Montjuc

One of the many, many things I love about Spain is that people here love to explore and experience their own cities.  On any day of the week (except Sundays), the piazzas will be crowded until late, filled with grandmothers chatting over chocolate and brandy to college students kicking back with beers to infants in baby carriages.

Twilight at the Fonta Magica

On any evening when the Fonta Magica runs, tour buses pull up but the locals arrive, as well, bringing along picnic snacks and straddling the steps of the Montjuc area.  By eight o'clock the vast space is packed with human bodies, laughing, chatting, and talking in the warm Barcelona nights.

Night falls

Night falls, the lights come on, and the fountains quietly start up lining the path to the immense Fonta Magica.  And, then the fountain starts up to a medley of music, lights, and jaw-dropping water effects (think better than the Bellagio Fountains.)

Details

The Fonta Magica was built in 1929 for the International Exposition in Barcelona.  The light and music performances take place at the following times:

• from October to April - on Fridays and Saturdays every half-hour between 7:00 and 8:30pm

• from May to September - on Thursdays through Sundays every half-hour between 9:00 and 11:00pm.

The closest metro station is Espanya and it is a short walk from that station (follow the signs for Montjuc and Fonta Magica).  Note that it gets very crowded (even in late September when we were there) so if you want to get a good view, I suggest getting there at least a half hour before the first performance.