Montjuïc Hill

Historic Montjuïc Castle offers spectacular views of the city and the port.

TravelCurious Tip

Take a cable-car up to the mountaintop for the best views on your way to the castle.

Overlooking Barcelona

Perched atop Montjuïc, which translates as Jew Mountain in medieval Catalan, is the majestic Montjuïc Castle. A fortification was first built here in 1640 when a Catalonian revolt broke out against King Philip IV of Spain; an inauspicious beginning, as the Spanish troops lost the Battle of Montjuïc. This hastily built fortress was turned into a proper castle in 1694, with grounds covering the mountain summit and huge stone ramparts looking out over the sea, and improvements continued to be made on the structure throughout the years.

The castle remained a strategic foothold in the Catalan territories and changed hands multiple times throughout the centuries. It was famously captured by Napoleon Bonaparte’s army in 1808 without a weapon being fired, as the soldiers were under orders not to fight the French.

A castle of conflict

The large and handsome castle we see today was completed in 1799, with contemporary style in mind and with more efficient defensive capabilities, including 120 cannons. However, the castle has since become a grim symbol of Catalan submission: Barcelona was bombed from the castle heights on a number of occasions, most notably in 1842, in order to quell revolutionary stirrings. It has also been used to house political prisoners. During the Spanish Civil War, both sides used the castle as a place to torture and execute high profile captives; 173 people were executed by firing squad between 1936 and 1938. Notoriously, the President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Lluís Comanys, was shot dead here in October 1940 by dictator Francisco Franco.

In 1960 the castle ceased to function as a prison, and it was made a military museum in 1963 - inaugurated by the same Franco who had used it as a house of execution. In April 2007 the castle was officially given over to the City Council of Barcelona to be used for civic and cultural purposes. To mark the occasion, 40,000 Barcelonese ‘invaded’ the castle and held a festival with concerts, theatrics and dancing to celebrate its municipal ownership by the people whom it once loomed over so darkly. Today, as well as a popular spot for is exceptional panoramic views of the city and the sea, it is an important centre for exploring the fascinating and tumultuous history of Catalonia.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Barcelona
Montjüic
Montjüic is an emblematic hill in Barcelona, Spain
Plaça de les Cascades
Waterfall-lined path in Montjuic
Fundació Joan Miró
A treasure trove of art by Joan Miró, one of Spain’s most prominent artists.
Theater Grec
A replica of a Greek ampitheater which was made for the Barcelona 1929 International Exposition
Montjuic Cable Car
A great way to see the city...
Mirador de l'Alcalde
Admire the stunning views of the city from above!

Related Tours

Barcelona from Above: Private Driving Tour of the City’s Best Views

Discover several incredible panoramic views over the city of Barcelona on this half-day private driving tour around the city's most amazing viewpoints, including a visit to the amazing Glòries Tower skyscraper.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Enjoy hotel pick-up with a private driver and expert private guide throughout your 4-hour tour;
  • Relax and enjoy a scenic drive around Barcelona and to the best panoramic viewing points of the city;
  • Enjoy your guide's knowledgeable commentary about Barcelona en route; 
  • Arrive at Carmel Bunkers for an amazing 360° view of Barcelona - one of the best views in all of Europe;
  • Learn about the area, which was never a bunker, but the place where anti-aircraft guns were installed during the Spanish Civil War - locals have kept this incredible viewing point secret for years;
  • Gaze out to the horizon and the ocean beyond, and you'll see the vast architectural marvel of Gaudi’s famous La Sagrada Familia rising high above the rooftops of the city;
  • Continue the tour, driving to the top of Tibidabo, the highest peak of the capital, for more jaw-dropping views;
  • See Tibidabo Church (from the outside) - a spectacular mountaintop temple;
  • Enjoy the incredibly scenic drive down the mountain towards your last stop;
  • Your last stop is the magical Montjuïc Hill from where you can see Barcelona from every angle, including its Port;
  • Return to the city centre and finish your tour with tickets included to the Glòries Tower Observation Deck!
  • Visit Hyperview Barcelona and the interactive artwork 'Cloud Cities Barcelona', by artist Tomás Saraceno.


Discover some of the most astounding panoramic views high above Barcelona, kept secret by the locals, on this fabulous private driving tour to the best viewing points over this stunning city! Your private guide will meet you at your hotel, and whisk you off in search of some of the finest panoramic views, not just of Barcelona but all of Europe! 

Enjoy a relaxing and thoroughly scenic drive out of the city centre, while your guide will share lots of fascinating history and stories of Barcelona with you as you head up the hill, towards your first stop: the Carmel Bunkers. Rather than bunkers, this place was used during the Spanish Civil War to store firearms - specifically anti-aircraft weapons. 

Afterwards, the area became a shanty town; the residents were rehoused during the Olympic Games in 1992 and today the site is still a well-kept secret by the locals and provides a breathtaking view over Barcelona - with the city and her grand monuments stretched out beneath you.  

Next drive to Tibidabo, which at 512 meters it is the highest hill overlooking Barcelona. It rises sharply in the northwest and enjoys panoramic views of both the city and the coastline. Perched on the summit is the astonishingly beautiful Sagrat Cor Church (Sacred Heart), which was begun in 1902 and completed 60 years later. It is a vast neo-gothic church with a massive statue of the sacred heart of Jesus on top: a truly spectacular sight to behold. 

Then drive to beautiful Montjuic - the most famous hill in Barcelona, filled with pavillions, temples, palaces, parks, botanical gardens, and other monuments from when Barcelona hosted the World's Fair in 1920. It means Jewish Mountain, named for the medieval Jewish cemetery there, and has glorious views over the city. 

For years it was an important defence outpost of the city, with a wooded valley and fort. Today, there are many castles and museums to see and admire on Montjuic, including the Magic Fountain - and of course wonderful views over the city!

Then it's time to drive back into the city where you will be dropped off at the Glòries Tower, your guide will give you your tickets and guide you to the entrance. Then you have free time to head up to the Observation Deck of this grand glass skyscraper - with, yes, some of the greatest views over the city!  

 Please note:
- This tour runs rain or shine, and on a rainy day, the visibility of the city skyline might be affected. Your guide will be happy to change the stops to offer the best experience.
- Access to the Carmel Bunkers implies a walking part to get to the top of the hill from the parking area.
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