Just last year, 23 million tourists visited Barcelona, far outnumbering the city’s 1.6 million residents. And it’s easy to see why. Home to architectural masterpieces, a powerhouse fútbol team, and tapas por dias, this lively city’s a one-stop shop for Instagram inspiration. Check out the best spots to ‘gram your way through Barcelona.
1. La Sagrada Familia
Number of Hashtags: 1,036,824
No surprise that this magnificent cathedral lands the top spot on the list. Even unfinished, it’s an Insta-muse from inside out.
Most people pose for selfies in front of the eighteen massive spires resembling towering sand castles – but the interior is where you’ll truly have a field day. Sit smack in the middle of the cathedral, point your phone up, and vertical pano the entire, stunning roof, end-to-end.
The outrageous columns, light-reflecting tiling, and brilliant stained-glass offer enough colors and patterns for the perfect #NoFilter skills.
A trek to the top of the towers also never disappoints. Gargoyles and massive fruit sculptures add some character until you reach the breathtaking view that spans all the way to the coast.
2. Camp Nou
Number of Hashtags: 893,882
A selfie at FC Barcelona’s stadium will make any fútbol lover verde with envy. If you can’t score a game day ticket, opt for the Camp Nou experience, which goes beyond the stands to the practice fields and even the legendary locker rooms. Add that to your list, sports fans!
3. Park Güell
Number of Hashtags: 308,664
Between the fairytale buildings, kaleidoscopic mosaics, and twisted rock columns, Gaudi’s iconic park has enough beauty to fill up the entire 10-image album limit on Instagram. To capture an epic photo, pull out the selfie stick while sitting on the colorful stone benches to get the mesmerizing buildings, stunning tile work, and the Barcelona skyline all in one shot.
4. Parc de Montjuïc
Number of Hashtags: 252,624
This park sits on top of a hill overlooking the Barcelona harbor, which means views for days. But that’s not all. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (16,415 hashtags alone) puts on a lively music show with 3,620 water jets and 4,760 choreographed lights for the perfect boomerang.
Pro Tip: If you’re not afraid of heights, take the Montjuïc cable car to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the city and sea.
5. Casa Batlló
Number of Hashtags: 181,808
Casa Batlló’s undulating facade and magnificent roof – resembling the back of a dragon – are sure to catch your followers’ eyes. The exterior walls are covered with fragments of colored glass and ceramic disks, while bone-shaped columns run along the windows. But don’t neglect the interior, which Gaudi meticulously designed down to the furniture.
6. Casa Milà
Number of Hashtags: 142,470
Casa Milà is famously known as La Pedrera (meaning “the quarry”). If you make it to the rooftop, you’ll understand why. It appears as if the entire middle structure was extracted, leaving a deep pit in its place.
Yes, Gaudi was also the creative mind behind this masterpiece. What did you expect? His eccentric and fantastical designs are always prime Instagram material. It’s as though they were designed for Insta before it was even a thing.
7. La Boqueria
Number of Hashtags: 97,831
This food hall offers more than just a wide range of cuisines to excite your palate. Be sure to try Pinotxo Bar, where there’s no menu – you just point and eat. The kiosk is also well known for its pa amb tomàquet, which is a toast with tomato, olive oil, and salt.
Don’t forget to snap some photos before you stuff your face, or while doing so. From the contrasting colors of the fruit and veggie stands to the eclectic assortment of seafood and tapas, it’s the ideal place to show off some Spanish #FoodPorn.
8. Parc de la Ciutadella
Number of Hashtags: 54,722
Complete with a grand Cascade fountain, several museums, and a zoo, this 74-acre, lush oasis is a great place to escape the chaos and sip cava in the sun. Scenic promenades and colorful flowerbeds also make a great backdrop for selfies and portraits. But to really up your Insta game, rent a rowboat at the lake just like this ‘grammer did.
9. The Gothic Quarter
Number of Hashtags: 45,537
Walking through the Gothic Quarter – a former Roman village – is like walking through a labyrinth of history with remnants of the past as your guide. It’s easy to get lost along the narrow streets, but in doing so, you’ll stumble upon stunning antique buildings, like La Seu Cathedral, also known as the Barcelona Cathedral (15,996 hashtags).
Honorable Mention:
Already checked Barcelona off your bucket list? Take a look at our guides to London, Mexico City, and Tokyo for some more Insta inspo.
