Montjuic, which translates to Jewish Mountain, is a scenic wooded hill in Barcelona. Rising 173m above the sea level between Placa Espanya and the commercial port, Montjuic was once the home of Barcelona's Jewish population. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the hill was fortified several times, survived shelling and was even used as a prison and execution site. Presently, the hill functions as a full-fledged tourist-friendly destination offering spectacular views of Barcelona. Planning a Montjuic day trip? Our guide has all the information you need.
Why Take a Barcelona to Montjuic Day Trip?
- At just 7 km from the city center, a Montjuic day trip is the perfect place to visit from Barcelona. You can take a cab, train or even walk if you're in the mood.
- There's no better place than Montjuic to witness glorious views of Barcelona. The hill's natural plateau-esque top allows for uninterrupted views of Barcelona city and the harbor
- There's a lot to see and do here, including the Montjuic Castle, the Joan Miro Museum, Poble Espanyol, the Olympic Ring and much more!
- The origins of the hill, its past as a prison and execution site, make a Montjuic day trip a must!
- If you're looking for an offbeat experience, you can opt for the amazing cable car ride on a Barcelona to Montjuic day trip. Enjoy picturesque views of the city as you glide above it to the top of the hill!
Essential Info
Montjuic is a collection of different experiences and attractions, including a castle, a park, museums, cable car ride and more!
Given that there's a lot to do at the hill, you can easily spend anywhere between 6-8 hours exploring everything.
Opening times for Castell de Montjuic and Parc de Montjuic vary throughout the year but both open at 10:00 AM. Similarly, the cable car time varies from month to month with the opening hour being 10:00 AM throughout the year.
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- Montjuic Funicular: This funicular railway connects Montjuic with the Metro Transportation system at Paral·lel Station, Lines 2 and 3. If you're taking the metro, this is the easiest and fastest way to get to Montjuic.
- Metro: Take any train in line L2 and L3, and deboard at Paral·lel station. From the station, you'll need to take the Montjuïc funicular.
- Bus: Get onboard buses 55 or 150 and get off at the Telefèric de Montjuïc stop.
- Taxi: If public transport is not your deal, you can always take a taxi in the city. It's easier and cheaper to book a taxi through an app than flagging a taxi down.
Montjuic Cable Car
- Enjoy stunning panoramic views from the air, as you glide over the city of Barcelona.
- The cable car is equipped with modern cabins that can seat up to eight people, making it perfect for families or big groups.
- Witness iconic Barcelona monuments, including the Sagrada Familia and the Torre Agbar from your vantage point.
- Once you get to the top of the hill, explore the ancient Montjuic Castle and the Military Armor Museum.
Best time to visit Montjuic
Spring
Spring in Montjuic is sunny with some amount of rain. The weather is perfect for leisurely strolls through parks and streets and the average temperature ranges from 16 °C to 18 °C.
Summer
There's a noticeable change in the temperature come summer. July and August are the hottest months with the temperature rising to 38 °C during the afternoon. Evenings cool down considerably with the average temperature ranging from 18-19 °C.
Autumn
Autumn in Barcelona is warm and cloudy and the first two months of the season feature stormy winds with thick clouds. In November, the precipitation and temperature decrease with the seasonal drop of averages going from 26 °C in September to 17 °C in November.
Winter
Winter in Barcelona is pretty stable with daytime averages varying between 13-15 °C while at night temperature is at around 5 °C The weather is slightly unpredictable with one sunny day followed by a cloudy and cold week.
Top Things to Do/See Around Montjuic
Olympic Ring
The Olympic Ring is the assortment of buildings constructed or renovated for the 1992 Summer Games. While you can't enter most of the buildings unless there's an event, the Stadium and the neighboring Palau Sant Jordi host some big-name bands. The Olympic Ring is a beautifully landscaped zone featuring fountains and colonnades. The area also houses Calatrava’s epic telecommunications needle, arguably the world’s most beautiful telecom tower.
Opening Hours:
- Tues to Sat: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sun: 10 AM to 2:30 PM
Closed: Mondays
Ticket Price: €5.80
Poble Espanyol
Arguably one of the finest open air architectural museums in the world, Poble Espanyol makes for a delightful experience. The best way to explore this museum is with an audio guide that’ll give you all the information you need to know about life in Spain. A museum unlike any other, Poble Espanyol houses numerous towns, streets, houses, theatres, squares, and restaurants, making it extremely life-like.
Opening Hours:
- Mon: 9 :00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sun: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Fri: 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- Sat: 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Ticket Price: €12.60
Montjuic Castle
At the summit of Montjuic Hill is a majestic construction called Montjuïc Castle. An ideal defensive site, the castle offers panoramic views of the city and the harbor. The first fortress was built in 1640, during the Reapers’ War, and has survived to the present day. Apart from visiting the parade ground and watchtower, you can also head into the castle dungeons or enjoy the breathtaking views of Barcelona’s commercial port.
