Montjuic Fortress — a castle hovering over Barcelona

The Montjuic Fortress (cat. Castell de Montjuïc, esp. Castillo de Montjuich) is one of the main attractions of Barcelona. It is located on the mountain of the same name, which is why it boasts a stunning view of the city. The castle has a long and eventful history. Most of the time it served a military function, and was also used for a long time as a prison. Now there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the fortress’s history, and concerts and other events are also held here.

History of Montjuic Castle

Before the castle appeared on Montjuic Mountain, there was a lighthouse here since the 11th century. In 1640, when the Segador Revolt began, it was decided to protect the summit, which was a strategic height. In a month, a quadrangular fortification with half-bastions at the corners was built. A year later, the fort proved its effectiveness when the troops of Philip IV could not capture it.

During the 17th century, the structure was reconstructed and expanded. As a result, a new citadel surrounded the old one, with three defensive bastions and a façade facing the sea. After the War of the Spanish Succession in the 18th century, the fortress acquired its current appearance with a trapezoidal plan and four bastions.

At the end of the 19th century, Montjuïc Castle was used as a prison for political prisoners. In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, it became a military base for the Committee of Anti-Fascist Militias of Catalonia. The structure continued to function as a prison.

In 1929, Franco’s troops entered the fortress, and it became a place for holding captured Republican soldiers. Montjuïc served as a military prison until the 1960s. 1963 the last reconstruction took place, and on June 24 of that year, the Military Museum was opened here.

Montjuic Castle was returned to the city’s ownership only in 2007. Two years later, the Military Museum was closed.

What is inside Montjuic Castle now

The castle now mainly serves as a venue for cultural and entertainment events.

The main entrance to the fortress is accessible via a bridge consisting of two sections. One of them is made of stone in the neoclassical style with semicircular arches, and the second is a wooden drawbridge with metal elements. And the old defensive moat was turned into a garden with lush flower beds.

The complex is surrounded by massive walls, as well as the bastions of Sant Carles, Santa Amalia, Velasco and Llengua de Serp. In the center is the Parade Ground, where exhibitions, concerts, and other events are held. The walls of the castle offer a beautiful 360-degree view of Barcelona. Here, on the roof, there is a small Watchtower.

Inside the fort, there is a visitor centre with a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the place, as well as restrooms and a café.

How to get to Montjuic Castle

There are several ways to get to Montjuic Castle:

• By Montjuic cable car. It goes from the park of the same name to the Castel station, 1.5 kilometers from the castle.
• By Aeri del Port cable car, which goes from the Barceloneta district to the Miramar station. You need to walk 30 minutes to the castle through a beautiful park.
• By Montjuic funicular, which goes from the metro station Paral·lel to the station Parc de Montjuïc, which coincides with the cable car stop.
• By city bus number 150. It goes from Plaza Espanya to the fortress. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

You can find out how to buy tickets and where to look up the public transport schedule in our article Everything you need to know about Barcelona transport.

How much does it cost to enter Montjuic Castle

An entrance ticket to Montjuic Castle in Barcelona for adults costs 12 euros. Children under 8 do not need a ticket. Children from 8 to 12 years old are entitled to a discounted ticket, which costs 8 euros. However, there are days when you can enter Montjuic Castle for free — every first Sunday of the month and subsequent Sundays after 3:00 p.m.

You can also buy combined tickets to Castell de Montjuïc, which include a tour. For adults, they cost 16 euros, for children — 12 euros. On free days, the tour costs 4 euros. Such tours are held on weekends and holidays. At 1:00 p.m. — in English, at 3:30 p.m. — in Spanish, and at 4:30 p.m. — in Catalan.

Tourists visiting Montjuic Castle on weekdays can pay an extra 3 euros and purchase an audio guide in English, Spanish, Catalan, or French.

Tickets can be purchased online on the official website of the attraction. When placing an order, in addition to the number and type of entrance tickets and date, the exact time of the visit is selected.

Tips for tourists before visiting Montjuic Castle

• Ticket offices close 30 minutes before the fortress closes.
• Visiting the castle with pets is prohibited.
• There is a cafeteria inside where you can get coffee, beer and sweet drinks. The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, pastries, paella, as well as cheesecakes and tiramisu. You can enjoy lunch at a table on the Parade Ground.
• There is a toilet on the castle grounds.
• In warmer months, it is worth wearing hats, as there is no shade on the parade ground and terrace.
• It is best to wear comfortable shoes when walking around the fortress.
• The entire castle area, with the exception of the terrace, which is accessed by steps, is inclusive. Wheelchair users and parents with strollers can move freely around it.

Viewpoints near Montjuic Castle

Two viewpoints on Montjuic Mountain will enhance the experience of visiting this place: Mirador de Montjuic and Mirador de l’Alcalde. They offer impressive views of the center of Barcelona and the port. The Mirador de l’Alcalde also has a cascading fountain.

