Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

It is good to go and see the fountain while it is dancing on a nice music. At night, a lot of people will come to enjoy this show

Super cool experience. Vibrant colors and very amusing show. Hoping to see it open back up on Aug 2025 🤞🏻

This place is a must go both during the day and night. During the day you can hike up the monument and get stunning views of Barcelona. At night of course the magic fountain adds a different dimension to it

Maybe the best place in barcelona , especially to take pictures , the museum on the top of the place , you can get into it for basic visit 2€ and then continue to the montjuic stadium and castle

Captured these stunning shots at the base of Montjuïc Hill, where the iconic Magic Fountain usually enchants visitors with a mesmerizing blend of light, music, and water. While the fountain is temporarily paused due to local drought restrictions, the breathtaking views, and grand architecture around still offer a majestic glimpse into Barcelona’s beauty. Whether you’re drawn by the history of Plaça Espanya or the towering Palau Nacional, this spot continues to be one of the city's crown jewels. Don't miss it during your next visit—an unforgettable experience awaits!

Check online before you go, as it is often not running depending on days, period, draught or repairs Amazing lightshow when the fountain is running. Quite a spectacle when it is functional with classy music and dynamic lights and water as well as a mist. There is a lot of people so get there early and you can secure a spot as it does get crowded. Watch for the wind direction, otherwise you might get wet from the water

Who would think that fountain can be so interesting?!

It's a shame the fountain no longer works, but it's still a great place for a stroll and enjoying the great views.

Font Magica is located next to Espanya's square. The Place of Espanya is one of Barcelona's most important square, built on the occasion of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, held at the foot of Montjuic district. The square of Espanya is a central transport hub in Barcelona. A few steps away from Square of Espanya, you will find the Font Magica. I came to Font Magica when it was New Year's Eve. So many tourists and citizens of Barcelona gathered at the Magica because they had known a customary venue when people gather on New Year's Eve. After I checked them by internet, I came to here. Around Font Magica is scalable in the view axis through the two brick towers, which are based on St.Mark's tower in Venice. The Palace behind Font Magica is the museum, National d'Art de Catalunya ( MNAC) After about 300 meters from the towers in the direction, you can find the palace National d' Art de Catalunya. You can see the event in free. At that time, I left the staying hotel at 20;30p.m on December 31, and I arrived at the Espanya square on foot. As soon as I arrived at here, there were so many people around the place. I tried to access near spot of Front Magica, but because of so many people, I couldn't get close to Magica fountain. So, I took my video clips of the event at a fairly distant distance. But I was so excited with this new year's Eve. I want to share this experience with you.

One of the prettiest things to do at night in Barcelona is to see the colorful fountain light show at Parc de Montjuïc. I got there very early, fearing that it was going to be packed, but the space is so large and roomy, you can get there 3 minutes before the show starts and still get a good spot....Check their website for times. This park was developed for the 1929 International Exposition. But when the Civil War erupted in Spain, the castle served as a prison...Years later it was used for the 1992 Olympic Games, making the people of Barcelona, look at it with a more optimistic and festive look. The name of the hill, which is 177 metres high, has been the subject of controversy as, in medieval Catalan, Montjuïc could translate as "Jewish mountain", an interpretation backed up by the existence of a Jewish cemetery there. There are lots of gardens on this big, green, city lung where you can walk, rest, play, do sport or just enjoy nature. But my visit at night was to see The Magic Fountain (Font Màgica). An outstanding show of lights, water and music. A must in Barcelona.

My first review of the year, is where I said farewell to 2022 and rang in the new year; Font Magica de Montjuic with a sea of people enjoying music, a light show, fireworks along with pyrotechnics and a coordinated drone show. The streets in the vicinity were closed off to accommodate the revelers - mix of ages and ethnicities - from the towers at the roundabout almost to the fountain itself. Got there to music playing and people dancing, singing, waiting for the show to start at 11:45. The entire show never stopped until about 12:20 with a smooth transition with lighting and lasers when the clock struck midnight. It was an experience and I recommend it if you're ever here for the new year over the traditional fireworks shows at the other areas in the city. One thing: when the show is over, that sea of people will be making their way to public transportation. Walk away from the area and get on the Metro or find a cab (good luck). Or just find a place to continue the celebration until the festivities start to die down.

