Montjuïc - Best View in Spain

The mountain of Montjuic juts over Barcelona's port onBut in a lovely setting like Montjuic, you don't want to
one face, and on the other side overhangs the Placabe indoors all the time. The Jardi Botanic opened in
Espanya. With this location, it is ideal for playing. The1999, but has already received international admiration
mountain became the central mark of the World Fairfor landscaping and concept. Most species are
of 1929 and the 1992 Olympic games. It's beautiful andMediterranean, or from a similar climate like Australia
green, still forested and covered in parks. Montjuic isand California, and the park is divided into regions for
popular with pedestrians and cyclists of all kindseach area. The telecommunications aerial, rather than
because of its extensive and green paths. Barcelonadetracting from the beauty, is designed to blend with
has recently started working on installing walkwaysthe landscaping, and because of the way it leans, it
and escalators to connect visitors to theacts as a giant sundial.
harder-to-navigate sections.The Poble Espanyol will keep you outside. It's a
Among these sections is the Font del Gat, once arecreated Spanish village built for the 1929 World Fair
fashionable modernista cafe designed by Josep Puig iand has almost a Disneyish feel. You can find over a
Cadafalch. Today, it's an information and visitors centerhundred styles of Spanish architecture in one tiny spot,
and restaurant, and a great starting place to explorefrom the Levante to Galicia and Castilian high gothic.
Montjuic. Also in the tall mountain you'll find some of theThe entrance, a facsimile of the gateway to Avila,
best museums in Barcelona like the MNAC and theleads you to the center of the village, where you can
Miro Foundation.have drinks at the outdoor cafe, or visit the flamenco
The most popular attraction around Montjuic is thetaberna and other nightspots. Provincial crafts and
Magic Fountain, or Font Magica. In daytime, the grandsouvenirs are sold everywhere, and you can see
fountain beneath the MNAC staircase seems ordinary,artisans handprinting fabric, making pottery, or blowing
but after dark, you'll see the magic part. Music blastsglass. Though some see this as a tourist trap, if you
from loudspeakers, and varicolored lighting illuminateswon't be able to see much of Spain outside Barcelona
the dancing waters of the fountain. Carles Buigasthis is a good choice for finding almost everything
designed it for the 1929 World Fair, and it's perfect foryou're interested in.
watching from one of the cafes surrounding it. ShowsAnd history, of course, is not neglected. The Museu
run throughout the summer, from May to October onMilitar de Montjuic is found inside the Castell de
Thursday through Sunday after dark. (at other timesMontjuic, a fortress dating back to the 1600s that
of the year, they're held only on Friday and Saturdayoverlooks the sea. The collection is a treasury of
after dark).military artifacts from armor to weapons to
If you want to visit the Castell de Montjuic on the seaaccoutrements to military art, and the fortress itself
side of the mountain, your best choice is via the cableprovides breathtaking views of the Barcelona skyline
car, the Transbordador Aeri, that runs across the port.and the sea. The Museu d'Arquelogia de Catalunya
It runs daily from 10:30 AM to 7 PM.occupies the former Palace of Graphic Arts of the
Once you're settled on Montjuic, there's plenty to see1929 World Fair. It surveys the long history of
and do.Barcelona, from the Iberian prehistory to the Greek,
What to DoRoman, and Carthaginian periods, including many
At the CaixaForum, you can view rotating diverse artartifacts that were unearthed very close by. On the
exhibitions on three floors of a building that used to befloor, you'll find actual mosaics moved here from the
a textile factory designed by modernista architect Puigplaces where they were unearthed; the curators invite
i Cadalfach. Later, Japanese architect Arata Isozakivisitors to walk over them, as they believe using them
added a walkway, courtyard, and entrance to set offas they were intended provides better preservation
the art stored within. At any given time, you're alsofor them.
likely to find performances related to the art beingThere is much more to do on MOntjuic, including visiting
exhibited, especially world music and modern dance,the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalynya (MNAC) or the
and there's an excellent bookstore in the foyer. YouPavello Mies van der Rohe. Your best bet: go early,
can find more modern art at the Fundacio Joan Miro,and don't have a set agenda. Enjoy exploring MOntjuic.
devoted to the master of contemporary Catalan art.Places to Stay
The Miro collection, donated by the artist, is so largeMontjuic, hampered by a lack of amenities like water,
that only part of it can be displayed at any given time.has few homes but many pleasant places to visit. One
If you're not familiar with Miro, the audioguide you canplace to try is the Hotel Torre Catalunya, a
pick up at the front desk will help you understand theskyscraper-style four-star hotel with excellent
depth and breadth of this master's works. Inamenities. Its restaurant, the Ciudad Condal, offers
sports-mad Barcelona, you'll also find the Galeriagorgeous views of the city from the 23rd floor. You'll
Olimpica, a museum devoted to the games held inalso find a Spa, health center, and many other
1992. This museum is located in the cellar of the oldamenities here.
Olympic Stadium.