Many tourists dedicate one, maximum three days to Barcelona, then to rush to the beaches of "Costa Brava" or "Maresme". Meanwhile, the capital of Catalonia is full of sights. This includes the medieval Gothic quarter, the Ramblas, Guell Park, the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral of the Martyr Evlalia and residential buildings created by the architectural genius Antonio Gaudi. And how many museums in the city! Not even a week is enough to visit them all. Therefore, many tourists often cross out Mount Tibidabo from the list of attractions that they plan to see in Barcelona. But in vain. It is worth going up there not only because it is the highest point of the city. There are several interesting places in Barcelona. But how to overcome a rather steep climb and ascend to a height of five hundred meters above sea level? On foot, and even in the summer heat, it will be very difficult to do this. In this article, we will tell you how to get to Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona and what to see there.
From wherethis name happened
The name of the hill, which has a height of less than five hundred meters from the sole to the top, reflects all the vanity of the inhabitants of the capital of Barcelona. Many of them seriously believe that the passage mentioned in the New Testament about the temptation of Christ by the devil refers to Tibidabo. And although the Evangelist Matthew says that Satan lifted Jesus up to “a very high mountain” in order to show Him all the kingdoms of the world, the people of Barcelona are sure that the views from their hill are no worse. In the Gospel, the devil said to the Lord: “I will give you all this …” This phrase in Latin translation sounds like “Tibi omnia dabo si …” This is how Mount Tibidabo got its name. Indeed, the shrine of Montserrat is visible from the hill, and in clear weather - the Pyrenees. And of course, on the other side, there is an excellent panorama of Barcelona and the blue expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Tibidabo is part and the highest peak (512 meters above sea level) of the low but picturesque Collserola mountain range. The hill is located in the western part of Barcelona.
Several reasons to visit Mount Tibidabo
There is another hill in the city, Montjuic. Tourists visit it more willingly, because its top is crowned with an old military fort. Montjuic is low, located on the very coast, its slopes are covered with a shady park. But Mount Tibidabo (Spain, Barcelona) is not inferior to its rival in the concentration of attractions. Here are five main reasons why you should overcome a height of 512 meters and climb to the top. First of all, these are amazing views. From the observation deck you can see the Pyrenees and Montserratin the north. On the neighboring hill of Pico de la Vilana, there is a tall (288 meters!) TV tower Torre de Collserola - a kind of Barcelona landmark, which is visible from Tibidabo in all its glory. The slopes of the mountain, as well as on Montjuic, are covered with a beautiful shady park with exotic southern plants, which will become a place of rest for weary travelers. The main attraction of Tibidabo is the neo-Gothic temple, which we will pay more attention to here. And finally, if you come to Barcelona with children, then you should definitely visit the highest point of the city, as there is also a huge amusement park at the top of the hill.
Mount Tibidabo and Temple of the Sacred Heart
Almost anywhere in Barcelona you can see the statue of Christ the Savior, which crowns the dome of the Sagrado Corazon Church. Those tourists who have visited Paris note an amazing resemblance to the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. In addition to the common name ("Holy Heart"), both cathedrals were also built in the same neo-Gothic style of the Byzantine-Roman basilica. Even if you think that everything built after the end of the 19th century is an uninteresting remake, you should still visit the Sagrado Corazon temple. At least in order to rise even higher. There is an elevator shaft in the wall of the church. For two and a half euros you will find yourself on the observation deck of the dome. Want even higher? A narrow spiral staircase leads to the very feet of Christ the Savior, who spread his arms on the dome, as if about to embrace "all the kingdoms of the world." Walk up toobservation deck, bypassing the elevator, it is impossible. Any believer can, if desired, light a candle in the church (two euros). But given that the temple on Mount Tibidabo is very modern, this lamp will be electric.
Park, fun & outdoors
The beauty of the plantations that cover the slopes of the hill is far superior to those that grow on Montjuic. And it is not for nothing that the park has a second name - "Romantic Gardens". Barcelona people love to walk here. The park can be called a botanical garden, because it also houses a whole hectare of the Amazonian jungle with their fauna - snakes and poisonous frogs. But in order to see the rainforest and more, you have to pay an entrance fee to CosmoCaisha, the best natural history museum in Europe. But it's really worth visiting. The mechanical toy museum will appeal not only to children, but also to adults.
