One of the highlights of Montjuïc is undoubtedly the Font Màgica (or Magic Fountain), a monumental fountain built for the 1929 World Exhibition, where a free spectacle of music, light, colors, and water sounds takes place every weekend. This Magic Fountain is one of the top free activities that Barcelona has to offer, and for many, it’s the most beautiful fountain in Barcelona and one of the city’s most important symbols.
Note: Due to the extreme drought in Barcelona, the Font Màgica is currently empty and no shows are being held.
Visiting the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
The Font Màgica can be visited both during the day and in the evening. During the day, you see the moving water, but without music or color. In the evening on weekends, you can attend the famous show, which is repeated several times.
We can say that the Magic Fountain lives up to its name: during the show, the fountain spouts water meters high into the air, accompanied by beautiful colors, coordinated with music and colorful lighting.
The changing colors create the impression of a magical dance that unfolds and unfolds, up and down, disappearing and exploding before your eyes.
The rest of the fountains along the promenade also participate in the show, transforming the entire Avinguda Maria Cristina into a spectacular fountain show.
Font Màgica Opening Hours
The spectacular fountain show is mainly visible on weekends, although show times are extended during holidays and in the summer months.
The ‘magic fountain show’ is always free and attracts many visitors, making it advisable to arrive early to get a good spot.
The show is repeated several times in an evening (there is a show every 30 minutes) and is recommended for both young and old.
Below are the show times for the Font Màgica (last update 06/04/2022):
- From March 1st to March 31st: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The show starts at 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
- From April 1st to May 31st (except May 31, 2022): Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The show starts at 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
- From June 1st to September 30th: Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM. The show starts at 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM.
- From October 1st to October 31st: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The show starts at 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
- From November 1st to January 6th: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The show starts at 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
- Christmas special fountain show on January 5th “Coreografia Cavalcada de Reis” with shows between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
- On December 31st, there is a special New Year’s Eve fireworks show, the “Cap d’Any a la Font Màgica”, from 9:30 PM to 1:00 AM.
Note: the fountain is closed from January 7th to February 28th, September 21st to September 23rd, December 27th to December 30th, and on January 1st due to maintenance.
Best Places to View the Magic Fountain Show
It’s a good idea (especially in the summer) to be present well before the start of the fountain shows to find a good spot. By the time the Font Màgica starts, it gets very crowded here! To best see the water show, you can choose one of these spots:
- From the steps towards the Palau Nacional: here you have a beautiful view of the city and the fountains. You can sit here and it’s always pleasantly busy. This is also my personal favorite.
- Around the Font Màgica: here you experience the beautiful water show first-hand. Keep in mind that you will be sprayed by the water from the fountain. The downside is that you can’t sit here and it can get a bit crowded.
- At the bridges to the Font Màgica: here you can see the Font Màgica with the Palau Nacional in the background, and also look down towards the city. The downside is that you can’t sit here and people will constantly be walking past.
- From the Venetian towers at Plaça d’Espanya: if you look from Plaça d’Espanya towards the Palau Nacional, you see a beautiful fountain show with the Font Màgica as the main player. The downside is that you are far from the music and the lively crowd. Magic Fountain Show in Barcelona
Events at the Font Màgica
On two days of the year, during New Year’s Eve and at the closing of the Festes de la Mercè, there is a special water show in combination with a spectacle of fireworks and music that is definitely worth seeing if you are in the area.
History of Font Màgica
The Font Màgica was placed on the mountain of Montjuïc as part of the 1929 World Exhibition.
The design of the fountain is the masterpiece of engineer Carles Buïgas. Buïgas dazzled the audience with a light show that adorned the fountain in the evening. This ‘magical’ show was expanded in the 1980s with moving water, colored lights, and music.
Everything was thoroughly renewed especially for the 1992 Olympic Games.
Nowadays, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a true must-see, and its water, music, and light spectacle still attracts thousands of tourists.
How to Get to the Font Màgica
The Font Màgica de Montjuïc is located on Avinguda Maria Cristina, a short walk from Plaça d’Espanya. You can get there by taking the Espanya metro (L1, L3, and L8) and follow the road towards the Palau Nacional.
Along the promenade, you’ll find a series of ponds, waterfalls, and smaller fountains, which decorate the entire promenade to the Font Màgica.
In the middle of the route, you come out at the Plaça de Carles Buïgas, where the Font Màgica is located.
Praktische informatie
Price: Free.
Opening Hours: The schedule for the shows varies by season. Always check the official opening hours, as they can change.
Generally:
High Season: Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
Low Season: Thursday through Saturday from 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
The show is repeated several times in an evening (there is a show every 30 minutes).
Address: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1 08038 Barcelona
Public Transportation:
Metro: Espanya (L1, L3, and L8)
Bus: 13, 23, 150
Train: Espanya (R5, R6, R50, R60, S3, S4, S8, S9)