**December 2022/January 2023: New Years Eve Visit** I had every intention to sleep at midnight, but when my friend informed me that the Font Magica de Montjuic (aka the Magic Fountain) had a special NYE performance I couldn't resist the opportunity. We left our hotel around 9:30pm, had dinner locally in the area, and started to claw our way towards the fountain at 11:15pm. There were a LOT of people (many of who were smoking); however, the space was open enough that much of the smoke dissipated depending on where you stood. There were people of all ages and ethnicities there - locals and tourists alike, and it was packed! I'd say probably around 1000+ people. At 11:45pm the fountain started to dance with various formations and soon pyrotechnics, lights, lasers and fireworks shot out! At the stroke of midnight they had a HUGE firework display with a dove/peace sign ringing in the new year. At different points of the show they did have music; however, it was somewhat inconsistent. Nevertheless, the city did not hold back on an epic performance! The show ended around 12:20pm and as you can imagine getting home was a challenge. It took me 30 minutes by metro to get there and it took me almost 2 hours to get home since police officers blocked the metro stations and cabs were no where to be found. I think overall, it's a very cool way to ring in the new year just understand that you'll be out a LOT later than you may expect.

Closed today, a street cleaner said we should come back Saturday night. It is massive, it looks as though there are hundreds of fountains in the circle at the bottom, along the sides of the steps and on the center upwards to the museum. I understand stand they are different shows performed every :30 set to music. Saturday nights at 10:00 PM there are fireworks in the sky above.

One of the favorite things to do in Barcelona at night is to watch the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, at the beginning of Avinguda Maria Cristina in the Montjuic neighborhood. The Magic Fountain is a 'must-see' Barcelona attraction. You have never seen a fountain like this. It does feel magic to experience the beautiful show of water, light, and music. built-in 1929 as one of the main attractions for the 1929 Barcelona World Fair and the Font Magica is still one of the most famous places in Barcelona with millions of visitors annually. I would suggest reaching here early, it starts at 9 PM but stairs (where public sit) gets crowded easily. Don't worry if you reach early, there is enough street show that happens and there is a big castle so there is ample to do here. In the winter the fountain only has evening water and light shows on Friday and Saturdays. In the summer the evening light and music show are from Thursday to Sunday. And it's FREE...!!

Beautiful fountain near the National Art museum. Good place to come to enjoy walking. So many street vendors are there selling small things but they are not too demanding if you just walk by. If possible, come at night too. Fountain was illuminated and it was very beautiful. (No pictures as I didn't want to get my phone out. I didn't feel safe to get my phone out).

Was looking forward to this because everything I had read compared it to the Vegas and Disney's fountains which I've seen both and love. The fountain show here had great music (all American songs in English) and cool lights. The water show itself was cool but no big deal. I would definitely recommend it for kids (for a short time) or for someone who has never been to one before. We left before it finished because it just got old for us after awhile. Not very entertaining for us (adults, young adult and teen).

The Magic Fountain is a must see in Barcelona! This was my first time seeing it, and it was stunning! The fountains were beautiful, and the musical accompaniment was perfect! We got there just in time for the start, and got a great spot right up front! A few things to note -there is a vendors selling drinks and snacks up there. There are street salesman with beer and wine as well. We cut out about 10 minutes before the end in order to avoid the metro crowds. I would highly recommend getting out early, as I imagine the overload in the metro.

The Font Magica is a illuminated water show with synchronized music, and a great experience for all! The show is a great way to start, or end, your evening since they have two shows during the weekend. If you want to get a good viewing spot, plan to arrive early since this is a popular tourist attraction. You can catch the show Thursday (9:30 pm - 11:30 pm), Friday (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm & 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm), Saturday (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm & 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm), and Sunday (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm & 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm). Besides the Magic Fountain, you can also visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia, housed in the Palau Nacional; and The Four Columns which represents Catalanism.

Absolutely breath-taking!! Best advice, get there at around 9p, 30 mins early. We sat back on a ledge near the museum for the first show, then walked down for a closer look for the next. It gets crazy busy!! People are standing everywhere by the time the show starts. It's free!! It's beautiful!! A must do when in Barcelona!!

