Monjuïc Castle

Updated Jun 30 2023

From Montjuïc Castle, situated at the highest point of the Montjuïc Mountain, you’ll be able to enjoy impressive views of Barcelona, both of the coastline and other points in the city, which makes it one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Barcelona.

Information about the Montjuïc Castle in Barcelona

The former watchtower that was used as a fortress, crowing the mountain, was converted into a castle in 1694. During its more than 300 years of history the castle has been at the centre of various military events; contrary to the usual practice of the castle defending the city, it actually served the purpose of bombing it, as was the case during the War of Succession in the early 18th century and in the middle of the 19th century, in this case to deal with some of the civil riots that took place in the city.

artillery Montjuïc Castle

At the end of the Spanish Civil War the castle was converted into a prison, and its grounds were the scene of several shootings, including that of the president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Lluís Companys. After handing over the castle’s management to the City Council in 1960, it housed the military museum until 2007.

The Montjuïc Castle nowadays

The castle is now home to some temporary exhibitions, and it is working on the use of the space as a historical museum, in which the history of the castle’s many conflicts will be explained through exhibitions in various spaces. The Centre d’Interpretació de Montjuïc will also be created, which will help to understand more geological and biological aspects of Montjuïc itself, as well as the history of human inhabitation of the mountain, from its first settlers up to the present day.

Montjuïc Castle tower

Social and cultural events in the Castle

The castle is chosen as the setting for many social and cultural events. Some of them are accessible by purchasing a ticket, such as the open-air cinema that Sala Montjuïc organises each year in the castle’s grounds, and some are open to all and free to enter, such as those that take place during the Festes de la Mercè, when open days are organised, and various fun activities are put on.

The views from the Montjuïc Castle

The views that you’ll be able to enjoy from the castle’s viewpoint are spectacular, and as with all viewpoints, the perspective you’ll get will be different according to the time of day that you’re there. We therefore recommend that wherever possible you go up to the viewpoint just before sunset, so that you can enjoy the views in the sunshine and then the sunset over the city. If you’re visiting the castle in summer, it will close before sunset, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the views from outside, or from one of the many other viewpoints around Montjuïc.

views of the sea

Recommendation

If you don’t want to pay to enter the castle itself, we still recommend that you go up to the top of Montjuïc, because the views from outside the castle are still wonderful, and nearby there are also places from which you can enjoy great views of the sea and the rest of the coastline, namely the Mirador del Migdia and the Mirador del’Alcalde.

The visit to the Montjuïc Castle

You will need to pay to go into the castle itself, and you can buy tickets in the ticket offices at the entrance. However, if your visit happens to be on a Sunday afternoon you can gain free entry (from 15:00). There are two options for your visit round the castle – the guided tour or a visit at your own pace.


At your own pace

The ticket, which includes a guided tour, allows you to visit the courtyard, various rooms and former cells, and the current temporary exhibition. You can also go up to the top of the castle, from where you’ll see the best views of the area, and you’ll be able to take some impressive photos.

Free visits to the Montjuïc Castle all year around

If you’d like to visit the castle free of charge whenever you want, you can subscribe to the cultural register Gaudir+BCN, which is also free. As well as allowing you access to the castle, you can also get into the Monumental Zone of Park Güell without having to pay.

Price

General Admission: €5.
Concessions: €3 for senior citizens over the age of 65, the unemployed, holders of the ‘tarjeta rosa reducida’, holders of a Barcelona Library Card, those with large family cards and single parents.
Free entry: for under-16s, holders of the ‘tarjeta rosa gratuita’, for everyone on Sundays from 15:00, for members of the Gaudir+BCN, for holders of the BCNCultural pass, for members of the ‘l’ICOM’ or the ‘Associació de Museòlegs de Barcelona’, accredited teachers and tourist guides.

Opening hours

From 1st October to 31st March: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
From 1st April to 30th September: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00.
Closed: 25th December and 1st January.

Guided tours

A great way to get the most out of your visit to the castle is to go on one of the guided tours that are organised each day, for which there’s no need to book in advance. These tours will enable you to deepen your knowledge of the castle’s history, and of the relation it had with the city from its origins to the present day.

In English

Mondays to Fridays: 12:30 and 17:00.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 11:30, 13:00, 16:30 and 18:00.
Price: €7.

In Spanish / Catalan

Mondays to Fridays: 12:30 and 17:00.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 11:30, 13:00 and 16:30.
Price: €4.

Groups and tours in the other languages

In order to organise a group visit you will need to make a reservation in advance, by calling (+34) 932 564 440, or via email: reservescastellmontjuic@bcn.cat. You can also ask for tours in different languages, as long as enough notice is given.

Photo gallery

Map


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Address

Carretera (road) de Montjuïc 66, Barcelona.

Opening Hours

The information can be found above.

Entry cost

Detailed information can be found above.

How to get there?

Metro: Espanya (lines 1 and 3) and then an uphill walk of around 40 minutes, or catch the Montjuïc Cable Car.

Buses: line 150 and tourist bus.

Montjuïc Cable Car: takes you right up to the castle.

Montjuïc Funicular: Runs from Paral·lel station (lines 2 and 3) and goes up the Montjuïc Mountain, leaving you around 15 minutes’ walk away from the castle.

Aeri del Port.

Nearby places of interest

Mirador del’Alcalde (viewpoint)
Mirador del Migdia (viewpoint)
Montjuïc Cable Car
Aeri del Port Cable Car

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