Marian5

Dear Fodorites,

I've read several different ways to get up Montjuic in guide books and I'm still confused. Can someone tell me in more detail what and HOW is the best (meaning most impressive) way to get up Montjuic to see the Miro Foundation? Cable car vs. funicular vs. escalator from Palau Nacional. Where is pickup/drop off for cable car EXACTLY and is it worth the extra money? Or is the funicular better because it's cheaper and easier to get to? And is it true that if you walk through Plaza Espana, up to the Palau Nacional there is an escalator (that's what I read) that take's you up Montjuic?

Marian5

topping

capo

Hi Marian. Although we didn't take the cable car while we were there (it wasn't running), I'd certainly think it would be the most impressive and dramatic way to arrive on Montjuic.

We walked from Plaza Espana up the stairs, past the Magic Fountain, to the Palau National. There may have been an escalator there but I don't recall seeing one.

One other option, though not what I'd call impressive, would be to take a bus up to Montjuic. One of the tourist buses goes up there and a regular city bus might too.

Marian5

Hi capo - From Palau National is there a direct way to get up to Fundation Miro?

artlover

We took the bus both ways and had absolutely no problem. Don't recall which bus, but I'm sure they could tell you at your hotel or someone here may know. Try to go around sunset--the view was fantastic.

Maribel

Marian5,
To reach easily the Miró foundation, please don't try to take the escalators from the Placa Espanya to the Palau Nacional and then walk from there. Whew! It takes forever, and if the escalators are being repaired (as was the case when I tried it last June!), it's one, very steep and seemingly endless climb up just to the Palau. That would be the most difficult way to go.

Can't remember which bus takes you up to the Fundación Miró (I did it later on the bus Turistic), but as artlover says, there is one-it may be #61. But you'll find a funicular (not the cable car/teleferic) just a short walk down from the Fundación Miró to take you back downtown to the Avenida Paral.lel and Nou de la Rambla.

lorilouise

We did this 2 years ago, so I may be sorta vague, but I remember taking the cable car from the port over to Montjuic and walking up to the Olympic Stadium, passing the Miro museum on the way. We also ended up taking the funicular while we were on that side of the water, but can't for the life of me remember where to or why? But I think it was fun and a good view! As I said, sorry to be so vague -- our group consisted of 3 adults and 2 teenagers and I don't recall the part of walk that took us past the Miro Foundation being very stressful, just a gradual uphill -- it gets steeper further along, though! Its a pretty walk, too, I think. Good luck -- I love Barcelona, hope you do too!

JP

I went up the funicular last year, and there's no view at all; it runs through a tunnel.

Marian5

Thanks everyone - I think we'll definitely take the cable car up and either the funicular or bus back down. If anyone knows exactly how far of a walk it is from the teleferic drop off point to the Miro fundation, I'd appreciate it. We're traveling with my in-laws and don't want to overexert them. Also, there seems to be 2 places to catch the teleferic: the torre de San Sebastian on Moll de Barceloneta or the tower of Jaime I in the boat terminal. Does anyone know which is closest to the Picasso Museum?

Maribel

Marian,
From my maps, it looks like a good loooong walk up Avenida de Miramar from the cable car stop to the Miró Foundation.

Both cable car departure points are about the same distance from the Picasso Museum, according to my maps, the Torre de Jaume 1 being perhaps easier, but that's a hefty walk as well.

Marian5

That's funny Maribel..I just wrote you!!! Well thanks for the info. Maybe we'll take the bus or funicular up to Miro and the cable car down to Barceloneta.

Angela_m

We returned a few weeks ago and we took the metro to the funicular which was only a short walk away with directions well marked, although I don't remember which metro line we took, and from the funicular it was a very short walk to the Miro Foundation Museum. And JP is right, I was sitting in the funicular car with my camera poised ready for snapping pictures, but all it was was a short ride through a tunnel and we were there!

Marian5

Does anyone know if there is a bus from the teleferic drop-off to the Miro? You are right MAribel, it does look like a very looooong walk. I find it hard to believe that they would drop you off in the middle of nowhere on Montjuic. Surely there must be some transportation from the teleferic station?

lorilouise

Sorry about the funicular -- of course it runs through a tunnel -- as I said, I am somewhat vague as to why we took it. We walked from cable car to Olympic Stadium, which is (in my subjective remembrance) quite a bit farther than Fundacion Miro -- also, it was March so temp was 60s-70s. We do alot of walking on European vacations, but I certainly I am only in "average" condition -- so unless its real hot and humid or you have other fitness issues the main problem is time -- it does take awhile. Cable car has view though (right?).

Marian5

Lorilouise - Do you remember if there was any public transportation available along the road to Miro/Olympic once you were at the top?

Lesli

http://www.bcn.fjmiro.es/

Official website for the Miro. Under "I" for information, it offers the following transport options:

"Bus 50 "Trinitat nova-Parc de Montjuïc
Bus 55 "Pl. Catalana - Parc de Montjuïc"
Funicular de Montjuïc (Metro Paral?lel).
Parking outside the Foundation
Access for wheelchairs"

sakis

In my opinion the easiest and funniest way,by far,is the BUS TOURISTIC.Try it!!!

Delegator

I took the metro to the paral.lel stop and then took the funicular. The miro foundation is just a few minute walk (to the left outside the funicular exit) from there. Interestingly, I was not charged for the funicular. It was the first ride of the day (I think at 11 a.m.) so perhaps they weren't set up or something. It is true that there is no view -- it is basically a tunnel -- but it was the easist and fastest option I could find. Just to the right of the exit from the funicular is a cable car that goes to the top of montjuic. That view is amazing. I saw another cable car, that leaves from Barcelonetta and goes up to montjuic. However, it ends quite far from the miro foundation. Enjoy -- I loved the miro foundation. There was so much info. about the work process -- i.e. what Miro did prior to completing a project. It really gave me a deeper understanding of his work.

Delegator

And, another thing -- the escalators were not working when I was there (I walked down, intending to use them, however ...)