These were awesome and the show keeps going and going. We had a blast. It is a very fun and elaborate show. Wish they had it every night. The other awesome feature was that there were amazing street performers with an electric violin. It was a highlight of our trip.

Im normally not super into these fountain shows but this was wayyy more entertaining than expected but be forewarned that all ya early birds trying to nab a seat within 300 ft on a windy day will be smashed w water as the fountain turns that all into a splash zone -- but all to the tune of 90s pop so it's a total joy. Plus, it seems to double as a sing-a-long. Let's turn this into Karaoke timmmme. Yeahh! Def check it out. Cool, free event but check times cause days and evening show times change seasonally. First day we came we found out it was Friday and sat only so we had to come back but made it just in time for the first 9pm showing total splashy, cold fun! Nearby stand also sells beer n wine for those of us that prefer to enjoy it slightly tipsy. Heh

This was one of my favorite things in Barcelona. On a warm night you can enjoy the experience of the water, lights, and music among a lively crowd. The view of Palau Nacional may even be better than the show itself. DO check this out DON'T forget to check the schedule in advance Get ready to enjoy!

If you have seen the fountain show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas or World of Color at Disneyland in California, prepare for a far better experience. To get here by metro we got off at the Plaza Espanya stop. From there you walk down the long row of small fountains aligning the road towards Montjuic. Once you get into viewing area of the fountain you have many options to choose from. You can take the escalators up and watch it from above, or go straight up to the fountain (be advised you will get wet), or you can continue on past the fountain into Montjuic to view it from behind. We first took the escalators up for the viewing area and made a few videos there. However we wanted to get closer and so glad we did because the experience from right in front of the fountain is breathtaking. The show has so many different songs that play, many of which are familiar. There is tons of colors and amazing water displays as well. The shows are Fridays and Saturdays every half an hour between 7-9pm. I hear often the fountains are closed or shut off when people visit Barcelona so we feel pretty lucky to have seen this our first night. Highly recommend going!

Even though we were super unlucky with other monuments while in Spain, we got extremely lucky with the magic fountain. During the winter months the fountain is closed for maintenance, I'd imagine because the temperatures drop below freezing. However, it reopens for the spring season on March 1st. We were going to fly out of Barcelona on March 2nd, in the early morning. So March 1st would be our last and only chance of seeing the fountain in action. To add to that during the spring months the show only occurs on Thursday - Saturday, and low and behold, March 1st fell on a Thursday! The show starts at 8 pm. Basically, the fountain shuts off right at 6 pm, the same time the museum shuts down. And a few minutes before 8 pm it starts to turn back on. At 8 pm the fountain starts to do different patterns of shooting out water, along with changing colors and music. The show lasts about 30 minutes, it is similar to the show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The difference here is that you are only a few feet away for the water.

Really great family activity! We loved the walk up to the fountain, the music, the beautiful colors-- it was all pretty magical if you ask me. As mentioned by others, it's important to check the showtimes as they change depending on the season but for a free show that lasts a solid 30+ minutes? Worth the trek! We almost chose not to since we've seen lights and water shows in the past but the fountain was MASSIVE. I don't think I've seen a bigger fountain!

It truly is magical. Tip - get there early if you want a closer view. But you'll get wet. We were down the stairs and across the street but still enjoyed the show with wows and awes.

Possibly my favorite hour in Barcelona. The Magic Fountain itself is pretty great with all its lovely lights and music... but you're really there for the stunning backdrop of the fountains all running and lighted up and down the avenue, up to the museum at the top of the hill. Yes, it was awfully crowded with tourists and locals and yes, there are countless street merchants out trying to sell you crap. But still... it's a magnificent location and way to experience both lower Montjuic and the Placa Espanya. This summer it seems to run 9:30-10:30 every Wed-Sun, but I didn't find any definitive source for the showtimes, so just search around and try to find a time to stop by.

