Missions, museums, marquees, and more: there is no shortage of beautiful photo spots in San Antonio!
During the years we called the city home, we never stopped finding new, interesting corners to explore. This list of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio shows off just how much variety the city has, from quirky murals to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage recognized missions.
Here are the best photography locations in San Antonio!
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The Most Instagrammable Places in San Antonio
The San Antonio Missions
San Antonio’s Missions are among the city’s most famous, historic, and stunning photography locations–and each one has something special about it.
If you’d like to photograph them all, consider completing the full Missions trail by bike–but be prepared for a long, hot day if you do!
The Alamo
No list of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio could possibly skip the Alamo: as arguably the most famous building in Texas, the Alamo’s front facade and rear garden are incredibly photogenic.
Mission Concepción
As the oldest unrestored stone church in the USA, Mission Concepción is quite the showstopper (and, unsurprisingly, a favorite location for wedding photos in San Antonio).
Be sure to head inside to see the original frescoes that still remain in some parts of the church.
Mission San José
People who visit all of San Antonio’s missions tend to walk away with a favorite, and Mission San José is mine: it is absolutely beautiful.
The mission dates to 1720 and was heavily restored in the 1930s, allowing visitors to experience not just the church but to get a sense of the scale of the mission beyond its centerpiece.
Mission Espada
Mission Espada is the furthest of the San Antonio Missions from the center of the city, but it is a beautiful, peaceful place that is lovely to photograph!
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Unlike the rest of the San Antonio Missions, Mission San Juan Capistrano retains a white stucco exterior, giving it a unique look that sets it apart from the others.
San Antonio Photo Spots On + Around the Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is definitely one of the most famous–and photogenic–corners of San Antonio.
Here’s where to find its best angles!
La Villita + The Arsen River Theater
Located right on the Riverwalk, beautiful La Villita and the Arsen River Theater are definitely among the most instagrammable places in San Antonio.
San Antonio Riverwalk Boats
The Riverwalk’s colorful tourist boats may be a bit cheesy, but their bright colors set against the stone and greenery of the Riverwalk are definitely photogenic!
Riverwalk Christmas Lights
During the holidays, the Riverwalk is decked out in one of Texas’ best holiday light displays–if you visit San Antonio in December, be sure not to miss the chance to enjoy these views!
Restaurants + Bridges
As you stroll along the Riverwalk, you’ll find plenty of stone bridges, beautiful trees, and restaurants with colorful drinks and umbrellas.
Anyone of them can make a great San Antonio photo op!
Most Instagrammable San Antonio Gardens + Parks
San Antonio has no shortage of green spaces, ranging from manicured gardens to great hiking spots within the city.
Here are some of the best parks in San Antonio for photography!
Japanese Tea Garden
Once an abandoned rock quarry, this small slice of San Antonio has been transformed into a delightful Japanese-style tea garden, complete with a stone pavilion, walkways, a 60-foot waterfall, koi ponds, and an on-site cafe.
It’s one of my personal favorite photography locations in San Antonio and a great place to kick back and relax during a not-too-hot afternoon.
Confluence Park
Located right where San Pedro Creek and the San Antonio River meet, Confluence Park is definitely one of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio!
San Antonio Botanical Garden
Covering 41 acres, the San Antonio Botanical Garden is sprawling and beautiful, with sections dedicated to entirely different types of gardens, from the Rose Garden to the Water Saver Garden.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Of all the instagrammable places in San Antonio outlined here, the Natural Bridge Caverns are the furthest outside the city–but they’re worth including due to just how striking they are.
Named for its famous, naturally occurring, 60-foot limestone bridge, the Natural Bridge Caverns as we know them today were discovered in 1960, and are part of the largest cave system in Texas that is open to the public.
The caverns are also incredibly photogenic, but you’ll need to come prepared to practice some low-light photography in order to do them justice.
