Montjuïc: the museums and the Olympic ring

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Font Màgica de Montjuïc

   The 1929 fountain at the foot of the hill, dry and unremarkable by day but the obvious place to begin. Note the weekend evening show times on the board if you fancy doubling back after dark.

   01

   Font Màgica de Montjuïc

   The 1929 fountain at the foot of the hill, dry and unremarkable by day but the obvious place to begin. Note the weekend evening show times on the board if you fancy doubling back after dark.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Mies van der Rohe Pavilion

   Off to the right of the fountain steps, the 1929 *pavelló* rebuilt in the 1980s — travertine, onyx, a shallow pool and the Barcelona chair. Small, free to admire from outside, and quietly the best building on the hill.

   02

   Mies van der Rohe Pavilion

   Off to the right of the fountain steps, the 1929 *pavelló* rebuilt in the 1980s — travertine, onyx, a shallow pool and the Barcelona chair. Small, free to admire from outside, and quietly the best building on the hill.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   CaixaForum Barcelona

   Across the road, a Modernista former textile factory turned arts centre by Puig i Cadafalch. Worth stepping in for the brick courtyard alone; the exhibitions are usually a bonus.

   03

   CaixaForum Barcelona

   Across the road, a Modernista former textile factory turned arts centre by Puig i Cadafalch. Worth stepping in for the brick courtyard alone; the exhibitions are usually a bonus.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

   Up the escalators to the Palau Nacional, home to the Romanesque frescoes nobody expects to be this good. The terrace out front is a free balcony over the whole city — closed Mondays, so plan around it.

   04

   Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

   Up the escalators to the Palau Nacional, home to the Romanesque frescoes nobody expects to be this good. The terrace out front is a free balcony over the whole city — closed Mondays, so plan around it.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Poble Espanyol

   A 1929 open-air collage of Spanish architecture, kitsch and genuinely charming in equal measure. You don't have to go in — the entrance gateway and the walk past it are most of the pleasure.

   05

   Poble Espanyol

   A 1929 open-air collage of Spanish architecture, kitsch and genuinely charming in equal measure. You don't have to go in — the entrance gateway and the walk past it are most of the pleasure.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Anella Olímpica — Estadi Olímpic

   The 1992 ring laid out across the hilltop: the stadium kept its 1929 facade and gutted everything behind it. Walk the esplanade; it's vast and usually half-empty, which suits it.

   06

   Anella Olímpica — Estadi Olímpic

   The 1992 ring laid out across the hilltop: the stadium kept its 1929 facade and gutted everything behind it. Walk the esplanade; it's vast and usually half-empty, which suits it.

   ◉Street View
7. 07

   7

   Torre de Comunicacions de Montjuïc

   Calatrava's white communications tower, built to beam the Games to the world and shaped like an athlete holding a torch. End here; the funicular back to Espanya is a short walk down.

   07

   Torre de Comunicacions de Montjuïc

   Calatrava's white communications tower, built to beam the Games to the world and shaped like an athlete holding a torch. End here; the funicular back to Espanya is a short walk down.

   ◉Street View