Tibidabo, Barcelona

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Wow, I enjoyed every part of this whole trip! From getting the funicular up to Tibidabo, to getting it back down again!
Mount Tibidabo is the mountain that overlooks Barcelona.

Firstly, it was my first time on a funicular and it was great to travel on a different mode of transport.
Once at the top, after enjoying the stunning views on the way, you are faced with an amazing church. To the right is a fairground and to the left is set of places you can grab yourself a snack, a drink and a place to sit.

The entrance to the church is up steps and the mosaics and carvings above the doors are just beautiful. You can walk all the way up to the base of the huge Jesus statue and get the most spectacular views of Barcelona.

The fairground is fun and the cafe's are a little more expensive - but hey, if you're thirsty, you're thirsty!

All that's left to say is have a fab time! I certainly did!

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Barcelona is surrounded by hills and mountains and two names are linked especially with the city: The Montjuic, close to the city centre and the Tibidabo, a 512 metres high mountain, which is also the highest peak of the Serra de Collserola. Tibidabo, coming from vulgar Latin “I give you”, is further away from the city and has not all the kind of attractions like the Montjuic. The only mentionable things are a beautiful church, a TV tower and an old amusement park. However, it has the most splendid view on Barcelona you could imagine. That alone is worth taking the trip to the top of the Tibidabo. The amusement park is rather something for families with kids, however friends of old merry-go-rounds and similar attractions from the early 20th century will enjoy that too. The church “Temple de Sagrat Cor” was built between 1902 and 1961, another Barcelona project which surpassed the planned construction time. Name and architectural style are borrowed from Paris’ Sacre-Coeur. The TV tower, Torre de Collserola, has a viewing platform which can be visited too. With the height of the Tibidabo itself, I don’t think that it is really worth a visit to get a good view over Barcelona and the mountains.
The peak of the Tibidabo can be reached via car or bus (parking lot just a short footpath away) or by a funicular railway from a station at Placa del Doctor Andreu (which is also the terminus of the classic tram line “Tramvia Blau”. We chose to walk up and down on two different ways from and to this station. It’s not the most comfortable way and it involved some muddy cross-country footpaths. But it was a walk to remember – my friend and me both laugh just by mentioning the word “Tibidabo”.

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Don't miss out on the opportunity of visiting Mount Tibidabo. It takes approximately an hour and fifteen minutes to get there depending on whether you take the underground or the bus.

As soon as you arrive, the first thing you'll notice is the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, a church that took 60 years to construct and that is topped by a sculpture of the Sacred Heart at its very peek. Stroll round the church for spectacular views of the city, including the telecommunications tower. You can access the church and take the lift to the top to see the city at 575 meters above sea level! (You will still be able to see the same view if you take the "Talaia" ride at the Tibidabo Amusement park, situated on level 6 (which is actually the first level you'll access immediately after purchasing your admission tickets).

Overlooking the church is the Tibidabo Amusement park, housing various attractions for both children and adults alike. Tickets are slightly expensive, costing 25.20 Euros per adult, but it is definitely worth spending a day in the amusement park especially if you're travelling with kids. Amongst the many attractions, if you have a "thing" for roller coasters, you might want to try the "Muntanya Russa" ride on level 1. They also have a 4D cinema on level 2 called "Dididado." [Movie is in Spanish, but it is still worth the experience if you've never been to a 4D cinema before.] Take a ride on the bumping cars and visit the "Krüeger Hotel" on level 4. The actors at the "Krüeger Hotel" are extremely convincing and they will scare the hell out of you!

The only drawback is that the attractions (as well as the staff working at the amusement park) cater very little for tourists, in that, almost no one speaks English and all the actors and staff on board will explain things to you in Spanish.

Take the L7 brown line from Plaça de Catalunya and stop at "Av Tibidabo" (this is the last stop). The L7 is more of a train rather than an underground, so follow the signs for 'Renfe" instead of the usual "Metro". When you get off the train, just cross the road to take the Tramvia Blau (a little blue tram) that will take you half way up to the mountain. You will then need to take the funicular to go up to the very top.

Tramvia Blau costs: 2.30 Euros per adult
Funicular costs: 4 Euros per adult (with return)

Always call in advance to make sure that the amusement park is open. You can also ask any of the staff at the tourist information kiosks, they normally also have the opening days and hours.

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The Tibidabo Amusement park, houses various attractions for both children and adults alike. Tickets are slightly expensive, costing 25.20 Euros per adult, but it is definitely worth spending a day in the amusement park especially if you're travelling with kids. Amongst the many attractions, if you have a "thing" for roller coasters, you might want to try the "Muntanya Russa" ride on level 1. They also have a 4D cinema on level 2 called "Dididado." [Movie is in Spanish, but it is still worth the experience if you've never been to a 4D cinema before.] Take a ride on the bumping cars and visit the "Krüeger Hotel" on level 4. The actors at the "Krüeger Hotel" are extremely convincing and they will scare the hell out of you!