Friedrich Wilderness Park
I’m a bit biased, because this park used to be one of our favorite weekend haunts in San Antonio, but for a taste of Texas Hill Country hiking without leaving the city, you can’t beat Friedrich Wilderness Park.
You’ll be able to capture plenty of typical Texas flora, the occasional antique windmill, and even a small waterfall or two if (and it is a big if) there’s been enough rain lately.
Denman Estate Park
In addition to typical Texas Hill Country live oaks, cypress trees, and shaded pathways, Denman Estate Park is also home to a beautiful Korean pagoda, which was gifted to the city of San Antonio from its sister-city in Korea, Gwang-Ju.
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Hills, canyons, dinosaur tracks, and rugged Texas countryside: for great views over the Texas Hill Country while sticking close to San Antonio, head to Government Canyon State Natural Area (but be prepared to hike in order to reach the best San Antonio photo spots in this park).
Cool Architecture-Focused San Antonio Photography Locations
If you’re looking for unique architecture spanning a couple of centuries, these San Antonio photography locations are for you!
Majestic Theatre
The classic marquee of the historic Majestic Theatre is easily one of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio–but for the best photos of it, we recommend waking up early to avoid the traffic that can block the marquee’s best angles.
King William Historic District
This beautiful district is known for its large homes surrounded by leafy trees, primarily dating to the 19th century.
You can find a mix of architectural styles, including lots of Victorian and Greek Revival homes, and the bulk of the homes in the historic district were built by German immigrants at that time–hence the name, King William, which was a nod to King Wilhelm I of Prussia.
Pearl District
Packed with restaurants, shops, outdoor spaces, and even an amphitheater, the Pearl District is a former brewery turned multi-use district, and is packed with photogenic corners and (delicious) instagrammable meals.
San Fernando Cathedral
Founded in 1731, San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest still-standing church building in Texas, and is a functioning parish to this day.
It’s also incredibly beautiful, and definitely one of the most photogenic buildings in the city.
Hays Street Bridge
A favorite for photoshoots in San Antonio, the Hays Street Bridge is a railroad-turned-pedestrian bridge dating to the early 20th century.
Tower of the Americas
Built for the 1968 World Fair, the Tower of the Americas is either a quirky, fun addition to San Antonio or an absolute blight on the skyline–but regardless of whether you care for the building itself, the view from the top is definitely worthy of being considered one of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio!
More Instagrammable Places in San Antonio
Some of San Antonio’s most classic photography locations don’t fit into any of the categories about–but be sure not to miss these!
Essex Modern City
Essex Modern City is a mixed-use space known for its creative vibes and artistic flair–and also for having some of the most photogenic street art in the city!
Historic Market Square
Historic Market Square is home to the largest Mexican market in the USA, and it is both a must-see during a visit to the city and one of the best San Antonio photo spots.
North Star Mall Cowboy Boots
This photo spot in San Antonio is a bit off the beaten path for a tourist short on time, but if you want to photograph a quirky side of the city, while checking out a weird Texas roadside attraction, check out the 35-foot-tall cowboy boots in front of North Star Mall!
The boots have stood in front of the mall for the last 40 years and are a classic roadside attraction in the city–and while it very well might not be true, they are often touted as the world’s largest cowboy boots.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Bright, colorful, and set in a former quarry, Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a classic theme park and one of the most instagrammable places in San Antonio!
The Witte Museum
Covering science, culture, and history with a focus on Texas, the Witte Museum is one of my favorite museums in the city–but while its grounds are lovely, it’s the dinosaur exhibit that qualifies as one of the most unique photography locations in San Antonio!
Blue Star Art Complex
Featuring shops, restaurants, and lots and lots of art, the Blue Star Art Complex is a creative mixed-used space with seemingly endless photogenic angles.
McNay Art Museum
There’s a reason the McNay Art Museum is a popular location for weddings in San Antonio: its grounds are absolutely stunning.
San Antonio Photo Spots Map
