Montjuïc: the castle, the views, and the easy way up
Montjuïc is the green hill that rises straight out of the sea at the south end of Barcelona, with a castle on top, the 1992 Olympic venues and the palaces of the 1929 World's Fair. The hill itself is free; the castle costs €12. Give it half a day on foot, or three hours on our Montjuïc e-bike tour, where the motor does the climbing.
Montjuïc at a glance
- What it is
- A hill above the port, with Montjuïc Castle, the Olympic Ring, the Palau Nacional and gardens
- Getting up
- Funicular from Paral·lel metro (L2, L3), buses, a long walk, or by e-bike
- Castle
- 173 m above the sea; €12, reduced €8, free under 8
- Castle hours
- November to February 10:00 to 18:00; March to October 10:00 to 20:00. Closed 25 December and 1 January
- Free castle entry
- Sundays from 15:00 and the first Sunday of every month
- On our tours
- Montjuïc E-Bike Tour, in English or French
Castle prices and hours checked on the Barcelona City Council's castle website on 10 November 2026. They change, so check again before you go.
What you see with us
The Montjuïc E-Bike Tour rolls down from the Gothic Quarter to the old port, then climbs through the gardens to the castle and loops round the Olympic Ring to the Palau Nacional. At every viewpoint we stop at the spot with the best view, and always leave time to take photos and look around on your own.
While you look, your guide tells the story of the hill: the fortress that watched the city more than the sea, the World's Fair that gave Barcelona its palaces, the Olympics that changed it for good, and the facts and anecdotes in between.
Halfway round we stop on a terrace by the 1992 Olympic diving pool for a vermut, a coffee or patatas bravas, paid as you go.
- Columbus Monument
- Mirador de l'Alcalde
- Cactus garden
- Montjuïc Castle
- Olympic diving pool
- Olympic Ring
- Palau Nacional
What our guides tell you here
Guns pointed at the city
The castle was rebuilt in the 18th century after Barcelona fell in 1714, and its cannons were aimed at the city as often as out to sea. Later it served as a military prison, which is why many locals had mixed feelings about it for a long time.
A World's Fair on a hill
The 1929 International Exhibition turned the slopes into a showcase: the Palau Nacional, the grand stairs and the avenue down to Plaça d'Espanya all date from then. The palace now holds the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
The 1992 Olympics
The Olympic Stadium, first built for 1929, was rebuilt for the Games, joined by the Palau Sant Jordi arena and Calatrava's white telecommunications tower. The Games changed how Barcelona saw itself, and your guide explains how.
Diving with the city behind you
The open-air Olympic diving pool sits on the edge of the hill, so the divers of 1992 jumped with the whole of Barcelona as their backdrop. It is where we stop for our terrace break.
Columbus and his finger
At the foot of the hill, the 60-metre Columbus column was raised for the 1888 World's Fair. Ask your guide which way he is really pointing.
Visiting Montjuïc Castle
- Tickets. €12 general, €8 reduced, free for children under 8. A guided tour costs €16 (€12 reduced).
- Go free. Entry is free on Sundays from 15:00 and all day on the first Sunday of every month.
- Mind the season. From November to February the castle is open 10:00 to 18:00, with the ticket office closing at 17:30; from March to October, 10:00 to 20:00.
- Bring a layer. It is often windier on top than in the centre.
- Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Getting up without the climb
Montjuïc is steep, and the castle sits at the very top.
- Our e-bike tour starts at 10:15 and 14:30, plus 17:15 from May to October, and the motor takes care of the hill.
- On your own, take the funicular from Paral·lel metro (L2, L3) to the middle of the hill.
- For the centre, Gaudí and the Sagrada Família, our Barcelona Bike Tour is the one to start with.
“Igor is a friendly and knowledgeable guide. While this tour has less stops and sites than the more popular city tour, it also has less traffic, better air, and some rare views. It also provides a better workout if you want it, though having e-bikes meant we could choose our level of support. Recommend this tour.”
Montjuïc E-Bike Tour
Three hours from the old port up to the castle, the Olympic Ring and the Palau Nacional, with a terrace break. Guides in English or French, e-bike included. ★ 5.0 from 12 reviews on GetYourGuide.
About Montjuïc
Is Montjuïc worth visiting?
Yes, especially for the views. From the castle and the viewpoints you see the port, the coast and the whole city up to the Collserola hills, with fewer crowds than in the centre.
How much does Montjuïc Castle cost?
€12, or €8 reduced, and free for children under 8. Entry is free on Sundays from 15:00 and on the first Sunday of every month.
How do I get up Montjuïc?
Take the funicular from Paral·lel metro (L2, L3), a bus, or walk up through the gardens. Our Montjuïc E-Bike Tour rides up from the Gothic Quarter, and the e-bike does the climbing.
How long do I need on Montjuïc?
Half a day on foot to see the castle, a viewpoint and the Olympic Ring. Our e-bike tour covers the main sights in three hours, including a terrace break.
Is the Montjuïc e-bike tour hard?
No. Everyone rides an e-bike, so the climb is easy. You do need to ride a bike confidently, and riders need to be at least 150 cm tall.
Last updated 10 November 2026.