The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece and the defining symbol of Barcelona. Begun in 1882 and still under construction, this extraordinary basilica fuses Gothic ambition with Gaudí’s organic, nature-inspired forms, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inside, soaring tree-like columns branch toward vaulted ceilings while stained glass washes the nave in shifting colour — cool blues and greens on one side, warm reds and oranges on the other. The Nativity and Passion façades present contrasting sculptural visions, and the towers offer close views of the intricate spires and the city beyond.
Tickets must be booked in advance for a timed entry slot, and tower access requires a separate ticket. Hours shift by season, with last admission 45 minutes before closing; early-morning slots are quietest. Allow time to study the façades from the surrounding squares before going in.