A Photographer's Guide to Barcelona

There's a city on the Mediterranean Sea that doesn't just welcome travelers—it seduces them. Barcelona, with its rebellious Catalan spirit and fierce independence, is more than a must-visit; it's a city that demands to be felt, explored, and captured.

Sure, you can Google the best places to visit—Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the usual suspects. Every travel blog out there will tell you where to go.

But how do you see Barcelona? How do you photograph its essence—the pulse of its streets, the clash of old and new, the defiant beauty that makes it unlike anywhere else?

As with most destinations, the first rule is you have to get up early. I know, I know, you are thinking, "Hey, this is vacation. I am sleeping in." I hear you, but Barcelona isn't exactly the world's best-kept secret. By 10 a.m., you will be surrounded by hundreds of your not-so-closest friends. Trust me, get up early—you can always take a siesta later.

Sagrada Família - Three distinct ways to capture Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece.

1. From the inside, fill the frame with a stained glass window that shows the sun coming through. They are all beautiful, so select a side where the sun illuminates the ombre colors.

2. I see visitors trying to get a photo in front of the cathedral with the classic "Look, we were here!" shot. Sagrada Família is far too tall to do this from the front. Sure, you can use the Pano feature on your phone and possibly get it, but if you capture your family in the picture, it will probably distort them. A better idea, go to Plaza de Gaudi. This park, located at 41.40451° N, 2.17579° E, is the perfect place to photograph Sagrada Família. It also has a small pond to capture the reflection of Sagrada Família, as well as foliage for nice foreground shots.

3. The rooftop at Terrazzo del Sercotel Rosellón is located at 41.40476° N, 2.17304° E inside the Hotel Sercotel Rosellón. Sometimes, the rooftop bar is only open to hotel guests. The hotel is a lovely boutique hotel with small but comfortable rooms. The views are the chef's kiss regarding seeing the Sagrada Família.

Parc Güell - The iconic shot is from the top of the dragon staircase, also known as El Drac. Since it is the shot you see everywhere, be prepared for it to be crowded. You can get a timed entry ticket for when Parc Güell opens and go immediately to the staircase to try and beat the crowds. If it is super crowded, take close-up shots of the mosaics, as the mosaic tiles, or more specifically, the trencadís, are the hallmarks of Gaudi's work. You can also take a close-up of the dragon as a shot for Escalier du Dragon. Take a photo in the laundry room portico from one end, and try to capture it without anyone in the shot, or maybe just a loved one.

Palau de la Musica Catalana - This gorgeous music hall is said to be Gaudi's inspiration for his artistic masterpieces. Buy a ticket to enter and climb a flight of stairs to the concert hall. If you are lucky, you might see the orchestra practicing. After soaking in the music, head to the balcony. The balcony has numerous striking mosaic inlaid columns. Although you can easily see them from the street (I actually looked up, saw them, and said to myself, "I need to get up there!"), you can't quite capture street-level photos of the columns as the road is too narrow.

The Gothic Quarter - I think I could spend months ambling through the centuries-old streets. You can stumble upon Roman Ruins among quaint shops with artisan shopkeepers sitting at sewing machines making inventory to sell. Musicians who play on the street in the shadow of Catedral de Barcelona are a common sight. It is a dream. Specifically, in the Gothic Quarter, photograph the following:

1. Pont del Bisbe. Located around the corner from the cathedral, the Neo-Gothic bridge that connects two government buildings is incredible to capture early in the morning or late in the evening.

2. A city shot from the balcony of the Catedral de Barcelona. The plaza in front of the cathedral is exceptionally crowded, mostly with tour groups following guides holding flags and speaking into a microphone transmitted to earpieces. It seems that going inside the cathedral would be mobbed; however, the entry ticket is about 18 Euros, so most walk by, or it isn't included in their flag-led tour group. I bought a ticket, and fewer than 10 other visitors were inside!

3. The Kiss Mural, entitled The World Begins with Every Kiss, is located within walking distance of the Catedral de Barcelona. It is worth seeing because, from a distance, it shows a close-up of the lips of two lovers kissing. However, when you get closer, you will see that the mural is made of 4,000 ceramic tiles featuring photos of love and freedom.

