A landscape from elsewhere
Cacti and succulents metres tall on terraces stepping down the slope.
Enfo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Igor Ovsyannykov igorovsyannykov — CC0 · Rick Ligthelm from Rotterdam, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Rick Ligthelm from Rotterdam, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0
A cactus garden on the Montjuïc slope overlooking the port, and one of the strangest green spaces in Barcelona. The slope faces south and takes full sun, which is precisely what makes it work for desert plants that generally fail in this part of Europe. The collection is large and varied: cacti and succulents from the Americas and Africa, some of them several metres tall, arranged on terraces that step down with the natural fall of the hill. Walking through it feels like passing through a landscape that does not belong to the city at all. The second advantage is the view. From the terraces you look straight out over the port and the sea, a different angle from the usual outlook at the top of Montjuïc. Entry is free and the visit is short. Make it a stop on the way up or down Montjuïc rather than a separate trip, and avoid the middle of the day in summer, since the place is almost entirely without shade by design.
Cacti and succulents metres tall on terraces stepping down the slope.
A different angle from the Montjuïc summit outlook: the sea and the harbour straight ahead.
Make it a pause on the way up or down the hill rather than a separate trip.
Montjuïc slope above the port, Barcelona
Maritime Museum of BarcelonaThe Maritime Museum occupies the Drassanes Reials, the royal shipyards the Crown10 minutes walk4.5
Montjuïc CastleMontjuïc Castle crowns Barcelona's seaside mountain: a seventeenth-century star 10 minutes walk4.5
Columbus MonumentThe Columbus Monument stands at the sea end of La Rambla, where the old city mee11 minutes walk4.4
Arts Santa MònicaA contemporary arts centre at the lower end of La Rambla near the port, in a sev12 minutes walk4.4
Fundació Joan MiróThe Miró Foundation on Montjuïc's shoulder is home to the twentieth century's mo13 minutes walk4.4Yes, with care: the plants are spiny and some sit close to the paths, so small children need watching. The paths themselves slope, which can be awkward for pushchairs or anyone who finds walking difficult.
It sits on the harbour side, so it suits the route between the port cable car and the rest of the hill. Combine it with Montjuïc Castle and the National Art Museum of Catalonia on the same day.