Where Was [REC] Filmed?

The Short Answer

The 2007 found-footage horror [REC] was filmed entirely in Barcelona, Spain. The quarantined apartment building is a real block at Rambla de Catalunya 34, and the opening fire station scenes were shot at an active station with real firefighters. No sets were constructed; director Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza used authentic interiors, staircases, and streets.

Most horror productions build sets. [REC] did the opposite. Every scene in the 2007 film takes place in real Barcelona locations, from the apartment stairwell where most of the terror unfolds to a working fire station staffed by actual firefighters who appear on camera.

That commitment to authenticity extended to the shoot itself. The film was shot chronologically, actors received only partial scripts, and surprises were staged during filming to capture genuine reactions. For visitors, the result is unusually rewarding: the building looks exactly as it does on screen.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
Casa Argelich / Cedimatexsa building (apartment block)	Barcelona	Entire interior and exterior of the quarantined apartment building, including staircase and apartments	Outside only
Barcelona streets and Eixample district	Barcelona	Exterior approaches to the building and city scenes	Free to see
Barcelona fire station	Barcelona	Opening night shift scenes with real firefighters	Private property
Rambla de Catalunya area	Barcelona	Approach and surrounding neighborhood shots	Free to see

Filming Locations Map

4 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

This is the film's centerpiece: the entire quarantined apartment building, including the staircase and individual apartments, was shot here rather than on a set. Located at Rambla de Catalunya 34, it is a busy central address that fans visit regularly for exterior photos. The lobby now houses a clothing shop, and the interior is private, so viewing is limited to the facade and entrance from the street.

The exterior approaches to the building and various city scenes were filmed on public streets in the Eixample district. Nothing here requires tickets or special access. The building facade remains recognizable on Rambla de Catalunya, and the surrounding grid of wide avenues and chamfered corner blocks gives the neighborhood the same character that appears in the film's early passages.

The opening night shift scenes were filmed at an active Barcelona fire station using real firefighters, not actors standing in. Principal photography took place there in late 2006. This is a working station and is not open to public tours for filming purposes, so travelers should treat it as off limits. Fans hoping to see it should rely on the film rather than a visit.

The approach shots and surrounding neighborhood footage were captured around Rambla de Catalunya, a busy central street in the Eixample. It is easy to visit: the area is fully public, walkable, and close to other Barcelona attractions. For [REC] fans, walking the final blocks toward number 34 recreates the camera crew's own approach to the building in the film.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

There is no gap between setting and location here. The story of [REC] is set in Barcelona, Spain, and the film was shot entirely on location there, in real buildings and streets. What viewers see on screen is what stands in the city today, which makes a location visit unusually faithful to the film.

The Studio Side

The film was produced by Castelao Producciones, a Barcelona-based production company. As an independent production shot entirely on real locations, it had no studio backlot for travelers to visit.

Tours That Visit These Locations

One bookable experience includes a stop at the apartment building: an interactive movie quest by bike that takes participants past film locations around Barcelona, including the Rambla de Catalunya address.

Interactive Movie Quest By Bike

Barcelona: Interactive Movie Quest Bike Tour

This bike-based movie quest turns Barcelona into a game, and its route includes the apartment building at Rambla de Catalunya 34, making it the easiest way for [REC] fans to reach the facade with a guide alongside other film locations in the city.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Go Inside The [REC] Apartment Building?

No. The interior is private, and the lobby now contains a clothing shop. Visitors can photograph the exterior and entrance from the street, which is how most fans experience it.

Where Exactly Is The Building?

The apartment block used for the quarantined building stands at Rambla de Catalunya 34 in Barcelona's Eixample district, a busy central street that is easy to reach on foot or by bike.

Was Any Of The Film Shot On Sets?

No sets were built. Every scene was filmed in authentic locations, including the real apartment building, real streets, and an active fire station.

Can You Visit The Fire Station From The Opening?

No. It is an active station and does not offer public tours for filming purposes. The night shift scenes were shot there with real firefighters in late 2006.

Why Does The Building Look The Same As In The Film?

Because nothing was reconstructed. The interior staircase, the apartments, and the exterior all belong to the actual building, and the facade remains recognizable on Rambla de Catalunya.

Is There A Tour That Includes The Building?

Yes. An interactive movie quest bike tour around Barcelona includes a stop at the apartment building, along with other film locations in the city.

Few horror films reward a location visit as directly as [REC]. The building that trapped Angela and her camera crew still stands on Rambla de Catalunya, looking much as it did in 2007. Walk the approach, photograph the facade, and the film's claustrophobia becomes startlingly concrete.