Montjuïc Funicular vs Cable Car | Which Should You Take?

So, you're heading up the gorgeous Montjuïc Hill, chasing castle views, garden strolls, museums, or maybe just a break from the city buzz. But here’s where many travellers pause:

What’s the difference between the Montjuïc Funicular and the Montjuïc Cable Car?Both go up, but they’re not the same ride, and depending on your plans, time, and location, you’ll want to pick the right one (or both!).

Let’s untangle it all: where they go, how they work, how to get there, and which ride makes the most sense for you.

Key differences at a glance

Funicular de Montjuïc

Montjuïc Cable Car

Type

Inclined metro-style train

Gondola-style lift

Operated by

TMB (Barcelona Metro)

Barcelona Turisme

Start point

Paral·lel Metro station

Parc de Montjuïc

End point

Parc de Montjuïc

Castell de Montjuïc

Ride Duration

~2 minutes

~7 minutes one way

Frequency

Every 10 minutes or less

Every few minutes

Accessibility

Fully accessible

Tickets

Included in your metro pass

Separate ticket required

Everything about Funicular de Montjuïc

The Funicular de Montjuïc is a steep metro line, like a cross between a subway and a ski lift on rails. It’s built on a slope and pulled by a cable, but operates as part of Barcelona’s TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) network.

Tickets: Covered by your Hola Barcelona Travel Card and any other standard metro ticket. No need for a separate ticket or surcharge.

Start station: Paral·lel Metro Station (Lines L2 and L3)

How to get there: Enter Paral·lel Station, follow signs for "Funicular de Montjuïc". You don’t even need to leave the station. It’s a transfer like any other metro line.

End station: Parc de Montjuïc Station, near the cable car lower station

Opening hours: 7:30am to 8pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am to 8pm (Weekends and holidays)
Extended hours: Open till 10pm (usually June to September)
Frequency: Daily, every 10 minutes or less

Elevators and escalators make the station fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
TMB Ticket machines at Paral·lel station entrance.
Signage in English, Spanish, and Catalan.
Security staff are often present during the day.
Wi-Fi and mobile coverage within metro zones.

Note: There are no restrooms inside the funicular station. The nearest ones are in Parc de Montjuïc or the Joan Miró Foundation.

Go early or late afternoon to avoid peak sun and crowds.
Photo op alert: Though the funicular itself isn’t scenic, it’s your gateway to very photogenic places, so carry your camera.
Pack water and snacks before you ride, there aren’t shops immediately at the top station.
Plan your walking route from the funicular exit; some attractions are uphill.
Download the TMB app for live schedules and a smooth transfer experience.

Once you arrive at Parc de Montjuïc Station, you’re within walking distance of:

Teatre Grec

A stunning open-air amphitheatre

Fundació Joan Miró

Home to colorful, dreamlike modern art

Jardins de Joan Maragall

Elegant, lesser-known gardens with statues and fountains

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

One of Europe’s grandest art museums, crowned with jaw-dropping city views and a palace-like façade.

Montjuïc Cable Car lower station

Steps away, perfect for continuing upward to Montjuïc Castle.

Everything about Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)

The Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric) is a scenic gondola-style lift that carries you from the mid-slope (Parc de Montjuïc) to the Montjuïc Castle on the hilltop.

Tickets: Not included in the metro or Hola cards. Book round-trip Montjuïc Cable Car tickets online.

Start station: Telefèric de Montjuïc lower station

How to get there: The boarding point is right beside the funicular’s Parc de Montjuïc stop, you just have to walk a few steps to get there.

Destination station: Castell de Montjuïc

Midway stop on return journey: Mirador station

Get detailed directions to Montjuïc Cable Car

Opening hours: 10am to 6pm/ 7pm/ 9pm, depending on season
Closed on: Some maintenance days in January
Frequency: Runs daily, with cabins departing every few minutes

What's the nest time to visit Montjuic

Step-free access at all cable car stations (great for wheelchairs & strollers).
Ticket counters and machines at Parc de Montjuïc Station.
Shaded waiting areas with benches.
You can access free Wi-Fi at most stations.
Souvenir kiosks & snack stands (especially near Castell station).
Public restrooms are available at Montjuïc Castle and the Mirador area.

