Montjuic Barcelona
Rising over the city, southwest of the Barrio Chino, the steep hill of MONTJUIC is by far the largest green area in Barcelona. You'll probably want to reserve most of a day, or perhaps even longer, to spend on its substantial attractions, which include recreational areas, galleries and spots of historical interest. 698 feet high, the hill dominates Barcelona's southern suburbs. Its name (Mountain of the Jews) developed as a result of the Jewish community that once settled on its slopes, and there's been a castle on the heights since the mid-seventeenth century, which says much about the hill's obvious historical defensive role.

But since 1929, when the hill was landscaped and buildings were erected for the International Exhibition, Montjuic has been the city's greatest cultural draw, with its five museums, various gardens and the famous Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village). The Olympics brought another wave of improvements and construction, including some intriguing modern architecture. The best way to approach Montjuic is via the Placa de Espanya to the Font Magica (Magic Fountain).