Teleferic De Montjuic

Built in 1640, Montjuic Castle is an old military fortress on top of the Montjuic hill in Barcelona. The Montjuic Castle had played a key role in the history of Barcelona, and became a symbol of Spain when it defeated the Catalan forces in 1714. It served as a stronghold for the kingdoms which ruled the surrounding regions. In particular, the Montjuic castle is infamous in the Catalan history books for its role in the civil war that plagued this region between 1936 and 1939. Later on, it was converted into a military museum. It was officially given the name Military Armor Museum and showcases armory and weapons used throughout Catalan history. The castle must be accessed through a the Montjuic cable car, a gondola lift, with a station near the castle entrance. A gondola lift is propelled by cables from above, as opposed to a traditional cable car.

The cable car journey forms a crucial part of the experience. Several of the city’s famous monuments, such as the world-famous Sagrada Familia, the towering Torre Agbar, the Barcelona Cathedral and several other tourist attractions can be seen. The Mediterranean Sea is visible on one side, and the massive Montserrat Mountains on the other. There are three stations where the cable car stops, Parc de Montjuïc, Miramar and finally, at Castell de Montjuïc. The beauty of Barcelona and it's multitude of attractions can be truly appreciated during this relaxing journey.

Your Experience

The easiest way to get to the Montjuic cable car station is taking the funicular railway at the Paral·lel metro station. Alternatively, you can catch the cable car at the Barcelona Bus Turístic stop. You can enjoy a relaxing journey up to Montjuic Castle, as the cable car glides up the hill.

The cable car journey provides a unique experience. You can see the entirety of Barcelona as the cable car moves up the hill. The bustling metropolis, with a backdrop of lush green hilly forests and the ice-capped mountains, makes for a spectacular sight. With brand-new cabins, up to eight people can sit together, and this makes large family trips all the more fun. With large glass panels, you can enjoy dazzling views of the city from any position inside the cabin.

A 753 meter journey up the hill awaits you, and your eyes are in for a treat as you ascend. The Montjuic Castle is situated about 170 meters above sea level, right next to the port. Impressive views of the coastline and Barcelona are visible from the top of the ancient fortress. You can see the fortification planted extensively with parterre gardens. The serene environment of the castle has no semblance to the fort that it once was. The Military Armor Museum houses a vast number of exhibits of the various types of armor used by the Catalans. You can see armor equipped mannequins which will help you understand how soldiers of this era would have looked like in the flesh. Once you have completely explored the Montjuic Castle, you can take the cable car back to ground level.

All in all, the cable journey to the Montjuic Castle and back is an unforgettable experience and a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona.