One day in Montjuïc – Barcelona Travel Guide

One day in Montjuïc is time well spent if you have a few days to visit Barcelona.  There are many attractions on this historic site, including its castle sitting just over 180m above the city.
The castle served as the main protection for the old city harbour since circa 1640.  Apart from the castle, most of the other attractions in this area were created for Barcelona’s International Exposition in 1929 with more buildings added for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, including the main stadium.  2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Games.

Joan Miró Foundation (Museu Miró) – One day in Montjuïc

This space was completed in 1975 and was commissioned by Joan Miró i Ferrà, a Surrealist painter, sculptor and ceramicist from Barcelona who won international acclaim for his works.  He was originally a student of business, but after a nervous breakdown, he turned to being an artist and was one of the leaders of the Catalan Fauvist Period.  He wanted to create a space to encourage younger artists to create modern art – Espai 13.  A good way to get to the Miró is by using the Montjuïc Funicular Railway, which leaves from Paral.lel Metro station.

Poble Espanyol – One day in Montjuïc 

The complex is an array of 117 buildings themed on the “Spanish Town” and the whole area is classed as a museum that pays homage to the whole country’s architecture. It was due to be demolished after the great 1929 exposition, but after its success, the city decided to preserve it.  Poble Espanyol is a magical area of Montjuïc, where you can switch between the different styles of Spain’s rich heritage of construction design.  There are also exhibitions of craft, contemporary art and shops with gourmet products, concert venues, theatres and activities for children.  It is a maze of small streets and squares, with the grand entrance Porta d’Àvila, located just a short walk above the Montjuïc Fountains

Palau Sant Jordi – One day in Montjuïc

Completed in 1990, this was the indoor arena for Barcelona’s Olympic Games.  It is still used today for sports events and concerts, such as basketball, indoor tennis, swimming and indoor athletics.  It can comfortably fit 18,000 spectators for most events depending on use of the giant floor space.

Open air Greek Amphitheatre (Teatre Grec) – One day in Montjuïc 

This is a stunning recreation of a traditional Greek-style theatre, nestled in the woods on Montjuïc. It opened for performances during the 1929 exposition and hosts performances and shows during the summer months.  It is a major component of the city’s annual Greek Festival, but you may visit it outside of these months.

National Art Museum of Catalunya (MNAC) – One day in Montjuïc 

This is located in the National Palace, just above the fountains and Plaça Espanya, which was built for the 1929 exposition.  It is an Italian-styled design and has some the finest displays of Romanesque and Gothic art collections in the world.  Everybody can experience their favorite art here, as the museum exhibits historic pieces of Catalan sculpture, portraits, mural paintings, carvings and metalworks. There is also a modern art collection and a photography display.

Montjuïc really has a lot going on with a wonderful mix of must-see attractions both old and new.  To really enjoy your stay more in Barcelona why not rent an apartment?  We have an excellent choice of apartments all over the city to suit your needs.

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