The most famous and visited tourist attraction in Spain (with over 1.7 million visitors in 2019) resides in Barcelona. I am of course talking about La Sagrada Família 20th Century Antoni Gaudí Basilica that has been under construction since 1882.
The short answer is that most cathedrals have taken 50 to 100 years to construct. Construction on La Sagrada Família was also interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, the unexpected death of Gaudí and a global Pandemic in 2019. For a more complete idea, below is an overview of the La Sagrada Família history and construction milestones.
Click on any of the 78 images to open full screen gallery player
When you visit you will see instantly what was done under Gaudí because it is the darker coloured stone. The basilica had no roof or connecting walls between the two facades during the Gaudí era of construction.
Often overlooked is that the original design by Gaudí used 20th Century construction tecniques of cut and carved stone where as the modern design uses steel reinforced concrete with stone cladding.
Due to many of the original plans being destroyed during the civil war questions have arisen about how faithful to Gaudí's original concept is the Sagrada Família's more modern 21st Century construction.
Construction is being sped up by the use of computer CAD programs and the use of CNC milling machines to carve stone rather than traditional stone masons with hand tools.
I have been to the Sagrada Família multiple times since 2005 and the parts that are getting finished are truly spectacular. When I first visited in 2005, the inside was scaffolding poles spaced half a metre apart and partially open to the sky. At that time the only noteworthy parts were the exterior passion and nativity facade and the tower visit. In 2005 I paid 8 euros!. I have since visited La Sagrada Familia in 2012 and 2020 and am awestruck by the detail and progess of the construction.
Since the interior roof has been complete, the tree like stone columns led your eyes up to a spectacular roof that is unique and something you will not see in any other basilica or cathedral in the world. The basilica interior has incredible beauty and a cavernous splendour with the The stained glass windows by master glazier Joan Vila-Grau in the Main Nave illuminate the interior in a kaleidoscope of colour that is breath-taking.
This is an unmissable attraction to see in Barcelona and you will be in awe from the moment you set eyes on the basilica from the street and many vantage points around Barcelona. If you need more convincing, check out the image gallery above.
The ticket prices are high but this is because the Construction project, managed by La Junta Constructora, is funded by the ticket sales so you will be contributing to the construction of a modern masterpiece!
The House that Gaudí Lived in, is located in Parc Güell but not included in the Sagrada Familia ticket. I recommend buying a combined parc Guell + Gaudí House Museum ticket. Details on the Casa Milá/la Pedrera and Casa Batlló.
You will also find Gaudí's Palau Güell Near to the bottom of Las Ramblas.
Casa Vinçens in the Gracia Neighbourhood and Torre Bellesguard in the Sant Gervasi Neighbourhood.
Each of these Gaudí Houses are visually distinct and each one has its own merits.
The neighbourhood around La Sagrada Família is full of bars and restaurants. Below are some links to my favourites. I also recommend seeing Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau which is at the end of a nice walk along Avenida Gaudí.
Large rucksacks, suitcases and large bags are not permitted inside and there are no lockers. Pushchairs are permitted.
Disabled access is from Carrer de Marina. The Basilica provides wheelchairs for users. To request one, call +34 935 132 060 or at informacio@sagradafamilia.org. The wheelchair will be delivered at the entrance for people with disabilities.
The visit is on one level with the crypt being exclusively accessed by stairs. The tower visits are only via stairs and a narrow air bridge so not adapt for wheelchairs or push chairs.
Don't forget headphones for the audio guide phone app that you can download with the link in the online ticket purchase.
Bicycle anchorage points outside la Sagrada Família in Carrer de Mallorca with Carrer de Marina next to the metro station exit.
Basic Basilica Tour: includes the Passion and Nativity Façades from outside at ground level followed by a tour inside the basilica and access to the crypt where Gaudí is entombed. The tour starts in C/Marina at the Nativity Façade then proceeds through the basilica to the Passion Façade in C/Sardenya. Near to the exit via the Nativity Façade is a side chamber with some Gaudí furniture exhibits.
Basilica + tower Tour: is the basic basilica tour with a route up the Passion or Nativity Façade towers in an elevator then across a sky bridge between the two towers of that Façade and down stairs back into the basilica. The tower visit gives views of the roof construction and views over Barcelona. Although the Passion Façade towers are slightly higher at 75m with the Nativity Façade towers being 55m the sky bridge between the two towers on each Façade is at the same height so there is not really any difference between the two options.
Address: Carrer de la Marina 253, Barcelona. 08013
Nearest TMB METRO is Sagrada Família which is on the Blue (L5) and Purple (L2) lines. Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona Travel card.
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A city walk in the Sagrada Familia area of Barcelona via La Sagrada Familia, Avenida Guidi and Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.
Distance: 2.46 Km
Difficulty: Easy
Return Travel Fare: T-Casual Zone 1
Transport Network: Metro
METRO
METRO