25+ Most Instagrammable Places in San Antonio

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!

San Antonio Texas River Walk as seen from above at night with colorful umbrellas on the left side of the photo

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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.

The front facade of the Alamo in San Antonio Texas as seen from the ridge side of the building

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.

Exterior of Mission Concepion, one of the best photography locations in San Antonio TX

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 in San Antonio Texas as seen through a limestone opening in the wall

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 Espada in San Antonio Texas photographed from an angle with the front of the church visible

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.

Top of Mission San Juan Capistrano church with 3 bells set in white stucco. The San Antonio Missions are some of the most instagrammable places in san antonio texas

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!

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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.

La Villita and Arsen River Theater along the river in San Antonio Texas with a small stone bridge visible

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!

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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!

Riverwalk of San Antonio photographed at night with holiday light display dangling from the trees

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!

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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.

Japanese tea garden in San Antonio with a pond in the foreground of the photo and a stone pavilion in the background

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.

Stone pathway in the center of a pond in the San Antonio Botanical 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.

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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.

Interior of Natural Bridge Caverns in Texas

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.

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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.

Colorful Korean pagoda at Denman Estate Park, one of the best san antonio photo spots

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).

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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.

front facade of the majestic theater in san antonio texas

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.

Texas house with a white front porch and black shutters shaded by a live oak tree in the King William Historic District San Antonio

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.

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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.

front facade of san fernando cathedral, one of the best photography locations in san antonio texas

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!

Skyline view from Tower of the Americas in San Antonio TX

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!

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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.

Historic Market Square in San Antonio TX before opening in the morning with colorful flags hung from the building

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!

Red and yellow rollercoaster loop shot against a bright blue sky

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.

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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

4 photos of San Antonio: Mission San Jose, Japanese Tea Garden, Riverwalk, King William Historic District. Black and red text on a white backgrounds reads "25+ best photo spots in san antonio"

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