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Barcelona is a dream setting for filmmakers. With its iconic mix of modernist architecture, medieval alleys, seaside promenades, and sunny beaches, the city has become a natural stage for the camera. It offers a perfect balance between historical charm and contemporary energy, and its visual richness has helped shape the mood and tone of many films and television shows. Whether Barcelona is playing itself or serving as a double for another city or historical setting, it consistently delivers unforgettable visuals. From Hollywood thrillers to Netflix sensations, here are some of the most popular and globally recognised shows and movies filmed in and around Barcelona.

1. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

One of the most famous films associated with the city, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), is essentially a cinematic love letter to Barcelona. Directed by Woody Allen and starring Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, and Penélope Cruz (who won an Oscar for her role), the film captures the essence of the city through its vibrant art scene, cultural energy, and romantic atmosphere. It was filmed at various landmarks, including Park Güell, La Sagrada Família, Tibidabo, La Rambla, and the Gothic Quarter, showcasing the city’s most photogenic spots. The film helped reinforce Barcelona’s image as a passionate, bohemian, and artistically rich destination.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

2. The Cheetah Girls 2

This 2006 Disney Channel sequel, The Cheetah Girls, introduced a new generation to the beauty and spirit of Barcelona. The story follows the girl group as they travel to Spain to compete in a music festival. Filming took place in colourful and iconic locations such as Parc de la Ciutadella, Montjuïc, the Magic Fountain, and La Rambla. Although aimed at a younger audience, the movie continues to hold nostalgic value and has successfully brought Barcelona’s charm to millions of teens around the world.

Where to Watch: Disney+ Plus

3. A Través de Mi Ventana

A large part of A Través de Mi Ventana was filmed in various locations around Barcelona, although some scenes also take us to the scenic landscapes of the Costa Brava. The trilogy, starring Clara Galle (Raquel) and Julio Peña Fernández (Ares), unfolds a forbidden and whirlwind romance that takes place mainly in the Catalan capital.

One of the key filming locations is the upscale Pedralbes neighbourhood, home to the Hidalgo family. This setting highlights their luxurious and powerful lifestyle, giving the impression that they have Barcelona at their feet. The film beautifully captures the city’s charm and influence.

Another memorable location is Tibidabo, where the characters work at a funfair and share emotional moments. This nostalgic and colourful setting adds to the romantic tension between Ares and Raquel. The fictional Alpha 3 tower, filmed near the Arts Hotel, features several scenes between the couple, having special moments looking at the city views, making Barcelona almost a character in its own right.

Where to Watch: Netflix

4. Elite

Elite is one of Spain’s most successful Netflix series and has gained international popularity, particularly among younger audiences. While the main filming location is in Madrid, some background shots and select scenes were filmed in Barcelona and its surroundings. These sequences help highlight the show’s modern Spanish identity and sleek, stylish settings that resonate with global viewers.

Where to Watch: Netflix

5. Biutiful

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Javier Bardem, Biutiful offers a striking contrast to the romantic or tourist-centric depictions of Barcelona. The film delves into the lives of immigrants and working-class families, showing a raw and emotional view of the city rarely seen on screen. It’s a powerful reminder that Barcelona is not only a city of beauty but also one with deep social layers and stories.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

6. Game of Thrones

While much of Game of Thrones was filmed in other parts of Spain, like Seville and Cáceres, the region around Barcelona played a notable part too. The nearby medieval city of Girona, located just under an hour’s train ride from Barcelona, was used in Season 6 to depict key locations such as Braavos and parts of King’s Landing.

Fans of the show will instantly recognise the grand cathedral steps where Arya Stark trained with the Faceless Men, as well as the maze-like streets she ran through during her dramatic chase scenes. A visit to Girona offers not just historical beauty but also a chance to walk through some of the most iconic moments in the series.

Where to Watch: MAX

7. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Though set in 18th-century France, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer was filmed largely in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and the nearby town of Figueres. The narrow medieval streets and aged stone buildings provided the perfect environment for the film’s eerie and intense mood. The filmmakers used Barcelona’s historical look to convincingly recreate pre-revolutionary Paris, once again demonstrating the city’s cinematic versatility.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

8. The Machinist

Christian Bale’s dramatic transformation in The Machinist (2004) shocked audiences worldwide, but few realised that the entire film was shot in and around Barcelona. Although the movie is set in an unnamed American city, Barcelona’s industrial outskirts, apartment blocks, and desolate streets were used to create a bleak and haunting atmosphere. This film proves how Barcelona’s versatility can support a completely different tone and setting.

Where to Watch: Netflix

9. Three Steps Above Heaven (Tres Metros Sobre El Cielo)

This 2010 romantic drama became a sensation in Spain and a cult favourite among young audiences. Set in Barcelona, it tells the story of a passionate, forbidden love between two teenagers from different social worlds. The film uses the city’s romantic landscapes, coastal roads, and urban backdrops to intensify its emotional narrative and has since become one of Spain’s most beloved contemporary love stories.

Where to Watch: Netflix

10. Uncharted

The 2022 action-adventure film Uncharted, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, prominently features Barcelona as a central location in its thrilling treasure hunt. The city’s iconic landmarks, including Tibidabo with its Sagrat Cor Temple, Montjuïc, and the Sagrada Família, provide a stunning backdrop for several action-packed sequences. Key locations such as the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi and Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria are used as significant plot points, with the latter standing in for the home of the fictional Montcada family. The film also includes an iconic rooftop scene, where Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg do thrilling stunts that unfold against Barcelona’s breathtaking cityscape, adding excitement and enhancing the sense of adventure. 

Where to Watch: Netflix / Amazon Prime

Barcelona isn’t just a stunning city to explore; it’s also a real-life film set that continues to attract directors and producers from around the world. Its mix of historic charm, modern architecture, and vibrant neighbourhoods makes it the perfect backdrop for all kinds of stories: from epic fantasy and spy thrillers to heartfelt dramas and romantic encounters. Whether you’ve seen it in Game of Thrones, Biutiful, or your favourite Netflix series, Barcelona has played a starring role on the global film stage. For movie and TV lovers, walking through the same streets and settings as your favourite characters offers a unique and immersive way to experience the city, with a touch of cinematic magic.