Sagrada Família

Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883, aged 31, and worked on it for the next 43 years until his death in 1926. The basilica is still under construction — current completion is forecast for 2034, marking the 152nd anniversary of the first stone. Sagrada Família is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world: when the central Jesus tower is topped out it will stand 172.5 m tall, one metre shorter than the hill of Montjuïc so the church does not surpass God's creation. The eight existing towers represent the apostles; ten more are planned.

The interior is the visit's payoff: 36 tree-shaped columns branch into a forest canopy 60 m overhead, designed to mimic the way light passes through a Mediterranean pine forest. The stained glass shifts colour with the time of day — cool blues and greens on the Nativity (east) façade at sunrise; warm reds and oranges on the Passion (west) façade in the late afternoon. Visit twice if you can, once at 09:30 and once at 17:30, to see both effects. Tower access (Nativity or Passion) is a paid add-on and includes a one-way elevator up plus a 300-step descent.

Same-day tickets are rare from May to October — book at least one week ahead. The cheapest ticket (basilica only) costs €26 in 2026; basilica + audio guide €30; basilica + Nativity tower €36. Last entry is 30 minutes before close. Plan 75–90 minutes for the basilica alone, 2 hours with a tower. The closest metro stop is Sagrada Família on Line 2 (purple) or Line 5 (blue); both bring you out directly facing the Nativity façade.