BCN-Spot1
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July 31, 2013Barcelona El Prat – Spotting Guide
- last modified on August 30, 2024
Barcelona El Prat (BCN/LEBL) is Spain’s second busiest airport with 52,7 million passengers in 2019. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and airlines from all over the world serving El Prat. Due to its warm climate and the Mediterranean Sea just next to the city, charter traffic is one of the main constituents of BCN.
Low cost flights are a main pillar, with frequently flights from Vueling, Ryanair and Easyjet. A lot of charter flights are taking place during the summer holiday season with many additional flights by various European carriers, besides the mainline stuff. Furthmore long haul flights are taking place too, opb. Level, Emirates, Qatar, Korean, Air Transat, Delta, United just to mention a few.
The airport is very spotter friendly with 3 official spotting platforms and there are absoluetly no security issues by visiting the other spots. The variety of carriers makes Barcelona very attractive, just as the great weather and the beautiful city center. And if you need a break you can easily jump into the mediterranean sea which is next to the airport.
To get a detailed 24h schedule just visit the airports official website. There you find all flights/airlines as well as the aircraft type to be used.
Written by Julian Mittnacht, Achim Walther, Gary Culpan, Rui Cardoso (Spot 11) and Óskar Berenguer. Last change: November 2023 (Spot 7 updated)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06L/24R | 3.352 m (10.997 ft) |
| 06R/24L | 2.660 m (8.727 ft) |
| 02/20 | 2.528 (8.293 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 (new) | Vueling, Iberia, carriers belonging to an Airline Alliance |
| Terminal 2 (old) | most russian carriers, Easyjet, Ryanair, Charter Airlines |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed |
| Car/Public Transport | Recommended as they switch the runways pretty often. By public transport there is a bus service from El Prat Station with line PR3 to spots 1,2, 6 & 7 in the summer (June-September). There is no regular service to any of these spots during winter! But to spot 2, Tanatori, its possible that the bus runs there on demand. Please ask the driver in advance to avoid any issues. Otherwise you have to exit one station before and walk to this spot. Be aware that if you pay the ticket the maximium note is 10 EUR for charge! From Terminal 1 and 2 take the metro L9S to the city and exit at El Prat Station to get into Bus PR3. If you are good on foot you can take the same metro line and exit at Cèntric Station and walk to spots 1 & 2 for approximate 30-45 minutes.   |
| Restrooms | At almost all spotting locations are public restrooms. |
| Drinks/Food | There are no facilities next to the outer spots. Take everything with you to the locations. Plenty of restaurants are in El Prat if you wanna make a break. |
| Hotels | Cheap hotels are next to Sant Boi, a 10 min car ride to the airport |
| Season | We suggest Juni – September as this is the high season for the charter traffic |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Infos | During the day there are no arrivals on RWY 06R/24L whilst 06L/24R is in use for all arrivals and a few heavy departures. In order to change from PREFERENTIAL config to NON PREFERENTIAL the tail wind component needs to exceed 10kts. (That applies to almost every airport in Spain) |
| 06L/24R | Daytime configuration between 0700 and 2300 LT: PREFERENTIAL: During West configuration 24R is the runway for arrival . NON PREFERENTIAL: During East configuration 06L is the runway for arrival . Departures from this runway occur when the length of 24L/06R is not enough (almost all heavies).Night time configuration between 2300 and 0700 LT: this runway is not in use |
| 06R/24L | Daytime configuration between 0700 and 2300 LT: PREFERENTIAL: During West configuration 24L is the runway for departures. NON PREFERENTIAL: During East configuration 06R is the runway for departures.Night time configuration between 2300 and 0700 LT: PREFERENTIAL: During North configuration 06R is the runway for departures. NON PREFERENTIAL: During West configuration 24L is the runway for arrivals and departures. |
| 02/20 | Not in use during the Day. Only during nigh time configuration between 2300 and 0700 LT: PREFERENTIAL: During North configuration 20 is the runway for arrivals. RWY02 is not in use!. |
Observation Platform - 24R Departures and Arrivals
| WHERE | Barcelona’s viewing platform is located at the road to the ‘Platja de El Prat’ at the threshold of RWY 24R. If you use a car just follow the signs to the beach where the road ends. You won’t miss the platform as you can see it from the road which leads along the airport perimeter. Park your car at the cemetery and walk to this spot. Don´t use the sandy lot under the approaching path. By public transpot take bus PR3 (see description under “car” above) to the ‘Platja de El Prat’ and exit at the ‘Tanatori’ (spot #2) |
