Visit Montjuïc
Situated not too far from Barcelona city center is Montjuïc, a hill standing at 173m above sea level. The towering landscape lies right beside the sea, offering brilliant views of the coast as well as providing a great day out for visitors and locals alike.
A key site for Barcelona tourism, there is much speculation about the origin of the hill’s name, but many theorise that it comes from “Mountain of the Jews,” referring to the medieval Jewish cemetery that was found on the hillside. Others think it derives from “Monte Jovis” due to the possible existence of a Roman temple at this site that was dedicated to the God Jupiter.
Whatever your beliefs about the name, Montjuïc has a lot to offer for tourists. It is often known as Parc de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Park) thanks to its leafy trees and fresh, alpine air. But, aside from the beauty of the place, there are lots of things to do. Check out the best tourist spots below to make the most out of your visit.
CaixaForum
Contemporary art lovers will thoroughly enjoy the CaixaForum and its marvellous collection. Even the architecture of the building is stunning, with the artworks housed in a renovated factory that even served as the HQ for the First Squadron of the police cavalry unit for much of the 20th Century.
Entry to the museum is €4 (free for children) but be aware that the 1st Sunday of each month is free! And, during the warmer months, the CaixaForum sometimes hosts musical events, so be sure to check out their webpage for more information.
MNAC
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (or MNAC), is another one for the connoisseurs of art. At the more expensive price of €12, MNAC was constructed for the World Exhibition in 1929, and houses a timeline of Catalan art spanning from the Middle Ages to the early 20th Century.
The Romanesque Frescoes draw the most attention, including Christ in Majesty (dated around 1123) and Virgin Mary and Christ Child. Amongst the medieval works are items of Modernista furniture and decorations, including a mural by Roman Casas that once decorated the bar and restaurant Els Quatre Gats (Picasso’s favorite hangout).
If you’re here for Barcelona sightseeing, then why not see it all from the top? Skip the art and go straight to the rooftop viewpoint; the admission price is €2 for a stunning photo op.
Museu Etnològic
If you are interested in Catalonian history, this museum is for you. The ethnology museum has a permanent collection displaying exhibits on myths, religious festivals, folklore, and other treasures from Barcelona’s past.
Don’t miss the massive gegants (figures made of papier-mâché) of King Jaume I and Queen Violant. There is also a dragon and devil costumes that are used in the correfocs (fire runs), which you can see in Catalonian festivals.
As with the two museums above, the first Sunday of the month is free for visitors (in this case only between 4-8pm), but the usual price is €5.
Jardí Botànic
Montjuïc has its fair share of parks and green spaces to lounge and get some breathing room away from Barcelona’s architecture, and one of the most
beautiful places to do this is the Jardí Botànic. The garden is dedicated to Mediterranean flora and contains some 1500 species. It costs €3.50 to enter the gardens, but is free after 3pm on the first Sunday of the month.
Plaça d’Espanya
This roundabout is one of Barcelona’s most important squares. It was built for the International Exhibition. It can be distinguished by the Venetian Towers, named for their resemblance to the belltower in Venice’s St Mark’s Square. Another key feature of the square is the Arenas de Barcelona, which was formerly a bullring. It was constructed in Moorish style, but has since been converted into a shopping center.
The Arenas has a viewpoint that is great for looking out over Barcelona. The escalators inside the mall are free to use, but the outside lift has a price of €1.
Montjuïc Castle
Sitting at the highest point of the mountain lies Montjuïc Castle, offering breathtaking views of both the coastline and the city. The castle is steeped in history, such as its role in the Spanish Civil War and its period as a prison. Now, the castle has some temporary exhibitions and hosts a few cultural events. Most visitors, however, visit the castle for its view.
You will need to pay to enter the castle, which will set you back €5. Try visiting the viewpoint just before sunset to watch the sun go down over the city.
Estadio Olímpic Lluís Companys
When Barcelona has hosted Olympic games in the past, this stadium is the main location for the sporting events. It sits right at the heart of Montjuïc and was opened in 1929 but has been restored a few times since. It is now a 54,000-capacity stadium, used for sporadic events including sporting and musical.
Visitors can see a small portion of the stadium free of charge by entering under the Olympic Torch.
El Poble Espanyol
The ‘Spanish Village’ is a wonderful attraction that many visitors love to see. It incorporates architecture and design from all the regions of Spain, giving an intriguing insight into the cultural differences across the country. It takes a few hours to wander around the 117 buildings, which includes 17 restaurants, cafes and bars, and 20 craft shops as well as places to buy souvenirs.
It costs €14 to enter, or €7 for children, but splashing out €3.50 extra on a multimedia guide is well worth the price (you will need to leave a €20 deposit to ensure you return it).
Getting to Montjuïc
Now that you’re probably sold on the trip to Montjuïc thanks to all the Barcelona tourist attractions to tick off your list, how do you get there? There are a number of ways to get up the hill, including by foot if you are situated nearby. Metro Stops nearby include Espanya, Parallel and Poble Sec, which are serviced by Lines 1, 2 and 3. Many of the bus lines also run to Montjuïc. For a more fun experience, you can catch the Funicular at Parallel Metro Station and use the same metro ticket to get up the mountain. Alternatively, you can take the Aeri del Port Cable Car, running from the Sant Sebastià tower in La Barceloneta (a return ticket is €16.50).
Montjuïc is definitely one of the best things to do in Barcelona, with plenty of places to visit and things to see.
