In Barcelona, the famous Sagrada Família attracts millions of tourists every year, eager to capture the perfect moment with its masterpiece in the background. In response to the massive influx of vacationers and the hassles they create for local residents, the city council decided to take action by creating a dedicated selfie zone. This innovative project aims to ease pedestrian traffic while providing visitors with a memorable photographic experience, without disturbing the tranquility of the neighborhood.
Faced with the massive influx of tourists wishing to immortalize their visit in front of the famous basilica of Sagrada Família, the Barcelona city council has decided to act. To ease pedestrian traffic and preserve the tranquility of residents, an area of 6,200 m² will be set up, designed specifically for selfies. But beyond being just a place to take photos, this initiative is part of a larger plan to combat the harmful effects of overtourism.
A record influx of tourists #
The Sagrada Família attracts approximately 4.7 million visitors each year, making it the second most visited site in Spain. The popularity of this basilica, an emblematic work of the architect Antoni Gaudí, has continued to grow in recent years. Tourists, eager to capture every moment, often compete for the best angle for their selfies. With so many photo enthusiasts crowding around the monument, the daily lives of residents are somewhat disrupted.
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A trend that challenges the city council #
The phenomenon of selfies is not new, but it has taken on a new dimension thanks to social media platforms like TikTok. Visitors even immortalize themselves on the subway escalators, with the basilica in the background. In response to the dangers of this practice, authorities have decided to prohibit these risky shoots and to offer a safer and more organized alternative.
Creation of a selfie zone #
To reorganize the space around the Sagrada Família, a new area of 6,200 m² will be created between the Nativity façade and Gaudí Square. This dedicated viewpoint will allow tourists to take photos without obstructing pedestrian traffic or causing noise disturbances for residents. This project is not just a simple expansion; it is part of a comprehensive development plan worth 15.5 million euros, called the “Action Plan for High Traffic Areas (EGA)”.
Towards better coexistence #
With this new space, the city council hopes to create a more serene environment where vacationers and residents can coexist without friction. Construction is expected to begin at the end of summer 2025, with a completion date set for April 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. This strong signal marks a desire to restore balance in the heavily frequented neighborhood.
Measures against overtourism #
Beyond the dedicated selfie zone, the city council has taken other initiatives to combat the effects of overtourism. Starting in 2029, short-term tourist rental permits will gradually be phased out, while the tourist tax could reach up to 15 euros per person per night in luxury hotels. These measures aim to reduce the impact of tourism on local life and to contain the rising cost of rents, which have increased by 68% over the last decade.
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A tense social climate #
This project is being launched in a very delicate social context. Barcelona has become one of the hubs of the “Tourists go home!” movement, which denounces the effects of mass tourism on the quality of life for residents. Protests have intensified, with some people expressing their discontent playfully by spraying tourists with water guns. In response to these tensions, the municipality has implemented an action plan to improve urban cleaning and safety in the streets.
If the city relies on a simple selfie space to ease tensions, the issue of overtourism requires much broader solutions. Furthermore, this problem is felt in many other tourist destinations across Europe, calling for a reassessment of how tourist reception is managed without compromising the quality of life for residents.
