Montjuïc

Montjuïc is a mountain that has been key in the history of Barcelona. Its name comes from the medieval stage of the city, and means Jewish mountain in Catalan.

The first signs of settlements on Montjuïc date back to the 3rd century BC, prior to the foundation of Barcino by Roman settlers.

Historically it has been a strategic place for the defense of the city and for this reason a castle can be found on its top.

In its most recent stage, it was the perfect location to host a large part of the 1992 Olympics. The Olympic Stadium was built there, where we had the pleasure of enjoying the magnificent duo formed by Freddy Mercury and Montserrat Caballé during the opening ceremony.

How to arrive?

To get to Montjuïc, the easiest way is by public transport. The best place to start your visit would be Plaza España. It can be reached by bus or metro quite easily. There are also trains and railways, but if you are staying in Barcelona city, it is best to go by metro or bus.

Subway

L1, L3, L8.

Train

S4, S8, R2N, R4, R5, R6, R50, R60.

Bus

150, A1, A2, D20, D40, H12, H16.

Teleferic de Montjuic (Cable car)

It has 3 stops:

• Parc de Montjuic
• Castell
• Mirador

It will allow you to enjoy incomparable views!

If you buy tickets online you have a 10% discount. The price for round trip is €14.20

Main attractions 

Plaça Espanya

Plaça Espanya is an important transit center in Barcelona, with 34,000m2 it is the second largest plaza in Spain and is one of the most emblematic spaces in the city. It was a project by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Guillem Busquets and completed by Antoni Darder for the 1929 International Exposition.

There you will find the Las Arenas shopping center (old bullring) with highly recommended 360º views on the top floor, and with the Venetian Towers that give way to Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina.

Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Continuing along Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina, in Plaza Carles Buigas, you will find the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.

The fountain is the protagonist of some of the most important moments in the history of Barcelona, such as the 1992 Olympic Games or the La Mercè Pyromusical (patron saint of Barcelona).

The Magic Fountain was built for the Universal Exposition of 1929 by Carles Buïgas on the site of the Four Columns of Josep Puig i Cadafalch, demolished in 1928 and rebuilt in 2010, a few meters away from their original location

Every day a spectacular show of water, light and color is made in the fountain. I leave you the schedules of the shows but I especially recommend the night shows.

Show schedule:

• Tuesday to Saturdayfrom 11 am to 1 pm and from 4 to 6 pm 
• Sundayfrom 11 am to 3 pm. 

Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion

The Barcelona Pavilion was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as the German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition, held on Montjuïc.

Opening hours

• Monday to Sunday
• March to October 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
• November to February 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Prices

The general entrance is €7 and it will be free with Bus Turístic,  Barcelona Card and Barcelona City Tour 

CaixaForum

CaixaForum is a cultural center managed by the La Caixa Foundation. Occupies the building of the old Casaramona, a modernist-style factory designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch at the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently rehabilitated for its new use as a cultural center.

CaixaForum offers a wide program of exhibitions and cultural and educational activities aimed at all audiences

Opening hours

• Monday to Sunday and holidays, from 10 am to 8 pm

Prices

Permanent installation is free. 

• Joseph Beuys. 

Temporary exhibitions are priced at € 6 and you can visit them all for that price.

Actual exhibitions

 

Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña (MNAC)

The Nacional Art Museum of Catalonia is located in the Palau Nacional of Montjuïc, constructed for the International Exposition of 1929.

Visiting the museum you can see the best collection of Romanesque mural painting in the world and the most representative artists of Catalan Modernism, such as Gaudí or Casas. Gothic art, great European Renaissance and Baroque painters, for example Tiziano or Velázquez, and the collection of photography, complete the collection. 

Opening hours

• From10th June to 30th September: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm.
• Monday and Tuesday, closed, except public holidays.
• Public holidays opening time: 10 am to 8 pm.

Prices

• General admission: €12(valid for two days during a month from the purchasing date)
• To the Rooftop Viewpoint: €2(Closed for COVID)
• FREE ENTRANCE: Saturdays, from 3pm onwards; the first Sunday of each month; 18 May, the International day of Museums; 11 September, the national day of Catalonia

Pueblo Español (Spanish Town)

The spanish village (Poble Espanyol) was built for the 1929 International Exhibition from the desire to concentrate the soul of Spain in a single space.

Opening hours

• Thursday from 5 am to 12 midnight
• Friday from 12 pm to 12 midnight
• Saturday and sunday from 10 am to 12 midnight

Prices

• General admision: €11,20 

Joan Miró Foundation

The Fundació Joan Miró was created by Miró himself, at first principally with works from his own private collection. 

It is a centre for the study and dissemination of Joan Miró’s work and contemporary art. 

Opening hours 

• Friday, saturday and sunday, from 11 am — 7 pm

Prices

• General admission: Joan Miró collection + temporary exhibition €13
• Temporary exhibition €7
• FREE ENTRANCE: Children under 15 and the unemployed (proof required)

Actual exhibitions

Joan Miró colection.

Montjuïc Olympic Ring

The Montjuic Olympic Ring is a space and a set of sports facilities that were remodeled or inaugurated on the occasion of the XXV Summer Olympic Games whose headquarters was in Barcelona in 1992.

In this space you can see the Torre Calatrava, the artistic instalation Cambio (Utsurohi) or the Olympic Stadium that was opened on 1929 for the Barcelona Universal Exposition and was The Olympic Games’ star.

Montjuïc Castle

Montjuic Castle is an old military fortress located on the Montjuic mountain. The fortress was an installation of the Spanish Army, although it was later ceded to the city council. Historically, the castle has played an important role in various episodes in the history of Barcelona.

I recommend that you visit the rooftop of the courtyard that has views over the city, the port, the Mediterranean Sea, the Barcelona coast and the Baix Llobregat.

Opening hours 

• Monday to sunday from 10am — 8pm

Prices

• General admission:€5
• FREE ADMISION: Sundays after 3pmand every first Sunday of the month. People under 16 years old