Plan your Montjuic Cable Car ride like a pro

On the way up, sit with your back to the hillside for sweeping views of the port, city skyline, and Sagrada Família in the distance.
Go early in the morning or during golden hour for softer light and shorter lines.
Montjuïc is hilly and spread out. Even after the cable car ride, you’ll still be doing plenty of walking, especially if you explore the castle or nearby parks.
The cable car may temporarily close if winds get too strong. Check the official site or TMB app before heading out on breezy days.
Although the Mirador station is often skipped, it's worth hopping off for a coffee or a stroll through the Jardins de Miramar, which offer port views.

Parc de Montjuic:

Joan Miró Foundation: A bold, modernist space showcasing the surreal works of Miró.
Poble Espanyol: A charming open-air museum recreating traditional architecture from across Spain.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc: A lively evening show of music, lights, and water.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC): Home to an impressive collection of Catalan art, housed in a grand palace.

Castell Station

Montjuïc Castle: A 17th-century military fortress with sweeping city-and-sea views.
Botanical Garden: A peaceful hilltop escape with Mediterranean plants from around the world.

Mirador Station

Mirador de l’Alcalde: Sweeping panoramic terrace with views of the port.
Jardins de Miramar: Elegant gardens perfect for a quiet moment or a picnic.

Know when to ride which one

Ride the Funicular if:

You already have a Hola Barcelona card or metro ticket.
You’re tight on budget or time.
You’re planning to walk the rest of the way up or take the cable car from the mid-hill station.
You want the most efficient way to get to the park level.

Ride the Cable Car if:

You want sweeping views over Barcelona and the coast.
You’re going all the way to Montjuïc Castle.
You're looking for a fun, memorable ride (ideal for families, couples, first-timers).
You don’t mind paying extra for the experience.

Your best bet? Ride both!

Here’s the ideal game plan:

Start at Paral·lel Metro station.
Take the Funicular de Montjuïc (no extra charge).
Transfer to the Montjuïc Cable Car just outside the station.
Soar up to Montjuïc Castle, enjoy the views.
Walk or ride back down through gardens, or return via the same route.

How do the Montjuïc Funicular and Cable Car work?

Montjuïc Funicular

The Funicular de Montjuïc is a cable-pulled railway system that travels along steep tracks, designed specifically to help people ascend or descend an incline too steep for standard metro trains.

Here’s how it works:

Two carriages are connected by a hidden cable, and as one goes up, the other comes down—perfectly counterbalanced like a giant elevator on rails.
It’s not suspended in the air, but rides along a short, inclined track that runs from Paral·lel Metro Station to Parc de Montjuïc.

Montjuïc Cable Car

The Telefèric de Montjuïc is a gondola-style cable car, meaning you ride inside a small, enclosed cabin that's suspended from a thick overhead cable. Picture it like a ski lift, but with more stability, sleeker cabins, and way better views of the Mediterranean.

Here’s how it works:

A series of electric motors and pulleys power the cable, which moves in a continuous loop, kind of like a giant conveyor belt in the sky.
The cabins are attached to this moving cable, so they glide smoothly from one station to the next without ever needing to stop.

Frequently asked questions about Montjuic Cable Car vs Funicular

What’s the difference between the Montjuïc Funicular and the Montjuïc Cable Car?

The Funicular de Montjuïc is a short train that climbs the hill from Paral·lel Metro Station to Montjuïc Park. It’s part of the regular metro system.

The Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc) is a scenic gondola ride that continues uphill from the funicular’s top station to Montjuïc Castle. It’s a separate ticketed attraction with panoramic city views.

Do I need separate tickets for both?

Yes. The funicular is included in your TMB metro ticket or travel pass (like the Hola Barcelona Card). The cable car requires a separate ticket, unless you’ve purchased a bundle or card that includes it.

Can I use my metro pass on the cable car?

No, your metro pass does not cover the cable car. You will have to book Montjuic Cable Car tickets or city passes that include bundled cable car access.

Can I bring strollers, luggage, or wheelchairs?

Yes! Both services are fully accessible. The funicular has elevators and space for strollers and wheelchairs. The cable car cabins are roomy and easy to board with mobility devices or bags.

What’s the best way to ride both in one trip?

Start your journey at Paral·lel Metro Station, ride the funicular to the park, and from there, hop on the cable car to reach Montjuïc Castle. It’s seamless, scenic, and the most efficient way to explore the hill.

Is it worth doing both?

Absolutely. The funicular gets you up the hill quickly, while the cable car adds a fun, aerial layer to the experience. Together, they make exploring Montjuïc easier, greener, and way more exciting.