Montjuïc Mountain

The Basics

As home to some of Barcelona’s best museums and attractions, Montjuïc features on many sightseeing tours of the city, including the double-decker hop-on hop-off bus (with stops at Plaça d’Espanya, the Miró Museum, cable car station, and Olympic stadium). Once in the area, it’s easy to explore the attractions that most interest you on foot, or simply soak in the views from Montjuïc Park.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Montjuïc ranks among Barcelona’s best spots for panoramic views.

• Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do a fair bit of walking.

• Don’t forget to bring sun protection for exploring Montjuïc’s parks and outdoor areas.

• The Montjuïc cable car and funicular are both wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Getting to Montjuïc is half of the fun. A funicular railway takes passengers up to the top of the hill and offers spectacular views along the way. There’s also a cable car connecting Montjuïc to the main beach area, and several walking paths leading up from the streets of Poble Sec.

When to Get There

The best views from the top of Montjuïc come around sunset, when the city is painted in shades of pink and orange. You could easily spend an entire day in the neighborhood (try to hit the museums first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds), finishing off with the sunset and Magic Fountain show.

Travel Through Spain at Poble Espanyol

Situated on the hillside of Montjuïc, the Spanish village (Poble Espanyol) is Spain in miniature. This open-air museum was built for the World Exhibition to show off the range of Spanish architecture through some 115 different buildings, from a Galician townhouse to a Jerez sherry cellar. Visit to get an overview of Spain’s cultural and architectural diversity, especially if you have limited time in other parts of the country.

Ways to explore

It would be easy to spend a full day—or more—exploring the attractions on Montjuïc Mountain, which has hosted everything from the 1929 Expo to the 1992 Olympic games. It’s a popular stop on guided tours of the city, which can be a good way to get oriented to the sprawling site if your time is limited. Independent tours and passes offer an even more flexible alternative, with options that range from hop-on hop-off bus itineraries to city cards that include admission to sites across Barcelona.

Accessibility

Many attractions at Montjuïc Mountain are wheelchair accessible, including the cable car and the castle.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Refillable water bottle, sunscreen

What to wear

Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring Montjuïc Mountain, as well as layered clothing suited to fluctuating temperatures.

Not allowed

Smoking, pets, and scooters are banned in the cable car and at some attractions.

Amenities

Wi-Fi, restrooms

Address

Montjuïc Mountain is located on the south side of Barcelona, near the cruise terminal. Key entrances are on the ocean side (for Montjuïc Castle) and the city side (for the Magic Fountain).

Driving

Parking around Montjuïc can be limited, so many visitors opt to arrive by bus or as part of a tour. If you do drive, you’ll find paid parking on nearby Carrer dels Tarongers.

Public transportation

You can arrive to Montjuïc by metro. On the castle side of the mountain, the closest stop is Paral·lel (L2, L3), which connects to the Monjuïc Funicular Railway. To reach the Magic Fountain side, head to Espanya station (L3), walking distance from the fountain and art museum.

Best times to visit

Views across Barcelona from the summit of Montjuïc Mountain are especially beautiful at sunset, when crowds gather at Montjuïc Castle and the Mirador del Alcalde.

Best days to visit

Weekdays tend to be quieter at Montjuïc Mountain—it can get crowded on weekends, especially on Sunday afternoons when some attractions are free to enter.

Best months to visit

The gardens dotting Montjuïc Mountain burst into colorful bloom each spring, making April and May gorgeous times to explore.

Special events

Open-air screenings of classic and recent movies at the Sala Montjuïc Film Festival take place from June through August.