Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz play a divorced couple in the film. In reality, they started a relationship while working on the film and married in July 2010. However, they didn't meet on the set of this film; they met on the set of Cruz' first feature, Jamón, Jamón (1992) when she was 16.
For the scenes where Juan Antonio and Maria Elena speak to each other in Spanish, Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz were encouraged to improvise.
Woody Allen wrote the parts of Cristina and Juan Antonio with Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem in mind. Apparently, Bardem was his first and only choice for the male lead.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) was at a time Woody Allen's most profitable film, grossing $96 million on a $15 million budget.
The city of Barcelona offered to pick up the tab of production costs if the film was shot there. The cost rose to two million Euros from public funds. Ultimately, the filmmakers shot in Barcelona.
Joan Pera: The Spanish actor who has dubbed Woody Allen's voice in several Spanish and Catalan versions of his films for over twenty years appears in the film.