Barcelona Tibidabo: The Big Wheel

Ferris Wheel at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Today we go back again to the mountains of Collserola ("one more time? Oh, no!"). I told you I would show you some other Tibidabo attractions. It´s the Big Wheel's turn. As in the case of the Roller Coaster, its size won´t beat any records, but the sight from the top does it all. Although I will show you a full size view, first I want you to sit down by my side and enjoy the ride live.

Tibidabo comes from latin tibi dabo meaning "I will give you", part of the words (according to St. Mathew) used by the devil to tempt Jesus from the top a mountain: «Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens adoraveris me». Check previous posts Roller Coaster and Tibidabo Amusement Park.

See Picture of The Big Wheel at Tibidabo Amusement Park on a Google Earth Map

Dizzy Flying Chairs Attraction at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Flying Chairs attraction at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Flying Chairs are common attractions in amusement parks or local fairs but I doubt they take you for a spin with such strength and so high as the Chairs at Tibidabo Amusement Park.

Imagine your feet dangerously approaching the surrounding trees and your body on the verge of slipping away headfirst towards Barcelona City at the end of the mountain slope.

More pictures of Tibidabo have been shown before in this photo blog but I don't remember any video: Watch Tibidabo Mix BkR Studio, a compilation of attractions among which you can see the Flying Chairs not only during the day but also at night.

Funny Classical Musicians Drawings on Tibidabo Billboard

Drawings on Tibidabo Billboard

I rarely take pictures of another picture or sign, cause I think that if it is done is done, is not my work but someone else's but I found this funny and colorful, and worth showing.

I just can't figure out who the artist was but his/her drawings are common in school books and TV cartoons in Barcelona. If anyone knows please drop me a line.

The place where I took the photo: one of the side exits in Tibidabo Amusement Park (the way things are going I'll have to create a digital album on amusement parks and Tibidabo soon).

Check labels to find out more.

Classic Marionettes at Tibidabo Amusement Park: Clown

Marionetarium at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Since one picture wasn't enough here is a second marionette: the Clown. In fact at Tibidabo they have a workshop where experts make new marionettes for the park and preserve the old ones which are part of Herta Frankel's collection.

Herta was a famous Austrian puppeteer that came to Barcelona in 1942 and became very well known for her TV series for children.

Tibidabo's show only lasts about half an hour but you are going to see authentic collectionist antiques there. The place is called Marionetarium.

Amusement Parks: Swinging Ship Attraction at Tibidabo, Barcelona

Swinging Vessel at Tibidabo Amusement Park

There are thrilling and exciting amusement park attractions and thrilling and nauseating  amusement park attractions.

Take this swinging ship at Tibidabo for example. So beautiful a vessel can only inspire confidence in the rider-to-be! You might think "What the heck, I'll get on this one!, at least I don't go upside down or fall like a corpse with a concrete block tied to the feet". But alas! Upon the fourth or fifth swing, those friendly guys sitting upfront start grasping the security lever and they don't look that tough anymore. The beautiful lady right on the matching row on the other side was not that cute, in fact she could make it in the cast for The Exorcist V.

The usual screaming suddenly sounds like desperate calls for help and little by little, swinging up, swinging down, you remember that you got that hotdog with fries, and the memories turn so vivid!...Well folks, I hope you are not having lunch or dinner when you read this and that you visit Tibidabo Amusement Park...on an empty stomach of course.

Tibidabo Amusement Park: Roller Coaster

Here is today's daily photo: The roller coaster at Tibidabo Amusement Park. In spite of being small it is located in such a way that you are able to see Barcelona at your feet so the sense of height increases. In the picture I tried to show the attraction and the background for you to get a better idea. Check these two other pictures: Roller Coaster A, Roller Coaster B. Some other day I will show you other Tibidabo attractions.

See Roller Coaster Picture at Tibidabo Amusement Park on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park

Last Sunday I visited Tibidabo Amusement Park a leisure resort located at Barcelona highest point, inaugurated more than a hundred years ago. Although it is not among the most advanced in the world, Tibidabo is a must see in Barcelona because of its location with fabulous views over the city and beyond, as well as the combination of good service, key attractions and old classic charm. It used to be in private hands till not long ago and now it belongs to Barcelona City Council. I took dozens of pictures, but as this is a daily photoblog I will administer them wisely. Please, don´t miss the above link to the official site.

See Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture and a closer look on a Google Earth Map

The Essential 4 Things to Do in Barcelona 2017 - Must See Attractions by Barcelona Photoblog

Whether you visit us for many days or are just here on your way to other destinations, there are some must see attractions of Barcelona you wouldn't want to miss!

                 Here are the essential four most visited and beautiful hallmarks of Barcelona

1 - Basilica of La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi: The pharaonic project

Started in 1882, this ever growing gargantuan project, product of the imagination of a genius of architecture, called Antoni Gaudi, will blast your every sense on every corner.

It doesn't matter which of the three sides of the basilica you contemplate, the Nativity façade to the East, the Passion façade to the West, and the Glory façade to the South, you are bound to be astonished with so much art and so many impossible creations.

Sagrada familia is full of small details, like gorgeous stain glass windows, baroque or modern religious sculptures, gothic spires, surrealist designs, natural adornments here and there, so typical of Catalan Art Nouveau (modernisme), complex architectural concepts and simple and elegant solutions, elaborate metal doors, or even a canopy of lights covering Jesus in a cross hanging from the ceiling.

I could give you figures and concrete data, in fact Barcelona Photoblog has published many posts on Sagrada Familia in the past, but today I just wanted to give you a general idea, the impression that you get.

Remember to plan your visit ahead and get tickets online at www.sagradafamilia.org the official site to avoid the long queues.

Address: La Sagrada Familia
Carrer Mallorca, 401


Metro: Sagrada Familia (Blue Line, L5) and (Purple Line, L2)

2 - Park Güell by Antoni Gaudi, the unsuccessful dream

Park Güell, which is the right name, is frequently misspelled as Parc Güell, Park Guell or even Park Güel! Güell is the last name of a prosperous businessman who commissioned Gaudi to work on a very advanced concept, creating a new housing development in a mountain near the city, with many lots for luxury houses.

Although both Count Eusebi Güell and Antoni Gaudi got to live there to give the project a little push, the whole thing failed and thus it ended up being what it is today, a municipal garden. Oh, but what a garden it is!

Imagine a garden that you can enter from a lower level or a higher level, furnished with a vast sandy mirador enclosed by amazing serpentine benches from which you can admire the city, imagine that such mirador is on top of a hundred columns under which you can listen to music played by improvised artists, imagine getting lost under inclined archways that resemble coral formations or the very gardens of Babylon.

You cannot leave Barcelona without visiting this place so get your tickets to Park Güell  and climb up there!

Metro stop "Lesseps" or "Vallcarca" (Green Line, L3).

Check Park Güell on Google Maps

3 - Tibidabo Amusement Park, the Lookout Tower 

Maybe you will leave Barcelona without climbing to the highest point from where to appreciate her intense beauty.

Well, shame on you if you do! Especially if you came with your kids, your incredible friends or your beloved couple.

Entrance is not very cheap, but it is worth the price, at least once.

Tibidabo Amusement Park, carrying more than a hundred years of history on its back, the second oldest in Europe, was the project of a pharmaceutical businessman named Salvador Andreu. Well, in fact he just wanted to make houses up there and so his company inaugurated a road to the mountain which paved the way to luxurious houses, new trendy spots to watch the city, a tram, a cable car and a great variety of prequels to the final park, like the magic mirrors, fortune teller machines, shooting galleries, etc.

And so it goes that today, more than 25 rides, like the impressive 1921 Talaia lookout tower from which you can have an even higher view of Barcelona, make Tibidabo Amusement Park a wonderful must-see spot especially on a bright and sunny day. Find more Barcelona Photoblog posts on Tibidabo

Bus: Tibibus special bus service from Plaça Catalunya square

Train: Take (Brown Line, L7) from Plaza de Catalunya Subway then Tram then Cable Car

Get directions

4 - The Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery: A Pilgrimage to La Moreneta virgin

The monastery or abbey of Montserrat, in the mountain by the same name, is a sanctuary devoted to La Moreneta virgin or Virgen de Montserrat, venerated in the shape of a dark colored  wooden icon which is preserved in an altar of gold, and one of the two patrons of the city of Barcelona together with Sant Jordi.

