The Miramar Gardens are an essential destination to start any tour of Montjuïc mountain and serve as a natural balcony with privileged views over the Barcelona coastline. Located on the first terrace ascending from the port, these gardens were originally designed for the 1929 International Exhibition, establishing a visual and symbolic connection between vibrant Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
The space is perfectly designed to offer a haven of peace where visitors can take a break and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Thanks to their strategic location, the Miramar Gardens have become a must-see for those seeking the best panoramic views.
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History of the Miramar Gardens: The Legacy of the 1929 Exhibition
The Miramar Gardens are a key part of Barcelona‘s history and can only be understood in the context of the 1929 International Exhibition, an event that completely transformed the Montjuïc mountain into a vast cultural and monumental park. Before the Exposition, this area was much less accessible; it was the grand urban plan for Montjuïc that defined the gardens and terraces we enjoy today.
The design of Miramar was entrusted to French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier and Catalan Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí. Their vision was to create a magnificent maritime gateway to the Exhibition, envisioning a succession of terraces that would serve both as a recreational area and a visual connection between the port and the exhibition complex.
Hotel Miramar
The building that now houses the luxurious Hotel Miramar Barcelona is an architectural element integral to the history and design of the gardens.
Originally, this structure was built in 1929 by the renowned architect Ramon Raventós, with the aim of serving as the main restaurant and ballroom for the International Exhibition.
Architecturally, the building exhibits an elegant style which, although in line with the late Modernism and Noucentisme of the period, adopts a timeless aesthetic to better blend with the landscape. Its lines are restrained, and its floor plan adapts to the topography of the hillside, standing out for its large terraces and covered porches that maximise the visual connection with the outside. It is an example of luxurious functionalist architecture that sought harmony with the natural environment.
After the Exhibition, the building underwent several transformations, including a period as the headquarters of Televisión Española (TVE) in Catalonia. Its most recent refurbishment transformed it into the five-star hotel it is today, while respecting the original 1929 structure and adapting it to offer modern facilities. This ensures that the Hotel Miramar is not only a contemporary landmark, but also a living and perfectly preserved witness to the architecture and urban vision of almost a century ago.
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The Mirador de Miramar: The Panoramic Terrace of the Mediterranean
The element that truly defines the experience in the Gardens is its main viewpoint. More than just a simple observation point, the Mirador de Miramar is the physical manifestation of its designers’ original intention: to offer the most spectacular and complete view of the Barcelona coastline.
Located on the large upper terrace in front of the Hotel Miramar, this viewpoint offers a 180-degree panoramic view that, on one side, extends over the Port of Barcelona, allowing visitors to observe in detail the maritime activity, cruise ships, ferries and the silhouette of the World Trade Centre; on the other, it opens up to the south and east, revealing the coastal profile, the Barceloneta neighbourhood and the urban skyline that stretches out to the sea.
It is also worth noting that it is the final (or initial) stop of the historic Port Cable Car, also known as Aeri del Port, making it an essential tourist focal point.
The Noucentista Sculptures in the Gardens
The Miramar Gardens are not only a landscaped space, but also an open-air art gallery that highlights the aesthetics of Noucentisme, the predominant artistic movement in Catalonia during the period of the 1929 Exhibition. In the central part of the garden, next to the fountain, stand three key female figures that define the classic and harmonious character of the setting.
The spotlight falls on the works of master Josep Clarà. The sculpture ‘Fertilitat’ (Fertility), created in 1928, is the most famous of the group. This figure, representing a woman with soft lines, is a clear example of the return to classical sobriety advocated by Noucentisme. We also find the sculpture ‘Serenitat’ (Serenity), another earlier work by Clarà (1916) that complements the harmony of the space with its pose of rest and balance.
The trio is completed by the sculpture ‘Pomona’ (or La Vendimiadora, The Grape Picker), by the acclaimed Pau Gargallo. Created in 1927, this female figure, holding bunches of grapes, celebrates nature, the harvest and traditional beauty. These three sculptures, originally rejected for the city centre, found their definitive home in Miramar, embellishing the views and consolidating the artistic value of the Mirador.
Don’t think twice and come and discover the most beautiful spots in this natural space. Book your transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona now. Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can reach Barcelona from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Girona Airport, Reus Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
