At the top of Montjuïc Mountain, you’ll find the historic Castell de Montjuïc. The first sections of the castle were built in 1640 to serve as a military fortress. Later converted into a full castle, it now operates as a museum, offering a 360-degree view over Barcelona. It can be reached by the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car.
| Montjuïc Castle | Tickets, Opening Hours & Public Transport |
|---|---|
| tickets | Adults: €12 Children 8-12 years old: €8 Children under 8 years old: for free |
| Adress | Carretera de Montjuïc 66 (El Poble-sec) |
| Public transport | Metro: Paralel (L2 and L3), then a 25-minute walk Bus: Line 150 |
| Opening hours | Mar-Oct: daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Nov-Feb: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Table of contents
- What is Montjuïc castle?
- Tickets, tours and guided visits
- FAQs Montjuïc Castle
- How do you get to Montjuïc castle?
- History of Montjuïc castle
What is the Montjuïc Castle?
This historic castle, rich in history, sits at the top of Montjuïc Mountain. Originally built as a fortress in the 17th century, it was later replaced by the current castle structure. Since then, it has withstood numerous bombings and battles.
Today, you can visit the castle as a museum and enjoy a 360-degree view over Barcelona. In the museum section, you’ll learn about the wars and other historical events that the castle has witnessed. The castle is also regularly used for activities and events, such as concerts, making it a unique and vibrant cultural site.
Tickets, tours, and guided visits
You’re free to walk around the outside of the castle, but to access the museum and the castle interior, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. Tickets are available online. All tickets are skip-the-line, so there’s no need to wait.
Want to visit the castle for free? You can! Free entry is available on Sundays from 3:00 pm or on the first Sunday of every month.
Standard Ticket
Adults pay €12 for a standard ticket, children ages 8-12 pay €8, and children under 8 enjoy free entry. This ticket grants access to the museum and the entire castle.
Standard Ticket + Audioguide
Standard tickets with an audioguide are also available. The audioguide is offered in English. Adults pay €15 for these tickets, children ages 8-12 pay €11, and children under 8 pay €3.
Guided Tour
If you want to learn everything about the castle, you can also join a guided tour. These are available only on weekends, with English-language tours offered at 1:00 pm. Adults pay €16, children ages 8-12 pay €12, and children under 8 can join for free.
Cable Car Montjuïc
With the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car, you can comfortably travel to the top of Montjuïc Mountain in glass gondolas that hold up to 8 people. The cable car stops right in front of Montjuïc Castle. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views over Barcelona, a fantastic experience to try at least once! You can easily purchase tickets online with ticket agency Tiqets and you will get an additional 10% discount!
FAQs – Montjuic Castle
The most common way is to take the cable car from Paral·lel metro station (L3), which brings you up to Montjuïc. You can also take bus lines 150 and 55 or walk from the city center, although it’s a bit of a climb.
No, you need a ticket to visit the castle. Tickets can be purchased online, and it’s recommended to book in advance, especially during busy periods.
Yes, the Hop-on Hop-off bus has a stop at the castle, making it easily accessible for tourists.
To fully explore the castle itself, plan to spend about 60-90 minutes. If you want to enjoy the views and explore the grounds around the castle, allow for a bit more time.
There are no specific clothing requirements for Montjuïc Castle, but it’s recommended to wear comfortable footwear, as there is a lot of walking, and some areas can be uneven.
Yes, the castle is accessible to wheelchairs, with ramps and accessible facilities available. Some older sections of the castle, however, may be harder to navigate due to uneven surfaces.
Yes, bags and backpacks are allowed inside the castle. However, for security reasons, bags may be inspected at the entrance.
Yes, you can reach the castle on foot from Plaça Espanya, although it’s a bit of a hike. Biking is possible, and there are bike racks available, but the uphill journey can be challenging.
Children under the age of 16 can enter Montjuïc Castle for free. However, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Montjuïc Castle has fixed time slots for entry. You must select your visit time when booking your tickets, and it’s important to arrive on time, as tickets are only valid for the chosen slot.
The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat during warmer months. For those interested in panoramic views, sunset is particularly stunning from the castle’s vantage points.
The castle’s ramparts provide some of the best views of Barcelona and the surrounding coastline. The highest points of the castle are ideal for panoramic photos, especially near sunset.
How do you get to Montjuïc castle?
Metro: The closest metro station to Montjuïc Castle is Paral·lel. From there, you can take the Funicular de Montjuïc partway up the hill. This is a type of cable railway that travels from the metro station to a higher stop, and the ride is included with all metro tickets. From that stop, you can also catch the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car. The remaining walk from there to the castle is about 20 minutes.
Bus: Bus line 150 runs from Plaça d’Espanya all the way to the castle. This ride takes approximately 20 minutes.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: The Hop-On Hop-Off bus goes up to the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car stop. From there, you can either take the cable car or walk the remaining distance to the castle.
On Foot: Besides the bus, there is no other public transportation that goes directly to the castle entrance. Walking is an option, and from Paral·lel metro station, it’s about a 20-25 minute uphill walk. Be prepared for a steady incline!
Cable Car: You can also reach Montjuïc Castle via the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car. To get to the cable car, start at Paral·lel metro station and take the Funicular de Montjuïc to the cable car’s starting point; this funicular ride is free with a metro ticket. From there, you can take the cable car up to Montjuïc Castle.
History of Montjuïc castle
Montjuïc Castle has a long history dating back to the 17th century. Built in 1640 as a military fort, it was intended to protect against the troops of Philip IV. Due to significant damage over time, the castle was eventually renovated, with Juan Martín Cermeño overseeing the design.
Renovations began in 1753, giving the castle a new appearance and reinforcing its bastions. The Valesco and Llengua de Serp bastions were strengthened, while the Santa Isabel bastion was renamed Santa Amalia. A new Sant Carles bastion was also constructed. By 1799, the renovations were nearly complete, though repairs continued for many years.
During the War of the Pyrenees (1793-1795), the castle served as a prison and was later occupied by Napoleon’s forces in 1808.
Between 1833 and 1843, Montjuïc took on a new historical role amid the liberal and revolutionary climate of Barcelona, largely due to violent and repressive actions. The city endured bombardments between 1842 and 1856, mostly in protest.
In the 19th century, the castle was used as a prison for anarchists, union members, and revolutionaries. After an anarchist attack in 1896, around 700 people were arrested. The authorities aimed to suppress the anarchist movement and intimidate Republicans, with most detainees imprisoned and tortured at the castle. Under public pressure, the government released the prisoners in 1901. One of the castle’s most infamous events took place on October 15, 1940, when President Lluís Companys was executed here.
In 1960, the government designated Montjuïc as a military museum. In 2007, ownership was officially transferred back to the city as a municipal property, making it accessible to the public. In 2008, celebrations marked its return as a venue for social and cultural events. However, this was short-lived, as the castle closed its doors again on May 24, 2009.
