My TOP 5 FOUNTAINS in Barcelona

Maybe the most widely known fountain in Barcelona is Font de Canaletes, in Rambles, very near Plaça Catalunya. The legend says that you will never leave Barcelona, if you drink from that fountain. Well, you may try and see if it works.

Nevertheless, there are many other fountains in the city. Here is my TOP-5 list.


FONT IN PLAÇA SANT JUST

 

In Plaça Sant Just, five minutes away from Plaça Sant Jaume, is considered by some people as the oldest fountain in town (in direct competition with Font de Santa Anna). It dates from the 14th century but some works were done in 1831. It stood in the parish burial ground (now charming Plaça Sant Just) and, as you can see, it still works pretty well. 


FONT DELS SENYORS

You may skip the fountain in front of Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. It is just in front but it is so simple, that you probably will not look at it twice. But you should know that the fountain of Santa Maria (1403) was once known as “font dels senyors” (or fountain of the gentlemen) because it was near Carrer de Montcada, where the nobility members lived. It is one of the oldest fountains in the city and has suffered only little modifications since it was built.

FONT DE SANTA ANNA

Font de Santa Anna with the emergency staircase Alejandro mentioned in his comment

This fountain is at the crossing between Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Cucurulla. It dates back from 1356 and it is said to be the oldest fountain in town. It has ceramics works in Noucentisme style which date from 1918. Next to the fountain, there was a watering place were passing-by livestock could drink (part of the place can still be seen). It is a remainder of the times when there was a cross-road here for travellers coming in and out of the town. Now it is a good meeting point for people shopping in the area. 

A city council information on Gothic style fountains


FONT MÀGICA

This huge ornamental fountain was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition, and still offers a spectacular display of music, water acrobatics and lights which generate over 50 kinds of shades and hues. It was designed by engineer Carles Buigas, and was one of the great successes of the 1929 International Exhibition. The fountain was thoroughly restored for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games so that it could continue to offer a unique display to delight all age groups. Every year, Montjuïc’s Magic Fountain is the site for the "Piromusical", a huge firework display with a music and laser show, which is the closing event for Barcelona’s main festival, La Mercè (September 24). The Magic Fountain is located at the end of the Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina just below the Palau Nacional.

Check the Web site to see operating times and dates: Ajuntament de Barcelona - Font Màgica


FONT BARCELONA

Barcelona is said to be one of the cities with more drinking water fountains. There are about 1,600 fountains and 825 of them belong to one single model, known as FONT BARCELONA. You will see this humble fountain in almost every street. That is why it is my 5th top fountain.



If you want to have more information on any of the fountains or even have a map with the location of each of them, there is an APP called Fonts BCN. All the fountains are here, and each fountain with an artistic or historical value is explained in detail. 

5 TIPS to find your way in Gràcia (Barcelona)

Now and them, groups of people visiting Barcelona, take a stroll in Gracia to see the “real” Barcelona, the one that is not yet overflow with tourists traps. 

This car is always parked in Carrer Escorial

It is a good idea. Gracia is no longer the humble neighbourhood it used to be. It became fashionable and, when that happened, the neighbours started changing. From workers and “graciencs de tota la vida”, it changed to young professional couples. From small workshops and “merceries” to design ateliers.  But some of the old times spirit survives. 

The problem is where to find it. 

A few tips may help you: 

1.- Visit Gracia on a Saturday. On Sunday, shops and markets are closed. People wake up late. There is little to see. On Saturday, everything is open and people are on the streets. Saturday is the day. 

2.- Gracia is in its Squares. There are dynamic streets such as Verdi or Gran de Gràcia, but the real charm is in squares such as Plaça de la Virreïna, Plaça de la Revolució, or Plaça de la Vila (aka Plaça del Rellotge). 

3.- Favour the old bars. Gracia is full of modern restaurants, some of them quite ok. But if you are looking for the “real thing” it is better to have your beer in places such as the bar in Plaça de la Revolució at the corner with Carrer Verdi or to have lunch in Cal Boter.

4.- Visit public spaces such as libraries or markets. The public library in Plaça de Lesseps won an architecture award and has a very popular bar. You may come in and take a look. It is on the way to Park Güell. Markets such as Mercat de la Llibertat are a good place to buy your fruit or take away food in a “real” Barcelona ambiance. 

5.- Make the most of popular events. If you happen to be in Barcelona by Sant Medir (beginning March) or Festes de Gràcia in August, you will see streets full of people celebrating. A bit overcrowded but still amusing. 

BORN - LA RIBERA: Have a burguer in Carrer del Rec in PIM PAM BURGUER

If you are strolling in El Born and you are hungry, you have different options to have a bite. One of them was already mentioned in a previous entry: LA PARADETA. It is just behind Born Centre Cultural, it is fish, it is ok, but maybe you would like just a plain, quick hamburguer. Then, there is a small place very near Carrer del Rec where burguers are huge, tasty and well-priced: PIM PAM BURGUER. 

PIM PAM BURGUER is ok. They place is small and sometimes very crowded, but burguers are ok, they have vegetarian options and fries are home made. Not many places around can offer this quality at these prices (and that's why it can be very crowded on Friday - Saturday night).

Here is a map were you can locate them and here is their web page (only in Spanish, I am afraid).

They have also a shop in Carrer del Rec where they sell good take-away food and they have some stools to eat in.

Ouh! and they are open 13 to 1 every day!


By the way, does your Barcelona guide explain that Carrer del Rec is named after the water channel that ran in this street long ago? That water channel was the key factor that attracted many mills and workshops to this quarter. The area was a vibrant, industrial zone before it was demolished after the defeat in 1714. After many years as a poor, forgotten quarter in the center of the city, now the streets are recovering its dynamism. This time there are no mills, but tourists. Still, it is a charming quarter, full of interesting places.