So you’ve finally arrived in Barcelona and you’re ready to spice up your Instagram feed with gorgeous photos taken throughout the city, but there’s one issue at hand–you have no idea where these stunning photo locations are. There’s no doubt that Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities around the world, but how can you pick and choose where to snap those dazzling shots when there’s color and energy bursting at every street corner? Instead of letting you walk around aimlessly in an attempt to find that perfect photo spot, we’re helping you out and saving you time by providing the Top 10 right at your fingertips. If you’re looking to vamp up your Instagram game and achieve the epic and colorful feed you’ve always dreamed of, this is the article for you!
1. Sagrada Familia – Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
If you think the outside of this globally-renowned Catholic Church is breathtaking, the interior of La Sagrada Familia will leave you in awe. The church’s incredibly intricate design and the colorful kaleidoscope of light sparkling on the walls inside result in a jaw-dropping photo opportunity. This masterpiece has been under construction for 137 years after being designed by architectural genius, Gaudí (Get ready for many more gorgeous Gaudí artworks to come!), but is still recognized today as one of the most beautiful wonders you’ll ever see in the world.
Photo Tip: When you snap your photo, make sure you take it at a distance at Gaudí Park in front of Sagrada Familia in order to capture the whole building in one shot. If you wish to snap those lavish pictures inside too (highly recommend!), make sure you purchase tickets in advance to enter La Sagrada Familia since tickets tend to sell out very fast!
2. Casa Batlló – Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona
When you walk past this building, with its bizarre undulated balconies and funky colour scheme, you might think you’re looking at a building right out of a fairytale, but what we have here is another incredible work of art by Gaudi: Casa Batlló. If you’re having difficulty capturing that perfect shot of the whole building’s exterior due to its massive height, colorful mosaic windows and a vibrant blue color scheme inside saves you from losing the opportunity of taking an amazing photo of this gem.
Photo Tip: If you wish to take that gorgeous photo outside of Casa Batlló without cutting any part of it out of the frame, head across the street from the building to capture every inch of its beauty in one picture.
3. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc – Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1, 08038 Barcelona
The Magic Fountain, a spectacular display of light, water, sound, and color, brings in photographers from everywhere to capture this magical fusion of elements on camera. Recognized internationally as the emblem of Barcelona, the Font Mágica runs a sensational daily sound and light show that showcases sparkling water cascading through a complex work of fountains and pools. If you’re not satisfied with the light-and-water combination in the background of your photo, there’s no need to worry- the Magic Fountain has over 7 billion light-and-water combinations for you to pick and choose from to suit your Insta feed!
Photo tip: Make sure you check the online schedule for when the Magic Fountain is planned for the day in order to ensure your pictures are planned accordingly to capture this explosion of magic.
4. Parc Güell – 08024 Barcelona
If you’re looking to take that ravishing shot capturing the entirety of Barcelona, this Gaudi installation of Parc Güell is the dazzling photo location that your Instagram needs! Whether you’re looking to snap funky photos with the infamous giant mosaic salamander or looking to achieve that perfect golden hour photo at one of the best sunset photo locations in Barcelona, Park Güell has it all for you to showcase those vibrant colors and gorgeous views of this wondrous city on your profile!
Photo tip: If you’re visiting on the weekend and want to ensure that you can snap your lovely shots without tourists lingering in your photos, make sure you arrive early to avoid the crowd as the park gets busy very fast!
5. La Barceloneta – Ciutat Vella
Located right around Sant Sebastià Beach, this glitzy neighbourhood is the perfect spot for those beachy photos of you sunbathing on this beach with a vivaciously colorful sunset sitting in the background. If you’re looking for an array of photo options of you surfing on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea or posing in front of some funky outdoor art, La Barceloneta is the ideal photo location to find it.
6. The Gothic Quarter
If you’re a fan of beautiful, medieval architecture that stretches across enchanting, narrow alleyways, the Gothic Quarter is where you’ll find your Instagrammable shot with many photo opportunities hidden within this maze of streets. With gorgeous buildings and stunning archways lurking behind you at every street corner, this background will give you that mighty, magnificent vibe your photo needs.
Photo tip: Since these streets are incredibly narrow, light doesn’t come through as nicely in photos. However, this can easily be resolved by shooting these pictures during golden hour or bringing along a tripod to frame the light exactly how you’d like!
7. Barcelona Cathedral – Pla de la Seu, s/n, 08002 Barcelona
Although this famous Gothic Cathedral tends to be overshadowed by the famous La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Barcelona Cathedral is still recognized as one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals to see in Europe with its incredibly ravishing work of gargoyles crouching along the roof. In addition to giving you those stunning photos of cascading pillars scattered throughout inside, the Barcelona Cathedral gives you access to the rooftop as well so that you can capture photos not only of this glorious church, but also of its beautiful view of the city.
Photo tip: If you’re looking to save some cash on your photoshoot binge, make sure you arrive to the Barcelona Cathedral in the morning before 1pm in order to get free access to the inside and rooftop!
8. Passeig de Sant Joan, Arc de Triomf – Passeig de Lluís Companys, 08003 Barcelona
We’re obviously all familiar with Paris’s famous Arc de Triomf, but did you know Barcelona has its very own triumphal arch, too? Featuring stunning stone bats carved into each pillar, Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf is the perfect Instagrammable location if you wish to show off the city’s gorgeous landmark on your feed.
9. Plaça de Catalunya – 08002 Barcelona
Distinguished as the heart of Barcelona, Placa de Catalunya is the city centre where you’ll find flowing fountains and dazzling sculptures circling around the plaza, each spot making for an excellent Instagram shot. Along with the gorgeous decor you’ll find around the park, our favorite photo to take is with the insane amount of pigeons who call this plaza home. If you’re looking to take an artsy photo of birds flocking around you in one of the most beautiful locations around the world, come to Placa de Catalunya to capture that magical moment.
10. Rooftop Pools
If you wish to stand out from the crowd and find a photo location that you don’t already see on your Instagram feed, then rooftop pools are your ideal location to escape the crowd and capture the beauty of Barcelona’s panoramic views in a single photo. While finding a rooftop pool that doesn’t make you pay an insane amount of money can be tough, we do have a list of rooftop pools that you can access on a low budget through rooftop bars and restaurants: Grand Hotel Central (Via Laietana, 30, 08003), Hotel Ohla (Via Laietana, 49, 08003), and Duquesa de Cardona Hotel (Passeig de Colom, 12, 08002).
No matter what kind of Insta aesthetic you may be looking to achieve, Barcelona boasts some of the most unparalleled architecture, scenery, and history of any city around the globe; all of which make for exceptional photo backdrops. Now that you’ve learned about the Top 10 Photo Locations in Barcelona for Instagram, you can fill your profile with the colors and captivations of the city to quickly become the envy of all of your followers. Once you finish your photoshoot, sit back, pour yourself a glass of sangria and watch as the likes start rolling in.
