Montjuïc

The lofty setting for the 1992 Olympic Games has superb views of the city, two world-class museums, an inspiring cultural centre, gardens and the entertaining Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village).

Known as a ‘mountain’, the rocky hill of Montjuïc is only 213 metres (699ft) high, but has an undeniable physical presence in the city. It marks the end of the leisure port, and acts like a barrier between the city centre and the industrial sprawl of the Zona Franca to the south. In 1929 the hill was landscaped and used as the grounds of the Universal Exposition. More recently, it was the nerve centre of the 1992 Olympic Games, and today it is a large city park offering a wide range of cultural, leisure and sporting activities.

Botanic Gardens

Much of Montjuïc’s verdant surface is given over to ­gardens. The newest is the Jardí Botànic, a beautifully landscaped, sustainable botanical garden. Other thematic gardens include the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera (one of the biggest collections of cacti in the world) and the Jardins de Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer, specialising in bulbous plants and ablaze with crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths in spring. The Jardins de Miramar offer magnificent views of the port, and have several bars serving refreshments. More formally arranged are the Jardins Laribal.

Palau Nacional

Since 1934, the enormous, rather overbearing Palau Nacional has housed the wonderful MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya). In front is the imposing Font Màgica, the dancing fountain, which delights thousands of visitors several times a week during the son et lumière shows. 

CaixaForum and Poble Espanyol

Apart from its own contemporary collection, the CaixaForum holds temporary exhibitions, concerts, debates and music festivals. Further along the shady, green Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia is the Poble Espanyol, a ‘Spanish village’ with scaled-down versions of many of the country’s most famous buildings. 

Olympic Ring

The Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring) is spread across the hillside behind the Palau Nacional. The Estadi Olímpic was actually built for the 1929 Universal Exposition, and then extended for the 1992 Olympics. Just outside the stadium is the Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport, the first in Europe giving a global view of sports, with interactive exhibits and multimedia installations. Beyond the stadium is Santiago Calatrava’s striking white communications tower, the Torre de Calatrava. 

Montjuïc’s Museums

Montjuïc boasts a number of museums, but the most ­visited is the Fundació Joan Miró, in an understated yet powerfully impressive building designed by Miró’s friend Josep Lluís Sert. As well as this and the splendid MNAC, there are archaeologic­al and ethno­logical museums (Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya and Museu Etnològic) on the lower slopes, towards the quiet neighbourhood of Poble Sec.

Castell de Montjuïc

For the complete Montjuïc experience, it’s fun to take the cable car from the Parc de Montjuïc station up to the Castell de Montjuïc. Nearby is the Mirador de l'Alcalde (the Mayor's Lookout Point), with panoramic views over the waterfront.