A Guide to Montjuïc and the Castle
It's obligatory to visit Montjuïc when you visit Barcelona and you should discover all that it has to offer, from historical art museums to verdant gardens and of course, the Montjuïc Castle, standing at the top of the Montjuïc hill. Be sure to pay a visit when you come to Barcelona.
Contents
- About the castle
- How to get to the Castle of Montjuïc
- Additional Routes
- By bus
- On foot
- a) Via Lluís Companys Stadium or the Botanical Gardens
- b) Via Poble Sec, Plaça de l’Armada and Jardins del Mirador
- c) Via Refugio, Montjuïc Swimming Pool, Joan Brossa Gardens and Mirador Gardens
- d) Via the Greek Theatre, Laribal Gardens, Joan Miró Museum and the Gardens of Joan Brossa
- e) Via the Magic Fountain, National Palace, Olympic Rings & Stadium and the Gardens of Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer
- f) Via La Bordeta, Poble Espanyol, Olympic Ring, Botanical Gardens and Castle Walls
- What’s nearby the Castle?
- Other references
About the castle
Montjuïc Castle is a great place to go with the family for a short day trip in Barcelona, even if you don’t pay to go in. The view from the castle and surrounding walls offers stunning near-360 degree panoramas. On a clear day, you’ll feel like you are on top of the world, with an excellent view of Barcelona and the sea. How you approach the castle and Montjuïc in general is up to you, but below are our recommended options.
Inside the castle
When you enter the castle, you’ll come to the reception area where you can buy tickets. As of 2024, the entrance is €5 per person (with discounts available for over 65s, families, etc, so ask inside for terms).
As well as granting you access to the castle itself and the highest viewpoints, there are a number of exhibition rooms with a lot of interesting historical content (available in several languages), and you can walk freely around the castle grounds.
The view from the castle
The Castle of Montjuïc offers stunning views out over the sea and equally great vistas of the city. For the best experience, it’s necessary to pay the entrance fee (which is relatively cheap), as you’ll get the best views from the castle walls. You can also walk around the top.
If you don’t have time to enter the castle, you’ll still get some breathtaking views out over the sea just by walking around the perimeter of the castle walls. There’s also some great walking to be done in this part of Montjuïc.
How to get to the Castle of Montjuïc
Many tourists choose to take the cable car to Montjuïc. Keep in mind that there are two cable cars and they are not connected at all. This can often confuse a lot of people!
Tourist Route 1: Both Cable Cars
Take the ‘teleférico’ (cable car) from Barceloneta, which departs from the Aeri station. The cable car will drop you off about halfway up Montjuïc, here at Plaça de l’Armada and the Gardens (Jardins del Mirador Montjuïc).
From here, it’s a 15 to 20 minute walk up the road. Don’t miss the Mirador de Montjuïc and the Mirador de Poble Sec too, as well as the Mirador Swimming Pool (subject to the swimming pool or the cafe being open in summer/autumn).
Across the road from the swimming pool, you will see the second cable car station, which is also next door to the funicular station. Take this cable car to the top of Montjuïc, which drops you off right next to the castle.
- Summary: Barceloneta -> 1st Cable Car -> Walk 15 mins -> 2nd Cable Car -> Castle
- Approx. Price: Around €30
- Price breakdown (as of 2024):
- Cable Car 1: €12.50 one-way trip.
- Cable Car 2: €16 round trip.
- (optional): Funicular back down to Paral·lel metro station
Tip: You can also get the Montjuïc Funicular from Paral·lel metro station to Montjuïc, if you just want to do the second cable car only –– see route 2 below.
Tourist Route 2: Funicular + Cable Car
A shorter tourist route would be to take the funicular from Paral·lel metro station (T-Casual tickets can be used) to the top, then simply connect with the Montjuïc Cable Car. This is literally next door to the funicular station, so there’s no uphill walking involved.
- Summary: Paral·lel Metro station -> Funicular -> Cable Car -> Castle
- Approx. Price: About €18.40
- Price breakdown (as of 2024):
- Funicular round trip from Paral·lel metro station: €1.20 x 2 with T-Mobilitat card
- Cable Car 2: €16.00 round trip
Tip: Be sure to check out the view from the Montjuïc swimming pool before you jump on the cable car.
Route 3: Walk - Plaça d’Espanya, Palau Nacional + Cable Car
Begin at Plaça d’Espanya or Palau Nacional (National Palace) and take the walking route round to the left of the National Palace, which eventually takes you to the Montjuïc Cable Car. Then take the cable car to the top, or walk through the beautiful park and woodland instead.
- Summary: Plaça d’Espanya -> Palau Nacional -> Walk 30 mins -> Cable Car -> Castle
- Approx. Price: About €16.00
- Price breakdown (as of 2024):
- Cable Car 2: €16.00 round trip
Tip: Be sure to visit the grand MNAC as you pass.
We also have a dedicated post about the National Palace.
Route summaries
| Type | Description | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest | Tourist Route 2 - Funicular from Paral·lel, then Castle cable car | About €10 |
| Fastest / Cheapest | Funicular from Paral·lel, then walk up to the top | €1 - €2 |
| Longest | Barceloneta cable car, then walk to the top up Carretera de Montjuïc | About €11 |
| Most Expensive | Tourist Route 1 - Barceloneta cable car, then walk to the Montjuïc cable car and take this to the top | About €20 |
| Cheapest | See On foot walking routes below | Free |
Pro tip: If arriving at Paral·lel station by metro, your ticket is also valid for the funicular, so you won’t need to pay twice –– you simply interchange inside the station!