This is a beautiful way to close your trip in Barcelona. My friends and I were looking for low-budget entertainment when we read about this free fountain show. We came in with very little expectations, but we were blown away by how gorgeous this was. There are street performers and places to look at before the performance starts. Be aware that this place gets packed. It was hard to find seating places that didn't block other people, so you might want to arrive on the earlier side. The fountain show is complete with lights and all types of music, from the Lion King to other classics. It was neat hearing music that we recognized. Some of the fountain water dances are completely in sync with the music, and it's so cool to watch. Definitely check out the structure and walk to the top of the building. You get a wonderful view of the city and you'll leave Barcelona so happy! 10/10 would come back!

Musical and wondrous fountains that are located right in the center of the Catalan museum! The music and fountain playing are limited due to set showtimes. However, the fountains are admirable, nonetheless! It's very pleasant to sit back and enjoy the splendid fountains!

When Jamie W. and I planned a week in Barcelona, neither of us had a clue what the Magic Fountain was about, but we were swayed by a brochure and had no idea it amounted to a nightly pilgrimage to the hill at Monjuic near Placa d'Espanya. The crowds amass early for the 9PM show, and finding a place to park yourself can be a challenge if you don't bring your own lawn chair. The recorded music swells and the water starts dancing upward in a flood of boldly colored lights (see photos). Built back in 1929 as part of an international exposition, the fountain became more of a spectacle when music was added in the '80's. You hear familiar classical selections as well as movie themes from "The Godfather" and "Gladiator". The most elaborate moment comes when they play "Barcelona", the operatic piece written for the 1992 Summer Olympics performed by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé. The show plays continuously on the half-hour until 11PM in the summers and earlier in the evening, 7-8:30PM, the rest of the year. In other words, it's a bigger deal than what you would catch every fifteen minutes at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. However, the spirit is the same if you like cascading water set to lilting tones over an aging speaker system.

I wish I could have seen the magic but sadly I came on a day where there was nothing but a dry empty fountain. It is a massive fountain and I could imagine how beautiful it would look at night with the lights. The fountain itself sits in front of the Museu Nacional d'art de Catalunya. Photos with the fountain with the museum in the background would be amazing. I expected it to be at least running but there was no water in site. Sad but I think I would have enjoyed it if it was running. Next time!

Free water show with music count me in! Excellent show for families as well as individuals. Lots of viewing spots. If you get too close plan to get wet on steps in front.

This magical fountain show is so beautiful!!! All the colors, water formations, music...it's like something from Fantasia! I hope Barcelonians truly appreciate what a gem this is. It's like they get a Fourth of July fireworks show every weekend. It's great for friends, lovers, families, tourists...everyone! You can view the whole thing from the steps, seated atop ledges, or just standing nearby. In the spring & summer, the show runs Thurs. to Sun. only, every 30 min. from 9 PM to 11:30 PM. (The last show is at 11 PM.) It also runs in autumn and winter, but less often. (Full schedule here: www.barcelonaturisme.com/Font-Magica/) Make this attraction a top priority when you're in Barcelona. You won't regret it!

This is a really beautiful show to see when visiting Barcelona. It gets packed extremely early and if you don't get there at least 15 minutes early you will have a difficult time viewing the show from a nice vantage point. The fountain "dances" to music that's played loudly enough for the entire crowd to enjoy. The show lasts about 30 minutes and is worth the wait. Enjoy!

The fountains are really a sight to see when you are Barcelona. There are 3 main vantage points- 1) right in front of the main fountain (pictured) 2) from the either of the bridges that lead to the main fountain 3) from the fountain-lined street that leads up to the bridges/main fountain. Each vantage point has it's benefits. When you are close to the main fountain you can hear the music but you can't see the entire scene. At the bridges you can see the main fountain, the area behind it and if you turn toward the street you can see the fountains that are also lit up. From the street you have an overall view of the street fountains, the main fountain, and the smaller fountains behind the main fountain, drawback is you are off center and can't hear the music. In general, there really isn't a bad spot to view the show since it's really beautiful all around the main fountain.

