Designed by Carles Buigas, the Magic Fountain is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing almost 2.5 million annual visitors. Stop by the fountain after dark to enjoy a range of uniquely choreographed spectacles—soundtracks range from classical scores to a remix of Barcelona by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, while the fountain’s water acrobatics are performed by 3,620 jets and reach heights of 177 feet (54 meters). Guided tours of the Montjuic neighborhood often include a stop at the fountain during the day, and night tours—evening bike tours, bus tours, and nightlife tours—often feature the free fountain show.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is a must-see for families with kids and first-time visitors.
Each fountain show lasts about 20 minutes.
Stand upwind of the fountain to avoid getting wet.
The Magic Fountain is located at the foot of Montjuic Mountain, a hilltop Barcelona neighborhood, near the famous Placa Espanya square. The easiest way to get there is via the metro, getting off at Espanya station. Bus 55 also stops near the fountain, as do most hop-on, hop-off bus tours.
To experience the fountain in its full glory, it’s best to visit during one of the synchronized light and sounds shows. The light show schedule varies by season, with nightly shows on weekend evenings and an extended summer schedule. It’s a good idea to arrive a few minutes early to get a good spot during summer.
The former bullring in Placa Espanya, now a shopping center, offers excellent panoramic views of the Magic Fountain, Montjuic Palace, and the entire city of Barcelona. Ride the escalators to the top floor, where restaurants circle the rooftop and the spectacular views are completely free.
