Hello guys! As you probably know, Barcelona is every photographer’s dream. From the Gothic Quarter and its impressive architecture, to the Gaudí influence, all with the Mediterranean softly accompanying you on your way. I mean, we live here and we are daily impressed by this incredible city.
That is why we have made this list! So you can learn our impressions of every instagrammable place we have visited and taken pictures of, and give you tips and directions!!
1. La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is perhaps the most iconic building in Barcelona. It is still not finished, and it is already breathtaking. Along with an incredible structure, it has two small but beautiful parks in front and in its back. The most easy way to get to La Sagrada Familia is by subway, and it is very intuitive: the station is called “Sagrada Familia”. You can get there using two lines: L2 (purple) and L5 (blue).
Once you get there, if you are early enough you can take a picture with (almost) no turists around, but if you had taken your time to get there, don’t worry! You still have a chance of taking the perfect Instagram-picture. There’s a spot in one of the parks (Plaza de Gaudí, in the picture) that you can take a picture with both La Sagrada Familia and the pond in the park. You just have to wait for your turn! People are very nice.
2. Arc de Triomf
The Arc of Triomf of Barcelona is nothing like the one in Paris! Altough they are both incredibly beautiful, this one has always captured my attention for its bright colors and forms. This monument may be one of the easiest one to get to in Barcelona, and unfortunately that makes it almost impossible to get a picture with no one around. However, if you play with perspectives, you can make it! Anyway, to get to the Arc you have to take the red line of the metro (L1) to “Arc de Triomf” station, and it is just there!
Tip: if you keep walking towards the sea, you will reach a park called “Parc de la Ciutadella”, one of the biggest (if not the biggest) in Barcelona. It has an impressive fountain, and lots of ducks <3 we love it!
3. Cathedral
The Cathedral of Barcelona is one of the things you must see when in town. It is not necessary to enter the church to be amazed by its many details, its gothic architecture, its beauty. If you want to get a picture here without people, the best time to get there is around 8,30. It can get very crowded very fast! It is very easy to get there, simply walk from “Plaza Catalunya” metro station to el portal del Angel, until you get there! It is very simple really.
Tip: close to the cathedral there is a café called “Valor”, which serves one of the best churros with chocolate I have ever tried. It is a hidden gem, so don’t miss it!!
4. Pont del Bisbe
This is a tricky one! We tried for two days to take a picture here, but it was so crowded that we couldn’t. What you can do is go early (8 am or so) on a WEEK day, better if it is a Monday or Tuesday. There will be people, but far fewer. We just had to worry about people passing by, not photographers, so it was great!
To get to the Pont del Bisbe, the best thing to do is to get to Plaza Catalunya (it is the main station in Barcelona) and walk through a street called el Portal del Angel like you were going to the Cathedral. Instead of going to the church, you keep walking through a street called “Carrer del Bisbe” until you get to the bridge!
5. Beach
Barcelona’s beaches are legendary. We’ve all seen all sorts of Instagram posts about sunny days, clean waters and endless summers here in this spanish town. But don’t be fooled! There are spots that are better than others. Our humble opinion is that, although the Barceloneta might be the most well-known beach in Barcelona, it is not the best option if you’re visiting in the middle of summer. Chances are, you will find yourself lost in the crowd, desperate to find a good spot in the sand! So our recommendation is to visit the Bogatell beach. It takes 20-30 minutes walking from the Barceloneta metro station to the north, and there you can find many cute coffees and restaurants!! And it will be much less crowded.
6. Parc Güell
Parc Guell is one of the other masterpieces from Gaudí, arguably the most famous catalan. It is a park in one of Barcelona’s hills, which makes it a bit far from the city center. To get there, you need to take the green line of the subway (L3) to Lesseps station, and walk for 15-20 minutes. There are many signs that let you know where the park is!
There is a paid and a free part of the park. Personally, I would stay in the free part, it is beautiful!
Tip: if you really want to enter the paid part of the park but have no money for the ticket, don’t worry! After sunset (the hour depends on the time of the year) all the park is free! You
can check the times here:
7. Los Búnquers del Carmel
If you went to Parc Guell and thought “Oh, this view is nice, but it could be better”, you need to go to the Bunquers. It is 30 minutes away from the park by foot, and the view is unbelievable - one of my favorite places in Barcelona. It is a bit hard to find though. My advice is to download an App called CityMapper, and just write down “Bunquers del carmel”, because Google Maps it is not entirely accurate.
Tip: it is incredible to watch the sunset there. Take a couple of birras, chips and olives and enjoy the view.
8. Columpio Panorámico
I have lived in Barcelona for 3 and a half years now, and I just found out about this place! Incredible how much one has to discover in our own cities, right? To get there you can take the green line of the subway (L3) to Valldaura station. Once there, walk a block to the north, and go left to cross an avenue called “Ronda de Dalt”. Then you have to follow a street called Scala Dei for 5-10 minutes until the “Mirador de Horta”. Next to the give way sign in the curve, there’s a trail uphill which you have to follow until you see a large tree with the swing, and you’re there! It is kind of tricky to get there, and hard if you are not wearing the right shoes! But is manageable, and the views are so worth the trek.
Comments