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Which Barcelona Cable Car is better: Montjuïc Cable Car or Port Vell Cable Car

So you're in Barcelona, that sparkling Mediterranean gem where Gothic spires meet Gaudí curves, and you're standing at the foot of a cable car station wondering: Which one should I take: the Montjuïc Cable Car or the Port Vell Cable Car?

Let’s break it down. Both are sky-high, panoramic joyrides, but they offer very different experiences. This is your no-nonsense, fluff-light guide to choosing between them or doing them both, because after all, you're in Barcelona, and you deserve to treat yourself!

​Read more about Montjuïc Cable Car

First, what’s the difference?

Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)

A sleek, modern gondola lift that takes you from Parc de Montjuïc up to Montjuïc Castle, with another stop on your way back, at Mirador.

Port Vell Cable Car (Aeri del Port)

A vintage red cable car that travels over the harbor, connecting Barceloneta Beach with Miramar on Montjuïc Hill, and delivers a splash of adrenaline along with those sea views.

Key differences at a glance

<no-content>Montjuïc Cable CarPort Vell Cable Car

Opened

1970 (rebuilt 2007)

1931 (revived 1963, 2000)

Length

752 m

1,303 m

Elevation

84 m climb

~100 m high

Cabin

55 modern glass gondolas that seat 8 people each

2 vintage cabins that seat 20 people each

Stops

3: Park – Mirador – Castle

3: Miramar – Jaume I – Sant Sebastià

Accessible

✅

❌

Best for

Comfortable sightseeing & castle visit

Dramatic launch over water

Comparing the experience of the Barcelona cable cars

Montjuïc Cable Car

  • Think of it as your calm, steady ride to the top of Barcelona’s green crown.
  • The cabins are glass-enclosed and air-conditioned, so you’re comfortable even in the middle of July.
  • It’s a smooth glide above the lush Montjuïc hill with postcard views of the city skyline, the port, and even the Sagrada Família peeking through.
  • There are 3 stops: Parc de Montjuïc (base), Mirador (midpoint), and Castell (summit).
  • Round-trip and one-way tickets available; you can hop off and explore gardens, museums, or even hike the trails.

Port Vell Cable Car

  • It's the classic. Opened in 1931. It looks like it could be an extra in a Wes Anderson movie.
  • The ride is thrilling, a suspended dash over the blue sweep of the harbor at a height of nearly 100 meters.
  • It connects the Torre Sant Sebastià (near Barceloneta) to the Torre Jaume I and then up to Miramar on Montjuïc.
  • The cars are small and cozy, and you’ll feel the gentle sway of the wind (yes, it’s totally safe, but let’s just say skip it if you’re afraid of heights).

What will you see

Miramar viewpoint overlooking Barcelona cityscape from Montjuic hill, Spain.

Sweeping views of Montjuïc’s greenery.

View of Central embankment of Barcelona from Montjuic cable car

Barcelona’s skyline in all its eclectic glory.

Olympic Stadium Barcelona with surrounding Anella Olímpica structures in the Ring Olympic area.

The Olympic Stadium, botanical gardens, and Montjuïc Castle.

Montjuic Cable Car over Barcelona cityscape with Aquarium Barcelona in view.

A front-row view of the harbor, with yachts, cruise ships, and the turquoise sea laid out like a painting.

Aerial view of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, featured in the Barcelona Travel Guide.

Look north: see the Gothic Quarter’s rooftops and cathedrals.

Montjuic cable car overlooking Barcelona harbor and cityscape.

Look down: you are gliding over water.

Barcelona cable car timings

Montjuïc Cable Car

  • Ride duration: Around 5–7 minutes from base to top.
  • Opening hours: Open daily, with longer hours in summer (roughly 10am to 9pm).
  • Frequency: Every couple of minutes
  • Great for daytime exploration; less dramatic at night since it's mostly a nature route.
More details on Montjuïc hours

Port Vell Cable Car

  • Ride duration: Around 7-10 minutes.
  • Opening hours: Vary as per season and winds or weather can shut it down without warning.
  • Frequency: Longer waits, since each car carries fewer people, and it’s very popular.

Final verdict: Which one should you choose?

Go for the Montjuïc Cable Car if

  • You want a scenic ride and a historic destination: Montjuïc Castle.
  • You’re looking for a more accessible, comfortable, and flexible option.
  • You're building a day around Montjuïc. It fits perfectly into any itinerary for exploring the hill and is easily accessible to top museums, gardens, and Olympic sites.

Go for the Port Vell Cable Car if

  • You want a wow factor experience that floats you over the sea like some kind of movie star.
  • You're okay with a little wait and a little sway.
  • You’re near the beach and want to get up to Montjuïc in the most dramatic way possible.

Why not take both Barcelona cable cars

Sant Sebastià Tower
Jardins de Miramar overlooking Barcelona skyline in Montjuic Park, Catalonia, Spain.
Cable car ascending Montjuic Hill with Sagrada Familia visible in the background, Barcelona.
Montjuic Castle walls in Barcelona, part of the Barcelona All Inclusive Card tour.
Cable car ascending Parc de Montjuic, Barcelona, with cityscape and Mediterranean Sea in the background.
Avinguda Maria Cristina in Barcelona
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Step 1: Start at Sant Sebastià Tower (Port Vell Cable Car)

Begin your journey in Barceloneta, at the base of the towering Sant Sebastià Tower. Ride the vintage red cabin across the harbor, soaring over boats, docks, and palm-lined promenades. The ride ends at the Miramar station on Montjuïc.

Step 2: Walk uphill through Montjuïc

From Miramar, take your time exploring the gardens and monuments of Montjuïc. The walk uphill is gentle and full of hidden gems; think sculpture parks, fountains, and Olympic landmarks.

Step 3: Board the Montjuïc Cable Car at Parc de Montjuïc

Once you reach the cable car base station, hop onto a sleek, modern gondola. This ride takes you up to Montjuïc Castle with stunning views over the city and coastline.

Step 4: Explore Montjuïc Castle

Wander the ramparts, peek into the old fortress, and take in some of the best panoramic views in Barcelona. You’ll see both the sea and the skyline stretching endlessly.

Step 5: Ride the Montjuïc Cable Car back down

When you’re ready to descend, ride the same cable car back to Parc de Montjuïc station.

Step 6: Head back to the city

From here, you can either take the funicular down to the metro at Paral·lel or continue walking downhill through the parklands and gardens.

Frequently asked questions about Barcelona cable cars

The Montjuïc Cable Car takes you up the hill from Parc de Montjuïc to Montjuïc Castle, offering views of gardens, cityscapes, and historical landmarks. The Port Vell Cable Car crosses over the harbor from Barceloneta to Montjuïc, giving you a thrilling ride over the sea with spectacular views of boats, the beach, and the city skyline.