So what better than making your own pilgrimage to the very heart of Barcelona's most sacred roots, to the most essential thing to do in Barcelona if you are a real fan. Go and get blessed by touching the relic or simply spend an unforgettable day at the incredible mountain range of Montserrat with its unique ragged silhouette. Witness the same landscape that benedictine monks saw back in the 10th century when they founded Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Tip: It is much more fun to take the cable car to get there!

Buy train tickets at Plaça Espanya in front of Line R5 to Manresa 

(2 options: With cable car or with Cremallera Funicular. Train stops at base of the mountain. Different train stops according to choice taken)

Tibidabo Park: Tickles

Actor dusting girl's armpit at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Spontaneous scenes make the best shots, at least for me and if they include hilarious situations, much better. 

On a recent visit to Tibidabo, Barcelona's Amusement Park, I spotted this guy entertaining the crowd. His outfit looked great for a picture so I came up closer. I didn't expect him to suddenly rub this small girl's armpit with his colorful duster, that was really too much to ask.

Log Flume Thrill - Tibidabo Amusement Park

Log Flume attraction at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Tibidabo Amusement Park has been featured in Barcelona Photoblog many times, but this particular attraction had escaped from the lens of my camera: the log flume. 

Compared to other parks these are pretty modest attractions but being on top of a mountain and enjoying a panoramic view of Barcelona City adds up to the whole experience. 

From a narrow passage between a tree and the protective wall that prevents passerbies from getting soaking wet on their way to the park's exit, I managed to take a series of shots. It was fun cause I had to shoot and hide the camera every time logs hit the water. Big drops wouldn't touch me but a silent drizzle was constantly coming my way with some seconds delay. 

I will tell you now what I like about the image: Most of the times when you take snaps of people and they are aware of your presence they hide in their shells and wear a mask, but with moments like these you are able to capture for some seconds the real person underneath.

Tibidabo Amusement Park Barcelona: Log Splash Attraction

Log Splash attraction at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Although the picture today is about the log splash attraction in Tibidabo amusement park, you don't really get to see the log much here nor you see the slide. In fact I didn't want the log to appear since it is not specially attractive. This time I wanted to concentrate on the big waves spreading like imaginary wings over the water.

Mayday, Mayday! Stop sending tourists up here!

Mime at Tibidabo Amusement Park

Mayday, Mayday! Stop sending tourists up here! - might as well say this funny artist during his short performance at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Of course he didn't say that since he was a mime. 

Tibidabo is always full of visitors on weekends and during summer holidays it is packed with locals and tourists alike as the rest of Barcelona is. 

He was there jumping, dancing, stretching on the floor and tiptoeing after people to dust them or make them look towards an imaginary plane in the skies. 

I am not an expert on costumes so I can only guess that he was disguised in an American army's pilot uniform.

Tibidabo Amusement Park: Hurricane Thrill

Hurricane attraction at Tibidabo Amusement Park

I will be out of Barcelona city for the weekend cause we are going to visit Port Aventura amusement park in Tarragona. I hope I bring many pictures of the park although heavy rains were forecast. In the meantime to introduce the topic, I leave you with one of the most thrilling attractions in Tibidabo: Huracan (Hurricane).

The ride is short but as you see they turn you upside down for a while and then move you down towards a fountain that sprinkles some water on your face. The block of seats spins around its axis, swinging dizzily every time the big arms go up and down.

Tibidabo Amusement Park, Barcelona: Airplane

Now that we are in Tibidabo (check last post) let's take a look at one of the most traditional attractions, the airplane. Located over the cafeteria, it goes round and round monotonously since 1928, stopping at night of course. One of the most boring of them all and yet surrounded by a halo of classic style, like a collector's toy. Here is a closer Tibidabo plane photograph against the sky. I thought a slight view of the balcony projecting over the city would make a better shot than just plain sky.

