DK Travel : Barcelona : Montjuïc

Named the “Jewish mountain” , after an important Jewish cemetery that existed here in the Middle Ages, this sizeable and mountainous park rises 213 m (700 ft) above the port. The park itself was first landscaped for the 1929 International Exhibition, when the elegant Palau Nacional and the strikingly modern Mies van der Rohe Pavilion were also built. During the following decade, the area fell into general disuse and soon became synonymous with decline. Together with the grim shadow cast over the hill by the castle, which for years acted as a slaughterhouse for Franco’s firing squads, it is little short of miraculous that Montjuïc is now one of Barcelona’s biggest tourist draws. However, as the main site for the 1992 Olympics, held on its southern slopes, Montjuïc was given a comprehensive face-lift and the area was transformed into a beautiful green oasis, with two fabulous art museums and a host of stunning sports facilities. All these elements are interconnected by a network of exterior escalators and interlaced with quiet, shady gardens, which offer dazzling views over Barcelona and a welcome respite from the bustle of the city.

For more on Barcelona’s history see Stages in Barcelona's History The funicular connects Metro Paral·lel with the Fundació Joan Miró and the cable cars that continue up to the Castell de Montjuïc. You can hop on and off the Tren Turístic (Tours & Trips), which ferries visitors up the hill from Plaça d’Espanya and back. (April to October). 13th-century altar frontal, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

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L’Albi

Looking out over the Poble’s “village square”, this huge terrace restaurant offers stunning views and a good range of traditional Mediterranean dishes.
MNAC Café

The grand Oval Room of the Palau Nacional is an elegant lunching spot. Specialities include vegetables au gratin and pastries.
Muntanya de Montjuïc

A multitude of secret paths leads through wild gardens on Montjuïc’s south side, the only part of the mountain that remains untamed.
Palau Nacional & Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

The Palau Nacional is home to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya which exhibits Catalonia’s historic art collections. Boasting one of Europe’s finest displays of Romanesque art, the museum includes a series of breathtaking, 12th-century frescoes, rescued from Catalan Pyrenean churches and painstakingly reassembled in a series of galleries here. See Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya .
Palau Sant Jordi

The star of all the Olympic installations is this spaceship-like, steel and glass indoor stadium (Palau Sant Jordi) designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. Holding around 17,000 people, the stadium is the home of the city’s basketball team (Top 10 Spectator Sports & Events). The esplanade – a surreal forest of concrete and metal pillars – was designed by Aiko Isozaki, Arata’s wife. Further down the hill are the indoor and outdoor Bernat Picornell Olympic pools (Activities in Barcelona); both open to the public.
Pavelló Mies van der Rohe

You might wonder exactly what this box-like pavilion of stone, marble, onyx and glass is doing bang in the middle of Montjuïc’s monumental architecture. Years ahead of its time, this surprisingly rationalist gem represents Germany’s contribution to the 1929 Exhibition. Built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886– 1969), the elegant pavilion was soon demolished, only to be reconstructed in 1986. Inside, the elegant sculpture Morning by Georg Kolbe (1877–1947) is reflected in a small lake.
Poble Espanyol

This Spanish poble (village) has been recreated from a hotchpotch of scaled-down famous buildings and streets from around Spain. Although a bit tacky, it has become a centre for arts and crafts, including an impressive glass-blowers’ workshop. There are restaurants and cafés aplenty, and a couple of trendy nightclubs. (Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Clubs).
Restaurant Martí

A typical local restaurant with a fantastically economical three-course lunch in pleasant and unpretentious surroundings.
Rias de Galicia

A giant aquarium is full of lobster, crabs and more, all waiting to be plucked out and served up fresh and sizzling on a plate.
Teatre Grec

This beautiful, open-air amphitheatre (Activities in Barcelona) was inspired by the Classical ideas of what was known as Noucentisme. This late 19th-century architectural movement was a reaction to the overly-decorative nature of Modernisme . With its leafy, green backdrop and beautiful gardens, there are few places more enchanting than this to watch Swan Lake or listen to some jazz. The theatre is used for shows during the summertime Festival del Grec (Teatre Grec), when it also becomes home to a luxurious outdoor restaurant.

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For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
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