Photography in Beautiful Barcelona

As you arrive in Barcelona, you will take the train from the airport to Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona’s city center. Bienvenido! You’ve made it. You will walk past many restaurants and stores and people outside enjoying copious amounts of tapas and breakfast cocktails. There are street performers on every corner, skateboarders gliding around aimlessly, and palm trees enclosed by Catalan Gothic style architecture. You will meet your guide in the hotel, settle in, and unwind before spending the day wandering around the city. Today leave your cameras behind and just take in the sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of being submersed in the laid-back European culture.

Good morning! Today, you’ll awake early. The first stop on our photography tour is one of Barcelona’s most sacred temples, La Sagrada Familia. Known for its intricate design, this unfinished landmark remains one of Antoni Gaudi’s greatest masterpieces and an iconic location for photography. When photographing unique but popular monuments like this one, it’s important to choose a time of day with little tourism to capture it in all its grace and charm, so early morning is ideal. We’ll walk around and admire it from every angle and, if you’re feeling adventurous, wander inside and photograph the way the sunlight reflects through the multicolored stained glass windows, creating all sorts of wonderful hues. Later, we’ll treat yourself to some early morning Tortilla de Patatas.

Today you’ll spend the day walking around the city basking in Barcelona’s warmth, drinking sangria, and relaxing the way the Spaniards do. Then, just before sunset, you’ll travel north for your second photography location: the beautiful hills of Park Güell, another Gaudi gem. This is the best place for photographing the city at its most magical hour. Imagine a cotton-candy sky against the vibrant and colorful architecture of the Gaudi-designed park. We’ll deviate to the terrace that overlooks the entire city of Barcelona to take a few more photos while the sun is still going down, capturing the way the colors intertwine with the light.

Another way to capture beautiful panoramic photos of the entire city is from the top of El Carmel mountain, at the city’s peak. Built in the late 1930s to block attacks during the Civil War, the Bunkers del Carmel now give us perfect 360° views of all of Barcelona. Today at sunrise, you’ll take the bus from Plaza Catalunya to Gran Vista and make the bearable hike up to where the outstanding views are. In the distance, we’ll see Sagrada Familia, now from far away. A thousand photo opportunities await you at the top of this mountain, beautifully scenic and significant for its history. Later that afternoon, we will wind down with some much needed tapas and cocktails.

After delving a little bit into Barcelona’s history and admiring its beautiful architecture, we’ll observe a more authentic side of the city in the streets of El Raval for some street photography. This trendy, colorful, all-encompassing part of the city is bustling with art and culture and it’s great for people watching–but watch out for all the skateboarders roaming around! While we photograph, we will take short take breaks in one of its many cafes or meander into the Museum of Modern Art for a more cultured experience.

Later that afternoon, we will discover one of Barcelona’s most famous food markets, La Boqueria. It’s always such a stimulating experience walking into a Spanish market. I believe it is the most authentic peek into their way of life, and it’s nice to be engulfed in it too. After strolling around the market (and perhaps buying a few delicacies for yourselves) we will say goodbye to El Raval and make our way back to the hotel. Just be wary of pick-pocketers!

It’s a beautiful day for a walk in the park! Today, we’ll explore Parc de la Ciutadella, which is home of the zoo, museums, a small lake, the Parlament of Catalonia, and endless green space where all the free spirits gather. It’s truly a wonderful sight to see everyone enjoying life in different ways here. There is someone in the distance strumming the guitar and someone else enjoying a picnic on the grass. As we walk around and admire the tranquility and Modernism, we will stumble upon the Arc de Triomf, which is nearby. In the evening, we’ll wind down with a delicious cafe con leche (but only one, so we can be well rested for our next destination.)

Today you’re going to say a temporary goodbye to Barcelona for a day trip to Montserrat, home of the Monastery. An early awakening is ideal for this so we can catch the train to Monistrol de Montserrat and hike to the top. If you’re not a hiker, don’t worry! There’s a cable car that can get you there. The point is the beautiful, panoramic views. While there, you will explore the Basilica, the church in the heart of the Monastery. It is absolutely necessary to visit this beautiful Gothic style building, surrounded by chapels. After taking a few photos (where it’s allowed) you’ll head to the edge of the mountain until you reach Saint Miguel’s Cross. Prepare yourself for even more stunning views since you are at a higher peak now.

When you are too tired to continue, your group will make its way back and have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Montserrat. By evening, you’ll be on a train back to the city for some much needed downtime.

Sleep in today and let the week’s exhaustion wash away. You are in Barcelona after all, and things move at a much slower pace here. At noon, you’ll walk to Barceloneta, the city’s most well-known beach. This place is bustling with locals, tourists, vendors, street performers, and so much life. It’s stunning during a quiet sunrise, but this way you’ll get to see it at its most authentic hour. 

Located in La Barceloneta, home of the fishing port and the beating heart of the city, there are heavenly seafood dishes on every corner. After taking a few photos, you’ll enjoy a traditional paella by the water. Take in the smell of the ocean as you dig in to its authentic goodness. At sunset, you’ll watch the sun get swallowed up by the orange sky from the rooftop bar of the W, the luxury hotel along the Barceloneta boardwalk.

On your very last day, you’ll make your way back to Plaza Catalunya for one final burst of city life before you head back to the airport. Photographs can sometimes serve as an everlasting memory, and hopefully you’re lucky enough to savor the ethereal feeling of being in Barcelona forever.