| WHAT | You are on the top of a platform (appr. 3 meters high) and have a great view of the threshold of 24R as well as airports Terminal 2.You can shot easily over the fence for 24R departures, which are not very common and only used by heavy weight aircraft. |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the summer are between 07:00 and 14:00. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | There is no sun protection on the top of the platform but some trees and a bench will spend you some shadow. A small public restroom is installed next to the platform. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm (you are pretty close to the runway!) |
The deck itsself from the bottom:
View from the top of the deck:
Cemetery - 24R Arrivals
| WHERE | This one is pretty close to spot #1 and is next to some kind of cemetery/sanatorium called “Tanatori”. Easy accesable from the airport and the city of El Prat. There are many lots but it is not free of charge and you have to pay a parking fee for 3 hours = 5,40 euros (weekends and national holidays are usually free. They close the machine to pay with a metal plate to show you can’t pay. ) By public transpot take the same busPR3 (see description under “car” above) that brings you to spot #1 or to the beach. |
| WHAT | This spot is perfect when the light has turned and you can switch easily over from spot #1. But you will see the approaches only and no other airport action. |
| TIME | Light conditions are prefect from 16:00 until sunset in summer. Not suitable in the winter. |
| MISC. | There is enough shadow and some benches too. A small public restromm is installed across the cemetery in a small park. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-200 mm |
Terminal 1 - 06L Arrivals and Departures, Taxiway
| WHERE | There is a balcony at the end of the depature level at Terminal 1, Concourse A. If you arrive by car, just follow the signs to Terminal 1 Parking and drive to Buidling F, which is the closest to Concourse A. Exit level 0 (arrival) to the left inside the parking garage and walk for a few meters to the escalator which will bring you up to the departure level. Exit the doors and you will already see the balcony at the end of the sidewalk. |
| WHAT | Its a great place if you don’t have a car and runway 06L is in use for arrivals, which is not unusual. Another advantage of this spot is that all planes that park at the old Terminal 2 will use a taxiway behind the 06L threshold as the are not allowed to cross the runway directly (tagged on the map). Heat haze can be a problem for the arrival shots. |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the summer are between 07:00 and 14:00. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | There is absolutly no shadow and no seating. A small snack bar and a toilet on the arrival level are just next to the escalator. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300 mm |
Cargo - 06L Arrivals, Taxiways, Cargo Ramp
| WHERE | A flat area of ground near the cargo terminal (FedEx) next to the connection road between T1 and T2. You can park your car nearby. By public transtport use the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 and walk to the cargo aera. |
| WHAT | This spot is great in the afternoon when 06L is in use for arrivals. The landing shots from here are a little distant but good results can be obtained with 300mm zoom. Photographs of cargo aircraft parked up can be taken and aircraft taxiing past from Terminal 2 to take off on 06R can be photographed through the fence. It does get a little hazy in the summer though. |
| TIME | Light conditions are prefect from 16:00 until sunset in summer. Not suitable in the winter. |
| MISC. | There is absolutly no shadow and no seating. Bring the stuff with you! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400 mm |
Terminal 1 - 24L Departures, 06R Arrivals and Departures
| WHERE | This spot is almost the same as spot #3 only on the other side of the terminal and offers two options:
Option a – driveway’s sidewalk: You will stand at the end of the Terminal on a very tiny balcony. Just use the concourse C Depature level instead of A to reach this place. Option b – parking garage: You can also use the nearby parking garage, which can be entered with a car easily as well. Just drive to the top floor and position yourself along the southeastern side at one of the empty parts where you have a free view. But be aware that some heavies might be too low and partly behind the terminal facilities – runway itsself not seeable! |
| WHAT | You see the 24L Depatures rotating (lighter planes are already too high) as well as the line up for 06R. 06R arrivals are not very common. To get on a higher level, try to find a place on the top levels of the parking garage especially for the departures. |
| TIME | Light conditions are prefect from 16:00 until sunset in summer. Not suitable in the winter. |
| MISC. | There is absolutly no shadow and no seating. A small snack bar and a toilet on the arrival level are just next to the escalator. SEP 2024: It seems like there were put up meshes in the parking garage parts which used to be free/open allowing photos. Thus spotting at option b got impossible now unluckily! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 departing 24L = 260mm / B789 departing 24L = 180mm |
Pictures taken from Option a – terminal’s driveway:
Pictures taken from Option b – parking garage:
Tunnel/Beach - 24L Departures and Arrivals
| WHERE | To reach this place follow the road to the ‘Platja El Prat’ like you do to reach spot #1. Always follow this route until you pass the 06R/24L tunnel. After you passed a roundabout take the first exit and park your car on the side of this road but not to close to the crash gate. Otherwise use the beach parking wher. Now walk back to the roundabout and follow the footpath. Don’t use the sidewalk that leads to the tunnel! There is a small flat area with some benches where you can stay and search your favourite position as there are two options:
Option a – wall’s edge: Just next to the fence you can stand on the wall’s top, but as you are right at the edge it may be a bit dangerous. Space here also very limited. Just one-two spotter can spot from here well and you can only see the last treshold and thus not all movements. Option b – house’s top: A bit back you will see a little concrete house, which can be climbed and used for spotting. Offers a nice view onto the full lenght, although you’ll mostly have fence in the foreground. Take care and only climb it for the real highlights as police doesn’t like to see spotters on the top. By public transport use the bus PR3 (see description under “car” above) and exit at ‘Platja del Prats – La Pineda’ and walk back the road for a few hundred meters till the roundabout. |
| WHAT | This place is perfect for the 24L Depatures as well as for close up pictures of aircraft entering the runway from the taxiway. You can climb up a small wall to be a little bit higher and avoid parts of the tunnel on your pictures. 24L Arrivals are possible too but this direction is not really common. |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the summer from sunrise till 14:00. In winter all day long. Be aware of heat haze here! |
| MISC. | The are some benches to relax and some trees for shadow. Even a public restroom is installed at the beach. In summer there are some beach bars with snacks and drinks available.
Don’t park your car here please, as the access to this spot is prohibited and police gets furios seeing cars parked here! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A319 = 120mm |
All example shots taken from Option b – the house’s top:
Option a – wall’s edge:
Option b – house’s top:
Beach Viewing Tower West - 24L departures
| WHERE | From spot#6 just contiune on the road to the ‘Platja El Prat’. Once you arrived at the beach, keep right on the road parallel to the ocean until you reach the parking lot at the end of the road a few minutes later. You will see the viewing platform when you enter the lot. By public transport use the bus PR3 (see description under “car” above) and exit at the final destination ‘Platja del Prats – Mirador’.
|
| WHAT | There is an official viewing tower and from the higher level you can easily spot the 24L departures. Very heavy aircraft could be still too low at this position and its possible that you have some trees in your picture. |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the summer are between 07:00 and 14:00. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | The are some benches to relax and some trees for shadow. Even a public restroom is installed. In summer there are some beach bars with snacks and drinks available. The platform is limited for approximate 10 people on the top. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | at least 300mm |
Iberia Hangar - 24R arrivals and departures, 20 arrivals
| WHERE | The spot is next to the IBERIA hangar (east) and the GAT. You will see there’s a little path that guides you to the highest point of this little hill from where you can photograph over the airport fence. There’s plenty of space to park west of the Iberia hangar in Pepa Colomer road. By public transport use the metro to Parc Nou station and walk to this spot for approximate 10-15 minutes. |
| WHAT | In the early summer mornings you can photograph airraft vacating runway 02. From the summer afternoons you can take pics of ground runway 24R arrivals/departures. 06L departures should be fine as well. |
| TIME | Early morning for 20 and couple hours after afternoon till sunset for 24R. On summer season only. Due to the distance heat can become an issues. |
| MISC. | Everything you need in El-Prat. Airport Terminal 1 is 30 min walk or 5 min bicycle ride. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320=500mm; 77W=300mm; Asiana vacating 20 is 460mm |
Beach Tower East - 24L lineup and 06R departures
| WHERE | There is another viewing tower (spot 7) like the one at the end of the beach but this time its at the entrance, just next to the tourist information. There is an isolated path to the tower which can be accessed through the tourist information only! And there opening hours are from 11-14:00. Thats the only time to get on it. By public transport use the bus PR3 (see description under “car” above) and exit at ‘Platja del Prats – La Pineda’. |
| WHAT | Its an alternative to #6 as you have a clear view of the lineup on runway 24L. From the summer afternoons you can take pics of ground runway 24R arrivals/departures. 06L departures should be fine as well. |
