Through a photographer’s eyes.
The Best Wedding Venues in Barcelona
A guide to the most beautiful wedding venues in Barcelona, Sitges, the Penedès and the Costa Brava, written by a wedding photographer who has photographed weddings at every one of them since 2010. With the setting of each venue, what it is best for, and where the light is at its best.
The best venues, by what you are looking for
If you only have a minute: these are the venues I would look at first, depending on the kind of wedding you imagine.
- By the seaXalet del Nin · Masia Casa del Mar · El Convent de Blanes · Castell de Tamarit
- Among vineyardsMasia Cabellut · Mas Palou · Font de la Canya
- CastlesHotel Castell d’Empordà · Castell de Tamarit · Castell de Caramany · Castell de Sant Marçal
- Close to the cityLa Centenaria 1779 · Castell de Sant Marçal · Masia Egara · Bell Recó
- Guests can stayMasia Cabellut · Casa Felix · Hotel Castell d’Empordà · Mas Torroella · La Gavina
- Intimate & smallEl Convent de Blanes · Masia Casa del Mar · Mas Torroella
Choose the landscape first
Around Barcelona, the landscape changes completely in less than an hour: sea and white villas in Sitges, vineyards in the Penedès, cliffs and medieval villages on the Costa Brava. Choosing the area first makes choosing the venue much easier.
Sitges & the Garraf coast
Between the sea and the Garraf hills: white villas, terraces over the water and old farmhouses a few minutes inland. The most requested area by couples coming from abroad.
Xalet del Nin
- Setting
- Terraces and gardens over the sea
- Best for
- Elegant but relaxed weddings
Photographer’s noteThe ceremony terrace looks straight onto the Mediterranean. Portraits work best in the last hour of light, when the sea turns silver behind you.
Masia Casa del Mar
- Setting
- Private estate with sea views
- Best for
- Intimate and sophisticated weddings
Photographer’s noteWhite arches, stone and salt air. The arches give natural frames for portraits at any hour, even with hard midday sun.
Masia Cabellut
- Setting
- 12th-century farmhouse among its own vineyards
- Best for
- Long weekends with guests staying on site
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteThe vineyards around the house give long, warm shadows in the evening: one of my favourite places for golden-hour portraits.
Almiral de la Font
- Setting
- Restored farmhouse with views of the sea and countryside
- Best for
- Relaxed, informal celebrations
Photographer’s noteOpen views in every direction, so the light can be followed all evening without moving far from the party.
Casa Felix
- Setting
- Restored farmhouse, parts dating back to the 13th century
- Best for
- Relaxed weddings with guests staying over
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteOriginal stone and old details everywhere: a house that looks good in black and white.
The Penedès vineyards
Wine country just inland: family wineries, rows of vines and mountain views. Warm, golden and very Mediterranean.
Mas Palou
- Setting
- Family winery from 1623, surrounded by vineyards
- Best for
- Rustic, intimate weddings
Photographer’s noteVines right up to the house: perfect for a walk at sunset with the whole valley behind you.
Font de la Canya
- Setting
- Boutique hotel and winery
- Best for
- Mediterranean weddings with outdoor ceremonies
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteModern architecture and vineyards side by side, which gives a cleaner, more editorial look.
Close to Barcelona city
Historic estates, gardens and castles within easy reach of the city, ideal when most guests stay in Barcelona.
La Centenaria 1779
- Setting
- Historic estate with century-old trees
- Best for
- Garden weddings close to the airport
Photographer’s noteThe old trees filter the light beautifully, so even a midday ceremony stays soft.
Masia Egara
- Setting
- 16th-century farmhouse with gardens in the style of Rubió i Tudurí
- Best for
- Elegant weddings with a classic touch
Photographer’s noteFormal gardens with lines and symmetry: a natural setting for editorial portraits.
Castell de Sant Marçal
- Setting
- Castle with gardens
- Best for
- Classic weddings near the city
Photographer’s noteStone walls and arches for portraits, and gardens for the cocktail hour.
La Baronia
- Setting
- Modernist mansion with panoramic views
- Best for
- Sophisticated, timeless weddings
Photographer’s noteWide terraces and hills on the horizon: the views do half the work at golden hour.
This Must Be The Place
- Setting
- Contemporary, bohemian venue in nature
- Best for
- Modern and alternative weddings
Photographer’s noteClean architecture and wild gardens: one of the most photogenic modern venues near the city.
The Maresme coast
North of the city, between the sea and the hills: neoclassical villas, gardens and farmhouses with views of the Mediterranean.
Bell Recó
- Setting
- Neoclassical architecture and majestic gardens
- Best for
- Classic, luxurious weddings
Photographer’s noteGrand staircases and long garden paths: ideal for a calm, elegant walk with the two of you.
Ca l’Iborra
- Setting
- Farmhouse with gardens and sea views
- Best for
- Relaxed weddings with an exclusive feel
Photographer’s noteCatalan architecture with the sea in the background, from the ceremony to the dinner.
Costa Brava & Empordà
Cliffs, coves, pine trees and medieval villages. On the coast the light is clear and blue; inland, in the Empordà, it turns golden over olive groves and stone.
El Convent de Blanes
- Setting
- Former convent on a cliff over the sea
- Best for
- Intimate, romantic weddings
Photographer’s noteThe terrace faces the sea, so a late-afternoon ceremony keeps faces in soft light while the water stays blue behind you.
Jardí Botànic Marimurtra
- Setting
- Botanical garden over the sea
- Best for
- Outdoor ceremonies in nature
Photographer’s noteThe temple over the cliff is one of the most beautiful ceremony spots on the coast. Arrive early: the garden has a thousand corners.
