Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, chances are that you’ve heard all about the wonders of Barcelona. With so many picturesque spots and quirky boutiques littering the streets, this seaside city is a drool-worthy destination. Perfect for just about anyone looking to escape their everyday life. Look past the hoards of tourists and you’ll find the most colourful, vibrant and artful city in the world. If you’re only in town for a short period of time or just want to find the most Instagram-worthy spots that will make your friends jealous, then this Barcelona Instagram Guide is for you!
#1 Sagrada Familia
Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia is one of the most well-known churches from anywhere in the world, despite the fact that it hasn’t even been completed! The enormous structure is much more than just an interesting building; it’s a symbol for this city. This church was designed by artist and architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi’s work can be seen all across the city, but the Sagrada Familia is his piece-de-resistance. Even if you don’t know anything about the artist, or architecture in general, this stupendous church is awe-inspiring to anyone who lays eyes on it. Seeing it in person is an unforgettable experience. The building features whimsical spires reaching towards the sky, ornate stonework, and the most stained glass windows in all of Barcelona.
While the exterior of the church is impressive on its own, when you step inside, some of the interior’s most famous features reveal themselves, like opening a jewellery box. The forest-inspired columns climb like vines up to the ceiling, capped by a star-like vault. You can spend a few jaw-dropping hours just wandering around this church, finding a million different places to get gorgeous photographs. It’s truly a dream for anyone who loves a visually stunning interior.
#2 Hospital de Sant Pau
Finding those hidden gems is getting harder and harder, but there are still a few real treasures out there. One of those places is the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona or the Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul. You might be thinking, “A hospital you say? That doesn’t sound too exciting.” Well, this is a hospital unlike any other and nothing like you’ve ever seen before. The Hospital is no longer in use but has been transformed into a tourist destination. This is called the Sant Pau Modernista Precinct. The building has been classified as a World Heritage Site. The reason? This is one of the best examples of Barcelona’s incredible Art Nouveau or Modernisme movement in the city.
There is truly something spectacular to see around every corner. From fantastical stained glass, vibrant ceramic roofs, incredible mosaics and beautifully designed interiors, there are dozens and dozens of places in here to find amazing photographic opportunities. If you’re interested in a complete guided tour of the hospital check out my in-depth blog post!
#3 Park Guell
Park Guell is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and in Barcelona. Designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi, the park is made up of some of his most famous works. Including the incredible mosaic-tiled dragon. The park covers 31,500 square meters, crisscrossed with paths filled with Gaudi’s signature sculptures. It is one of the few places in Barcelona where you can really get a sense of Gaudi’s style. But, in the open air.
Park Guell was built as a private residence for Eusebi Guell. However, before he could finish it, he ran out of money and abandoned the project. Luckily the city council bought the land, and it was opened to the public in 1926. Since then, it has always been a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike.
4. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Church of Sacred Heart on Mount Tibidabo is located on the top of one of the tallest peaks in Barcelona. It provides visitors with some of the best views across the city and surrounding countryside. In addition to the incredible locations is the giant statue of Jesus, which can be seen from most of the town, adding to this church’s infamous nature. The nearby Tibidabo Amusement Park is the oldest theme park in Spain and the second oldest in Europe. It is also worth a visit on your trip up the mountain. Whether you’re a fan of the church or the amusement park, this is one of the top must-see places in Barcelona if you’re a tourist.
#5 Casa Batlló
Few venues in Barcelona encapsulate the city’s fascinating mix of influences better than Casa Batlló. This building is an icon, and its grand exterior, slick style, and intricate stonework gracefully illustrate Barcelona’s Art Nouveau style. The façade of this building is decorated with incredibly detailed and colourful ceramic tiling. The building is an absolute photographic masterpiece, with so many details to capture and a background that screams modernism! Casa Batlló is considered one of Gaudí’s best works due to its imaginative design and inventive functionality. It is one not to be missed when in Barcelona and, best of all, can be admired from the outside without having to enter or pay admission to admire the facade’s incredible beauty.
#6 Arc de Triomf de Barcelona
Arc de Triomf de Barcelona is an enormous triumphal arch built by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas in 1888 for Barcelona World Fair. Back then, the gate served as the main access gate into the city. Today serves as the entrance to the great Ciutadella Park that now occupies the site of the world fair. The design of the arch is made in Neo-Mudéjar style, best known for its abstract-shaped geometric brick ornamentation. Standing in the center of the arch is the perfect photo opt for your trip to Barcelona.
#7 Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella is a large public park on the northeastern edge of the Barceloneta district. The enormous park spread out like a horseshoe over an area of 16 hectares. Spread across the park, there is a zoo, the Palace of the Parliament, a library, a few museums, and best of all, the Cascada.
