What to see and do in Montjuïc
At the top of Barcelona, with enviable panoramic views, Montjuic is one of the main places to visit in the city. Here are the best things to do there.
With multiple sites of interest at the top of this place, Montjuic offers a wealth of activities for all tastes. You'll also be able to see incredible places that make this a truly special place.
Places like the Montjuic Castle, the Poble Espanyol or the Magic Fountain of Montjuic are some of the places you should not miss if you go up to Montjuic. I'll tell you about some amazing places that are sure to be included in the list of best things to see and do in Barcelona.
1. Enjoy the panoramic views from Montjuic Castle
Montjuic Castle is a historical monument located on top of the hill with the same name and from where you can take beautiful pictures of the panoramic views of the city. But Montjuic Castle is much more than just a panoramic view, you can also learn about the history of the place, which was built in 1640 to be used as a military fortress. It later served as a prison for many years.
The information panels and exhibitions inside the castle tell the story of the architectural monument. You can also see the Military Museum inside, which tells the military history of Catalonia from Roman times to the present day. The gardens around the castle are ideal for relaxing and picnics. To get to the castle you can take the funicular or the cable car, or you can go up by bus or private car.
If you don't want to miss anything, you can take a guided tour, which is available in several languages. To enter the castle you will have to pay around 10 euros for adults and around 5 euros for children. I recommend you sign up for a tour of Barcelona to get to know this site, which is open every day of the year between 10:00 and 18:00 or 20:00, depending on the season.
2. Stroll through the gardens of Montjuic Park
Another must-do in the city is a stroll through Montjuic Park, which is one of the largest green spaces in the city. It is one of those places that I recommend you to include in a bike tour in Barcelona. You'll love to see its gardens and rest by the fountain.
The park is home to the Castell de Montjuic, so when you want to visit the castle, you can take a stroll through the park. The park is also home to other must-see sights in the city, including the Poble Espanyol, the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
I recommend you wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes, because you will have to walk up hills and stairs inside the park. You can visit Montjuic Park at different times, which vary according to the season of the year. You need to know that some attractions inside the park have specific opening hours, so I recommend you to check the official website before you go.
It is definitely a good place to include in your list of things to do in Barcelona with kids because there are different playgrounds and even an aquarium. You can also find inside different shops and restaurants to eat inside the enclosure. You have the possibility to take guided tours if you want to learn more about the history of the park.
3. Relive history at the Poble Espanyol open-air museum
Poble Espanyol is an open-air museum that is undoubtedly one of the best museums in Barcelona. Its history began in 1929, when it was inaugurated for the International Exhibition of Barcelona, with the aim of representing a typical Spanish village with buildings and architecture from different regions of Spain, whose premise is maintained to this day.
It is located on the hillside of Montjuïc and surrounded by gardens, from which you will be able to appreciate one of the best views of the city. You'll have to walk a long way inside the museum to see it in its entirety, and as for visiting hours, you should know that it opens between 9:00 and midnight in summer and from 9:00 to 20:00 in winter.
You will have to pay between 8 and 14 euros for adult tickets and between 6 and 10 euros for children's tickets. You can get to know the site by means of a guided tour or audio guides that you can ask for at the ticket office. If you go with children, they can participate in creative workshops and entertaining activities inside the museum.
4. Discover Catalan art at the Fundació Joan Miró
The Joan Miró Foundation is a modern art museum founded in 1975 to present the work of Catalan artist Joan Miró to the public and to promote the study and dissemination of contemporary art in Spain. It is a good place to visit because inside you can see more than 14,000 works by the artist, as well as temporary exhibitions by other artists and collections.
You can take a free or guided tour of the Joan Miró Foundation and if you go with children, they can participate in activities and workshops. To enter the Joan Miró Foundation you will have to pay around 10 euros per person, although reduced admission is also available for students, senior citizens and Barcelona residents, while children under 14 are free.
A good way to get to know this place is to sign up for one of the best segway tours in Barcelona, which take you to some of the most interesting places in the city, including the Joan Miró Foundation itself.
5. Visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia
If you like contemporary art, I recommend you to visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia, which was founded in 1990 and exhibits a wide variety of Catalan art from all ages and periods, from Romanesque to modern and contemporary. It houses a unique collection that includes paintings, sculptures, decorative objects and even antique jewellery.
It doesn't matter if you decide to go to Barcelona in autumn or at any time of the year, because inside the museum you can find temporary exhibitions all year round. This place is really important for the city thanks to the cultural and artistic contribution it makes. If you are staying longer in Barcelona, you can find unique educational opportunities to learn about Catalan art and its history.