Additional Routes
By bus
The 150 bus route serves Montjuïc and leaves from Plaça d’Espanya. Take the bus from here and it’ll drop you close to the castle, requiring only a very short walk to the entrance. The bus is, of course, included in the T-Casual (or equivalent) ticket.
On foot
It is possible (and recommended) to walk up to the castle from Poblé Sec, Plaça d’Espanya, La Bordeta or Drassanes/Las Ramblas, all of which are popular starting points for most people.
There are several routes from the Poble Sec neighbourhood, all of which include different points of interest along the way. Here are our favourites, but all can be adapted as needed.
In all cases, when walking back down to Barcelona, you can take pretty much any route down, where all roads lead to home!
a) Via Lluís Companys Stadium or the Botanical Gardens
Starting point: The Magic Fountain
From the Magic Fountain or the National Palace, head towards the Olympic Stadium. Walking around the back of the stadium.
Follow the road up until you reach Passeig del Migdia and you have a choice: left, which goes direct to the castle, or right, which takes you past the parking and on to the Mirador del Migdia.
b) Via Poble Sec, Plaça de l’Armada and Jardins del Mirador
Starting point: Drassanes & Las Ramblas
Walk towards Parc del Mirador del Poble Sec where you will start to go up towards Plaça de l’Armada and the cable car station as it meets Montjuïc. Be sure to check out the gardens and the views before walking to the Jardins del Mirador and the amazing viewpoints there over Barcelona. Continue up through the woodland, where you will now be walking off the road and up to the castle. There are some great viewpoints from the forest, too.
Tip: This route can be added to by visiting: Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera.
c) Via Refugio, Montjuïc Swimming Pool, Joan Brossa Gardens and Mirador Gardens
Starting point: Paral·lel Metro
Starting at Paral·lel Metro station (or closeby) take one of the streets up through Poble Sec until you reach Refugi 307, the old bomb shelter dating back to the Spanish Civil War. Continue heading up to Avinguda Miramar, where you will be able to get a great view over Poble Sec from the municipal swimming pool.
Crossing the road, continue on through the gardens of Joan Brossa, which eventually leads you up to Ctra. de Montjuïc and the Castle, passing under the cable car as you walk through the gardens.
Tip: You will go past Carrer de Blai, which is a famous street for pintxos and drinks. We have a dedicated post about Carrer Blai.
Also check out the Jardins del Mirador en-route, which offer a great view out over the sea.
d) Via the Greek Theatre, Laribal Gardens, Joan Miró Museum and the Gardens of Joan Brossa
Starting point: Plaça del Sortidor, Poble Sec neighbourhood
Walking up from Plaça del Sortidor in Poble Sec, you very soon arrive at the Greek Theatre - you should spend 30 minutes here taking in the nature and unique space, but also to visit the ampitheatre.
Moving on, walk up the road and through the Jardins de Laribal and up past the Joan Miró Museum. Finally, enter the Joan Brossa gardens and follow the route to Plaça de la Sardana, before the final ascent to the Castle.
Tip: Be sure to explore the Laribal Gardens in detail as there’s a lot to see. The Joan Miró museum is also worth a visit and quite popular with tourists.
e) Via the Magic Fountain, National Palace, Olympic Rings & Stadium and the Gardens of Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer
Starting point: The Magic Fountain
From Plaça de Espanya, head towards the Palau Nacional and around to the right, where you will find some escalators just after the car park. The Ramon Margalef i López gardens are a nice stop before heading inside the Olympic Rings site, which played host to the 1992 Olympic Games.
Following the road up, head into the Gardens of Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer (be sure to explore them first), then head towards the Ctra. de Montjuïc, which passes you next to the halfway cable car station. Finally, ascend to the Castle.
Tip: You can also take the funicular railway for part of the journey (available on T-Casual as a continued part of your usual metro journey). See journey details below.
Like with the other routes above, there’s many points-of-interest en-route, so be sure to veer of route as you wish!
f) Via La Bordeta, Poble Espanyol, Olympic Ring, Botanical Gardens and Castle Walls
Starting point: Plaça de Joan Corrades
From the La Bordeta neighbourhood and Gran Via, head up through the streets to Poble Espanyol. Follow the road up past the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium where you will walk round the back of it. Passing by the Botanical Gardens, you will eventually join Passeig del Migdia (road) which takes you up through the woods.
Be sure to check out the view at Mirador del Migdia. Continue up to the hidden bar of La Caseta del Migdia, stopping off for a drink if it’s open. From here, you will find a coastal path which takes you along the castle walls, finishing at the castle with several great viewpoints along the way.
Tip: During the daytime, it’s possible to enter the Olympic Stadium, and it should be possible to buy a coffee inside. You’ll need 1–2 hours to explore the Botanical Gardens if you pay to go in, so plan accordingly.
What’s nearby the Castle?
During the warmer months, the castle plays host to open-air concerts and gigs inside the castle itself. We highly recommend checking one out, as the venue is very unique. Between June and August, there’s also Sala Montjuïc, an open-air cinema. The cinema takes place in the grassy area (Fossat de Santa Eulàlia), and they usually kick-off the night with a live band before the film starts.
The same lawn is the setting for archery classes, provided by the Club Arc Montjuïc.
The castle also hosts musical events, which are well worth looking into as it’s an amazing setting for live music.
The intrepid few who don’t mind the walk will enjoy a trip to the Mirador del Migdia and the hidden bar of La Caseta del Migdia, which in the summer hosts chilled DJ sessions if you’re lucky enough to catch them.
Just down the hill from the castle to the north, there’s also the amazing Jardins del Mirador, which is a beautiful garden also with sea views.
In addition to all the above, you can find more information and events via the official Barcelona Ajuntament (council) Montjuïc page here.
Other references
by Darryl •