In this post, we roundup some of the fab things you can do in Montjuïc Hill in Barcelona.
There is so much on offer on Montjuïc Hill that you could easily and happily spend a full day up here. Located in southwest Barcelona, Montjuïc Hill lies close to the harbour and the city centre. More recently, the hill has become known as Montjuïc Park, which suits it as a visit feels more like a fun day out with lots of attractions. And as one of the highest points in the city, you could come to Montjuïc Hill for the spectacular views alone and not leave disappointed.
However, as well as numerous fab viewing spots, there are also plenty of things to do on Montjuïc Hill. Here’s our roundup of our top picks… We’ve also highlighted them on a map towards the bottom of this post.
Best things to do on Montjuïc Hill
Palau Nacional: National Art Museum of Catalonia
Often abbreviated to MNAC (for Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya), the museum has a collection spanning nearly a thousand years of art. A big highlight is the rooms dedicated to Romanesque mural painting. As well as showcasing painting through the ages from the gothic to the modern, the museum also has a great collection of drawings, photographs and coins.
The museum is housed in the Palau Nacional (pictured at the top), which was built for the 1929 Exposition and is topped with a grand dome inspired by that of St Peter’s in the Vatican City. The steps and square in the front of the museum is a popular place for pictures and has some great views of the city. It’s also close where you’ll find the Magic Fountain.
Ticket prices and opening hours
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday (except some public holidays). Opening hours depend on the season but there are generally shorter opening times on Sundays and public holidays.
Standard admission is €12. Free entry for children under 16 years old or over 65 years old. There are certain times when anyone can access the museum for free. For information including the full opening hours, visit: museunacional.cat.
Magic Fountain
As the name suggests, this is not your average water fountain. In the evenings on most weekends throughout the year, the fountain becomes a spectacular show featuring changing colours, water acrobatics and music.
Here’s one of this displays…
The Magic Fountain is a lovely way to finish a day at Montjuïc Hill if a display is on.
Show times
- April to May & October: Thursday to Saturday from 9.00pm to 10.00pm
- June to September: Wednesday to Sunday from 9.30pm to 10.30pm
- November to March (except the dates below): Thursday to Saturday from 8.00pm to 9.00pm
There are no displays from 7 January to 28 February.
Joan Miró Foundation
Joan Miró Foundation
Miró set up the Foundation on Montjuïc Hill with the aim of it becoming a centre for showcasing and researching contemporary art. Originally from Barcelona, the sculptor and painter bequeathed the Foundation to the city on his death. The Foundation includes a museum with a collection that features Miró’s work alongside that by other contemporary artists. It’s housed in a beautiful white modernist building designed by Miró’s friend Josep Lluís Sert. As well as enjoying the art on display, the gardens and building’s roof terrace offers fab views of the city.
Ticket prices and opening hours
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sundays. Thursdays and Saturdays generally have longer opening hours whilst Sundays sees an earlier closing of 3.00pm.
Standard admission is €12 and concession tickets are €7. For more information including the full opening hours, visit: fmirobcn.org.
Olympic site
Olympic site on Montjuïc Hill
Several venues used during the Olympics are located in what is referred to as the Anella Olimpica (or Olympic Ring) on Montjuïc Hill. The general site is a big open space featuring the Montjuïc Communications Tower and some funky sculptures. You can also enjoy great views of the city from here and is a great spot for a picnic.
Venues located here include the Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordi (an indoor arena) and Piscines Bernat Picornell. The latter is a centre featuring a gym and three swimming pools that is open to the public throughout the year. It includes an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool. There is another outdoor swimming pool located 1 kilometre east of here, which is only open in July and August. However, it offers spectacular views of the city. You can read more about it in: Views to dive for – Montjuïc Swimming Pool (Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc).
Montjuïc Castle
In the moat of Montjuïc Castle | Image: Heidi De Vries/Flickr
Montjuïc Castle is a fortress with foundations dating as far back as the 17th century. Located on the southeast side of the hill, facing the harbour, the castle is at the highest point of the hill. As a result, it offers commanding 360 degree views of the city and Mediterranean sea. The castle played an important role during the Spanish Civil War. On a visit, you can learn more about its history as well as walk along the outer castle walls, towers and what used to be a moat.
To save the walk uphill, you can take a cable car from Avinguda Miramar on the hill to the summit for Montjuïc Castle. The cable car station on Avinguda Miramar is a couple of hundred metres from the Joan Miró Foundation or about 700 metres from the Olympic Stadium. To find out more, visit: telefericdemontjuic.cat.
Ticket prices and opening hours
The castle is open everyday of the year except 1 January and 25 December. In the summer (March to October), it’s open from 10.00am to 8.00pm. In the winter (November to February), the castle is open from 10.00am to 6.00pm.
Standard admission costs €5. It’s free to visit on Sundays after 3.00pm and also on the first Sundays of the month. For more information, visit: ajuntament.barcelona.cat/castelldemontjuic.
Botanic Gardens (Jardí Botànic)
The Botanic Gardens are located between the Olympic site and Montjuïc Castle. It’s part of the Museum of Natural Sciences, which is located across several sites. The Botanic Gardens features numerous gardens showcasing different types of vegetation of different climatic zones.
Ticket prices and opening hours
The gardens are open daily with later opening hours during the summer months. It’s closed on 1 January, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December.
Standard admission is €3.50. You can enjoy free entry on Sundays after 3.00pm as well as on the first Sunday of every month. For more information, visit: museuciencies.cat.
Flying down to the beach: Teleferico del Puerto
When it’s time to head back down to the city proper, you can take the Teleferico del Puerto down to the beach and port. Unless you’re afraid of heights, it’s the best way to get down! The ride offers wonderful views of the city and the sea. And if you’re looking to finish the night off in style, there is a fine dining restaurant at the top of one of the cable car towers. You can read more about the teleferico and the restaurant in our posts below:
- Barcelona’s Port Cable Car
- Mile High Dining at Torre d’Alta Mar
Getting to Montjuïc Hill
There are different ways to get to the hill. If you’re driving, there are car parks by the National Art Museum of Catalonia, Olympic Stadium and the castle.
By public transport, the quickest way up is to take the Port Cable Car, which you can get from Torre de Sant Sebastia near Barceloneta Beach. There is also a funicular you can take from Paral·lel Metro station in the city centre. Alternatively, buses 55 and 150 go up the hill from the city centre. And if you’re up for a hike, you could also walk up the hill.