Amusement Park
There are two possibilities to ascend higher than the observation deck on Mount Tibidabo: the temple (or rather, its dome) and the Ferris wheel. The latter, by the way, has served the people of Barcelona faithfully for more than one hundred and ten years. For a long time, Luna Park was the only electrified entertainment town in all of Spain. But this ferris wheel is very reliable and safe, to match the carousel of the same age. The amusement park also has newer rides such as roller coasters. There is also the well-known throughout Europe room of fear. In the amusement park, the entire “abandoned” Kruger Terror hotel plays its role. Children are not allowed there alone. You can come in andtry to get out of the green maze on your own.
Mount Tibidabo: how to get there
This hill is seven kilometers from the center of Barcelona. Do not travel this distance on foot. Especially if you have allocated two or three days to explore Barcelona. Tibidabo lies away from other attractions of the city, and you are unlikely to be able to wander there "on the road". You can quickly go up the hill by taxi. But it won't be that interesting. After all, the way to Tibidabo is already a kind of interesting adventure. The top of the hill is the end point of a long road on two types of public transport: the funicular (1130 meters long) and the Blue Tram (1276 m). If you happen to be in Barcelona on a weekend or during the holidays, you have the opportunity to get to the top of the mountain directly from the city center, from Plaza Catalunya, on a special Tibibas bus.
The "simple but expensive" method
If you haven't booked a hotel close to the top of Mount Tibidabo, you need to think about how to get there using public transport. A taxi ride will cost at least fifteen euros one way. At the current exchange rate, this is about 850 rubles. If you have rented a car in Barcelona, it is worth budgeting a visit to Tibidabo for 4.20 euros for paid parking of the amusement town. This price also includes a bus that will take drivers and passengers from the parking lot to the gates of the amusement park. You can’t call a trip on the Tibibas cheap either. These are very comfortable, modern buses,equipped with air conditioning. Cars depart from Plaça Catalunya. The landmark of the stop is the branch of the bank "Caja Madrid". A ticket (2.95 euros one way) is purchased from the driver. The disadvantage of this type of movement is the large interval between buses. The first car leaves at 10:15, and the last car leaves for the city from the moment the amusement park closes.
The "expensive but interesting" way: metro + tram + funicular
Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona is also popular with tourists because the way to it is already a kind of exciting excursion. The funicular and the blue tram were put into operation from 1901 and 1911 respectively. And since then, the appearance of these vehicles has not changed. Therefore, the pictures promise to come out colorful. But let's go in order.
You should know that there are two types of metro in Barcelona: regular and so-called easy. We need the last one to get to the lower tram stop. The light metro is lines L 6, 7 and 8. Their stations do not have the familiar “M” icon, but “R” on an orange background. The light rail is called Ferrocarrils (FGC). We need the seventh branch of it. It is marked in brown on the metro map. We reach the final stop "Avinguda dei Tibidabo". This station is deep, but for some reason there is no escalator in it. Therefore, if you are not sure about the strength of your legs, take the elevator.
Tramvia Blau
Here begins the attractive trips for tourists on a wonderful form of transport! Having got out on the surface of the earth, you immediatelyyou will see the blue tram stop. It is impossible not to notice it, especially when an old blue trailer stands on it, waiting for passengers. The conductor in a colorful uniform only adds charm to this mode of transport. Ordinary single tickets (travel tickets for a day and T10 booklet) do not work here, as well as on the funicular. A ride on the Tramvia Blau costs four euros, or a little more than 200 rubles, one way (children under 7 years old are free). You can, of course, walk this kilometer and 200 meters on foot, along the rails. But Mount Tibidabo has quite steep slopes, and the path can be very tiring. Therefore, in order to save money and at the same time not get tired, you can use the regular city bus number 196. It has standard tickets.
Funicular up the mountain
Both the blue tram and the bus take their passengers to the square. Doctor Andreu. And from there, the old Funicular del Tibidabo is already walking. Upon presentation of a ticket to the Amusement Park, travel on this more than a century-old form of transport will cost 4.1 euros. Everyone else will have to fork out for 7.7 Є. Mount Tibidabo is also available to budget tourists. But you need to go from the other side. The route is like this. The S1 or S2 train will take you to the Peu del Funicular station. Then you will ascend by the new funicular to the stop "Valvidrera Superior". There, take bus number 111, which will take you to the top of the mountain. Since the new funicular has a regular ticket, which is valid for 90 minutes, you will spend only one euro for the whole journey.
