Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is famous largely due to its Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Plus the fact that the church has been under construction since 1882. The Sagrada Familia stained glass windows and distinctive architecture captivate visitors.
Estimated completion date of Sagrada Familia is now 2026 – 2028 if all goes well. The construction/tourist site is the most visited tourist attraction in Barcelona Spain.
Read more about traveling to Barcelona
- 9 Days of Solo Travel – Highlights of my Trip – guide to Barcelona attractions
- Getting Around in Barcelona – Transportation Options – lots of options
- Planning and Preparing for my Solo Trip to Barcelona – plan your trip
- Gaudi’s Amazing Architecture – Casa Battlo in Barcelona – loved the blue tiles
- Trencadis Serpentine Mosaic Tile Bench at Gaudi’s Park Guell – spend a day
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Sagrada Familia tickets
Many people purchase their tickets to Sagrada Familia online prior to visiting Barcelona. I like to keep my options open so when I spent 9 days in Barcelona I had a mental list of places that I wanted to visit and decided day-by-day what I would do, depending on the weather or what I was in the mood for.
Some people prefer to plan out the itinerary for their entire trip in advance. That is far too structured travel planning for me.
You can buy tickets online for Sagrada Familia here.
I knew there would be crowds of people gathered at the entrance as soon as it opened so I planned to get there early and beat the rush of ticket buyers.
I arrived about a half hour before the opening time of 9 am. The line was already around the corner and halfway down the block!
When I arrived at the ticket counter I was told I could get in at 9:45 but not until 3 pm for the tower visit. I said no to that time. She checked the computer again and offered me 10:45 for the tower visit so I bought the ticket.
The couple in front of me in line were given an entrance time of 11:45 and 3 pm for their tower visit. I think you fare better being a solo visitor.
READ MORE: 25 Top Attractions in Barcelona
Since I had some time to spare I went across the street for a croissant and coffee of course.
Inside Sagrada Familia
I was expecting my experience at Sagrada Familia to be similar to the first time I set foot in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul Türkiye. Awestruck is what I was expecting. Perhaps that is the source of my dissatisfaction.
Once you get inside to view the interior design of the church you will want to look up to the ceiling. The ceiling design and architecture makes an impressive view.
Take notice that the appearance of Sagrada Familia changes with the light. Especially the beautiful stained glass windows.
What I miss in Sagrada Familia that is present in other works by Antoni Gaudi are the curved flowing lines influenced by nature. Of course this is a church rather than a residence like Casa Batllo.
Sagrada Familia stained glass windows
Sagrada Familia is a magnificent piece of architecture and there is some beautiful stained glass, not as fabulous as the stained glass dome at Palau de la Musica Catalana mind you.
The stained glass at Sagrada Familia is on par with Basilica Santa Maria del Mar, which has no line up and is free to visit.
Some of the stained glass windows at Sagrada Familia are not yet completed.
Is Sagrada Familia worth it?
I talked to other tourists equally underwhelmed by Sagrada Familia. For other visitors it the most extraordinary place they have ever seen. Thus far Hagia Sophia in Istanbul Türkiye holds the title of most extraordinary architecture in the world for me. It’s worth a visit if you have several days in Barcelona.
I actually recommend that if you only have a couple of days in Barcelona you should just skip the hype of Sagrada Familia and visit El Born district where you can take in the Museo Picasso, Basilica Santa Maria del Mar, eat some tapas, and do a little shopping in the same amount of time you would spend at Sagrada Familia with the crowds.
As for Antoni Gaudi’s most famous architecture in Barcelona, I prefer Casa Batllo over Sagrada Familia. I would visit Casa Batllo again but I do not plan another visit to Sagrada Familia…for a few years anyway. After all it’s still under construction so I do plan to see it again. Maybe in 2026!
To plan a visit or read up on the history of Barcelona’s most visited tourist attraction click here for the official Sagrada Familia website.
always I’ve been a sucker for stained glass. my former and mu=y current churches both have historic stained windows.
Absolutely beautiful! And so different from all other great cathedrals!
Have a great week!
Wil
Susan, sorry about the disappointment with Sagrada Familia but it’s good to get these great tips for people who travel and have limited time to experience and area. Nice to know what to avoid!
That is a mammoth church under construction for long time. That is a lovely bird.
I visited it in 2009 and there’s less stained glass then. Personally I don’t know what my impression was. Well, I was disappointed because I knew nothing – NADA – about the history of Sagrada and so I was expecting to see ornate marbles and gilded chapels. However after the initial shock wore out, I became fascinated especially when I started to learn about Gaudi.
Hope to see it when it’s completed. Was in Barcelona last month for the second time, did not go anywhere near it.
I do enjoy hearing about your travels, Susan, – wonderful education for a stay-at-home.