The only drawback is that the attractions (as well as the staff working at the amusement park) cater very little for tourists, in that, almost no one speaks English and all the actors and staff on board will explain things to you in Spanish.

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We have now reached the highest point [500metres above sea level] in Barcelona. On walking out of the funicular station, turn left if you need a Toilet. This side is where the Observation Deck is, and WOW! What a view from here!

Directly infront is Temple De Sagrat Cor [see next tip]

If you turn right when walking out of the Funicular Station, then you will be at the 100 year oldl Tibidabo Amusement Park. It is antique like the rest. I still think the old fashioned Carousel is lovely. One ride that looked interesting, was the Red Aeroplane that was suspended so you thought you were flying. Of course, there is a Roller Coaster that speeds 80kph around the track.
Did you know this Amusement Park was used as a location in Woody Allen's movie "Vicky Christina Barcelona."
The park is open mainly on weekends. You need to check the website for opening times as they vary.

Adults 25.2 euro in 2011
Children under 1.2metres 9euro
The ticket includes all the rides and activities in the park.
10% discount with Barcelona card.

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Hey! Did you see that? That old Tram?
The Bus is stopping near it!
Off we get and head to the Tramvia as they call it in Barcelona. This line is the last remaining one in Barcelona.

There were lots of people queueing for a ride up the Mountain, so we joined the queue.
We tried to used our transport ticket, but this is not in conjunction with those tickets,
SO YOU HAVE TO BUY A TICKET.

Tramvia Blau (Catalan for "blue tramway") is old, beginning in 1901. Don't let that worry you, as it has been nicely restored, and is quite capable of reaching the top where the Funicular del Tibidabo station is located. From here, there are nice views over Barcelona.

We were lucky, as the driver of the 1st Tram crammed everybody in, standing room only. We had to catch the 2nd Tram, and this driver left once all the seats were full. I was glad of that, as the trip up the Mountain is through a nice leafy area, lined with Mansions!
This Tram now seems to be used mainly by Tourist's like you and me. The Avenue is called de Tibidabo and ends at Placa del Doctor Andreu.

The Tramvia Blau runs every day during the summer, and also at Easter, Christmas, weekends and on public holidays.
From Av de Tibidabo 1: Going up first departure 10:00 Last departure 7:45pm
Departures every 15-30 minutes
From Placa del Doctor Andreu: Going down first departure 10:20 Last departure 8:05pm Departures every 15-30 minutes

Price:
Single ticket: 2,10 €
Return ticket: 3,10 €

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Yes, I mean using your legs!
On the way up the Mountain in the Tramvia, I noticed lots of beautiful homes, and a Submarine. After a discussion, we decided to walk down the Mountain so we really could view these lovely homes, and find out about the Submarine.
Walking downhill is quite easy, and it is well worth doing the journey this way. The veteran Submarine belonged to the science building, Cosmo Caixa which was a very short walk off Avenue Tibidabo. The building is quite impressive.
We didn't go in this time, but at least you know it is easy to find.
More details on the website below.....

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Day & night, we could see this Catholic Temple from all over Barcelona. We didn't know where it was located until we came here, on top of Tibidabo Mountain.
Looks like they are not in a hurry to complete Churches in Barcelona, as this one took 60 years, being finally completed in 1960. On October 29, 1961, it received the title of minor Basilica, given by the Pope.

To look inside was FREE, but to go up the top where the large statue of Christ was, cost 2 EURO.
THIS IS A MUST IN MY OPINION.
A lift takes you to the top, and from there we were able to walk around, then go up spiral staircases, higher and higher. The view from here was even better!

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After alighting from the Tramvia it was a short walk across the road to the Funicular Station. This Station was built in 1888 as a train station building below the Mountain.
The line is 1152 metres long, is old, and was put into use in 1901. The Funicular looked to be a heritage item too!
I believe the Funicular only operates when the amusement park at the top is open.

Price in 2011 is 8 euros return.

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Tibidabo is a family theme park situated on one of the higest points of Barcelona. It has nothing to do compared with other parks that you may have visited taking into account that this park has existed since nearly a hundred years so it a good chance to see how parks were before your other experiences. The park however has been updated constantly during this time to offer the best servies, security and enjoyment to its visitors. Check out their web site to be sure if the park is open and for its timings. A full day adult ticket costs 24 Euros - however if you have a touristic bus ticket the price reduces to 17 Euros, so get the bus tour before any other attraction to avail of the discoutns that you can get at other places in this fantastic city.