Tour Montjuïc - 1 day with a lot of fresh air, movement and a beautiful view

The tour on the Montjuïc on the city map

Here you can see our tour proposal on and around the Montjuïc on the city map. This makes it easier for you to orientate yourself.

Museu d`Història de Catalunya

The first stop of the tour is the museum of Barcelona's history, a journey through Catalonia's history from the stone age until now. It's designed very interesting and one of the most interesting museums of Barcelona.
From the metro station Barcelonate (L4) it's only a few metres to the distinctive brick stone building. There's a cafe on the roof terrace from where you have a wonderful view over the harbour and the Montjuïc.
After the museum walk to the station Plaça Balmeres to the cable car, that leads over the harbour basin to the Montjuïc. The cable car station stands out a mile because of its high steel tower.

Plaça de Sardanas

There's a restaurant/cafe at the top station with a wonderful view over the city. On the terrace towards the city the drinks are cheaper than on the terrace towards the harbour.
From the top station walk about 200 metres straight ahead to a little square, the Plaça de Carles Ibañez. There's a footpath half left, the Carretera de Montjuïc. This path disembogues to a street which is also called Carretera de Montjuïc. Walk up the mountain along this street (to the left).
The first little sight is the Plaça de Sardana. You will recognize this square because of the droup of Sardana dancers that are set in stone. The catalan dance Sardana was forbidden during the Franco dictatorship and today is danced a lot on holidays and sundays in front of the cathedral. Everybody can participate.

Castell de Montjuïc

The next station, which is only about 500 metres away, has an inglorious historical background. During Francos time, a lot of political opponents were imprisoned in the Castell de Montjuïc, the castle at the top of the mountain. They often disappeared or were executed. The Montjuïc was hated by the population for a long time because of that.
You can enter the castell (enty fee), the view is worth it. But if you want to save money, you will see other beautiful views.

Observation point La Caseta del Migdia

Walk around the castell clockwise. It's an unpaved path, but in the end, you will get to a wonderfull observation point. Walk along the path, until you get to a small house, the Caseta del Migda. A little open air bar is located here in the spring and summer. Only about 50 metres away from the house, there's one of Barcelona's most beautiful observation point - and because of its offside location it usually is relatively quiet. Enjoy the beautiful view over the industrial harbour, Llobregat and the mountains, perfect for sunset.

The olympic sports facilities from 1992

From the observation point, follow the street downhill towards the city. Once you got to the parking area, it's only about 50 metres to the Passeig de Migdia, which you will follow to the right. After about 150 metres go left into the c/ Valero. On its left, the Botanical garden is located, which is really worth seeing. At the end of the street, you can go left into the c/ Dr. Font Quer, after about 300 metres to the right the Passeig de Olímpic. You can see the stadium already. Follow the street and walk anticlockwise around the stadium. You can take a look at it at the main entrance.

With the olympic summer games 1992 and the concomitant urban building measures, Barcelona finally broke with the sadness that the Franco-Regime left behind. That's how the population was able to like their Montjuïc again.

Poble Espanyol - the spanish village

Now walk along the big street, which leads past the entrance of the stadium. Take a look at Palau Sant Jordí's forecourt. The Palau sant Jordí is a hall in which large scale events take place today. The white radio and TV tower is very distinctive.
The street leads to the city, past a roundabout in a large sweep to the right. After about 500 metres the Poble Espanyol is located on the right. Typical houses of all parts of Spain are introduced. Craftsmen pursue traditional craftsmanship in the houses. You can also go shopping and eat out very well at Poble Espanyol.

Font Màgica - the magical fountains

At night, when dusk already started, you can watch a special spectacle: The Font Màgica is a complete artwork out of music, water, movement and colours. It's only a few hundret metres from Poble Espanyol to the Font Màgica. You can see the imposing building of the MNAC behind it.

Las Arenas

The mall Las Arenas is located in a converted bullfighting arena. Therefore the building at Plaça Espanya stands out a mile. In the inside you can get gourmet food, clothes, pharmacy products, electronics and goods for the daily needs. There's a cinema with 12 rooms located in the building.
On the roof, there's a 360° observation deck, where you can also eat and drink something in one of the many restaurants. Enjoy the view and let the evening fade away.
To get to Las Arenas, just walk past the two venetian towers to Plaça Espanya, from where several metro and train lines start. You will see Las Arenas on the right side in the back.

Bachground to the Montjuïc

The Montjuïc is an area, which has a distinct nature with its park-like character. The Montjuïc stands for art, sports, culture and enjoyment. The fair is located here also.

Museu National d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The MNAC is located in the former spanish pavilion from the world exhibition from 1929. It harbours the most unique collection of roman frescos worldwide. A visit is worth it also because of the building.

Fundació Joan Miró

You can confidently claim, that you haven't seen Barcelona if you haven't seen the Fundació Joan Miró. At the slope of the Montjuïc - with a grandiose view over the city - the museum offers an ideal setting for Joan Mirós' art.

CaixaForum

Contemporary art from international painters and sculptors are presented in a renovated textile factory.

Pavillon Mies van der Rohe

The german pavilion was built by Mies van der Rohe for the world exhibition in 1929. The cofounder of the modern architecture used principles, that are common in the modern architecture today: the free and open groundplan. The chair Barcelona is deemed to be the milestone of the modern design . The chair was designed by Mies van der Rohe just for the royal couple for the inauguration. It's not possible to imagine many waiting rooms without the classic.