Barcelona Espacios Invisibles: Discover The Unseen Barcelona

Barcelona can sometimes seem like an overcrowded tourist destination, but Fred Guillaud’s photos show a less obvious side of the city, taking us into its hidden streets.

Pedestrians stroll in the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial

A woman makes her way past the Palau Balaña movie theatre

Barcelona is one of the most photographed cities in the world thanks to its unique Modernist architecture, Medieval Gothic Quarter and sparkling Mediterranean beaches. But French photographer and architect Fred Guillaud proves that there is still room for discovering unexpected city views in his series Barcelona, espacios invisibles (negative spaces), with images that deconstruct everyday places. Guillaud, a resident of Barcelona for more than 18 years, uses his camera to dissect the less glamorous areas in the city where daily life happens. In doing so, he produces unanticipated colours, textures and lines of a fragmented architecture while lingering in an eerie quietness. He shoots minimalistic landscapes that are nearly and almost jarringly devoid of human presence in a metropolis renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and tourist-packed streets.

Sunshine slants across the Moll de Gregal area

Guillaud brings to the forefront what is normally hidden in plain sight: the transitional urban territories that appear as banal as they do intriguing and appealing. As an architect, Guillaud understands and strips away the many layers of complexity in the interaction between humans, buildings and urban planning. His images offer a different and refreshing perspective from postcard clichés. Moreover, his pictures can become something of a guessing game in which viewers try to identify the various city neighbourhoods and landmarks, often to no avail. So even if you think you have seen all of Barcelona, think twice and look again.

Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.