The Enchanting Spectacle: Discovering the Magic Fountains of Montjuic
The Magic Fountains of Montjuic is a spectacular water, sound and ballet type dancing fountains and one of the city’s main attractions. Situated in the heart of Barcelona, the Magic Fountains of Montjuic are an enchanting attraction that mesmerizes visitors with their dazzling displays of water, light, and music. This iconic landmark, nestled within the beautiful Montjuic hill, offers a captivating spectacle that combines artistry, technology, and natural elements in perfect harmony. As dusk descends upon the city, the fountains come alive, transforming into a symphony of dancing water jets illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colorful lights. Accompanied by a carefully choreographed soundtrack, the Magic Fountains create an atmosphere of awe and wonder, captivating audiences of all ages. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, witnessing the Magic Fountains of Montjuic is an unforgettable experience that will leave you spellbound. Join us as we dive into the magical world of these fountains, unraveling their history, significance, and the best times to witness their mesmerizing performances.
Better yet, the entire show for the Magic Fountains is entirely free! The gorgeous show combines the exciting light, color, and music combined with fountain movements that makes this a fun and mesmerizing show.
History of the famous Magic Fountain show
The Magic Fountains where a showcase for the 1929 World’s Fair envisioned by creator/engineer Carles Buigas who hired over 3000 workers to complete the fountain in record time for the World’s Fair.
In 1980 Music and lighting were added to the fountains and in 1992 the fountains were completely restored for the Summer Olympic Games.
Over 2.5 mllion visitors come to visit and watch the Magic Fountains every year.
The fountains lit up but not yet starting the light show
A little background to the Magic Fountain Show
The Magic Fountains pump out a lot of water, lights and sound for these free performances. There are over 3200 jets which pump out over 2600 litres of water every second. This is combined with over 4760 lights that enhance the dancing fountains and adding light and color to each graceful move of each water motion.
This total combines into over 7 billion of combined water and light energy pumping and lighting all the complex parts of each facet of the show with precision that matches the color, pressure and music.
The lighting has been replaced with LED lights to be more eco sustainable and using technology called phreatic water.
The music itself covers different genre from Spanish classical, to 1980s pop, cartoon sounds, current hits and some other popular favorite tunes like Disney soundtracks. The most important song is called Barcelona that was performed by Freddie Mercury and Catalan soprano Montserrat Caballe.
You can find out what is being played on soundtrack here for your reference to hearing the music you can stream from.
The total performance lasts only 20 minutes but it is definitely worth the effort to get to a viewing spot above fountains.
Magic Fountains of Montjuic (a fantastic night attraction and free)
Here’s a fun peak of the Magic Fountain with the Freddie Mercury part below
Weather and best time to visit the Magic Fountains of Montjuic
Weather and Best Time to Visit the Magic Fountains of Montjuic
The weather plays an important role in experiencing the Magic Fountains of Montjuic to their fullest. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which means mild winters and hot summers. The best time to visit the Magic Fountains is during the spring, summer, and early fall when the weather is pleasant and conducive to outdoor activities.
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) offer comfortable temperatures ranging from around 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). These seasons provide an ideal climate for enjoying the Magic Fountains without the intense heat of the summer months. You can witness the captivating displays in a more relaxed and comfortable environment, especially during the evening performances.
Summer (June to August) is a popular time to visit Barcelona, including the Magic Fountains of Montjuic. However, it is important to note that temperatures can soar above 30°C (86°F), and the city tends to be crowded with tourists. The fountain performances take place later in the evening to avoid the daytime heat, making it a fantastic opportunity to witness the displays under the starry night sky. Just be prepared for larger crowds during this time.
It is worth checking the specific schedule of the fountain performances as they may vary depending on the season. During weekends and public holidays, the shows are often more frequent and may feature extended performances. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Overall, the best time to visit the Magic Fountains of Montjuic is during the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are relatively smaller. However, regardless of the season, experiencing the mesmerizing water, light, and music spectacle of the Magic Fountains is a must-do when in Barcelona.
Find the best views to the Magic Fountain performance
Make sure you get out to a viewing spot early to get a good view to the fountain show.
There are some great spots to stake out before the show begins and typically you should arrive at least an hour ahead to get a good viewing spot for the show.
The best places to go watch the show are as follows:
From the balcony and stairs of the MNAC which is directly above the Magic Fountains
The pedestrian bridge from Plaza Espanya side
8th Floor terrace of Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (drink purchase for entry but less crowds and the view is great)
Head out towards the four columns and stage yourself in the area for a better close up look at the fountain show and being right up next to the fountains
Showtimes for Magic Fountain show (2023)
In order to reduce the cost and energy to run the shows, times are reflected below to be more economical
Regular fountain displays (no sound or lights) Tues to Saturday 11am to 1pm, then 4 to 8pm
Sunday fountain display from 11am to 5pm
Shows happen twice per night
Full Magic Fountain show
Running June to September
Wed – Saturday 930 pm – 10:30 pm.
Oct 1st to 10th Thurs – Saturday 9pm to 10pm
December 22nd to March 31st Thurs – Saturday 8pm to 9pm
Maintenance on Oct 21 – Dec 21, fountains will be closed
How to get to the Magic Fountains
The fountains are located in Plaza Carles Buigas
Get there by Metro
You can catch the Metro to Espanya station via red line or green line. Exit station and head out towards the palace past the two Venetian Towers.
By Bus
Catch the Bus Turistic and exit at Placa d’Espanya and head towards the palace at MNAC area for the best viewing.
Details to visiting the show
Make sure you check on program times for updates and any changes before you head out
If you are taking public transportation, head out early to avoid the rush of traffic in the stations and trains and also exiting to the plaza.
The staging areas can be very busy so make sure you have all your personal items safely stored and backpacks or purchase in front of your body. Or better yet don’t bring any bags and carry only essentials to avoid any crushing or pick pockets
There are some public toilets in a small building by the fountain (tip person for entry)
Here’s a look at the fountains without the light and color show below
Places to see close to the Magic Fountains
If you have time to explore before you watch the show you can visit the following areas
MNAC – National Museum of Art Catalyuna – a fantastic museum showcasing the best artists and creative art from the Catalyuna region of Spain.
Las Arenas – a former bullfighting ring which has been converted into a shopping mall which you can visit for fun shopping, finding something to eat or catch the great views from above
Montjuic Gardens – there are quite a few beautiful gardens to explore, a military fort and many world class museum and enjoy at Montjuic and easy access to watch the show after your tour.
Poble Espanyol – an open air architectural museum and covering arts and crafts and cultural to historic references with over 117 real life architectural references you can visit in this outdoor setting.
Check out these fantastic posts to visiting Barcelona
Barcelona attractions and key places to visit now
Traditional Catalan food you should try
Free things to do in Barcelona
Enjoy the Mossen I Llobera garden at Montjuic
Top places to photograph Barcelona
Exploring the Gothic District of Barcelona
Conclusion to visiting the Magic Fountains of Montjuic
A visit to the Magic Fountains of Montjuic is an extraordinary experience that combines the beauty of water, light, and music in a truly mesmerizing way. Whether you choose to witness the captivating displays during the mild spring or fall seasons, or embrace the energy of the vibrant summer evenings, the Magic Fountains never fail to enchant visitors from around the world. As the water dances to the rhythm of the music, illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colors, a sense of awe and wonder fills the air. The Magic Fountains of Montjuic are not just a spectacular sight, but a testament to the artistic vision and creativity that Barcelona is renowned for. So, be sure to include a visit to these magical fountains in your Barcelona itinerary and prepare to be spellbound by their enchanting allure.
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