Barcelona: Street Photography with a side of Tapas
First things first: I don’t think that Barcelona is a really good choice for street photography but I’m going to share a few tips and places where you can, hopefully, get good pictures and, since we are all humans, I’ll also share my recommendations of where to stay, eat and drink. Besides, eating and drinking is where the city really shines.
From the Airport to the City Center
If you’re vising chances are you’ll be flying it at the Josep Tarradellas - El Prat Airport (BCN). It is located about 15km south-west of of Barcelona and the trip to the city center will take from 20 minutes to almost hour depending on which mean of transport you choose and where exactly you are going.
If you’re travelling by train AND metro the ticketing system is a bit confusing but the airport staff is frequently available near the ticket machines to provide help.
Aerobus
Available from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, it takes about 35 minutes and costs around 10€ for a one way ticket (I believe the round trip to be priced around 15€). It’s a blue (teal really) bus easily recognizable and you can purchase tickets either online or on the bus. It runs frequently from about 5.30 in the morning to half past midnight.
Timetables, stops and more info at: How do I get from Barcelona airport to city centre? (Section 1)
Train
Only available from Terminal 2 so if you find yourself in Terminal 1 you’ll have to take the free green shuttle bus that connects the two terminals. At T2 follow the signs fro “Renfe” (it’s the Spanish national railway company) and then you have to get on a train for the R2 North Line and you can get down either at Estació Sants or Passeig de Gràcia.
It takes around 30 minutes and costs about 5€. If your accomodation is near one of the two train stations this is the cheaper way to get there. You can buy the tickets at the vending machines you’ll see at the train station.
More info at: How do I get from Barcelona airport to city centre? (Section 2)
Timetables at: Renfe Website
Metro (Subway)
Available in both terminals, the L9 line does not go directly to the city center: you’ll have to change line most likely either in Torrassa or Collblanc. Use Google Maps to plan your itinerary and you’ll be fine.
The fare is about 5€ and, depending where you’re going, it will take something between 30 and 50 minutes. In every metro station there are vending machines where you can purchase the tickets. Sadly there is no contactless way of paying for those yet.
More info at: How do I get from Barcelona airport to city centre? (Section 3)
Bus (and night bus)
I personally avoid buses when I can and in Barcelona I never took one but you can check out che city’s website to get some information: How do I get from Barcelona airport to city centre? read section 5 and 6.
Private transfer
I never took a taxi in BCN yet but I have used Cabify more than a few times. It’s identical to Uber and a transfer to\from the airport will set you back from 12 to 20€ depending on the time of the day, festivities etc.
The ride should take about 20 minutes, even less if there is no traffic.
Where to Stay
Barcelona's neighborhoods map
Well this is highly subjective depending on what you’ll be doing in Barcelona. The metro is pretty efficient so as long as you are close to a metro station you’ll be fine. The most central ones are Jaume I and Urquinaona.
If shady alleys and high immigration areas have you on edge, book something out of El Raval and El Born neighborhoods (even tho these are among my favorite locations to shoot pictures, more on this later).
Eating and drinking
Spain is probably famous for Tapas and Sangria. I’m not really a fan of the latter but I see how tapas make a lot of sense especially during the happy hour (that often carries on late into the night) so I totally recommend trying them early and often during your trip.
Instead of sharing a boring list of places I’ll give you my top choice for different kind of food\situation and then, as usual, you’ll find my evergrowing and up to date Google Maps’ list of favorite places.
Brunch: Billy Brunch Headquarters; a lot of variety and it’s delicious, just get there early otherwise be prepared to wait in line.
Bocadillo: Mercado de La Boqueria; probably Barcelona’s most famous market. You’ll find everything here, including delicious bocadillos.
Burger: La Sagrada Hamburgueseria; the place won the 2023 burger cup for a reason.
Burger when in a rush: Fast Eddie’s; super simple menu and the guys are true to their name as they’ll have the food ready very quickly.
Catalunyan tapas: Can Paixano; authentic, simple and super cheap.
