Barcelona Off The Beaten Path Tips by Laura_Mexico

The Magic Fountain of Mont Juic Montjuic Review

Back when I visited this attraction not many people knew about it -- at least I never heard about it in my first visit to Barcelona, but on my 2nd visit I got to see it and I LOVED IT...!! There weren't too many people going to see it but this time, 9 years later (2011), there were A LOT of people watching it and apparently it has become really popular.

The main picture of this tip was taken from a postcard I bought there because my film camera was unable to catch all the colors of the fountain water, and the postcard showed the fountain the way it really looked like at night. You will see a nice laser behind the Modern Art Museum, and the fountains will "dance" along with the music they play, make lovely figures and display many different bright colors.

So on my last trip (2011) I had to go back and see the fountain again. This time my digital camera was able to take some really nice pictures and even a short video of the show. I still wasn't able to take a good picture of the modern art museum with the laser behind, but the fountain pics were pretty decent.

The shows start every thursday, friday, saturday and sunday (during the summer) at 9:30 PM and there is one every 30 minutes until 11:30 PM -- although I think they were more frequent than that -- something like every 15 minutes or so. During the winter (October to May or so) the shows are only during the weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun). It's something really worth seeing, and it's FREE!

Inside the "old town" Montjuic Review

This is the inside of the "Poble Espanyol" -- charming, as you may see! You really feel as if you were in an old village... At least when I was there it wasn't crowded at all, so it also felt as being in a "ghost" town -- almost deserted!

What you will find inside this place, besides these nice buildings, is a bunch of little workshops and stores where they sell ALL kind of typical Spanish souvenirs. You can buy jewelry, fans, clothes, glass stuff, embroideries, and many other things made by the locals. There are also a couple of places to eat. Of course, what you buy here is not included in the entrance fee.

The Aquarium Port Vell Review

I highly recommend that you visit the BARCELONA AQUARIUM, located right next to Maremagnum shopping center, in the New Port... It's very big and modern, very well maintained and you will see some wonderful and rare species displayed there --- even PENGUINS! The entrance is a little expensive (I got a discount and still paid 9.90 EUR) but it's worth it, especially if you're going with children: they'll love it.

The visit isn't that long, but try to go there very early or by early afternoon (2-4 PM, when people usually have lunch in Spain) to avoid crowds, or you WILL spend a long time there -- making a line to try to get in! They also have a cute souvenir shop.

Poble Espanyol Montjuic Review

This is the entrance to the "Poble Espanyol" (which means "Spanish town" in Catalan), which is a replica of an old Spanish town where there are handcrafts workshops, restaurants and stores... Located in Mont Juic, just a short walk uphill from the Modern Art Museum!

"Under the sea" Port Vell Review

You'll be able to see the sharks, fish, eels and other species swimming right above your head... while walking by the crystal hall that goes through the big pool where they live...!! It's really spectacular.