This place was magically. The fountain show itself was so beautiful! I met up with random Swedish people in my hostel back in 2009 and we came here. The fountain will take different forms and will squirt water everywhere high and low. They also have different lightings for special effects. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's definitely a spot you want to check out in Barcelona. However, walking from the train to here might be a little bit on the ghetto side. You'll see signs in Spanish profanity (thanks goodness I don't really know Spanish because I would have been running for my life). One thing that really bugged me in 2009 was that EVERYONE was smoking in restaurant, bar, and in the public! I thought my hair was going to burn on fire since everyone was smoking around me. Luckily, they implemented a No Smoking Policy in certain areas. Hope it's a better place now! BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT..... Be on the lookout for pick-picketers. These guys are slick (Although I didn't get pick-pocketed here, I was a victim on the train going to las rumbas....so watch out! I was dealing with fraud charges up to a year). Little did I know that las rumbas was not exactly the safest area in Spain, our cab driver was nice enough to warn me though. However, to be fair to the fountain, 5 stars for the show!

Our first time to Barcelona and we are so glad we were able to catch this light and fountain show. It was recommended to us by my friend of over 40 years from Madrid. Am glad we were told by a local to get there early as it gets packed. We really enjoyed this. The pictures show it all. Would definitely suggest people try to get to see this.

To be honest, I did not expect much since it's a free show but I was pleasantly surprised. To me, this is as much about seeing the fountain illuminated (and it's beautiful, with colors moving to the beat of the music) as the atmosphere on a hot Barcelona evening. The place is packed with people and you have to get fairly close to the fountain to hear the music. I find it great that the city offers a free show that's actually of quality. You have to check the days and times online as they vary depending on the season. We went in August and during the summer, the show runs Thursday through Sunday from 9 pm until 11 pm, with a change in the music theme each half hour. We had dinner before at one of the restaurants on top of the Arena Shopping Center. From there, you can see the fountain in the distance and it gives you an idea of what's going on. If you don't want to have dinner there, you can still walk around at the top and see the action in the distance. A fun way to end your evening!

I love taking friends here in late Spring/early Summer. Many do not venture up to Montjuic but the view of the Magic Fountain is magnificent from Palau Nacional. Sometimes the music is silly but the whole experience of people + community gathered around this fountain changing colors is actually quite... magical!

This fountain really IS magic! I had a friend that insisted I go, so I made sure to go during my trip. Be sure to go early to get a spot; I'm short, so if I went late, I wouldn't be able to see past anyone's head to get a full view of the magic! The fountain itself is huge, and the music goes really well with the atmosphere; the lights change colors, and it's mesmerizing! You feel so at peace with nature in the background and everyone else in awe around you...truly magical!

And it's magic if the music is groovy It makes you feel happy like an old time movie I'll tell ya about the magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll - The Lovin' Spoonful "Do you believe in Magic" 1965 Oh what a circus, oh what a show. For months I looked for something unique to Barcelona. 2.5 days to spend in Barcelona kept us on our feet and anti-inflammatories, swollen joints, achy knees and sore feet soon followed. Pain and jet lag almost hindered my brain from functioning to its full potential until Rick Steves' voice popped into my head and reminded me that, I can sleep when I'm dead. If you've come looking for magic, Houdini says, "Abracadabra." To the unsuspecting tourist, everything in Montjuïc's shadow only grows darker at night. The streets that surround the fountain are like quiet streams, but the flood of people will eventually trickle in to fill up the free spaces. And then...the magic begins. The music plays, the water flows and the streets and Montjuïc itself comes to life. If you've watched it on YouTube, it's bigger, brighter and more badass in person. The darkness once feared, becomes a spectacular show of lights and water works stemming from Montjuïc and downwards along the Ave Reina Maria Christina. Caution: standing room only. Come early and grab a concession and claim your spot or expect to disappear like a rabbit into the wizards hat.

You have to go here when it's dark! It is so beautiful :) It's wayyy better than the Bellagio (Vegas) water show! The colors are pretty and you get to go really close to the fountain~ We took so many jumping pictures in front of the fountain~ It was so romantic and fun :)

Not sure what the fuss was about that there was nothing to see or that the fountains weren't big enough because the fountains were MASSIVE. You can feel the sprays of water from quite a distance. It is truly a magical and beautiful experience. The played a wide variety of music from jazz to opera to modern day hip hop. The colors were magnificent and they switched up the intensity and pattern of the water works often. and best of all, it's completely FREE!! You will have to look up what time the show starts, but it starts pretty much on time. There were definitely lots of people over there and you can go there earlier to get a close seat, but everyone ends up standing up and walking over closer to it, so it's really not necessary to be that early. One of the beautiful things about this show was that at the beginning, the sky was still light out and slowly, it reached to sunset and then dark during the evening time, so you get to see the fountain show throughout all these three transitions.

