Barcelona's landmarks look stunning on social media. But are they that breathtaking in reality?
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00:00On social media, Barcelona seems like a sunny, relaxed city bursting with colours.
00:06But does the Spanish metropolis live up to this image?
00:10Let's find out in this Instagram vs reality check.
00:18Barcelona is Spain's second largest city.
00:21With roughly 10 million overnight stays per year,
00:24it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
00:28We're going to visit three of the most popular Insta spots in the Catalan capital
00:33to see if they live up to the hype.
00:40Barcelona's Sagrada Família Cathedral,
00:42a veritable tourist magnet that looks great on Insta.
00:46In real life, it's so crowded that it's difficult to get a good picture of the cathedral.
00:52Tour guide Felipe shows visitors the Sagrada Família several times a week.
01:00He's seen firsthand how the church has had a profound impact on people.
01:21The Sagrada Família is also one of the most visited construction sites in the world.
01:36You heard it right, it's been under construction since 1882
01:40and will be one of the tallest churches in the world when it's completed in 2026.
01:45The basilica's design is inspired by religious symbols and organic shapes.
01:50It's considered the masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí,
01:55but more on his architecture later.
01:58Gaudí was a visionary. He would be compared to a man of the Renaissance.
02:03He was able to understand techniques, engineering, nature, anatomy, science, even acoustics.
02:09So he was a man who tried to understand everything, a man with infinite curiosity.
02:14We definitely recommend you go inside,
02:17but buy your ticket online in advance so you don't have to wait long to enter.
02:25So, what's our conclusion?
02:27The church is even more incredible in real life than in pictures.
02:34Let's move on to our second reality check,
02:37Barcelona's famous pedestrian street La Rambla, or Las Ramblas.
02:42Our first impression? Lots of construction work.
02:46On the east end of the promenade of the Christopher Columbus statue,
02:49the boulevard isn't looking great.
02:52La Rambla is over 1.2 kilometers long and runs east to west through Barcelona's old town.
02:58Each section of the street has its own character.
03:01A must-visit in the middle of La Rambla is the Mercat de la Boqueria market,
03:06usually called La Boqueria.
03:08With more than 200 stalls, it's the largest market in Barcelona.
03:12Whether you're looking for seafood or regional delicacies,
03:15you can get your money's worth here on weekdays from 8am to 8.30pm.
03:22Our tip? Take a left or right turn off the main promenade to walk down a quieter street
03:28where you'll still find beautiful architecture, but fewer people.
03:32So let's continue to our next destination, Parc Güell.
03:36The park is a hotspot for Insta pics and selfies.
03:41It turns out that taking a photo without other people in the frame is virtually impossible,
03:46at least in the middle of the day.
03:51One of the most crowded places is this famous mosaic bench with its panoramic view.
03:57But we think it's also worth seeing the less crowded stone columns nearby.
04:02Gaudi designed the park, which opened to the public in 1926.
04:07His style is characterized by vibrant colors and organic shapes
04:12that correspond with the surrounding landscape.
04:16Architecture fans should definitely check it out.
04:20But if you're looking for somewhere to relax,
04:23you can save yourself the 10 euro entrance fee and find a quieter park.
04:28So what's our conclusion?
04:30If you want to experience the hotspots and take beautiful pictures yourself,
04:34you should take the long wait times and crowds into account.
04:38Our number one recommendation is the Sagrada Familia.