Tapas street: Carrer de Blai; you can’t go wrong here as every place I ever tried was good.
Local cousine (and tapas): El 58; a bit far from the city center but totally worth it.
Gourmet tapas: GiGi von tapas; many options and all are delicious.
Mexican: Burritos - Sant Pere; what can I say, I can’t resist a burrito.
Korean: Seoul Nadri; I have a weakness for Korean food and this one never disappoints.
Cocktails: Sips or Paradiso; they are number 1 and 4 in the The World’s 50 Best Bars.
Rooftop: 360 Barcelò Raval; good enough drinks and, as the name suggests, 360° views of the city. It can get windy up there.
And now, as promised my lists:
Street photography
I won’t dwell on explanations for every place because I think some pictures go a long way without the need for many words.
If you have doubts or questions feel free to leave a comment or get in touch!
Airport
The airport offers a lot of structures with straight lines, big windows with a lot of light coming in and, obviously, a lot of different people walking around. Is one of my favorite places where to get pictures with a lot of contrast.
Metro and Metro stations
Sadly I don’t remember which metro station this is
The metro lines and metro stations are a good place to shoot everywhere. Barcelona is no exception and I can particularly recommend the Torrassa station as it has A LOT of escalators and mirrors.
Rambla del Mar, Ronda Litoral and Barceloneta
I’m aware that with this title I’m referring to a pretty big area that basically runs along the sea. Don’t skip the Barceloneta’s small alleys as they are very good especially at midday.
Jardin de les Tres Xemeneies
Very industrial and full of graffiti area. You’ll find skaters, colors and all kinds of people here.
Raval
Raval is home to a huge number of immigrants. The streets are mostly narrow, dark and dirty and, at times, it has a bit of a shady feel but it’s a very authentic and beautiful place where to shoot.
I would say that should explore every street but a couple of major ones come to mind: Carrer del Comte d’Urgell and Carrer de Sant Antoni Abat. They are very different one from the other but I feel like one should see both.
The two most beautiful markets of the city also are in this neighborhood: Mercado de La Boqueria and Mercat de Sant Antoni.
Gothic Quarter
Probably my favorite neighborhood when it comes to photography. It is host to a number of historical buildings, small alleys, cathedrals and squares. Among those my favorite is definitely the Plaça Reial where it seems that something is always going on.
El Born
Similar to Raval but a bit older with a historic vibe. Every street and alley can present a good opportunity to take a picture. Since most of the alleys are quite narrow the best light is around the middle of the day.
Forum
If modern architecture, tall buildings and the overall modern\industrial vibe is your thing, then this is the perfect place.
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
The Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes is a super long and huge road full of life, shops and hotels. Something is always happening but you have to get lucky. The best light is probably from mid to late afternoon and sunset.
El Palace Hotel Barcelona is on this street and offers a nice background if you are into color red (second picture).
Montjuic
It’s a huge park with escalators, stairs, paths and buildings scattered around. It also offers great views of the city.
Placa d’Espanya
Not an easy area to find a good picture but always crowded and close to Montjuic so it’s worth a shot, you might get lucky.
Parc Guell
The entrance is not free and you have to book online at least one day in advance but you will find all sorts of light and colors combinations.
Welcome to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a vertical labyrinth of raw cinematic energy, making it an absolute dream for street photography. It’s a city of thrilling visual contrasts—where the intense, neon-lit density of Mong Kok gives way to quiet, hidden alleyways, and grand colonial architecture sits in the shadow of towering glass skyscrapers. From double-decker trams slicing through seas of commuters to abstract reflections, moody shadows, and steam rising from street food stalls, Hong Kong is an endless playground of geometry, scale, and human emotion.
Join internationally recognised street photographers Paolo Maschio and Tom Bugatti (website | Instagram) for an immersive workshop designed to sharpen your eye, refine your technique, and help you carve out your own unique visual voice. Over two full days, we’ll explore two distinct philosophical styles: Paolo’s humanistic approach—focusing on raw emotion, proximity, and individuals navigating the city—and Tom’s formalistic approach, where human subjects become elements of geometry, light, reflection, and abstraction within a larger frame.
