Gracia Festival is one of the highlights of Barcelona's lively fiesta season for good reason. A temporary fantasy land for photographers, its the party that Foto Ruta Barcelona looks forward to the most, its a visual feast of colour, parties and creativity that hits the beautiful Gracia neighbourhood every August. If you're a photographer or like taking photos this is one not to miss.

Taking place between the 15th and 21st August, 2015, the Gracia festival is A fiesta with a twist, seeing streets compete in the creativity stakes. Each of the neighbourhood's narrow streets chooses a theme and goes all out, plastering their territory with impressive and elaborate colours and objects. A feast for the eyes, senses and in our case, lenses.

Added to the colour and visual delights are food stalls, drink stalls, DJs and a few thousand people, its one of the party highlights in a city that knows how to party.

For photographers wanting to go and take photos at the festival, here are our top tips:

Get there in the early afternoon to capture the decor while it's still light and the streets aren't too packed to shoot
Get acquainted with the programme. As well as street decor, the fiesta has a number of photogenic events going on including fire runs and human towers
The festival offers some awesome portrait opportunities - get in there, speak to people and capture the excitement on their faces (Catalonians like to be asked before you take their photos)
Watch your camera and belongings. Pick-pockets are rife