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Guide : visiting Montjuic Park

Montjuic Park is one of the most historically and culturally rich areas in Barcelona, offering a wealth of attractions to suit all kinds of visitors. Its long and fascinating history has made it an essential stop for anyone exploring the city. In this guide, we’ll share more about its origins, its key landmarks, and what you can find in the surrounding area.

The history of Montjuïc Park

Escaleras Parque de Montjuïc Barcelona

The name of this mountain, meaning “Mountain of the Jews,” originates from its use as a Jewish cemetery during the Middle Ages.
Montjuïc has played a central role in Barcelona’s history for several reasons, including its quarry, which supplied the stone used to build some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Santa Maria del Mar church, the Sagrada Familia, and La Pedrera.

 

In the 17th century, what is now known as Montjuïc Castle was built. Originally used as a military stronghold to defend the city during battles, it also served as a prison for political prisoners over the years.

 

In 1929, as part of efforts to modernise the city following the Barcelona International Exposition, an ambitious urban development and renovation project was launched. This initiative led to the construction of the famous Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) and other buildings that were later repurposed for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. This major sporting event marked a turning point in the development of the Montjuïc area.

 

Today, Montjuïc remains one of the most visited areas in Barcelona, drawing tourists with its wealth of sites that tell the story of the city’s past.

What to see at Montjuïc

The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)

 

The Palau Nacional, built in 1929, became a museum in 1934 with the merging of the collections from the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Romanesque Art of Catalonia. While initially these were the only two collections, over the years, new spaces were added to house various forms of art, including paintings, furniture, drawings, engravings, posters, and photographs.

Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña

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The Olympic Ring

 

The “Montjuïc Olympic Ring” refers to the group of sports facilities built or renovated for the 1992 Olympic Games. Today, these venues host both sporting and musical events. The following are some of the most notable:

  • Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium: With a capacity of 60,000 spectators, this stadium was originally built for the 1929 Exposition but was almost entirely renovated for the Olympics. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events during the Paralympic Games. Since then, it has served as a football stadium and venue for numerous concerts.

 

  • Palau Sant Jordi: This pavilion was an important site during the Olympics, hosting events such as artistic gymnastics, handball, and volleyball, among others. Today, it continues to be a venue for concerts, shows, and fairs.

 

  • Montjuïc Communications Tower: Also known as the Calatrava Tower, named after its renowned architect, this is one of the most iconic structures in Barcelona’s skyline. Standing at over 130 metres, the steel tower was inspired by the image of an ancient Greek athlete kneeling to receive a medal.

Poble Espanyol

 

Poble Espanyol was built for the 1929 International Exposition and features over 110 buildings that replicate the architecture from different regions of Spain. Although it was originally intended to be demolished after the exhibition, it proved so popular that it was decided to preserve it. Today, it is used for a variety of cultural activities, gastronomic events, concerts, and more.

Montjuïc castle

 

Constructed in the 17th century, Montjuïc Castle was initially designed as a military fortress to protect Barcelona from potential attacks. Over time, its role in various conflicts led to it becoming a prison for political prisoners and a site of numerous executions during the Spanish Civil War.
Today, the castle is a museum that explains the city’s military and historical heritage through a series of exhibitions and guided tours. Visiting Montjuïc Castle is a must for anyone passionate about Barcelona’s history.

Other attractions at Montjuïc

 

Covering over 20 square kilometres, Montjuïc offers a wide range of spaces that are impossible to explore in just one day. Here are a few other notable attractions:

 

  • Green Spaces: Montjuïc is home to numerous parks and gardens, many of which were designed centuries ago. Some of the most notable include the Botanical Garden, the Joan Maragall Gardens, and the Laribal Gardens.

 

  • CaixaForum: Housed in a former factory, CaixaForum is a cultural centre that hosts contemporary art exhibitions and offers educational workshops for visitors.

 

  • Joan Miró Foundation: Founded by the artist Joan Miró himself, this museum not only houses the largest collection of his work but also promotes modern art in various forms.

The Sants-Montjuïc area

In addition to the attractions found at Montjuïc, the Sants area offers a wide range of amenities. Not only will you find the landmarks around Plaza España, but also the Fira de Barcelona, the Venetian Towers, and the Las Arenas shopping centre. In the Sants neighbourhood, you can enjoy a great meal at a local restaurant, have a drink at one of its charming squares, and explore new corners of the city.

 

For all these reasons, living in Sants is an excellent option. The area also boasts an excellent public transport network, with Sants station nearby, providing easy access to the rest of Barcelona.

Plan your visit

You can reach Montjuïc by taking the L1 (red line) of the metro and getting off at Plaza España, then transferring to bus 150, which will take you to the main points of interest on the mountain. Alternatively, you can take the L2 (purple line) of the metro and get off at Paral·lel station, then take the funicular and the Montjuïc cable car for a scenic journey with breathtaking views.

The cable car costs between €8 and €10 for a one-way ticket, and between €11 and €16 for a round trip. The funicular operates like the metro, so the price is the same as a regular metro or bus ticket.

The opening hours of Montjuïc Castle vary depending on the time of year:
From March to October, the castle is open from 10:00 to 20:00.
From November to February, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

Ticket prices range from €8 to €16, depending on the type of tour you choose.

On Mondays, it is open from 10:00 to 20:00.
From Tuesday to Sunday, it is open from 10:00 to 00:00. However, if you want to visit a specific site within Poble Espanyol, it’s recommended to check the official website for the exact opening hours.

The price varies depending on whether you purchase tickets online or at the ticket office, as well as the age of the visitor. Generally, tickets range from €9 to €15. We recommend buying your ticket in advance through the official website.

The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) is open from 10:00 to 18:00 in winter, and from 10:00 to 20:00 in summer.

Ticket prices range from €2 to €18, depending on the type of entry and exhibitions you wish to visit.

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