Barcelona Hotel nearby: Gran Hotel La Florida, (the picture I took)

Magic Mirrors at Tibidabo: Self Portrait

As I felt like posting people today, particularly kids, I decided to pick up this picture taken back in June and the sequel to a similar image published then: Tibidabo Park: Kids in the Magic Mirror. I think I invaded the scene enough this time, so why not call it "self portrait", me in the back and the kid we all have inside in front, or is it the other way around?. Trivia: These distorting mirrors are called literally "haha" mirror in Chinese (thanks Lisi).

Google Maps Barcelona, Spain: Tibidabo Amusement Park.

Tibidabo Park in Barcelona: Woman and Child

I am going to be brief in my posting comments during weekends, as a way of relaxation. 

So summing up, this is a lady I came across at Tibidabo Amusement Park, here in Barcelona. Apparently she is standing for my camera, but in fact she had turned around to speak to her husband and adopted this sort of catwalk pose. 

I did not pay much attention at the moment of the picture but I got to like it in the end.

See Tibidabo Park on a Google Earth Map.

Tibidabo Park: Kids in the Magic Mirror

Yesterday we saw kids improvising in a park, today we will see them in front of the mirror. What can be more fun than watching their spontaneous creativity pretending to be giants or midgets. 

Tibidabo Magic Mirrors is the perfect place: a small room of distorting or deceiving mirrors at the end of a very dark corridor.

See Picture of Tibidabo Magic Mirrors on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona: As Seen From Tibidabo Park

Another panoramic view of Barcelona from Tibidabo Amusement Park, this time taken while walking down the stairs to a lower level and using an arch as a frame for the picture. I was standing on right side of the stairs trying to avoid the crowd, thus the asymmetrical result, but I like the background so I share it with you.

See Barcelona Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture on a Google Earth map.

Vikings at Tibidabo

On the lower level of Tibidabo Amusement Park in Barcelona you can see this small attraction for kids where some drakkar ships navigate in circles surrounded by menacing symbols of Norse mythology such as these heads which I wouldn´t dare to call dragons. If anyone knows what they really are feel free to post a comment.

See Tibidabo Amusement Park Picture on a Google Earth Map

The 20 Best Places to Take Photos in Barcelona for Instagram

Barcelona overflows with picture-perfect spots for travel photography. From Gaudí's surreal architecture to palm-lined beaches and lively boulevards, Barcelona offers countless visually stunning backdrops. Whether you're a pro toting a DSLR or an amateur snapping smartphone pics, you'll find awesome places in Barcelona to capture postcard-worthy shots. This guide covers the top 20 locations in Barcelona to ignite your social shares. With tips for snagging super shots, you'll be able to fill your Instagram with artistic Barcelona photos that will mesmerize your followers.

1. Sagrada Familia

   No trip to Barcelona is complete without visiting Antoni Gaudí’s magnificent Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, which is a photographer's paradise for Instagram. This awe-inspiring Gothic and Art Nouveau cathedral has soaring spires, intricate details, and colorful stained glass perfect for your Instagram feed. Climb high for a wide cityscape shot or get up close to capture the ornate Passion Façade. The never-ending construction and scaffolds add dynamic angles. Morning light illuminates the textures beautifully for Instagram. Snap photos from unique perspectives to stand out on Instagram. The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's most iconic landmark and should be at the top of any travel photographer's Instagram bucket list.

   

2. Parc Güell

   Another whimsical Instagrammable masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí, Parc Güell makes for unforgettable photos. Winding pathways, colorful mosaics, and fairytale-like structures create a dreamy Instagram backdrop. Shoot the main terrace overlooking the city or wander the park to discover more photogenic gems like the Gaudí House Museum for your Instagram grid. Frame a selfie on the serpentine bench or against the Hansel and Gretel-style gingerbread gatehouses. Early morning or late afternoon golden hour is best for glowing light. Parc Güell captures Barcelona's magical architecture and is perfect for your Instagram feed.