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Ticket Price: €5
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
One of the most popular museums in Barcelona due to its modern art collection exhibited on the 1st floor, Museu Nacional d' Art de Catalunya makes for a fascinating visit. The museum houses iconic works by Picasso, Dali, Ramon Casas and other Barcelona artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum also boasts some furniture by the legendary Antoni Gaudi himself.
Opening Hours:
- Tues to Sat: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sun: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Closed: Mondays
Ticket Price: €12
Magic Fountain
Amongst the most popular things to do in Barcelona for tourists is attending a performance at the Magic Fountain. Located at the foot of the MNAC, adjacent to the Placa Espanya metro station, the fountain makes for a vibrant, colorful visual spectacle. From Thursday to Sunday in the summer months and Friday and Saturday during the winters, there are many 15-minute shows during the night when over 3,600 water jets go wild to a soundtrack of classic and pop hits, featuring every color of the rainbow.
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the time of the year.
Ticket Price: Free of cost
Caixa Forum
The glorious Caixa Forum is an exhibition space, with a never-ending mix of fabulous exhibitions. Formerly a factory space, the exhibition space now hosts exhibitions on diverse topics, such as street photography and vampires in myth and art. The building was designed by Puig i Cadafalch, a peer of Gaudi’s, and its red brick facade is a classic example of Catalan Modernista architecture. The exhibition space is located 5 minutes away from Plaça Espanya.
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Tickets: €6
The German Pavilion
A small showcase building designed by Mies van der Rohe for the 1929 International Fair The Pavelló Alemany or German Pavilion is a must visit for architecture aficionados. For casual tourists, the building might not hold much interest, but to architecture enthusiasts who know a cutting edge edifice when they see one, this peaceful pavilion is fascinating.
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (till 6:00 PM only, November to February)
Tickets: €7
Botanical Gardens
While Montjuic Hill is itself a big park, some parts of it are more special than others, including the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Home to over 1300 unique species of plants from all over the globe this garden is a must-visit when in Barcelona. The best of the Botanical Gardens is that it doesn’t look the same throughout the year. Depending upon the weather and season, different plants are grown, giving the gardens a unique look
Opening Hours: Depends on time of year, but approximately 10:00 AM till sunset.
Tickets: €3.50
Your Experience on a Montjuic Day Trip
If you're opting for Montjuic cable car tickets, your day trip will begin with a relaxing journey up to Montjuic Castle, as the cable car glides up the hill. During the journey up, you'll be able to see the entirety of Barcelona, including the bustling metropolis, with a backdrop of lush green hilly forests and the beautiful mountains.
Situated about 170 meters above sea level, the Montjuic Castle offers spectacular views of the coastline and Barcelona. The Military Armor Museum is home to a vast number of exhibits of the various types of armor used by the Catalans. Here, you can see armor equipped mannequins, allowing you to understand how soldiers of this era would have looked like in the flesh. Once you're done exploring the Montjuic Castle, you can take the cable car back to the ground level.
Know Before You Go
- Book your Montjuic cable car tickets online. Not only will you have your tickets confirmed but you'll also get them for much cheaper.
- The cable cars leave at specific times. Check the time table while planning the trip to avoid waiting for your turn.
- If you're taking the cable car up and planning to walk down, remember to wear comfortable footwear since the climb down isn't possible without them.
- If you're planning a Montjuic day trip, figure out the attractions you wish to visit beforehand. This will help save your time and ensure that you cover everything you want to.
- If you have opted for a guided tour, make sure you stick to the route laid out and not venture into the unknown.
- Coronavirus advisory: Planning a trip to Barcelona? The COVID19 pandemic is currently at large and we would recommend postponing your trip till the situation around the globe is back to normal.
Nearby Attractions
Plaça d'Espanya
Plaça España is a beautiful plaza just out of the center of town. Plaça d'Espanya is also home to Barcelona's old bull-fighting ring, which has now been converted into the Las Arenas de Barcelona commercial center.
Museu de Cera de Barcelona
Home to over 360 wax figures of kings, murderers, popes and other famous personalities, the Museu de Cera de Barcelona is another must visit. Amongst the wax figures are personalities of the Spanish-Catalan history and the region, along with many internationally known figures as well.
Güell Palace
The Güell Palace, an iconic milestone of European architecture, is considered one of the pioneering buildings of the Art Nouveau movement, Designed by architect supreme Antoni Gaudi, Guell Palace is beautifully unique. Gaudi applied his imagination to create some exceptionally expressive forms, making the building a must visit when in Barcelona.
Restaurants
There are many restaurants close to Montjuic, including Tickets, Restaurant La Perla Bcn, Martínez, Spice Bcn Paraŀlel and others.