Barcelona authorities have announced the creation of a designated selfie zone near the Sagrada Familia — one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The measure aims to reduce overcrowding and restore order to an area that has long suffered from the overwhelming flow of visitors. Gaudí Square, located in front of the Nativity Façade of the famous basilica, recently became the stage for a viral TikTok trend in which tourists used metro escalators to film themselves with the monument in the background. This led to congestion and disrupted both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. In response, the city has introduced a new solution — a dedicated “anteroom” for selfies.
The 6,200-square-metre space will be built between the Nativity Façade and Gaudí Square, along Carrer de la Marina. It will offer visitors a place to take photos and rest without interfering with local residents’ daily lives. Construction is set to begin at the end of summer and is expected to be completed by April 2026, in time for the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.