Workshop at a Glance
Dates: 16-17 of January 2027
Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 2 days
Price: 600€ per person
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Group Size: Maximum 10 participants
What to Expect
Two focused days, two distinct visual philosophies, and a city that never stops moving. You’ll be gently pushed to shoot more instinctively, to take the frame you almost talked yourself out of, and to trust your eye whether you're capturing close-range human emotion or abstracting subjects into geometric architecture.
Expect a genuine mix of theory, image critique, and extensive field shooting in one of the most cinematic cities in the world. As participants sign up, we will reach out directly to understand your specific goals and visual interests. Depending on the group's preferences, we will tailor our on-the-street approach—either splitting into smaller targeted groups or alternating leads—to ensure maximum personal attention.
With two instructors sharing the lead, you'll benefit from a rich dual approach. Ultimately, our goal isn't to make you shoot like us, but to help you develop your own distinct way of seeing. There’s no competition here—just a community of photographers learning from two complementary perspectives and from each other.
What You’ll Learn
Whether you've never done street photography before or you're looking to break through a creative plateau, this workshop is designed to give you concrete tools you can keep using long after you leave Hong Kong.
Over the two days we'll cover:
Humanistic vs. Formalistic Approaches — choosing whether to tell a story through personal emotion or through abstract shape, reflection, and structure;
Reading a scene — how to anticipate moments before they happen;
Composition and framing — layers, geometry, and urban scale;
Overcoming hesitation — practical techniques for shooting confidently up close;
Working with available light — navigating moody shadows, neon, and high-contrast reflections;
Editing and curation — how to select your strongest images and understand why they work.
Requirements
No prior experience with street photography is required but you’ll definitely need:
A camera you're comfortable using — DSLR, mirrorless, compact or film, all welcome;
Lenses: Wide lenses for close-quarters shooting are great, but if you are interested in capturing architectural reflections, geometric details, or abstract compositions, please make sure to bring a telephoto lens (100mm or longer);
Comfortable shoes (expect to walk several Km each day);
A laptop for reviewing and post-producing images;
Curiosity, patience, and respect for the people and places we photograph.
Pricing & Booking
The price of the workshop is €600 per person,* and it includes the following:
Pre-workshop outreach to understand your personal goals and tailor the experience;
Portfolio reviews by both Paolo and Tom;
Two days of guided shooting in Hong Kong’s most photographically rich neighbourhoods;
Theory sessions exploring humanistic, formalistic, and abstract street photography;
Daily photo critiques — reviewing your images together and understanding what's working and why;
Personal feedback tailored to your individual level and style.
Transportation, meals, drinks, travel insurance, and any other incurred costs are not included and are to be paid individually.
* All workshop participants receive a 10% discount on any future workshops they attend with me (co-sponsored workshops with other instructors excluded).
Cancellation
There are no refunds in case you need to cancel.
If we need to cancel, you will be refunded in full. We are not responsible for any reimbursement of travel expenses or other costs incurred by participants in the event that we need to cancel. Travel insurance covering cancellations, missed flights, and similar is strongly recommended. There are no partial refunds in the event a participant misses days or takes time off during the workshop for any reason.
FAQ
Do I need to be an experienced photographer?
Not at all. This workshop is open to all skill levels. The only requirement is that you're comfortable handling your own camera. Whether you're just starting out or you've been shooting for years and want fresh eyes on your work, there's something here for you.
What camera should I bring?
Whatever you already own and feel comfortable with. Street photography is about seeing, not gear. A compact camera or even a film camera is absolutely fine but you should know how to operate it.
Will we stay in the same hotel?
Accommodation is not included in the price. If you want I can share recommended areas to make it easy to stay close to the group.
Is travel insurance required?
I strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that covers trip cancellations, medical expenses and lost equipment. This is your responsibility to arrange independently.
I have a question not answered here — can I get in touch?
Absolutely. Reach me through the contacts section of this website and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.