The Cascada (waterfall or cascade in Spanish) was designed by Josep Fontsére and Antoni Gaudí in 1881 for Barcelona’s World Fair. The fountain was the park’s crowning glory and was meant to resemble the great Trevi Fountain in Rome. But the Trevi fountain can only be viewed, where this fountain can be explored along the path and stairways which lead around the structure. So many fantastic photo opportunities to be had along the way.
#8 Palau de la Música Catalana
The Palau de la Música Catalana is undoubtedly one of the world’s best-preserved and most ornate music halls. The Palau de la Música Catalana was built in 1905 for the Orfeó Català (Catalan Choral Society). It was this choral society that was also a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement. The Catalan style of architecture called ‘modernism’ was developed to support a new Catalan identity and closely resembles the art nouveau style.
The Palau de la Musica Catalana is such an important piece of the history of modernism, and a symbol of Catalan nationalist pride. It was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Whether you have the chance to tour the interiors or just have time to view the outside, this place is a must-visit for any traveller to Barcelona. While the interiors are truly spectacular, the floral motifs and colour mosaic tiles stretch onto the exterior as well so everyone can see a slice of this fantastical concert hall.
#9 Barcelona Cathedral
While La Sagrada Familia is a modernist miracle, the Barcelona Cathedral is a gothic gem and truly a treasure unto itself and worth exploring in its entirety. Gaudi himself was inspired by this historic church upon designing La Sagrada Familia. Looking at this ornate neo-gothic facade, simply dripping in decorations, it is such a fantastic place to grab that photo op. This church really represents the overall iconic look of Barcelona’s famous gothic quarter.
10. Plaça Reial
Plaça Reial is located in the Gothic Quarter. It is a large public square built on the ruins of the Capuchin convent of Santa Madrona. The Convent was demolished in 1836 and transformed into this magnificent square in the 19th century. There is something about the yellow facades, cool fountains and bright green palm trees that feel quintessentially Catalonia. Interesting to know that the lampposts surrounding the square were actually designed by Antoni Gaudí.
#11 La Casa Padua
Hidden away in the northern neighbourhood of Gracia is this spectacular gem, La Casa Padua, or the ‘Red House.’ Although the background of the house is actually green, the iconic art nouveau floral motifs which swell and dance around the facade are all painted in bright red. The house was made by Catalan modernist architect Jeroni Granell i Manresa. Manresa designed the stained glass windows found inside the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. The building the headquarters of a perfume factory until the 1970s. This seems almost too fitting as the facade feels almost like a parody or Disneyland versions of a Perfumerie! Standing in the doorway, you are absolutely transported to another time and place and makes for stunning photography.
#12 Palau Güell
Palau Güell is a Modernista palace! It was designed by Antoni Gaudí for businessman Eusebi Güell (the same man who funded the building of Park Guell.) The house is located just steps from the massively touristy Las Ramblas street in the El Raval neighbourhood. The building is a construction of the ideals of Art Nouveau. This involves organic forms, asymmetry, fantastic ornamentation and a romantic vision of nature.
Every single room in the interior is a photographer’s dream. But the real show stopper comes on the roof where Gaudi’s iconic chimney with rightly colour ceramic tiles stands in front of the stunning views across Barcelona.
#12 Boqueria Market
La Boqueria Market is arguably one of the most famous food markets in all of Europe. It’s renowned for its food and especially for its seafood sellers, and it draws a lot of tourists every day. The market has been open since 1840. And over the years, it has become more than just a place to buy groceries. It’s a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy a peaceful morning or afternoon. Personally, I love market photographs. There is something about those bright-coloured fruits and veggies and the bustling atmosphere that feel so fabulously metropolitan and chic.
#13 Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is my favourite of all of Gaudi’s houses in Barcelona. It was only recently opened up a museum for the public to explore! Located in the neighbourhood of Gràcia Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Gaudí. Perhaps because it was his first house, it feels the most experimental and youthful! In addition to the Art Nouveau styles of the time, Gaudi was inspired by Neo-Mudéjar architecture. Neo-Mudéjar is a type of Moorish Revival architecture that uses style elements such as horseshoe arches, arabesque tiling, and abstract-shaped brick ornamentations. All of which can be seen most prominently on the facade of the Casa Vicens.
This building represents the start of a new chapter in the history of architecture. In addition to being a gorgeous photographic backdrop, it is also such an essential piece of Barcelona’s iconagraphy.
While these are my favourite spots to visit, Barcelona is an absolute kaleidoscope of visual treasures. And there are wonderful sights to see around every corner! Let me know in the comments where your favourite spot in the city is!
Happy Travels, Adventurers!
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