Yesterday we went to the most visited attraction in Barcelona, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic basilica that has been under construction since 1882. It is said to be Antoni Gaudí’s greatest creation and his crowning achievement. It was truly stunning!
Over One Hundred Years in the Making
We have seen the basilica from a distance numerous times already. There was a great view of it when we visited Park Güell. However, when we first approached the outside the size was truly unbelievable.
We had to buy our tickets for this well in advance and they came with an audio guide that told you all about the exterior and interior of the basilica. We also purchased the additional tower visit but that portion of our tour got cancelled. Today (June 10, 2026) is the exact centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the Tower of Jesus Christ is being inaugurated in a ceremony presided over by Pope Leo XIV. These signs are all over the city.
The Tallest Church in the World
The Tower of Jesus Christ is the final tower of the basilica, and was completed back in February. It stands 565.9 feet making it the tallest church in the world. Gaudí’s wish was that the tower not exceed the height of Montjuïc mountain. He said, “The work of man should not surpass the work of God.”
The entire basilica tells a story and every element inside and out has meaning. There were almost too many details for our eyes to take in at once. The inside was unbelievably beautiful! There are huge columns that branch upwards and are meant to mimic a canopy of trees.
There is gorgeous stained glass everywhere. The east-facing windows are in warm ambers, oranges, and yellows. The west side has cool blues and greens. This allows different colors of light to flood inside depending on the time of day.
The pictures don’t do this place justice, and I felt like I could sit inside admiring everything for hours. There was a small museum that walked us through how the basilica was constructed, which was fascinating. We also got to see the crypt where Gaudí is buried. The entire place was truly amazing to see!
The only down side to this place was that it was extremely crowded. Even with the timed entry, there were so many people. I realize we are adding to those numbers, but it really does make things less enjoyable. As we were leaving Dave said, “I’m all done being a tourist”. I agreed. We plan to spend the rest of our time here trying some new foods, enjoying the beach, and soaking up the great vibe in our Barcelona neighborhood.
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