir Mes. Guardir Mes is a scheme for residents to get free or reduced entrance to some of the cities attractions and museums, you can find out more here.
Montjuïc Castle (Castell de Montjuïc)*
Why Go: Perched atop Montjuïc Hill, this 17th-century fortress offers sweeping 360-degree views of both Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in history, it served as a military prison, witnessed key moments in the city’s past, and now stands as a cultural landmark and a great vantage point. There is more information in another blog post about Montjuïc and the Castle, here if you are interested for more information.
Don’t Miss: Head up to the ramparts for those unmissable views—the city on one side, the port and airport on the other. Explore the inner courtyard and check out the museography rooms to get a deeper look into the castle’s storied past. And if you time your visit right, you might catch one of the open-air events or temporary exhibitions hosted within its walls. There is an archery school that practices on the grounds and, weirdly, a training park for pike riders also just outside the wall. There is a “hidden” bar called “La Caseta del Migdia”, its not always open so check the website, it’s not great, but the location is great and the smell of pine is amazing. A great part for a picnic if you have one planned, or want a rest stop.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Why Go: Home to an impressive collection of Catalan art spanning centuries and the building is amazing - has some great views going towards it and also looking back.
Don’t Miss: The museum’s front steps—an ideal picnic spot where you can soak in views of Plaça d’Espanya and the magic fountains.
Why Go: It’s like travelling across Spain without leaving Barcelona, only its a kind of “meh” version of each of the regions. This open-air museum features full-scale replicas of Spanish architecture from different regions. It’s a great place to see a music festival, or check out one of their events (they do a good Halloween one) a bit of a tourist trap place beyond that.
Don’t Miss: Artisan shops selling handcrafted souvenirs and food from different places around Spain. Difficult getting a taxi back from, so pre-book one if you are going with Free-Now or Cabify.
Why Go?: Free evening fountain shows set to music and lights—yes, it’s touristy, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Don’t Miss: Check the schedule in advance; shows typically run Thursday through Sunday in warmer months, but times can vary.
Why Go?: Modern art lovers rejoice—this museum is packed with Miró’s works.
Don’t Miss: The rooftop terrace for a quiet moment away from the city buzz.
Barcelona Botanical Garden*
Website
Why Go?: The Barcelona Botanical Garden is an oasis of calm tucked away on Montjuïc, showcasing Mediterranean flora from around the globe. It’s the perfect spot to escape the city hustle and appreciate nature’s colorful palette—especially when the flowers are in full bloom.
Don’t Miss: Make sure you wander through the sections dedicated to different Mediterranean climates (like Chile, South Africa, and California). Keep an eye out for the viewpoints scattered throughout the garden—some hidden corners offer panoramic city views you won’t find anywhere else.
Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys)
Website
Why Go?: A monumental piece of Barcelona’s modern history, the Olympic Stadium was the beating heart of the 1992 Summer Olympics. It’s not just a sporting arena—this place represents a major turning point in the city’s global transformation and a source of Catalan pride. Also, check out whats on as both the main stadium (FC Barcelona are playing here at the time of writing) and the smaller Palau St Jordi always have something going on.
Don’t Miss: Step inside the stadium to soak up the Olympic spirit—spot the commemorative plaques. Outside, don’t miss the nearby Olympic Ring and the Montjuïc Communications Tower for futuristic architecture and some great skyline views.
Food & Drink: Refuel with a View
You have a couple of food and drink options when you are up on the hill, from tourist traps to hidden gems - and here are my highlights.
Avinguda Miramar, 31, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Salts is a bar that serves food at the Olympic diving pool and has some spectacular views of the city, and doe to its west orientation and high point - has some amazing sunset views. Drinks are not too badly priced considering the location, and food is typical bar snacks - nothing to write home about food wise, but worth it for the views.
Carretera de Miramar, 38, 08038 · Barcelona, Parc de Montjuïc
Martinez is a good restaurant, not the best, but pretty good. However where it really excels are the views of the marina and the Barcelona port. It is highly recommended to book in advance and ask for one of the seats that is by the window. Their paella is surprisingly good for a Barcelona paella. A good location for a romantic meal.
Special Events
Montjuïc is great place for outdoor concerts, film screenings, and cultural festivals. Keep an eye on local listings—you might time your visit with something interesting.
Sala Montjuic, is a cinema that runs over the summer months which is an outdoor screen and seating with live music, bringing a picnic and enjoying something on the big screen. The full schedule can be found on the Sala Montjuïc website.
Theatre Grec is a classic amphitheatre at the foot of Montjuic and offers a number of different performances throughout the year. You can see what’s on here.
Barcelona Fira is not really on Montjuic, more at the foothills. Is it a huge exhibition centre which has a number of events and shows throughout the year, such as Manga Conventions, Oktoberfest and pretty much everything inbetween. Check out what’s on here.
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