Coming to Barcelona and visiting the Sagrada Familia guarantees you’ll experience a genuine shock inside this magnificent madness dreamed up by Antonio Gaudi.
Fair warning: I haven’t included many photos in this article so as not to spoil the sense of wonder you’ll feel when stepping into the Sagrada Familia 😇
Construction of the Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia began in 1882, and though its architect died tragically in 1926, those who continued his work have meticulously honored the architect’s vision.
Back then, the site was surrounded by countryside—hard to imagine when you see today’s urban density packed all around it.
Here we are in 2025 and the basilica still isn’t finished, as various setbacks have delayed construction: wars, funding shortages, you name it.
The goal was to complete the work in 2026—a full century after Gaudi’s death—but COVID threw a wrench in those plans. The structural work will be finished as planned, but plenty of details remain, pushing the completion date to around 2034 for the building to be truly finished!
I have hazy memories of the Sagrada Familia from childhood visits to Barcelona with my parents back in the ’70s. But I have vivid recollections of our 1994 visit with Jason.
The nave wasn’t yet covered, and I remember when we climbed up a tower under construction, vertigo stopped me from going any higher. There was a walkway between two towers that hung over empty space—completely impossible for me.
In thirty years, the Sagrada Familia has transformed dramatically. It’s practically finished now, and you can really sense the construction picking up speed toward the end.
Our last visit was in 2018, and I can tell you the aesthetic impact I felt was extraordinary and deeply moving.
You don’t need to be religious to be touched by this incredible modernist masterpiece.
It’s absolutely fantastic—there are so many details, and the play of light through the stained glass is breathtaking.
I can’t recommend enough that you visit this exceptional place if you come to Can Pit Roig.
Some tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia:
Don’t wait until the last minute to book. Most of the time, visits are sold out 15 days in advance.
You can certainly show up at the ticket office on the day and try to snag entry tickets, but there’s no guarantee you’ll succeed.
To book your ticket (official Sagrada Familia website)
Prices have gone up considerably, but tell yourself it’s for a good cause: bringing this project to completion.
I think the best time to visit is between noon and 1 PM, for two reasons. That’s when sunlight hits the stained glass windows—it’s truly magical. Plus, I think that’s when lots of people go to lunch, so it clears out the nave a bit.
Really explore the building because you might miss the museum and other somewhat hidden rooms.
Surprisingly, despite the crowds, I didn’t feel uncomfortable despite my agoraphobia. Maybe it’s the vastness of the space or the fact that I spent the entire visit looking up, but I never felt the urge to bolt. Yet that’s usually what happens when I arrive at tourist destinations.
I promise you it’s truly a unique and unforgettable experience.
