Barcelona Tackles Sagrada Familia Overcrowding with Dedicated “Selfie Zone”

Barcelona is addressing chronic overcrowding at Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Sagrada Familia by constructing a 6,200-square-meter “selfie zone” directly in front of the basilica. Designed as a spacious public square, the area will provide visitors with a safe space to photograph the UNESCO-listed landmark without obstructing sidewalks or disrupting local traffic. The project, part of a €15.5 million initiative to mitigate mass tourism’s impact, aims to improve accessibility for both tourists and residents.

Construction and Timeline
Work on the selfie zone will begin in September 2025, avoiding the peak summer season, and conclude by April 2026—aligning with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The redesign includes enhanced pedestrian pathways and viewing areas to streamline visitor flow. Alongside this, Barcelona is investing €44 million to upgrade crowd management at 16 major attractions, including increased policing, cleaning services, and infrastructure updates.

Controversial Grand Staircase Plan
A separate proposal to build a grand staircase at the basilica’s main entrance has sparked backlash, as it would require demolishing three residential buildings and displacing nearly 1,000 residents. While the selfie zone has broad support, the staircase plan remains under negotiation between the city and the basilica’s board, highlighting tensions between tourism growth and community welfare.

Balancing Tourism and Livability
As post-pandemic tourism rebounds, Barcelona seeks to preserve its cultural heritage while prioritizing residents’ quality of life. The selfie zone exemplifies innovative solutions to manage visitor density, ensuring Gaudí’s masterpiece remains accessible without compromising the city’s social fabric.

Key Points:

• • Selfie Zone: 6,200 m² photo-friendly square to reduce sidewalk congestion.
  • Funding: €15.5M for the zone; €44M for citywide crowd management.
  • Controversy: Proposed staircase risks displacing 1,000 residents.