To get to the museum, you can travel by public transport, taxi or car, or you can even hop on the Barcelona tourist bus, which will drop you off nearby. Visiting hours vary according to the season, although it is usually open between 10:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. Tickets cost approximately 12 euros for adults, while tickets are free for children under 16 and the over 65s.
6. Attend an open-air show at the Teatre Grec
A fun place to see and enjoy a show is the Teatre Grec, an open-air theatre where you can enjoy different types of shows, from music, dance and theatre to circus and magic performances. In fact, at this theatre you can enjoy some of the best flamenco shows in Barcelona.
This breadth in the repertoire of the Grec Theatre makes it one of the most important theatres in the city, characterised by its unique and impressive structure that you will want to take pictures of. In fact, I recommend you visit it during the day so you can appreciate all the art of its structure and take photos, and then at night to see one of its shows.
The latter are, without a doubt, the main attraction of the place, thanks to the fact that they present everything from classical works to modern musical productions or contemporary theatre. If you want to disconnect a bit but at the same time enjoy the nightlife, this is one of the best things to do in Barcelona at night thanks to its relaxed and artistic atmosphere.
7. Explore the plants and flowers of the Botanical Garden
To clear your mind and get in touch with nature, I recommend a visit to the Botanical Garden, which is an enclosure that houses a wide variety of plant species and flowers of all sizes and colours. But as well as flowers, you can also find and enjoy a wide collection of trees and shrubs, as well as herbs, cacti and aquatic plants.
You can also find poisonous and medicinal plants and learn about their characteristics. You don't have to worry about not knowing which plants you shouldn't come into contact with because each space is clearly signposted, and the specialised staff is always attentive to inform you about them.
I recommend you visit the park with comfortable clothes and footwear, bearing in mind that it is a space with many areas to walk and explore. I also recommend you bring sunscreen and a hat if you go to Barcelona in summer, when temperatures are higher. The best thing about this park is that you're allowed to bring food, so it's the perfect place for a picnic.
You can also take a guided tour around the park and get to know every nook and cranny of the park. Throughout the park's green areas you'll find information panels and leaflets about the history and flora of the park. Children will also enjoy this place thanks to its paths and recreational spaces for them.
8. Visit the former royal residence: Montjuic Palace
Located on the mountain of Montjuic, the Palace of the same name is a beautiful building built in 1929 and has had several uses over the years. Nowadays, it is used to host cultural events and exhibitions. Inside you will find the National Art Museum of Catalonia, which has been renovated and modernised over time, maintaining its beauty and historical charm.
You will love visiting the Palace of Montjuïc because it is an important place in Barcelona that attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its historical importance. You can enjoy guided tours throughout the year, so you can get to know not only the palace inside, but also its history and the importance that this palace has had for the development of Barcelona.
Throughout all seasons of the year you can enjoy different events and special exhibitions that are organised inside. I also recommend you to take the children with you, because inside you can find interesting activities for them to learn about the Palace as well.
9. Photograph the colourful water of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic
Once in Montjuic you can't miss the light and colour show of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic which is located in the Plaza de España in Barcelona, very close to the National Palace of Montjuic. The show is much more than just lights, as you can also see and enjoy the soundtrack that is synchronised with the music.
Access to the fountain is free and to get there you can use public transport, or walk from nearby tourist sites, such as the Montjuic Palace. The fountain only operates at certain times, so before you go to see the show, I recommend you check the official website to verify the opening hours, although they are generally from 20:00 to 23:00 from Friday to Saturday.
You should know that these times vary considerably according to the time of year, and may also be affected when there are special events at the venue. If you go at any other time, you can also stop by the fountain and take a couple of pictures of the place.
10. Enjoy the panoramic views from the Mirador del Alcalde viewpoint
The Mirador del Alcalde offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Montjuic, from which you can clearly see the whole city of Barcelona. It is located in the district of Gracia, where you can also find the Paseo de Gracia, and can be accessed on foot or by public transport.
I recommend you to take lots of pictures from the Mirador del Alcalde, just before continuing to know the whole town of Montjuic, where you can find many attractions, such as museums, gardens and theatres. It's definitely a place to visit if you plan to stay in Barcelona for 4 days or more, so you can dedicate a single day to explore the place.
In fact, I assure you that this is one of the best activities you can do in Barcelona at night, thanks to the incredible view you can appreciate from here, and watching the sun go down behind the city is one of the most beautiful landscapes.