4. The rooftop bar at Terraza del Hotel Colón at Hotel Colón located at 41.38496° N, 2.17570° E. The views from the rooftop are incredible, and the sangria is superb. Unfortunately, this photo spot isn't a secret anymore. I went by a few times recently, and the line was down the street, mainly with US college coeds looking for the perfect Instagram shot. However, I returned in the rain and sat underneath an umbrella with only one other table willing to sit in the rain. Perfecto!

Other shots to capture in The Gothic Quarter are the narrow alleys. Aim your camera up to the sky to capture the narrow nature of the alleys and the unique character of the balconies. If it rains, try to capture these same scenes in the reflections from the puddles on the ground.

The best dinner place in the Gothic Quarter is La Alcoba Azul Gótico. Reservations are not accepted, but it is truly a unique and delectable place to enjoy a great meal or snack.

La Boqueria—If you want to understand a community while traveling, go find a market. La Boqueria is the gold standard for markets and is a must-see. Located right off La Rambla, this market is an explosion of colors and textures. Close-up shots of fruits, vegetables, jamón ibérico, queso manchego, and botifarres make this a photography and culinary must-stop. La Boqueria is also a phenomenal spot for street photography as the patrons and vendors add to the colorful and busy aisles.

Banksy Museum - The elusive street artist from Bristol, England, has a museum showcasing his iconic work in Barcelona. Located at Carrer de Trafalgar, 34, 08010, Barcelona, this museum highlights about 130 pieces of Banksy's work. Lovers of street photography naturally enjoy Banksy's work. His political commentary through graffiti and street art is analogous to Bono's political statements in U2's lyrics.

Parc dels Til-lers—Located at 41.39374° N, 2.18396° E, this park is popular with locals. It is situated near Parc de la Ciutadella and the Arc de Triomf. The park's unique tile pyramid structure offers unique shots in addition to its street photography options.

Arenas de Barcelona - Located at Plaça d'Espanya, 41.37607° N, 2.14928° E, the Arenas is a local shopping mall in a repurposed former bullring. It has a rooftop terrace that has superb panoramic views of the city. From the rooftop terrace, capture a bird's eye view of the traffic using a long exposure with a view of Palau Nacional in the background. However, from the mall's interior, you can get a unique view of people at play on a futuristic ball pool. Presented by Ikono Barcelona, this immersive experience is incredible to photograph from a few stories up looking straight down.

El Born Centre de Cultura I Memòria - Located at Plaça Comercial, 12, Ciutat Vella, 08003, is the epitome of old meets new. It is a free location with excavated city ruins and an archeological site and cultural center. Capture interesting angles, shadows, backlit scenes, and modern architecture next to ruins. While in the neighborhood of El Born, take photos of the narrow alleyways and scenes of daily life in Barcelona. The architecture and vibe are similar to the alleys of The Gothic Quarter; however, this section of the city is primarily where locals live. Therefore, it certainly is an authentic view of how Barceloneses live.

Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi - 41.38208° N, 2.17404° E. This stunning Gothic church dates to the early 1300s. Photograph the rose window, one of Europe's largest stained glass windows. Capture the candles lit in the church with close-up shots and wide apertures that suggest a beautiful background. Escorted groups are taken to the bell tower that offers panoramic views of Barcelona; inquire about times at the ticket counter. When photographing in churches, always be respectful. Avoid parishioners who are praying. Donate at the primary collection in the front and any collection boxes before lighting a candle for a prayer. As for the basilica's exterior, try a wide-angle lens to capture the entire building, or use the Pano feature on your iPhone and create a vertical panorama (street to the top of the basilica).

Culinary Delights—After all the walking and creative pursuits Barcelona offers, you will certainly work up quite an appetite. Don't forget to capture pictures of the sangria, cava, and croquetas de jamón y queso you will enjoy! If you are using an iPhone and taking a photo of a scrumptious serving of paella, stand above the dish you photograph. Position the floating crosshair over the fixed one at the center of the screen to level your photo.

Enjoy every moment of your Barcelona adventure! 🌟🏰 If you use these tips from my Photographer's Guide to Barcelona, remember to tag me on Instagram @globetrotting_addicts 📸✨—I’d love to see your photos! 🌍

Globe-Trotting Addicts

A Photographer's Guide to Barcelona

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