Barcelona is a perfect city break. You can enjoy beautiful historic buildings, art and museums galore as well as yummy tapas, ceiling at the beach and plenty of views. It has incredible, varied architecture which is perfect for photographing and lots of hidden lanes and corners. I’ve visited the city twice and my most recent trip was for a whole week in July 2024. This gave me plenty of opportunity to explore and lose track of time as well as enjoying some of the most famous places in Barcelona. This is a list of 15 of the most Instagrammable places you’ll find in the city so make sure to save 🔖 it for your trip!
📣 A little word of warning for Barcelona, whilst I haven’t personally had any issues, Barcelona is well known for being popular with pickpockets so make sure to take care whilst snapping and keep your valuables safe.
1. Barcelona Cathedral
First up on this list (although not in any particular order) is Barcelona Cathedral. The Cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries although its impressive facade (and focus for most Insta shots) was actually not built until the late 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style. The soaring structure rises up above the Gothic Quarter and you can spot its spires and tower from all around.
If you have time to head inside then you can admire the internal beauty as well as heading out onto the rooftop. Unfortunately the walkway along the middle (the classic IG rooftop shot here) was closed for construction during my visit but it’s still an impressive view! As you leave, look out for the Well of the Geese a rather fairytale like spot in Barcelona.
Top Tip – Booking Activities & Tours
My favourite app for booking tours, adventures and plenty of fun is Get Your Guide. There are so many epic memories that you can choose to make from food tours to entry tickets, laidback wine tasting to adrenaline filled adventures. Make sure you use my discount code CATTHOMSON5 for 5% off your first booking when you download the app as a new user 👇
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2. Casa Batlló
During the later half of the 1800s, the modern Quarter of Barcelona was constructed in order to expand the size of the city and create new neighbourhoods. Eixample is the heart of the Modernist Quarter with impressive blocks and buildings. During this time, families competed to have the most interesting and elaborate designs to show off their wealth and the most famous architect of this time was Antoni GaudÃ. If you’re researching Instagrammable spots in Barcelona then chances are pretty high that you’ve heard of Gaudi and his name is going to feature a lot in this post!
Casa Batlló is the first Gaudi design on this list and it has such a beautiful exterior. The colours on the facade look almost like a watercolour and if you head inside you can find even more beautiful artistry. Gaudi was frequently inspired by nature and this can be seen in the undulating ceilings, floors and walls throughout the house as well as the curved windows, doors and details.
3. Palau de la Música Catalana
I found the Palau de la Música Catalana when I was looking at Get Your Guide for Barcelona inspiration and I don’t believe I’d heard of it before. This was quite possibly my favourite place in Barcelona and I can’t explain quite how blown away I was by this stunning place. It might not be Gaudi’s design but you can tell it’s from the same era and epitomises the Catalan modernista style. The Palau de la Música Catalana has some of the most exquisite detailing and decor that I’ve come across with hidden details that you’ll only discover with the guide.
I’m not sure if this happens all through the day but during the hour that we were there first thing, the organ was playing every ten minutes or so. Since there’s no official concert and just self guided (or guided) tours, it feels very empty and you can enjoy sitting in this space and letting the sounds wash over you. It was pretty magical. The two best spots to photograph are the columns on the terrace and heading up to the top floor to photograph the concert hall stage.
4. Parc de la Ciutadella
If you’re needing a little time out from pounding the streets of Barcelona then Ciutadella Park is a great spot for that. Take a picnic and enjoy lunch, take a break with a book or try your hand at rowing on the boating pond (surprisingly cheap!). It’s also a lovely spot to get your camera out and the most Instagrammable spot in the park is the Cascada Monument. You can either capture it from the bottom (like I did above) or it’s a favourite spot for fashion influencers to take photos on the steps of the monument. The choice is yours!
5. Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is the second Gaudi creation on the Barcelona Instagrammable places list. Whilst this may have been Gaudi’s first residential commission, it may be my favourite! It looks like it would perhaps be more at home in Morocco with its deep red exterior complete with warm mosaic tiles. It’s considerably quieter than other Gaudi locations so you don’t need to try and visit as early as possible.
Gaudi designed the house for Manuel Vicens and it has some intriguing details and concepts as you explore the house. Look out for the funky smoking room and admire the intricate ceilings as well as the way that Gaudi seems to seamlessly link inside and outside together.
6. Park Güell
Park Güell is an unusual park situated on Mount Carmel to the north of Barcelona city centre and comprises gardens and unusual architectural ‘follies’ throughout. It’s another place designed by Gaudi and is a whimsical place to explore. Popular Insta locations include the Greek Theatre, the Dragon Stairway and the Hypostyle Room. They’re all unique as they are charming. Make sure to book your ticket in advance to get the slot that you want and book onto a group tour if you want to get access before the general admission begins at 9:30am.
7. Pont del Bisbe
The Gothic Quarter is a winding maze of narrow streets and independent shops which is really lovely to explore. Get yourself lost finding hidden gems and snapping as you go. There’s one place you don’t want to miss but you’re likely to stumble upon it when you’re near the Cathedral which is Pont del Bisbe. The history of the bridge is rather interesting. It may look like it would have been used for the purpose for which it’s named (Bishop’s Bridge), to transport bishop’s across the street, but the Neo-Gothic style is deceiving. The bridge was actually built in the 1920s and was not original to the medieval Gothic Quarter. Pont del Bisbe was built for Barcelona’s International Exposition in 1929. Whilst looks may be deceiving, it’s still one of the best spots in Barcelona for an Insta shot.