| TIME | The opening hours are from 11-14:00. Thats the only chance to take photos. Due to the distance heat haze is an issue during hot days. |
| MISC. | The are some benches to relax and some trees for shadow at the beach. Even a public restroom is installed. In summer there are some beach bars with snacks and drinks available. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | line-up A321=240mm; 787=180mm |
Wooden Bridge - 24L lineup and 06R departures
| WHERE | From spot number 6 walk through a gateway for about 5 min on a small path until you’ll get to a wooden bridge. Climb up the railing and start spotting. Be advised some physical requirements are needed for this spotting location, it’s not made for everyone. By public transport use the bus PR3 (see description under “car” above) and exit at ‘Platja del Prats – La Pineda’ and walk back the road for a few hundred meters till the roundabout. |
| WHAT | Planes lining up into runway 24L, and headshots of planes departing out of 06R. |
| TIME | From morning till afternoon. |
| MISC. | Nothing directly at this location. Just at the beach you find everything you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200mm upwards |
Terminal 2 Departure Gates - Ramp, taxiway
| WHERE | In the case you own a valid boarding pass you can spot from the ground gates at each pier. After passing security get down to floor 0 and direct to the R/S/U/W gates, depending which pier you prefer. The windows there allow reasonably good photography through the glass, which are relatively clean. Unlike the upper level, which has two windows, the lower level has only one. |
| WHAT | Ramp, taxiway and runway movements can be photographed, depends on which pier you are using. |
| TIME | Shooting for the taxiway or the runway, probably only in the summer in the afternoon. For the stands it could be all year round, depending on the stand and the position of the sun. It is also a good place for night photography. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is in the terminal. Be aware of disturbing objects on the ground. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Easyjet A320 = 150mm; Lauda A320=100mm |
I am currently in BCN, spot 5 (which is in the parking lot) is no longer functional, a mesh has been put up in the empty spaces that allowed photos, which makes it difficult to take photos from there.
Greetings!
Thanks, hint added.
Regarding Cemetry Parking!Be aware of thieves: The windows of our rental car got smashed. Someone tried to rob the content inside the car.
I,m in BCN right now on holiday. I wonder if the tower at spot 7 is open again. If not, is it possible to take decent take-off pictures if you walk further to the south from spot 7 along the beach?
spot 9 was still closed on 14 February with a fence!
What a pity as it such a nice location!
-Julian
You have to get onto the tower through the tourist information. You can’t go neither way. But currently it is open, I went there about 2 months ago, when there was only 25L configuration.
Thanks for the update!
-Julian
Hi, unfortunately the cemetery isn’t free anymore to park you car and you have to pay for it. On weekends and national holiday days, other days are normally free (they close the machine to pay with a metal plate to show you can’t pay). The park lot under the approach path has become a blue zone and the cemetery green zone. Was one of the work points of the new El Prat council… To give you an idea for the park lot under app path -> 3 hours = 5,40 euros…. Brgds.
Okay too bad but thanks for the hint anyway. I have updated the guide.
-Juilan
HI all just adding a spot I don’t see mentioned if you are airside with an hour or two to kill before your flight go to end of pier B gates B67/8 are up a flight and provide an aeriel view of the entire airport. Big negative serrated glass so photography impossible however when you see something you want moving just go back down one flight of stairs and adequate windows available but obviously occupied gates a hinderance There is ample opportunity to photograph departing runway but 300mm+ needed for 320/737 Thanks again for providing a great information website
Runways have changed. They are now 06L/24R and 06R/24L.
Thanks for the hint Joan. Fixed the guide.
-Julian
I recently went to BCN for a spotting trip and spot 1 is unbelievable place to watch planes land.
However, one thing I didn’t realise is that for the bus from the terminal to Tanatori only allows 10 euro note or less so if someone is going on the bus to possibly try and take loose change with them to pay for there journey.
Hi all,
I went recently to Spot 1 by foot from the Centris metro station and it’s about 45 minutes walk (one way, that’s a long walk…) so the next visit I rente a bicycle and it took me about 5 minutes…it saves time and energy, and you can plan 2 minutes to reach spot 6.
Wonderfull spotting place!!
Cheers
Hi, I’m going to barcellona for some spotting, does anyone know how much does it cost to park in a multi-level car park?
Because if the planes land all day long on the airstrip 07L, I have to leave the car there and I would like not to spent to much for that. Thank you
Hi, here you will find the offical rates: http://www.aena.es/en/barcelona-airport/parking-offer.html
-Julian
Thank you so much