Is there anything better than sitting out on a warm summer’s evening? The soft smell of the Mediterranean and jacarandas about you. The remnants of the day’s heat slowly escaping from the pores of your skin. The company of good friends, a bottle of something bubbly and the promise that you have a good few months of this to enjoy. In short, yes. Yes, there is. And it goes a little something like this. Bang up a 50-foot screen, set up a LOUD sound system, nab a projector and whack on Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. What am I on about? The
That’s right,
summer in Barcelona hasn’t officially started until the
Montjuic outdoor cinema opens its proverbial “doors” for business. In fact, it should be a general rule of thumb across all countries and in all cities. Forget June 21st and the summer solstice. Summer starts when you can watch movies outside in shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. Sorry, Denmark.
To the film buffs in the back who are shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders; Who are quietly mumbling to themselves that an outdoor cinema isn’t the proper way to watch a film; That film is best enjoyed in the artificially darkened and cool confines of the indoor cinema. You’re wrong! The open-air cinema experience is a magical and enchanting one. One, where you can find sanctity in the open air, under the silver screen, and laugh, cry and cheer together. Perfection.
When and What’s on
Okay, I’ve sold you the dream and if you’ve bought it, hopefully, you have, you want the deets. So, here goes.
The Montjuic outdoor cinema has been running since 2003 - not bad, eh? - and takes place at the Montjuic Castle.
It runs between the 29th of June and 3rd of August. The full program of films can be accessed here, but highlights include Psycho, Dunkirk, and West Side Story.
Tickets
Tickets booked via the official website cost €6 for a single adult, general admission. Tickets for children between the ages of 6 and 12 cost € 4. And, children under 6 go free.
You can also buy tickets from the box office on site. However, these will be a little bit more expensive with general admission tickets costing € 6.50. They are also subject to availability.
Getting there
To get to Montjuic Castle head to Plaça d’Espanya. The Metro lines L1 and L3 (red and green respectively) both service this station.
Alternatively, the official organizers are offering a free shuttle bus between both Avinguda de Reina Maria Cristina and Avinguda Paral-lel to Plaça d’Espanya.
If you are looking for a unique way to get to Montjuic, why not arrive by cable car?
Montserrat Museums and Audiovisual Space Tickets including Cable Car Climb Path
Food and Drink
A bar and restaurant will service the open air cinema. And, the menu will consist of burgers, pizzas, vegetable samosas and chips. Or, people can bring along their own picnics and drinks.
You can also pre-book an eco-picnic that comes complete with a burger, chips and a soft drink or beer. These cost € 10.
Extras
If you don’t fancy carting along your own lounge chairs or picnic blankets, they are available to hire on site. Hiring a lounge chair costs € 3.
And, why not turn your night at the outdoor cinema into a visit to the castle too? Every night before the screenings for an additional fee of € 5 (€ 11 total, including film admission) you can tour the grounds of this old military fortress and learn about its dark history. Tours accommodate groups of 25 people and last an hour.
So, start your summer off with a bang and make for the Montjuic outdoor cinema. With films every week you’ll never be shy of something to do.