   

3. Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

   This futuristic-looking apartment building designed by Gaudí is both bizarre and beautiful, making for excellent Instagram photos. The rippling stone facade and skeletal rooftop make dramatic subjects. Pose on the front steps or on the roof among the eerie chimneys resembling medieval warriors for Instagram. At night, Casa Milà is illuminated for a striking, science-fiction feel perfect for Instagram. Shoot upward for patterns against the sky or capture the surreal sculptural details up close. As one of Barcelona's most imaginative buildings, La Pedrera will add artistic flair to your Instagram gallery.

   

4. Casa Batlló

   Gaudí's Casa Batlló dazzles with a facade covered in colorful mosaic tiles and wave-like window frames, creating eye-catching Instagram photos. The roofline resembles a dragon's back, complete with ridge spikes for scales. Capture the fluid forms and marine motifs from street level or get a rooftop view from the rear of the block for Instagram. Inside, snap the skeletal interior columns or light shaft. Photos of Casa Batlló's colorful artistry make great Instagram posts showing Barcelona's modernisme style.

   

5. Montjuïc and Magic Fountains

   Rising above the city, Montjuïc provides stunning elevated views of Barcelona's skyline perfect for Instagram. The hilltop Castillo de Montjuïc fortress has panoramic vistas and old cannon batteries to explore. Come at dusk for a majestic Instagram shot of the port and city below with a pink sky. At the Magic Fountain, capture the colorful lights artistically blurred with slow shutter speed for Instagram. Photos from Montjuïc showcase Barcelona's beauty from above.

   

6. Barri Gòtic

   Barcelona's atmospheric Gothic Quarter is another favorite spot for Instagrammable photography. Wander the medieval labyrinth of narrow cobblestone alleys lined with classic architecture. Photograph soaring 14th century cathedrals, hidden plazas and iron lanterns. For moody Instagram shots, capture the stone arches and shadows. The mix of old and new makes the Barri Gòtic endlessly inspiring. Share your gothic Barcelona photos and transport Instagram followers to the historic heart of the city.

   

7. La Rambla

   Always buzzing with activity, Barcelona's famous La Rambla boulevard offers dramatic Instagrammable street photography. Catch a flamenco dancer in action or snap the living statues posing elegantly. Look for candy vendors in colorful costumes or street performers in inventive costumes. Shoot upward for architectural details on the elaborate buildings along the pedestrian street. Capture the energy and eclectic sights of La Rambla then share your images on Instagram.

   

8. Plaça de Catalunya

   The expansive Plaça de Catalunya square provides a lively Instagrammable urban backdrop. People watch and capture daily local life: street musicians, pigeon feeders, children playing. Photograph friends sitting on the central fountain or statue base. The square links old and new Barcelona; shoot both the modern El Corte Inglés department store and older buildings like the Hotel Colón. The hustle and bustle of Plaça de Catalunya encapsulates the city's lively spirit for Instagram.

   

9. Arc de Triomf

   Barcelona's iconic Arc de Triomf brickwork archway makes a dramatic framing element for Instagram photos. Built for the 1888 World's Fair, this bold neo-Mudejar arch adds a pop of red against the cityscape. Photograph models or friends strolling through the arch or posing in front. For scale, include the whole arch in your Instagram shot. At night, the illuminated Arc de Triomf is perfect for a neon-lit urban snap. Share these monumental Barcelona photos with Instagram fans.

   

10. Parc de la Ciutadella

    This idyllic green space offers a serene natural contrast to the city for Instagram. Capture the towering palm trees, sparkling central fountain, and picturesque gazebos. Row across the lake for romantic Instagram photos on the water. Shoot friends relaxing on the grass or people commuting by bike through the park. Look for birds and other wildlife as photogenic subjects. Share your park snapshots to show the greener side of Barcelona on Instagram.

    

11. Parc del Laberint d'Horta

    Outside Barcelona, this magical 18th-century hedge maze park creates whimsical Instagrammable photos. Shoot the maze from above or send someone inside for adventure shots winding through the labyrinth. Other photogenic elements include the central pond, neoclassical statues, and stone temple ruins. The harmonious landscape allows striking nature photography for Instagram. For magical garden photos to enchant your feed, visit Parc del Laberint d’Horta.

