Things to do in Barcelona

See Barcelona like never before with the Montjuïc Cable Car!

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Did you know that the hill that gives you best views in Barcelona had a military past? Montjuïc Hill, in Barcelona, had several fortifications in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.The hill survived shelling in the city and served as a prison and execution site.

Today, Montjuïc is more than the gory past. It is vibrant, and of cultural and historic importance. On Montjuïc Hill, you can visit the Castle, for panoramic views of Barcelona; or delve into the art in the numerous museums; or marvel at the beauty of Poble Espanyol, where you can experience Spanish life during the 1920s. You can also discover the Olympic site, built as an alternative to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Montjuïc cable car ride is a memorable experience, from where you can view Montjuïc in all its splendour. Barcelona is gorgeous, and there’s no better way to explore it than the luxuriously convenient Montjuïc cable car.

Your Experience at Montjuïc


Montjuïc cable car

The Montjuïc cable car covers a distance of 750 metres to the mountain in a comfortable car. The view from the cable car is breathtaking. On one side stretches the city of Barcelona, with its stunning Catalan architecture. On the other, the lush green gardens of the Montjuïc beckon you. And as you move further, you can see the beautiful Mediterranean Sea glimmer under the sun.

One of the best attractions of Montjuïc Hill is the stunning Castle. The Castle is proof of Barcelona’s military past and Catalonian defenses from invasions, and can be reached by alighting at the Castell stop on the Cable Car route. Some of the other attractions are the bastions, the entrance bridge and facade, the parade ground, the watchtower, the sea facing wall, and the moat. There’s a sculpture at the moat which is an homage to the metre, which was discovered by Pierre-André Méchain. The Castle also hosts shows and concerts in the summer.

hours

Montjuïc Cable Car Hours

January to February, November to December : Daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
March to May & Oct : Daily from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
June to September : 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

What's So Special About Montjuïc?


Montjuïc cable car

Observing a city from a bird's eye view is always a unique experience. Barcelona is one of Europe’s most stunning cities, and what better way to enjoy the remarkable architecture of Barcelona than from a height? Montjuïc’s natural plateau-like top ensures unrestricted views of the harbour and Barcelona city. Montjuïc, as an attraction, can overwhelm one with the sheer number of experiences available - Montjuïc has museums, parks, and even the Montjuïc Castle.

There are several ways to reach Montjuïc, but there’s one way that will give you a comfortable ride and the best possible view of Barcelona available: the Cable Car. There’s no better way to watch Barcelona city’s stunning views than at a height and the cable car ride provides the most stunning view of the city. But don’t worry, you won’t be packed with the crowd in the cable car. Each car is an 8 seater which means you get your own space to enjoy the stunning views.

The Route


The Montjuïc Cable car has three stops while making its journey. Each stop has a multitude of attractions and its own charm.

Parc de Montjuïc: This park is located on the way to the Montjuïc Hill. You can enjoy stunning views of Barcelona from here. The gardens are lush and host a lot of cultural activities especially in the summer. The attractions here are Fundacio Miro, National Art Museum of Catalonia, Poble Espanyol and Barcelona Ethnological Museum. The Olympic Stadium is also close by.

Castell de Montjuïc: This stop is very close to the Montjuïc Castle. The castle is a major cultural centre, with several shows held here. It also offers 360 degree view of Barcelona city. There are plenty of gardens near the Montjuïc Castle for families. It is possible to reach Montjuïc Park by descending the hill. The best part about the Castle is the panoramic views of the city.

Mirador: This stop is known for its panoramic view points of the city. It is the last stop in the cable car journey. Beautiful mosaics, green gardens and sculptures adorn this park. The beautiful gardens are complemented by stunning views of Barcelona city and the Mediterranean coastline.

Montjuic Cable Car Tickets


Teleferic De Montjuic/ Montjuic Cable Car

• Round trip on the Montjuic Cable Car, which can seat 8 people
• Get some seriously incredible views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea
• Explore all the three stations at the cable car and take the return trip down

Prices - €14.2

Experiences Around the Montjuïc Cable Car


The sheer number of things to see at Montjuïc will astound a traveler, but there is something for everyone here:

Attractions

Montjuïc cable car
  • Olympic Ring : The Olympic Ring is a set of facilities built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and Paralympic Games. Some facilities are still lent for sporting events even now. The Olympic Stadium is the most important of the buildings here, all of which recount the history of sport in Barcelona, and are a must visit for sports lovers.
  • Magic Fountains : The stunning exhibition of light, sound and colour is what draws the crowds to this fountain. It is located at the bottom of the Montjuïc mountain. This was also built for the 1929 Exposition. The fountain plays music from the 1980s and 1990s and has also played Disney tracks for the visitors.
  • Mercat de le flors : This building used to be the Palace of Agriculture and the flower market, which gives the building its name. Currently, it is the municipal theatre. There are several performances held here by Spanish and international performers of dance and arts. Check out their programme to see the performances being held during your visit.
  • Torre de Calatrava : This is also called the Communications Tower. The base of the tower is covered with mosaic tiles, borrowing from Antoni Gaudi’s style. The most interesting part is that the tower works as a sundial, which projects its shadow over Placa d’Europa.
  • Teatre Grec : This open air theatre was also a part of the 1929 Exposition. It is built on an old quarry site. This theatre was inspired by a Greek theatre in Peloponnese. The theatre is special because it used materials from the quarry to make the theatre. Cultural performances are often held here during the summer.
  • Palau Sant Jordi : This was designed by Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki. It is frequently used till date for sporting events. It is Barcelona’s largest indoor stadium and frequently hosts concerts. This space has its own programme which you can consult to see what is being organized here.
  • Palauet Albaniz : This is one of the few buildings constructed in the Neo Classical style. It was also constructed for the 1920 Exposition. It was the official residence of King Alfonso XIII during 1929 Exposition. If you want to visit the inside of this stunning building, plan your Barcelona vacation around the Merce festival.

