Guide to Montjuic in Barcelona

When Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992, Montjuic in Barcelona was the site of many of the events. A mountain lying to the east of the city, Montjuic resembles a large hill upon which is an old castle, that is now a military museum. Accessible by cable car, the mountain provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area and the city itself.

The city's Olympic Stadium also lies in the shadow of the mountain and is now home to Espanyol, one of the city's football teams. Another Olympic building, the Palau Sant Jordi, is also near the mountain. During the Games, it was used for gymnastics, but since then it has been transformed into a swimming pool for championship tournaments and is also the city's main musical stadium where world-famous acts such as Madonna and Lady Gaga have performed.

Around the stadiums are also flower gardens, cactus parks and a plethora of shops dedicated to numerous souvenirs of the city. There are even more shops around the other side of the mountain in Poble Espanyol, however these are more an artful nature with glass blowing and pottery stores providing authentic souvenirs for tourists to take home.

It is the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya however that is the region's main draw. One of the most visited buildings in Barcelona, the city's art gallery is home to local Catalan art as well as more famous Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque pieces of art. The museum is home, to not just portraits, but to sculptures, enamels and elaborate carvings.

Interested in a Montjuic Barcelona City tour for you or a group?