    

12. Tibidabo

    Soaring above the city, Tibidabo Amusement Park provides beautiful panoramic views for Instagram photos. Shoot the ride-filled skyline or pose in front of the vintage Ferris wheel and quirky attractions. Watch the cable car ascend for dramatic overhead shots. At sunset, Tibidabo lights up for golden hour magic. Show off the whole of Barcelona from this elevated vantage point in your Instagram posts.

    

13. La Boqueria Market

    Barcelona’s vibrant La Boqueria food market explodes with colorful Instagrammable photo opportunities. Capture the overflowing fruit and vegetable displays, shimmering seafood catches, and hanging hams. Photograph the busy market activity and characters like fruit vendors in the early morning. Close-ups of ingredients pop against the market backdrop. Foodies and travel photographers alike will delight in La Boqueria’s lively visual feast for Instagram.

    

14. Port and Passeig de Colom

    Along the pedestrian Passeig de Colom, snap Instagram photos of the sailboats and yachts moored in the marina. Look for reflections in the water. Shoot the famous Columbus Monument statue pointing out across the sea. Capture the star-shaped Barcelona Royal Shipyard buildings across the port. At sunrise or sunset, incorporate colorful skies for dramatic seaside Instagram photographs.

    

15. Palau de la Música Catalana

    This concert hall designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner is an ornate vision perfect for Instagram, with mosaic-tiled columns, stained glass skylights, and a gold sculpture-adorned facade. Photograph the exterior details then tour inside for brilliant Instagram photos of the grand auditorium capped by a stained-glass inverted dome. The kaleidoscopic colors and textures make Palau de la Música Catalana a unique Barcelona subject for your artsy Instagram shots.

    

16. Monastery of Pedralbes

    This medieval Gothic convent surrounded by tranquil gardens creates ethereal Instagram photos away from the city hustle. Shoot the three-story cloister gallery and central fountain from different perspectives. Capture the arched walkways framed by vines and flowers. At night, photograph the dramatically lit architectural details. Share this serene spot with your Instagram feed for a moment of Barcelona calm.

    

17. Hospital de Sant Pau

    Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner designed this early 20th-century hospital complex filled with decorative buildings and gardens perfect for Instagram. Capture the colorful tiled pavilions, stained glass windows, and unique circular windows. Wander for unexpected angles like doorways and passageways. Photos from these whimsical grounds capture innovative modernisme style for Instagram.

    

18. Rambla de Catalunya

    Lined with elegant architecture and chic shops, this upscale thoroughfare attracts Barcelona’s fashionable crowd for Instagrammable shots. Capture mod looks against the Art Nouveau and Art Deco building facades. Look up for intricate ironwork balconies and window frames to photograph. Tree-filled Canaletes square links to Rambla de Catalunya for added scenery. For stylish Instagram street photography, add this posh promenade to your feed.

    

19. Plaça del Sol in Gràcia

    In the charming Gràcia district, this quaint plaza delivers Instagrammable snapshots of daily life. Young families gather at the playground, cyclists traverse the plaza, street musicians strum guitars. Capture the facades surrounding the plaza in geometric patterns interspersed with arches and ornate details. Shoot upward for architectural patterns framed by blue sky. Photos from this lively square spotlight authentic local Barcelona culture for Instagram.

    

20. Old Harbor and Barceloneta

    Along the harbor at the foot of La Rambla, snap Instagram photos of the sail-shaped Columbus Monument against the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Capture the iconic red and yellow sightseeing boat Golondrinas docked near the waterfront promenade. Shoot the Barceloneta neighborhood’s narrow 18th-century lanes lined with history homes and shops. Photos from the old harbor and seaside deliver classic nautical Barcelona vibes for Instagram.

    

With stunning architecture, lively neighborhoods, markets, and coastal scenery, Barcelona offers endless inspiration for travel photography. Use this guide to capture artistic and distinctive photos at the top Instagrammable spots in Barcelona. For more tips, check out these top Barcelona Instagrammers:

• @xopet1969
• @thebarcelonist
• @barcelonacitizen

Whether you use your smartphone or DSLR camera, Barcelona provides picture-perfect settings for unique images to share on Instagram and remember your travels.