General Information

Montjuïc Castle is an ancient military fortress dating back to 1640, located in the Montjuic area of Barcelona. The fortress is part of the long history of the city of Barcelona. Immediately after it was built, it was used during a deadly revolt when the Catalan nation fought against the Spanish ruler. Fifty years later, it was enlarged from a fortress to a castle. It was then dismantled and rebuilt, and took part in Napoleon’s wars.

Over the years, the citadel has become a symbol of terror and fear, since many soldiers and civilians have been imprisoned and tortured by the authorities. Between 1936 and 1938 alone, over 170 people were murdered within its borders. One of the famous prisoners of the castle was Lluis Companys. He was the leader of the Republican Left Catalonian political party and the only democratically elected president in Europe that was executed.

In the 20th century the fortress served as a military museum, but today it serves as a municipal building of the officials of Barcelona for exhibitions related to the city’s history and hosts urban events and various performances.

Tips and Recommendations for Visiting the Montjuïc Castle

• There is a parking space near the northern part of Montjuic, but we still recommend that you arrive with the metro or bus in order to avoid the traffic. Even for those who come to Barcelona by car, it is recommended to park the car in a more peripheral area, arrive to the center by public transportation (for additional information- Parking near Montjuïc Castle, Parking near Montjuïc, Car Rental in Barcelona and Car Rental in Spain).
• Note that children under the age of 16 are free of charge. In order to maximize the experience for children, you can reach the fortress by the cable car (for additional information- Kids and Families in Montjuïc Castle and Kids and Families in Barcelona).

Tips for Attractions near Montjuïc Castle:

• It is recommended to combine the tour with the rest of the Montjuic attractions, such as Poble Espanyol (The Spanish Village), Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Olimpic Stadium) and with a visit to Plaça d’Espanya (which you can reach anyway when you arrive or return from the area by metro). Close to the castle you can enjoy one of Barcelona’s most beautiful lookout points (for additional information – Attractions and Tours near Montjuïc Castle and Attractions and Tours in Barcelona).
• During Sundays, after 03:00 pm, the admission is free, as well as every first Sunday of the month (for additional information – Sundays in Barcelona).

• It is highly recommended to try Montjuïc Cable Car which is located close by.

Tips for “when to visit” Montjuïc Castle:

• For those interested in entering the castle the recommended visiting time is during the day. If you want to only visit the outside of the castle, we recommend sunset hours, because the view during those hours of the day is the most beautiful (for additional information – Romantic Vacation in Barcelona).
• Note that the castle is closed during 25 December and 1 January (for additional information – Public Holidays in Barcelona).

Tips for Entering Montjuïc Castle:

• Please note that most of the attractions in this area are in the open air, there are many areas without shade, because of this you should be prepared with lots of water and hats or visit this area during sunset. In contrast, during winter this area can be very cold and unpleasant to visit (for additional information – Winter Vacation in Barcelona, Summer Vacation in Barcelona and Weather in Barcelona).
• Visiting the castle takes about 30 to 45 minutes, no need to book tickets in advance because there are no queues (for additional information – Montjuïc Castle Tickets).
• A visit within the Montjuïc Castle is recommended for those who love castles and those who are interested in the history of Catalonia and Barcelona (for additional information – History of Barcelona). It is not a must-see site, you can only visit the castle from the outside and continue to explore the rest of the attractions in Montjuic.

Tips for Timeout in Montjuïc Castle:

• This attraction also holds free concerts and sometimes also some interesting events, from summer movie screenings to musical performances and other municipal celebrations (for additional information – the official website).

• You can also enjoy a flamenco show at Arte Flamenco, which is in the vicinity.

Tips for Hotels near Montjuïc Castle:

• Accommodation in the castle area and the Montjuic hill is generally recommended for those who want to get away from the hustle of the city center on one hand but still wish to be close enough to the center. The hotels in this area are located north of the hill in the area of the Avinguda del Paral-lel and most of the people that get accommodated in this area are families, groups or tourists that search for a lower price of accommodation (for additional information – Family-friendly Hotels in Barcelona and Cheap Hotels in Barcelona). The hotels in this area are a little distant from the main attractions, but it is within a reasonable distance by metro and are usually less expensive. The drawbacks in this area are mainly the distance from the nightlife and recreational areas of La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter (for additional information – Hotels near Montjuïc Castle, Hotels near Montjuic and Hotels in Barcelona).

Recommended Blogs and Articles About Montjuïc Castle:

• Barcelona: Montjuïc Castle at Sabrina’s Travels
• Do you really know Montjuic hill in Barcelona? at Barcelona4seasons