Attractions near Montjuic Castle

Near Montjuic Castle, there are many iconic Barcelona attractions — the Botanical Garden, the Olympic Stadium, the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sport Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the city port, and the Montjuic Fountain.

Read also: Magic Fountain of Montjuic in Barcelona

Where to eat near Montjuic Castle

Within a half-hour walk from Montjuic Fortress, there are several excellent places where you can have a great time and eat well:

• El Xalet de Montjuïc is a Mediterranean restaurant with incredible views of Barcelona. You can admire the panorama both from the open terrace and through the windows of the hall. This family-run establishment has been delighting visitors for two decades. The menu includes items with meat, fish, and seafood. It is worth paying attention to the local paella.
• Terrassa Martínez is another panoramic restaurant on Montjuïc. It specializes in Catalan cuisine. The dishes are prepared from local farm products and change according to the season. Guests can choose from individual items from the menu or a tasting set.
• Òleum is a restaurant located in the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Visitors are offered Mediterranean cuisine prepared from high-quality products. The establishment is located in the Throne Room, where King Alfonso XIII opened the International Exhibition of 1929. Through the large windows, you can see Barcelona at a glance.
• Xemei is a restaurant with Venetian cuisine. They make excellent pasta, serve dishes with Italian cheeses, and also know how to work with seafood. Among the desserts, tiramisu and lemon pie are especially popular. The wine list boasts a large number of natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
• Lascar 74 is a bar specializing in ceviche (raw fish in sauce) and pisco-based cocktails (a strong alcoholic drink made from Muscat grapes). The menu also includes main courses with rice, oysters, and scallops.
• Blai 9 is a pintxos bar in the Poble Sec area near Montjuic. Pintxos are small salty snacks that are prepared here without bread. Instead, they use pancakes, crepes, nachos, and tortillas. Pintxos include meat, poultry, vegetables, seafood, and fish. The drinks menu includes beer, wine, cava, vermouth, sangria, and various cocktails.
• Quimet & Quimet is one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona, ​​repeatedly mentioned in the ratings of specialized publications. Like pintxos, tapas are small snacks. Their main difference is that bread is not required here, and the number of ingredients rarely exceeds three items. For example, the menu includes tapas made from anchovies, asparagus and salmon, shrimp and eggs. Among drinks, a variety of wines predominates.

Read also: Catalan cuisine

Where to stay near Montjuic Castle

There are several hotels of different categories near the castle, where you will be comfortable to stay during your stay in Barcelona.

• Hotel Miramar Barcelona (5 stars). A luxury hotel on the eastern slope of Montjuic Mountain. It is located in a historic palace from the 1920s. Guests have access to an outdoor pool, a spa complex, a fitness center, and a picturesque garden, ideal for walks. The hotel has a restaurant Studio Miramar, bars on the outdoor terrace, by the pool and in the lobby.
• Eurostars Grand Marina (5 stars). Another luxury hotel near the fortress, which is located in the port of Barcelona, ​​in the World Trade Center complex. Its interior contains a large number of art objects. The spiral staircase was designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, the architect behind the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. The Eurostars Grand Marina’s outdoor terrace features a swimming pool with panoramic views.
• Leonardo Royal Hotel Barcelona Fira (4 stars). An excellent hotel located in the Saints-Montjuïc area. It opened in 2021 and has two hundred rooms. It also has a panoramic rooftop pool. Breakfast is served buffet style, while lunch and dinner can be chosen from the menu at the Tramuntana restaurant.
• Grums Hotel & Spa (4 stars). Luxury accommodation in the center of Barcelona at the foot of Montjuïc. Its Art Deco rooms feature a café, restaurant, garden terrace, solarium, and spa.
• Casa Lit Barcelona by Ona (3 stars). One of the budget options on our list. It is located near Barcelona’s port and has only 89 rooms. On the ground floor, there is a buffet, and on the sixth floor, there is an open bar with a view of the city, where you can enjoy the sunset.
• HelloBCN Hostel Barcelona. An inexpensive hostel, ideal for young and active people. The rooms are designed for group accommodation — from 2 to 8 people. Guests have access to a kitchen, vending machines with snacks and drinks, tennis tables, a bar with satellite TV, and an outdoor terrace.

Read also: Where to stay in Barcelona — 9 best areas for tourists

Montjuic Castle on the map

Popular questions about Montjuic Fortress

Is Montjuic Castle worth visiting?

Yes, the castle is worth visiting. Firstly, it is a place with a rich history, and secondly, it offers a great view of Barcelona.

Is the entrance to the Montjuic Fortress free?

As a rule, there is a fee for entry. However, on the first Sunday of each month and on other Sundays after 3:00 p.m., the attraction can be visited for free.

How much time do you need to see Montjuic Castle?

To see everything at a leisurely pace, you will need about two hours.

 

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