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IN BRIEF
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Barcelona is set to offer selfie enthusiasts a new and unusual experience: a space entirely dedicated to taking photos in front of the famous Sagrada Familia. In light of the record influx of tourists and the growing fatigue of local residents, the city is preparing to create a vast area where everyone can capture their visit without disturbing local life. The goal? To channel the enthusiasm of visitors while protecting the tranquility of residents, so that memories and coexistence can thrive around Gaudi’s masterpiece.
Barcelona, the vibrant Catalan capital, is about to take a significant step in managing its bustling tourism with the creation of a selfie space around the iconic Sagrada Familia. Designed to satisfy both souvenir photo lovers and residents overwhelmed by the crowds, this innovative project promises to transform the way we visit and capture this masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi. Dive into the history of this initiative, as unusual as it is ingenious, reflecting the challenges and discoveries of modern tourism in Barcelona.
Why create a selfie space around the Sagrada Familia?
Everyone knows: impossible to visit Barcelona without stopping by the majestic Sagrada Familia. Every year, this legendary monument attracts around 4.5 to 5 million visitors, all eager to leave with THAT unforgettable photo. But this constant ballet of selfies is not without consequences for the life of the neighborhood. Residents, tired of the crowds and traffic of visitors eager for the perfect pose, cried out for help. Imagine having to weave through selfie sticks just to buy bread!
A remedy for tourist overpopulation
In the face of this phenomenon joyfully driven by the social media era, the Barcelona municipality has decided to take action. The project, planned for 2026, will consist of the creation of a selfie space of 6,200 m², ideally located between the Nativity façade and Gaudi Square. No more dangerous improvisations on the road: here, everyone can immortalize their visit at the foot of Gaudi’s work without disturbing either locals or other tourists. This construction will begin at the end of summer and be completed in time for the centenary of the architect’s death, at an estimated cost of around 2.7 million euros, included in an ambitious “Action Plan for High Traffic Areas”.
How will this new photographic space function?
Inspired by ideas from other metropolises facing overpopulation, the selfie zone at the Sagrada Familia will not just be a simple patch of grass. A carefully designed scenery is expected, with viewfinder markers, information panels, and of course, the basilica in the background. The big novelty: outside of this dedicated zone, selfies will be prohibited, in order to better channel the flow and give residents some peace.
Barcelona, a pioneer in creative tourist management
This project is part of a broader reflection affecting more and more popular destinations, faced with the challenges of overtourism. Barcelona, often at the forefront of debates on tensions between residents and visitors, will test a solution that is both original and pragmatic. While campaigns like “Tourists go home” flourish in Barcelona as elsewhere in Spain, the city shows its resolve to find the right balance between warm hospitality and local quality of life. An initiative that could very well inspire other metropolises, as seen in New York or New York with their own strategies to absorb the tourist wave.
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The selfie, a societal phenomenon reshaping travel
The selfie space at the Sagrada Familia is also a delightful nod to our time, where the self-portrait – as they charmingly call it in Quebec – has become the ultimate souvenir of travel. Just a handful of seconds to capture the moment, while the ancient basilica, a symbol of slowness and patience, continues to write its centennial story. It remains to be seen whether this special space will help ease tensions… or provide a new stage for the unbridled creativity of tourists searching for original angles!
An inspiration for other tourist cities
If Barcelona succeeds in its endeavor, there’s no doubt that the concept of a dedicated selfie zone will catch on elsewhere, whether in Barcelona Germany or Barcelona Netherlands. After all, managing the buzz of tourism while offering beautiful photo opportunities is probably the secret dream of all famous cities around the globe!
To extend the journey
Want to continue exploring Spain and its myriad faces, find inspiration, or prepare for your stay? Many resources exist to organize tailored experiences, whether it’s booking your activities, choosing the best time to go, or reading testimonials about other parts of the country. And to pique your curiosity, why not take a look at another spectacular urban adventure, like the one offered in New York?
