Funicular Montjuic Guide | Tickets, Timings, Tips, & More

There’s a steep hill in Barcelona. And on top of that hill is a gorgeous panoramic view, a castle, museums, gardens, an Olympic legacy, and a whole vibe that feels like a peaceful escape from the city below. The only catch? You’ve gotta get up there. And unless your idea of fun is sweating through a steep 30-minute uphill climb, there’s a better, easier, more stylish way: the Funicular de Montjuïc.

Get the Hola Barcelona Travel Card for unlimited access to buses, metro, and the Montjuïc Funicular—all in one convenient pass.

Plan your Funicular ride better

Barcelona Metro train arriving at a platform with passengers waiting in the station.

Frequency: A train comes every 10 minutes (every 6 minutes in rush hours)
Duration of ride: 2 minutes
Start station: Paral·lel Metro Station
Destination station: Parc de Montjuïc station
Tickets: Complimentary with metro tickets

Cable car ascending Montjuic Hill with view of Sagrada Familia in back

Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 10pm

Weekends & holidays: 9am to 10pm

Paris Metro train arriving at a station platform with passengers boarding.

Hop on the metro and head to Paral·lel Station, served by Line 2 (purple) and Line 3 (green).
Once inside the station, follow the signs for the Funicular de Montjuïc. You won’t have to exit or pay again.

Tips for the best ride

No separate tickets are required to ride the funicular, but keep your ticket handy in case TMB inspectors board — random checks happen, and fines for riding without a valid ticket aren’t fun.
Midday can get busy, especially on weekends or in summer. Ride early in the morning or after 5 pm for a calmer trip.
Once at Parc de Montjuïc, you’re steps away from the Telefèric de Montjuïc (cable car). It’s a separate ticket, but totally worth it for the panoramic views.
Download the TMB App to check live schedules, service updates, and trip planning.
The funicular gets you halfway up, but if you're exploring Montjuïc on foot, you’ll still want good walking shoes. The area is full of gentle slopes, paths, and garden trails.
It’s designed like a metro train, so rolling suitcases and baby strollers are no problem.
Fully accessible with wide platforms and ramps. There are no steps to worry about.
Be respectful. Stay behind the yellow line. Wait for passengers to exit before boarding.

Compare the two Barcelona cable cars.

Why you should add Montjuïc funicular to your Barcelona itinerary

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A quintessential Barcelona experience

The Montjuïc funicular is one of those wonderfully odd, slightly old-school transport quirks that make Barcelona feel like, well, Barcelona. It has been ferrying locals and travelers up this iconic hill since 1928 and has become a slice of real Barcelona life.

Saves your time and energy

Montjuïc is a beast of a hill, and while you could hoof it up, why burn all your energy before you even reach the castle or Olympic Stadium? The funicular gets you up there without the sweat, so you can spend your steps where they count: wandering through museums, gardens, and scenic overlooks.

It’s almost free

Already got a metro pass? Then you’re covered. The funicular is included in your standard TMB Metro ticket, whether it’s a Hola BCN card or a simple single journey ticket. No extra charges. No tourist markup. No “premium ride” surcharge. Just flash (or scan) your metro pass and ride like a local, making it budget-friendly and stress-free.

A guilt-free ride

The funicular is powered electrically and designed for energy efficiency using a counterweight system. It glides up and down the hill quietly, with zero exhaust fumes and a minimal carbon footprint. It's a gentle reminder that public transport can be both eco-conscious and enjoyable!

Drops you near the cable car

The funicular drops you right next to the Telefèric de Montjuïc, the cable car that glides you up to the hilltop, near Montjuïc Castle. Take the cable car for the full Montjuïc experience: castles, coastal panoramas, sculpture parks, Olympic history, and more.

Book your Montjuic cable car tickets

A bit of history

It all started in 1928, when Barcelona was prepping for the dazzling 1929 International Exposition. Montjuïc Hill was chosen as the heart of the event, a showcase of innovation, art, and architecture. But there was one very practical issue: how to get thousands of visitors up a steep incline without exhausting them before they even saw a single pavilion? The answer came in the form of a state-of-the-art funicular, a cable-powered train system designed specifically to tackle steep gradients with smooth efficiency. The Funicular de Montjuïc was born, and just like that, what was once a challenging climb became a quick and stylish ascent.

Over the years, the funicular evolved right alongside the city. It adapted to new technologies, underwent modernization, and received a major facelift ahead of the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Today, it may not be the flashiest ride in the city, but it is the most iconic!

How it works

The funicular is a cable-pulled railway system designed specifically to handle steep inclines. It has two carriages permanently attached to each other by a thick steel cable — as one goes up, the other comes down, perfectly counterbalancing each other. It runs on electric traction and is guided by tracks like a train, but the slope (about 18% incline) is far steeper than regular rail lines.

It’s incredibly energy-efficient, smooth, and reliable.

Confused between the Montjuic cable car and funicular? Click here to see how they compare and which one to ride when

Frequently asked questions for Funicular Montjuïc

Is it free to ride the Funicular de Montjuïc?

Not exactly but you don’t need a special ticket! The funicular is part of Barcelona’s metro system, so your standard metro pass or Hola Barcelona Travel Card covers the ride. That means no extra charge if you’re using a T-Casual, Hola BCN card, or any valid TMB transport ticket.

Where do I board the funicular?

You can board the Funicular de Montjuïc from inside Paral·lel Metro Station (Lines L2 and L3). Just follow the signs; the funicular platform is directly connected, so there is no need to exit the station.

How long is the ride?

The journey is short but scenic, just 758 meters in length and takes under 2 minutes. It’s a smooth, quick ascent that drops you at Parc de Montjuïc station, right at the base of the hill’s main attractions.

What’s near the top station?

A lot! Right outside the funicular station, you’ll find the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car, the Joan Miró Foundation, gardens, viewpoints, and the Olympic Ring. It’s the perfect launch point for a full day of exploring.

Is the funicular wheelchair accessible?

Yes! Both funicular stations are fully accessible, and the carriages are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage. Elevators and ramps are available at both ends.

Is it safe for kids and families?

Absolutely. The ride is short, smooth, and safe; no sudden drops or steep climbs to worry about. It's a great option for families with young children or older travelers who prefer not to climb the hill on foot.

Is it worth riding just for the experience?

Definitely! Even if you’re not heading to Montjuïc Castle or a specific museum, the ride itself is part of Barcelona’s transport heritage. It’s fun, efficient, and gives you a little taste of local life. Plus, it connects to the cable car, which is worth the ride for the views alone.