Barcelona Weekend Break

Montjuic park

This is one of the "big three" parks in Barcelona and, as far as most peoples' description of a park is concerned, probably the best. (I think that the name translates to “Jewish” park.)

The park of Montjuic lies on one of the hills that surround the south west of Barcelona and the best way to get to it is by a short train journey on the “funicular” train which actually passes through a tunnel under a part of the hill and the park itself. You emerge at the hill's summit. The alternatives include walking or a cable car.

Once off the train, you are greeted with spectacular views as you look back and down towards the city below. The views become even more impressive at sunset.

The park has plenty of gardened areas and is a pleasant and relaxing place to spend some time. It is also a great photo opportunity, with the city below and more mountains acting as a backdrop behind it. You can also spot most of the important buildings in Barcelona and it gives you a feel for how the city is laid out.

Around the park

Aside from the actual park, Montjuic is ideally placed to see and explore a number of the city's other attractions.

If you head to, or away from the park via the Plaza de Espana (square), you will have a chance to see many of the buildings that formed a part of Barcelona's 1992 Olympic Games.

Also in the general vicinity is the Joan Miro park, with its sculptures and mosaics and there are a number of museums and galleries that fall within this zone including the Palau Nacional (the museum of Cataluna) which is an impressive building in its own right.

Another rather strange place in the general area of Montjuic is a "contrived" village called "Poble Espanol". This village is both odd and interesting and acts as a kind of repository for a whole range of Spanish building styles. In it you will see “copy cat” examples of architecture and aesthetics from all over the Iberian Peninsula.

Tourist information

The Montjuic park is a really good place from which to start a casual exploration of a very interesting and culturally rich part of Barcelona.

You can take the train to the top, and then wind your way down seeing the city, some galleries and further parks. You will encounter a castle (castel de Montjuic), an archeological museum, a military museum and, if you want to descend in a more leisurely way, there is also a cable car (which goes up and down).

Numerous items of sculpture add further interest to the climb or descent and you can of course see the harbour and beaches.

All told this is a park worth visiting if you can fit it into your schedule.