[VIDEO] Traveling Solo in Barcelona, Spain: Exploring Montjuïc Castle

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  1. Montjuic Castle
  2. General Information
    1. History and Purpose
    2. Current Use
    3. Opening Times
    4. How to Get There
      1. Montjuic Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)
      2. The Cable Car Route
  3. Highlights of Visiting Montjuic Area
  4. How Many Hours Do You Need to visit Montjuic?
  5. How to Get to Montjuic Castle
  6. Tips in Visiting Montjuic
  7. The BEST of Spain Video
  8. Featured Posts:

Montjuic Castle

Montjuic Castle (Castell de Montjuïc) in Barcelona is situated on the Montjuic hill. It is provides superb view of Barcelona city and the port area. The castle is a former military fort (dating back from 1640) that was handed back to the city in 2008 by the army. Montjuic means ‘Jewish Mountain’ , and was once the home of the city’s Jewish community. Visitors can explore the historic walls, walkways, and vantage points while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

General Information

Montjuic Castle Barcelon Spain By SweetNSpicyLiving

History and Purpose

  • Montjuïc Castle, also known as Castell de Montjuïc, has a rich and complex history dating back to the 17th century.
  • Originally constructed as a military fortress, it served as a defensive stronghold to protect the city of Barcelona from invasion.
  • Over the centuries, the castle played a pivotal role in various conflicts, including the War of the Spanish Succession and the Spanish Civil War.
Travelling Solo in Barcelona Spain

Current Use

Today, Montjuïc Castle serves as a Barcelona municipal facility. It offers guided tours for the general public, allowing visitors to discover its intriguing history and architecture. You’ll have the chance to explore places not normally open to the public, such as the cistern and the dungeons.

Opening Times

  • From March 1 to October 31: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (box office closes at 7:30 p.m.)
  • From November 1 to February 28: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (box office closes at 5:30 p.m.)
  • Open Monday to Sunday (except for December 25 and January 1).

For updated schedule visit Montjuic website

How to Get There

There are several ways you can get to the castle, pick which one suits you best

  • On foot
    • The walk up to Montjuïc Castle from the top of the funicular (lower station, Paral.lel, metro lines 2 and 3), adjacent to the cable car station, takes about 20 to 25 minutes. It is constantly uphill, with quite steep slopes at some points. The route crosses various gardens, such as those named after Joan Brossa and Mossén Cinto Verdaguer.
  • By bicycle
    • There is a bicycle parking located in the bastion of Santa Amàlia. Visiting the Castle by bicycle helps promote a sustainable transport model. While the ascent is being executed, it is possible to enjoy the unbeatable views offered by the Montjuïc mountain urban park.
  • By bus 150
    • Origin Avinguda de la reina Maria Cristina, terminus Montjuïc Castle. Bus 150 goes round Montjuïc Hill before finally reaching the Castle. The ride from Plaça d’Espanya takes about 20 minutes. The descent from the Castle to the beginning of the line also takes 20 minutes. Bus 150 also connects with the Funicular de Montjuïc at the bus stop Avinguda de Miramar-Estació del Funicular.
  • By cable car
    • The cable car service begins in Avinguda Miramar and leaves visitors in front of the Castle. It has three stops, the first in Avinguda Miramar, one in the middle in the Plaça de la Sardana, and one in front of the Castle. The price of the cable car does not include admission to the Castle.
  • By car
    • If you decide to come by private vehicle, you can use the large public car park near the castle, which includes an area reserved exclusively for coaches. The entrance to this car park is in Carrer dels Tarongers.

Montjuic Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)

  • Website: https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en
  • Address: Ctra. de Montjuic, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
  • Opening Hours: 10:00am in the morning until sunset, depending on the season
  • With Entrance Fee: yes, Check Fee HERE
Funicular De Montjuic

A cable car ride that offers a fantastic panoramic views of Barcelona. The ride is 750m and will take you to the Montjuic Castle. This is a nice way to see the view from the top and at the same time explore the Montjuic Castle.

The Cable Car Route

The funicular is distinct from the Montjuïc cable car, which starts at the upper station of the funicular and continues up to the Montjuïc Castle. If you’re interested in exploring the castle, you’ll need to take the cable car separately.

Journey Duration: The funicular ride from the lower station (Paral·lel) to the upper station (Miramar) takes approximately 5 minutes.

Source: https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat

Highlights of Visiting Montjuic Area

  1. Poble Espanyo
  2. Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys)
  3. Montjuic Castle (Castell de Montjuïc)
  4. Botanical Garden (Jardí Botànic)
  5. Magic Fountain (Font Màgica de Montjuïc)

How Many Hours Do You Need to visit Montjuic?

To explore Montjuïc thoroughly and enjoy its various attractions, I recommend allocating at least half or whole day. Here’s a suggested itinerary:

  1. Montjuïc Castle: Allow around 1 to 2 hours to visit the historic Montjuïc Castle (Castell de Montjuïc). The castle offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. Take your time to explore its grounds, learn about its history, and soak in the vistas.
  2. Jardins de Laribal: These beautiful gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Spend about 30 minutes to an hour here, admiring the lush greenery, fountains, and sculptures.
  3. Poble Espanyol: If you’re interested in Spanish architecture and culture, consider visiting Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village). Allocate 1 to 2 hours to explore its recreated streets, craft workshops, and artisan shops.
  4. MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia): If art fascinates you, spend 1 to 2 hours at MNAC. It houses an impressive collection of Catalan and European art, including Romanesque frescoes.
  5. Telefèric de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Cable Car): For breathtaking aerial views, take the cable car from the upper station of the Montjuïc funicular to the castle. The ride itself is about 10 minutes each way.
  6. Font Màgica (Magic Fountain): In the evening, witness the mesmerizing light and music show at the Magic Fountain. Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour enjoying this spectacle.
Solo Travelling Montjuic Castle Barcelon By SweetNSpicyLiving

How to Get to Montjuic Castle

Direction will of course depend on where you are coming from, but it is accesible both by metro and by bus.

  • Metro – Take Metro to station Parallel on Green line L3, (to Plaza Espanya), then take Bus 150
  • Bus – Take public bus line 150 from Plaza Espanya to Montjuic Castle, or  Bus 55 from Plaza Catalunya – Pg. de Gracia
  • Montjuic Funicular Train – Take this train then take Montjuic cable car to go up the castle.You can also walk from top of funicular train to Montjuic castle which takes about 10-15 minutes (depending on your health condition)

Note:  Directions, Bus & Line could change without notice, for updated way to get there, please make sure to do your own research before going. The information here was based on the time the post was created.

Tips in Visiting Montjuic

  1. Check the weather. Although there are in-door areas that you could visit, exploring and walking around the castle ground adds to the great experience of visiting the castle.
  2. Wear comfortable shoes for walking because you will definitely do a lot of walking and some are uphill
  3. Plan the stops that you want to do when taking the cable car.
  4. Bring snacks and drinks. There is a cafe inside but it is always expensive to buy food in a tourist attraction area. Bringing your own snacks also gives you the felxibility to roam around and eat wherever and whenever you feel hungry. There are

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