Review: Montjuïc

What’s the vibe here?
There are many grand elements to Montjüic, a historic hill that’s a whole lot more than ‘just a hill’. For starters, the approach at ground level. From the roundabout at Plaça España (which doesn’t sound sexy, we know), it appears majestically from nowhere, a dramatic, architectural staircase leading up to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (National Museum of Catalan Art). It looks like a palace; the water feature in front is even called the Magic Fountain. (Some evenings, there’s a water-light spectacular - check the schedule here). So far, we’ve described about 400 meters of Montjüic: the rest has more museums, the 1992 Olympic site, exotic gardens, and enough panoramic views to jam a smartphone camera roll.

Any standout features or must-sees?
The site is vast; you can spend hours circumnavigating it, only to discover entire sections you’ve missed. Focusing on its outdoor potential, don’t miss Montjüic Castle, particularly in July and August, when its grounds host an open-air sunset cinema. Walk around the old Olympic stadium site, taking in the giant spike in the sky: a telecoms tower built by architect Santiago Calatrava. There are also two great gardens: the botanical garden, Jardí Botànic, and a more secluded one dedicated to cacti. If the catchy name Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera doesn’t help you locate it, it’s by the back of the Miramar hotel and the sea.

Was it easy to get around?
The best way to get your bearings—and a true aerial scale of the site—is via the cable car, which also is really fun. To start, take the funicular railway from metro station Paral·lel (L2, L3) to Parc de Montjüic. Next you'll need a cable car ticket (€15/$15 return, though often cheaper online). Once on board, it will scoop you into the sky from the Parc station to Miramar, then to the castle. 

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
If you’re short on time, the cable car ride is a high (ahem) in itself. Hikers and cyclists will love navigating the windy roads and short-cut stairs. If you’re coming from (or going to) Barceloneta, a second—though arguably more rickety—cable car covers that route. It’s called the Teleférico del Puerto and costs €12.50 ($12.50) one-way or €20 ($20) return, to and from Miramar.