Well, I'd give it 4 and half stars only because it ain't Disneyland :P Anywho, for a free fountain show in the middle of the city this show is worth the cake. People generally congregate around here and something's usually always happening at evening-time. The fountain will change colors throughout the night to represent Barcelona, Catalonia, et cetera, but the nice thing about this fountain is just being able to relax while watching the water spray up. It is even fun to get close to it and have the wind carry the mist onto your face.

I know it sounds corny, but this is worth a visit. Usually the fountain is just cycling water, but at night (7-9 in the winter, 9-11:30 in the summer) they put on a fantastic display. The fountain was built for the 1929 World's Fair. It took thousands of workers a full year to construct, but this reviewer thinks it was worth the effort. When they turn that thing up it is a show of light, music, and sheer power the likes of which not even Las Vegas can replicate. You may have read about this place in a guidebook, but I doubt the author did it justice. Come at night, bring some wine, and enjoy the show. Most of the city's nightlife doesn't start 'till later anyway!

We loved this show. We had a view of the fountains from our room in the Hotel Catalunya- but even better, on the 8th floor, there is a pool and you can have drinks at a bar overlooking the fountains. It's a superb view- you don't need a key card to get to the pool area, and you will not have to fight the crowds. We thought it was the perfect place to watch the show. I loved the fountains- it was lovely. We were told the show was at 9pm- and that's when we watched it.

It's a pretty fountain show that basically goes on all night! Pretty lights, water, fun music (they were playing Timbaland and One Republic's "Apologize" song, hehe. You can climb up some ledges, sit on the steps or stand to see the show!

Better than the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas! This is a water fountain show that combines light, music and dancing water to create a magical show, and something you must not leave Barcelona without experiencing! Loved the atmosphere around here too, as good mix of locals and tourists and you weren't as hassled as in Paris by the street-vendors. I'm not a huge fountain lover, but this show was really enchanting and beautiful and mesmerizing. It amazed and surprised me how high the fountain shot the water up. Also the variety and synchronization a of the colors was wondrous to behold. The night we were there, a schmaltzy medley of Disney songs sung in Spanish, started things off at a PG level, but after about an hour, there was a sexier medley of current songs featuring the likes of Miley, Flo Rida, etc. We had planned to only be there for like 30 mins, but ended up staying there for three hours, enjoying the cool April breeze and atmosphere. Loved the escalators that made the climb easier and its also provided another view of the magic of the fountains. One major tip - make sure you arrive early so that you can find a good place to watch as it does get quite crowded!

Amazing place! Extremely crowded!! Entertainment/watershow every 30 minutes with music until midnight, I think.

Great place to hang out and watch a 30 minute show. This is one of the ORIGINAL water and light shows which was built for the 1929 international exhibition. It's not as big as the Bellagio Hotel's (Las Vegas) water show but you can get right up to the water (some stand close enough to get wet). The variety of colors and choreographed music (added for the Olympics) makes it a great treat for a visit to Barcelona. Interesting Tip I found on my latest trip when we arrived around 8:45 for the first show, the lights leading up from Plaça d'Espanya and surrounding the fountain and museum light up one at a time, sort of like a countdown. It definitely adds to the event. Summer Hours (May to September): Thursday through Sunday from 21h00 - 23h00 every 30 minutes. Non-Summer Hours: Friday and Saturday from 19h00 - 20h30 every 30 minutes

This was one of the truly wonderful Spanish experiences of the trip. It is worth checking out whether you are on a family trip or a romantic holiday. Check the time schedule for the events. The fountain lights up and dances around to music for about 15 minutes. Tips If you can't find a good spot, wait until one showing is complete and people leave. It plays several times throughout the night. Be careful of splash zones.

Very beautiful and magical. Could definitely feel the energy surging when the fountain shows starts coupled with beautiful sunset and music in the background. This is one way I work my appetite.

