Castell Stop
This stop is essential if you want to avoid the exhausting climb up to Montjuïc Castle. When you arrive, you can take a walk around and visit some of the gardens to be found on the Montjuïc Mountain. The closest are the Botanical Garden, the Joan Brossa Gardens and the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens.
Barcelona's castle
The Castell stop of the Montjuïc Cable Car is just a stone’s throw away from Montjuïc Castle. Given the mountain’s steep incline, the cable car is undoubtedly the best way of accessing it. The castle, which is 173 metres above sea level, dates back to 1660, although in the second half of the 18th century it underwent a variety of renovations and extensions that gave rise to its current incarnation. It is worth visiting the castle as it now plays host to cultural activities and exhibitions that allow you to learn about the history of both the castle and the city of Barcelona. It is also a compulsory stop to enjoy 360º views. The terrace of the parade ground of the castle is the ideal place for this.
A number of different gardens where you can take a breather are located very close to Montjuïc Castle. As you descend in the direction of the Olympic Stadium you will find the Botanical Garden, which is home to more than a thousand species of plants from all the regions in the world that have a Mediterranean climate.
In the opposite direction to the Botanical Garden there are two gardens dedicated to Catalan poets: the Joan Brossa Gardens and the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens. They are interconnected.
The Joan Brossa Gardens are located on the area previously occupied by the old Montjuïc Amusement Park. These gardens, which can more properly be considered a forest park, offer large play areas for children, including a zip-line and an area full of sound experimentation instruments.
The Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens, which specialise in aquatic, bulbous and rhizomatous plants, are an ideal space to rest before continuing with the rest of your Montjuïc visit. A stroll through these gardens allows you to discover a number of sculptures, like The Girl of the Lilies, by Ramon Sabí, in homage to the poet Cinto Verdaguer, who due to his career as a priest received the appellation mossèn (father).
What to see
Montjuïc CastleThe summit of Montjuïc Mountain, which is some 173 metres above sea level, is home to a construction called Montjuïc Castle. It is an ideal defensive site as it offers 360º views of the territory.
Barcelona Botanical GardenBarcelona Botanical Garden’s 14 hectares are home to more than 1,300 species of plants from various parts of the world where there is a Mediterranean climate. The objective of this garden is to protect and promote collections of Mediterranean plants from all around the world.
Torre de CalatravaMontjuïc Communications Tower, built by the architect Santiago Calatrava for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, forms part of the Olympic Ring.