Barcelona is a city full of iconic monuments, from the impressive Sagrada Família to the bustling La Rambla promenade. However, beyond the most famous attractions lie hidden gems that offer a unique glimpse into the city’s history, culture, and beauty. These lesser-known spots are perfect for those looking to explore Barcelona off the usual tourist trails. Here are 6 of them, with a promise to revisit this topic in another dedicated post.
To film in these locations, as in all of Barcelona, you need a special permit that varies depending on the site—whether it’s private, public, a street, or a beach, etc. At ready.barcelona, we can help you find locations and handle the authorization process for your shoot or photo session.
One of Barcelona’s best-kept treasures is the Hospital de Sant Pau, also known as the “Sant Pau Modernist Site,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site that often goes unnoticed compared to Gaudí’s famous modernist works. Designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the hospital complex stands out for its mosaics, stained glass, and lush gardens. It offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from the Sagrada Família, right in the heart of the city—perfect for art and architecture lovers. Part of the building still functions as a hospital, while the historic section is open to the public. MAP
Another must-see spot is the Búnkeres del Carmel, located on the hill of Turó de la Rovira. These old anti-aircraft bunkers offer panoramic views of the entire city, making them one of the best viewpoints to capture Barcelona’s skyline, especially at sunset. Despite their historical significance and sudden Instagram fame (which brought a surge of tourists around 2019), the place remains special and offers a picturesque experience. Part of the site is a museum with a visit to the anti-aircraft post that once defended the city from bombings by Italian fascist aircraft from Mallorca (visit the MUHBA, Barcelona History Museum page). Access by car is restricted, and you cannot drive all the way to the park. MAP
For those interested in the city’s history, the upper streets of Poble Sec, its staircases, and parks leading to Montjuïc are a hidden treasure. This old, narrow neighborhood stretches from Plaça d’Espanya to the sea, far from the typical tourist routes. It’s vibrant yet peaceful, with incredible parks like the Greek Theatre and hidden squares. The Plaza del Surtidor area is great for strolling, discovering local life, and then getting lost in the city’s main green space: the hill of Montjuïc—a treasure trove of parks, viewpoints, museums, and sports facilities. MAP
The Passatge del Crèdit is a 19th-century commercial gallery connecting two quiet streets in the Ciutat Vella neighborhood. Surrounded by a vintage vegetarian restaurant and café (La Cerería Cooperativa), a tattoo parlor, and Barcelona’s first urban art gallery (Artevistas Gallery), it exudes a relaxed vibe that contrasts with the hustle of nearby streets. A gray plaque commemorates the birthplace of the great Joan Miró. MAP
Not only Miró and Picasso donated their private collections for museums named after them in Barcelona. If you love art, don’t miss the small Frederic Marès Museum, dedicated to the eclectic collection of Frederic Marès, one of Spain’s most famous 20th-century sculptors. Housed in an impressive Gothic palace with a beautiful inner courtyard, the museum also features a wide variety of ancient sculptures, religious objects, and everyday artifacts, offering insight into Barcelona’s rich cultural history. MAP
Finally, we highlight a hidden gem just outside the city: in L’Esplugues de Llobregat lies the Xavier Corberó Center for Artistic Activities and Research, a dreamlike place. Corberó was an artist who built, arch by arch, a utopian complex blending Roman architecture and dystopia. Unfortunately, it is privately managed and only opens for special occasions and events. MAP
You can admire it in all its charm in this video we made for Louis Vuitton, for the Cruise 2024 fashion party organized by Marco Balich:
These hidden gems are just the tip of the iceberg. Barcelona’s charm lies not only in its world-famous monuments but also in its quiet, often overlooked corners that reveal the city’s deepest essence. At ready.barcelona, we can help you discover them and any specific location that you dream to visualize and use — just ask us!