The show starts at 9pm not 7pm which is what I read in many places. The show is nice, fun and kinda romantic. I would recommend going especially when looking for something free to do. Not the end of the world if you miss it but definetly go if you have time to spare.

It *is* magic. I stumbled on to the fountain. I didn't know it was here. I came to Montjuic for the park/stadium/flowers/pictures. It was only after I ran in to some tourists along the way that I discovered my good fortune of being here on a night and a season that has the fountain show (Saturday in the fall). And best of all, it was a free show. Now, I keep bringing up the free thing because tickets, tours and costs are all real things to encounter in Barcelona. Know it and plan accordingly. Don't spend all of your money on food and booze. Allocate some of it (and a bunch of time; the lines are no joke and 'in season' appears to be 3/4 of the calendar year) to seeing the sites. Finding places that add to your journey without taking anything from your wallet is a boon. Jus' sayin'. I'm also sayin' to prepare to come early. Free + incredible show + tourist destination = throngs of humanity. I finished up my march through the park about two hours before the show started. I walked down from the museum (those steps offer some awesome pictures) and into the plaza (past the fountain) to buy a juice and ice cream (#priorities). Prior to buying the goodies I used the little boys room. I'm not telling you this to overshare. I'm letting you know to get all your affairs in order because you're not moving for a while. Bladder empty and hands full of sweets, I made my way to the second set of stairs (in front of the columns) and plopped down to get a seat. At the time I did so, there weren't many people sitting. In 45 minutes or so, though, there were people everywhere and none had a better view than yours truly. The show starts around 7 (little past dusk) and it begins with a troupe of acrobats from Morocco. I was really impressed with their athleticism and dance moves... and shamed by their cut physiques (made even worse as I ate ALL the ice cream). Judging by all the fainting cougars around me, they did their job and got the crowd revved up. After their show, they walk around for tips. Give them something. It's tough out there in these streets and they provide and entertaining service. After they packed up and I realized that I left my visible abs behind in Florida, the real deal starts. The first spray comes up from the fountain and the lights begin their dazzling dance. It sounds so simple but it's truly captivating. I felt like a little kid watching Fantasia (the Disney movie from the '40s, not everyone's favorite hottest of messes from American Idol) for the first time. I loved every minute of it and so did the crowd. Rather than trying to skip out early, butts were firmly planted to concrete for the duration of the show. After the show ended, a most curious and wonderful thing happened: people began to file out but we did so in a concerted mass, with high spirits, great lighting and electricity in the air. As we walked en masse to the subway/street/cars and through the Square, I couldn't help but be grateful for being present in that moment. Crowds can be wonderful or incredibly stressful. Following the show, I felt elated. I, and others, engaged in chit chat as we walked. I took in the sights and sounds. I took pictures. I stopped in to a food fest that was happening downstream from the fountain. I stopped walking and just took in the fact that I was in Barcelona and just witnessed magic. Fantasia, indeed.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is spectacular and completely free. It's basically a fountain which displays a water, colour and sound show. Sounds a bit boring, but it's not, it's actually amazing and one of the best things to do for free in Barcelona. It really is magical to watch such a huge, synchronised light, sound, water and colour performance. Located at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalun (MNAC) these displays occur every 30 minutes during weekends. Bewitching and beautiful, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is something not to be missed.

My! Oh! My! The music! The fountain! The Spanish! The view! The CROWD! Yes! This place is probably the most crowded tourist attraction in all of Barcelona. Very limited area to sit and watch the fountain so bring comfy shoes because you will most likely be standing throughout the show. I suggest coming in the late afternoon right when the sun is setting, you will get to see all of the fountain and architecture illuminate in the night sky, quite alluring! The music was awesome! They played a little bit of everything and it synced right in with the waves of the fountain. Bring out the camera!

Make sure you look at the schedule for the fountain! It changes every so often so double, triple check!. The fountain is enormous so I'm sure once it is lit at night, it is quite the sight to see. Unfortunately for me, everything was dark and empty when we arrived. The Museu Nacional d'art de Catalunya was in the background and that itself was a stunning, but aside from that...there's not much else to do in the area.