Font Magica: Dancing Water, Glowing Colors
Lights, color, music, water…action! Montjuic’s Magic Fountain has it all. Soft tones of colored lights bathe the mist in shades of reds, greens and yellows as the Magic Fountain sprays and shoots water in all directions to the sounds of Mozart, Queen and Whitney Houston.
Magic Fountain History
Barcelona’s Magic Fountain, located at the foot of the steps up to the Museum of Catalán Art (Museo National del Arte de Catalunya) on Montjuic mountain, was built in 1929 for the Barcelona World’s Fair.
After many years of decay and disuse the city restored this little known attraction for the 1992 Olympic Games; thrilling, spraying and entrancing visitors and citizens ever since.
Magic Fountain Highlights
The Magic Fountain is a series of smaller fountains that begin at the door to the Palau Nacional, home to the Museum of Catalán Art, that cascade and flow down the various levels that lead to Plaza Espanya.
This makes finding your way to both the central fountain and the Museum of Catalán Art a simple matter of following the water!
The best time to take in the show is as the sun makes its final descent, just before disappearing into the night.
The various views afforded from the many levels leading to the Museum of Catalán Art make this a wonderful place to watch the sun set over the city.
The soft reds and yellows provide a beautiful backdrop to the Palau Nacional and its Magic Fountain.
The water and the lights are like a young couple dancing the night away, changing their pace and rhythm to match that of the music.
When Freddy Mercury reaches his highest note, a single stream of water suddenly shoots upwards to astonishing heights before vanishing in a cloud of purple mist.
Interesting Facts About Barcelona's Magic Fountain
- The Magic Fountain’s color display contains more than 50 hues.
- The fountain’s creator, Carles Buiges, also designed a torpedo bomber seaplane and a one-person submarine.
- The fountain uses recycled water.
Images of the Magic Fountain of Barcelona
Magic Fountain Hours & Contact Information
Opening Hours the Magic Fountain are:
| Date | Opening Times |
| October 1 to April 30 | Thursday, Friday & Saturday only from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Shows start at 8 and 8:30 p.m. |
| May 1 to September 30 | Thursday to Sunday only from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Shows start every 30 minutes. |
| Closed | January 7 to February 6, and Semana Santa (April 20-24, 2014) |
Location & contact information:
- Plaza de Carles Buïgas 1, 08038 (Plaza Espanya)
- You can take the red or green metro lines to the “Plaza Espana” stop. Just follow the water from there to the main fountain.
discover some of Barcelona's Unique Parks & Gardens
- The Park Guell bench is a great place to marvel at Gaudi's work and enjoy fantastic views of Barcelona.
Laden with the creative genius of Antoní Gaudi, Parc Güell may be the world’s most unique urban park.
- Barcelona's Citadel Park is the largest green space in the Old city. Great for biking, walking & picnics.
Classic Roman architecture shakes hands with grassy picnic spots and shade-giving trees in this beloved refuge.
- The Fun Park here is over 100 years old. Being the highest point in the city, rides offer great views.
Roller coasters rumble and chocolate-green ridges give spectacular views of the city atop this popular mountain.
- Diagonal Mar Park is a great attraction for kids: a large pond, huge slides & scattered playgrounds await.
Winding metal sculptures snake their way to the Mediterranean, a modern interpretation of the link between the city’s sprawl and the ocean’s call.
- The Magic Fountain of Montjuic, a crowd pleaser.
Lights. Color. Action! Water becomes an art form at Font Magica.