Top Tip – Data Roaming
If you’re visiting Barcelona from overseas then getting online with an eSIM from Holafly is such a game changer. No swapping SIMs. No complicated data roaming. Lots of choice. If your phone is compatible, just download the eSIM and get going!
Holafly
8. La Pedrera
Passeig de Grà cia is the grandest avenue in Barcelona and it’s where many of the impressive buildings of the late 1800s can be found when the wealthy owners were competing for most flamboyant and expensive design! This is where you’ll find Casa Battló (1) and La Pedrera (or Casa Milà ), another of Gaudi’s houses. It’s one of the most unusual residential buildings you may see with its bizarre (yet iconic) undulating facade. Gaudi was inspired by nature and used this inspiration to great affect in many of his creations. You can get a great IG shot from the outside but you can also go inside to learn more about the family that lived here and to take a walk on the peculiar rooftop. I say peculiar because here you’ll find giants reading poetry, the earth elements and an epic view of the Sagrada….intrigued? Then you’d better pay La Pedrera a visit 😉
Top Tip – Booking Activities & Tours
My favourite app for booking tours, adventures and plenty of fun is Get Your Guide. There are so many epic memories that you can choose to make from food tours to entry tickets, laidback wine tasting to adrenaline filled adventures. Make sure you use my discount code CATTHOMSON5 for 5% off your first booking when you download the app as a new user 👇
Get Your Guide App
9. Sagrada FamÃlia
If there’s one building that comes to mind when you think of Barcelona then it is more than likely that it’s the unconventional structure of the Sagrada FamÃlia that you picture in your mind. The unfinished basilica has been an icon on the city’s skyline for nearly one hundred years and it’s unlikely that it’ll be finished in time to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Gaudi’s death. This was his masterpiece and the great architect worked for over thirty years on the temple but the his designs are so grand that they’re yet to be completed. The exterior is an explosion of symbols and stories whilst the interior bursts with colour and texture. It really is one of a kind and absolutely must photograph in Barcelona.
It’s the most famous Insta spot in the city which means it’s busy! Both to visit the inside and to admire the outside. If you want to climb one of the towers (you must choose between the Nativity or the Passion tower) then you will need to book at least one week in advance of your trip.
10. Casa Padua
You may notice as you discover Barcelona by foot, that there are lots of interesting doors. This again relates to the period when the modern Quarter was being developed and wealthy families wanted to put on a show. I’m sure you’ll share many of these gorgeous doors but if there’s one to seek out then it’s Casa Padua. Admittedly it’s not in the most convenient location but it is worthwhile making a detour if you love unusual Insta spots. The building is a fantastic green shade with maroon painted detailing and allegedly has fabulous stained glass windows which you can spot if the shutters happen to be open.
11. Plaça Reial
A stone’s throw from the city’s bustling thoroughfare ‘La Rambla’ is the buzzy square Plaça Reial. It’s a favourite meeting point in the city with its iconic lamp posts (two of which were designed by Gaudi) and palm trees. This is a lively spot, particularly at nights with lots of restaurants and bars. I tried an early Sunday morning here and it was actually still bustling at 7am with people still up and carrying on the party from the night before…so I’m not sure there is a time I could recommend to come here for a quiet shot!
12. Arc de Triomf
If you thought then Arc de Triomphe belonged only in Paris then you’d be wrong! Barcelona has its own Arc de Triomf located at Passeig de LluÃs Companys. The Barcelona Arc de Triomf is decidedly Catalan in nature and if you were to sit the Paris version and the Barcelona version side by side you would really see the differences in the architectural designs and styles between these two areas. It was built as the entrance to the 1888 Universal Exposition and you can see more of the buildings that were erected for the Exhibition around the Parc de la Ciutadella.
13. Hospital Sant Pau
Recinte Modernista Sant Pau Barcelona is said to be an Art Nouveau masterpiece and is a vast complex spreading over six buildings. The original hospital was built around six hundred years ago but was given a makeover in the early 1900s when the city boomed and the modernist architecture was the craze. This led to the design and architecture of what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I wish I’d had time to go into this building as the photos I’ve seen online look so intriguing. Unfortunately the friends I was visiting with didn’t seem to be particularly interested so…another time…!
14. Passatge Madoz
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has many Passatge throughout which are little courtyards, open at both ends, but where buildings traverse the openings. The prettiest of these is Passatge Madoz which leads from Plaça Reial to Calle de Ferran.
15. Almanac Hotel & Virens Restaurant
During the first half of my week in Barcelona (2024) I was lucky enough to be invite to stay and dine with Hotel Almanac Barcelona. This hotel is so beautiful and very luxurious with so many areas that are perfect for an Instagram shot. Head up to the rooftop pool to sunbathe with the Barcelona skyline and grab a drink at Azimuth rooftop bar for a view to the Sagrada FamÃlia. The tasting menu at Virens Restaurant is a feast for Instagram (and your tastebuds 😉) with the most delicately plated courses created by Michelin starred chef Rodrigo de la Calle.
Cat x
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