Visit Barcelona's Vicky Cristina Movie Sites
Tour Spain’s Lively Costa Brava City with Film Locations as a Guide
Jul 6, 2009
Barcelona’s combination of Modernista architecture by Antoni Gaudi and its charming Gothic Quarter streets – it’s one of the best-preserved medieval districts in Europe – coupled with its lively reputation, have made it one of Europe’s five most popular cities.
The sites used in filming Woody Allen’s Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona provide a good sampling of the top attractions, including four Gaudi landmarks, La Rambla, Fundacio Miro and the Olympic Port. Barcelona’s subway and buses make touring the movie locations easy.
Four Gaudi Modernista Masterpieces
Barcelona’s iconic Modernista (Art Nouveau) buildings capture the imagination even of travelers who have no particular interest in architecture, and Woody Allen chose five of the highlights, four by Antoni Gaudi and all of them among Barcelona’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família – Here American girls, Vicky and Cristina, take pictures of the Nativity façade. Circle the still-unfinished church to see the Gaudi-designed portions on the opposite façade. (Plaça de la Sagrada Família; take Metro Línia 5 to Sagrada Família stop.)
- Casa Milà – Commonly known as La Pedrera, the undulating façade of the apartment building is only the beginning of its surprises. Follow Vicky, Cristina and Judy to the rooftop, studded by bizarre chimneys that are said to have inspired the form of Darth Vader. (Take Metro Línia 5 to Diagonal.)
- Parc Güell – Plan at least a couple of hours to stroll the winding paths and see all the buildings in this unusual park, where Vicky and Juan Antonio meet again. (Take Metro Línia 3 to Lesseps stop.)
- Finca Güell – The gate of this private villa, where Vicky waits for Juan Antonio, can be seen from the street, appearing as a huge wrought-iron dragon, poised to jump. (Take Metro Línia 3 to Palau Reial.)
- Hospital de Sant Pau – Although not by Gaudi, the school, shown when Vicky comes out of class with Ben, has elaborate stained glass, mosaics and sculptures. (Take Metro Línia 5 to Hospital de Sant Pau.)
More Filming Sites from Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Not all the settings used for scenes inVicky Cristina Barcelona are Modernista buildings by Gaudi, of course. But the rest are also on the must-see list for touring the city.
- Parc de la Ciutadella – Gaudi had a hand in designing the fountain in this city park that contains the zoo. In the film, Cristina learns about photography here with Maria Elena. (Take Metro Línia 1 to Arc de Triomf.)
- Fundació Miró – Paying homage to one of Catalonia’s premier 20th-century artists, Joan Miro, the museum shows more than 400 of his works, including the terrace sculpture that Vicky, Cristina and Judy admire. Look for Miro’s sculptures elsewhere in Barcelona. (Take Autobus 50.)
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya -- The art museum, in the National Palace, contains one of the world’s finest collections of Medieval art. Vicky and Judy talk on the museum steps. (Take Autobus 50.)
- Port Olímpic – Follow Mark and Judy’s lead and walk along the Moll de Xaloc to see the beach and contemporary buildings, including architect Frank Gehry’s shimmering fish. (Take Metro Línia 4 to Ciutadella.)
- La Rambla – No visit to Barcelona is complete without a stroll along La Rambla, where Cristina photographs the flower stalls. (Take Metro Línia 3 to Liceu.)
Visiting Barcelona
All these sites are well-marked on the city’s free tourist map, or download a map showing movie locations. Barcelona doesn’t have to break the budget. Several of these are free and the Barcelona Card includes good discounts on museums along with free public transport (from $25) Iberia flies direct to Barcelona from New York.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
