Barcelona authorities create a selfie zone near Sagrada Família to ease tourist flow

Authorities in Barcelona, one of Spain's largest tourist hubs, have decided to build a dedicated plaza next to the Sagrada Família basilica to reduce tourist crowding and ease movement around the area. The new zone is a response to numerous complaints from local residents about the chaos caused by popular photo sessions at the landmark.

For years, tourists have filled the pavements and even stepped into the road to get a striking shot in front of Antoni Gaudí's architectural masterpiece. The problem became especially acute recently due to a TikTok trend in which tourists set up phones on metro escalators, blocking exits and disrupting the flow of passengers. This practice has since been banned.

City authorities now intend to create a 6,200-square-metre space between the basilica's Nativity façade and Plaça Gaudí on Carrer de la Marina. Here, visitors will be able to stop, rest, and take photos without inconveniencing local residents.

According to city hall representatives, the project aims to strike a balance between tourists' interests and residents' comfort. Construction is planned to begin after summer and be completed by April 2026, timed to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.

€2.7 million has been allocated for the project, which will be part of a larger €15.5 million initiative to improve infrastructure and manage tourist flows around the Sagrada Família. This architectural landmark receives around 4.7 million visitors a year, making it Spain's second most-visited tourist site after the Alhambra in Granada.

Measures to curb mass tourism continue

Barcelona, which welcomes around 32 million tourists a year, is already taking steps to curb mass tourism. In 2024, authorities launched a €44 million programme aimed at managing tourist flows at 16 key points across the city by increasing the number of cleaning and police staff.

In addition, the city is dropping its former tourism slogan "Visit Barcelona," used for 15 years, in favour of a new one — "This is Barcelona." This decision symbolises a shift in the Catalan capital's image toward sustainable tourism.

Authorities also plan to completely phase out short-term tourist rentals by 2028 and restrict cruise ship passenger disembarkation.

According to Mayor Jaume Collboni, such steps are driven by the need to preserve the city for its residents and avoid turning Barcelona into a theme park. "Tourism should fit the city's model, not dictate it," he stressed.