Hotel Castell d’Empordà
- Setting
- Medieval castle and boutique hotel
- Best for
- Weekend weddings with guests on site
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteStone alleys, olive groves and an incredible sunset over the Empordà plain.
Castell de Caramany
- Setting
- Historic castle among fields and vineyards
- Best for
- Weddings with an aristocratic touch
Photographer’s noteThick stone walls and open fields around: strong contrast in black and white.
La Farinera de Sant Lluís
- Setting
- Former flour mill with gardens and a private lake
- Best for
- Large outdoor celebrations
Photographer’s noteIndustrial architecture plus water: reflections at sunset that I always look for.
Cortal Gran
- Setting
- 15th-century fortified farmhouse with century-old trees
- Best for
- Elegant weddings with character
Photographer’s noteThe old trees and the stone towers make a timeless setting for portraits.
Mas Torroella
- Setting
- 14th-century farmhouse with a luxury restoration
- Best for
- Intimate weddings with guests staying over
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteRefined interiors and gardens: beautiful getting-ready light in the morning.
La Gavina S’Agaró
- Setting
- Luxury hotel by the sea
- Best for
- Glamorous weddings by the sea
- Guests can stay
- Yes
Photographer’s noteThe coastal path in front of the hotel is perfect for a short walk after the ceremony.
Further afield
South along the coast towards Tarragona, and inland into the heart of Catalonia and Lleida.
Castell de Tamarit
- Setting
- Medieval castle over the Mediterranean
- Best for
- Romantic weddings by the sea
Photographer’s noteA castle on a beach: walls, sea and sand in a few steps. Hard to find anywhere else.
La Boscana
- Setting
- Gardens and lakes in the Lleida plain
- Best for
- Garden weddings with a contemporary feel
Photographer’s noteWater everywhere: reflections at sunset and soft, open light across the gardens.
Colònia Rusiñol
- Setting
- Former industrial colony from 1845
- Best for
- Weddings with an alternative touch
Photographer’s noteOld factory buildings and gardens: texture everywhere, beautiful in black and white.
All the venues, side by side
Also worth knowing: Villa Almanita, Casa Victoria and Casanova Estate near Sitges, and many private villas along the coast.
| Venue | Area | Setting | From Barcelona | Guests can stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xalet del Nin | Garraf coast, near Sitges | Terraces and gardens over the sea | 35–50 min | — |
| Masia Casa del Mar | Garraf Natural Park, Sitges | Private estate with sea views | 35–50 min | — |
| Masia Cabellut | Near Sitges | 12th-century farmhouse among its own vineyards | 35–50 min | Yes |
| Almiral de la Font | Garraf hills, near Sitges | Restored farmhouse with views of the sea and countryside | 35–50 min | — |
| Casa Felix | Garraf Natural Park, near Sitges | Restored farmhouse, parts dating back to the 13th century | 35–50 min | Yes |
| Mas Palou | Penedès | Family winery from 1623, surrounded by vineyards | 40–50 min | — |
| Font de la Canya | Penedès | Boutique hotel and winery | 40–50 min | Yes |
| La Centenaria 1779 | Gavà | Historic estate with century-old trees | 20–45 min | — |
| Masia Egara | Terrassa | 16th-century farmhouse with gardens in the style of Rubió i Tudurí | 20–45 min | — |
| Castell de Sant Marçal | Cerdanyola del Vallès | Castle with gardens | 20–45 min | — |
| La Baronia | Sant Feliu de Codines | Modernist mansion with panoramic views | 20–45 min | — |
| This Must Be The Place | Near Barcelona | Contemporary, bohemian venue in nature | 20–45 min | — |
| Bell Recó | Maresme | Neoclassical architecture and majestic gardens | 30–40 min | — |
| Ca l’Iborra | Maresme | Farmhouse with gardens and sea views | 30–40 min | — |
| El Convent de Blanes | Blanes | Former convent on a cliff over the sea | 1–1.5 h | — |
| Jardí Botànic Marimurtra | Blanes | Botanical garden over the sea | 1–1.5 h | — |
| Hotel Castell d’Empordà | La Bisbal d’Empordà | Medieval castle and boutique hotel | 1–1.5 h | Yes |
| Castell de Caramany | Empordà | Historic castle among fields and vineyards | 1–1.5 h | — |
| La Farinera de Sant Lluís | Empordà | Former flour mill with gardens and a private lake | 1–1.5 h | — |
| Cortal Gran | Alt Empordà | 15th-century fortified farmhouse with century-old trees | 1–1.5 h | — |
| Mas Torroella | Near Palafrugell | 14th-century farmhouse with a luxury restoration | 1–1.5 h | Yes |
| La Gavina S’Agaró | S’Agaró | Luxury hotel by the sea | 1–1.5 h | Yes |
| Castell de Tamarit | Tarragona coast | Medieval castle over the Mediterranean | 1–2 h | — |
| La Boscana | Bellvís, Lleida | Gardens and lakes in the Lleida plain | 1–2 h | — |
| Colònia Rusiñol | Manlleu | Former industrial colony from 1845 | 1–2 h | — |
What makes a venue beautiful in photographs
The light, more than the decor. A ceremony with soft side light at the right hour will always look better than the most spectacular backdrop in harsh midday sun. Ask your venue where the sun is at the time of your ceremony.
Shade for the guests, and for the photos. Trees, arches and pergolas keep faces soft in the Mediterranean summer, and keep your guests comfortable too.
Short distances. When the ceremony, the cocktail and the dinner are close to each other, nobody misses anything, and there is time for a short walk at golden hour without leaving the party.