Gardens

Montjuïc cable car
  • Joan Maragall Gardens: These gardens surround the residence of the Spanish royalty. This garden combines French style with Mediterranean designs which means the garden is filled with pergolas and terraces. There are three different areas of the gardens, one with a temple, the second near the palace, and the third which is near the Palau National. The entry is free but it is advisable to check timings before going.
  • Botanical Garden: This stunning piece of nature is home to 1300 different species of plants from places all over the world that enjoy a Mediterranean climate. The best part about this garden is that it doesn’t look the same all throughout the year. Depending upon the weather, different plants are cultivated which makes the garden completely unique.
  • Miramar Gardens: These gardens offer a stunning 270 degree view of the city. The variety of flowers from all over the world is the main attraction here. The garden has terraces with wrought iron railings and sculptures. It is situated at one of the lowest points of the mountain which allows you to observe the city more carefully.
  • Mossen Costa i Llobera Gardens: Popularly refererd to as Cactus Gardens, these gardens have over 800 species of cactii, and is one of the largest of such gardens in Europe. The gardens are situated on a slope which naturally raises its temperature slightly more than the city. This allows the succulents to survive.
  • Mirador de l’Alcalde: This spot offers the best panoramic views of Barcelona city. The garden is located on a steep incline and is divided into terraces for better views. This is the last stop of the cable car. For some of the best views, visit this during summer for a clear sky.
  • Mossen Cinto Verdaguer Gardens and Joan Brossa Gardens: Constructed over an old quarry, these gardens are dedicated to Catalan poets. The star attraction at these gardens are the flower blooms, with over 2800 sq metres of flowers. The Joan Brossa gardens have opened in place of the old amusement park, and retain sound instruments and even have a zip line. It is the perfect place for children.

Museums

Montjuïc cable car
  • Poble Espanyol: This is one of the finest open air architectural museums. The architects traversed the length of Spain and noted down the Spanish way of life and reproduced it for the 1929 Universal Exposition. The structure was supposed to be demolished after the Exposition, but following popular demand, the structure stayed was not demolished. 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. Poble Espanyol is so lifelike, it also contains several towns, streets, houses, theatres, squares, and restaurants.
  • Fundacio Fran Daurel: This museum houses art in the following styles: Informalism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Hyperrealism, and conceptual art. One of the reasons to visit this is to see ceramic art by famed artist Pablo Picasso.
  • Fundacio Joan Miro: This building houses 14,000 pieces of art and architecture by the Spanish artist Joan Miro. The museum was set up with the aim to foster research and study on contemporary art. Presently, the museum displays work of artists all throughout the world, alongside Miro. The building has large terraces and an interior courtyard.
  • Archaeology Museum of Catalonia: The museum provides an insight into the evolution of Catalonia from prehistoric settlers to the present day. It has pieces from the Greek, Roman era and the Medieval era.
  • National Art Museum of Catalonia: It has one of the most comprehensive Romanesque art collections in the world. There are 25,000 pieces of art, coins, drawings, posters, here. It has Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Modern Art. The front courtyard has exceptional city views.

Montjuic Cable Car Insider Tips


  • Booking tickets to the Montjuic cable car online will help you save at least 10% on the offline charges.
  • Check the time table while planning the trip to avoid waiting for the cable car.
  • Some people prefer to take the cable car up and then walk down to enjoy the view. In case you plan to do the same, be sure to wear comfortable footwear.

Montjuic Cable Car Reviews


Take a one way up and visit the castle for breath taking views. I say one way because it is nice to walk down through the gardens on the way back down. Clean, tidy and reasonably priced.

Tony D, TripAdvisor, February 2018

You can take the telecabin to get to the castle, and you can take off to visit the castle. It’s not a long distance, it is just a few minutes to get there. The castle has the view of the port and you can see all the ships and the sea from above it.

Elmira K, TripAdvisor, December 2017

Read what others have to say about Montjuic Cable Car on TripAdvisor.

FAQs: Montjuic Cable Car


How long is the cable car ride to Montjuïc?

The ride itself takes about 5 minutes to reach the top, with carriages calling by the stops every few minutes. During peak season you might have to queue a little to get on board.

Where does the Montjuïc Cable Car start?

The start of your journey on the Montjuïc cable car begins at the Telefèric de Montjuïc base station which is half way up Montjuïc mountain on Avinguda de Miramar. The Telefèric station is a short 10 minute walk from the Olympic Stadium and a 5 minute walk from the Miró Museum both worthy of a visit in their own right.

Which is the best cable car ride in Barcelona?

The Montjuïc cable car has been the most special way to discover the charms of Barcelona for many years. Its 750 meters of route allow you to gaze at unparalleled views, culminating your journey in the Montjüic Castle, on the top of a mountain that represents the living history of the city.

Where does the cable car start?

Choose from three cable car lines - two start at Powell and Market and continue to the Fisherman's Wharf area; one starts at California and Market and continues to Van Ness Avenue. Board at the cable car turntables (the beginning or end of each route) or look for the brown-and-white cable car sign post.

Are there two cable cars in Barcelona?

There are two cable cars in Barcelona, the Montjuïc Cable Car and the Port Cable Car.