La Sagrada Familia is a pretty iconic image of Barcelona, so it’s near the top of my lists of things to see here!

Even if you’re not religious or into architecture, this is such an incredible, unique building that it really is a must-see.

Okay, so it’s totally touristy, but that’s no reason to not go because it really is something you can’t see anywhere else in the world.

Here’s the official website, which has some amazing photographs, and you can have an official mini virtual visit even if you’re not in Barcelona.

The question people always ask me about the Sagrada Familia is: is it worth the €13+ entrance fee to go inside? And I say yes! The outside is much more spectacular than the inside, but how many times in your life to you get to see a cathedral in the process of being built? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

The inside…this is just the beginning. Photo credit: My dad!

The towers also offer some incredible views of the city, and the museum inside is great to see because it offers a lot of info about where Gaudí got his wild ideas from.

I’ve heard the Sagrada Familia is going to be completed in 2030. I’ve also heard the barceloneses say that they’re never going to finish it because it’s charm comes from its incompleteness.

Anyway when/if it’s finished, it’s going to be twice as tall as it is now (and it’s pretty damn huge already!). Gaudí’s plan was to make it one meter lower than the tallest peak in the city, so it didn’t overshadow “God’s creation.” This is what it’s supposed to look like, which you can compare to the first pic in this post:

Credit: Blogspot

Here’s the practical information for if you get to go:

How to get there: Easy – it has its own metro stop! Blue line 5 and purple line 2 both go there.

When to go: Whenever, it’s pretty much always busy.

What to take: A charged camera! And also a bottle of water for while you wait in the line outside.

Cost: Depends; it starts at €11 for students, retirees, and minors, and goes up to €20.50 for a tour of the temple, an extra museum, and a guide.

Where to eat before/afterwards: Morrison! One of my favorite restaurants that serves great tapas. Despite its English-sounding name, the staff who work there are Spanish and have such strong Catalan accents I can’t understand them sometimes.

Strange things to see: The whole thing is pretty bizarre!

Anything else? I’m pretty sure you can go inside for free if you attend a mass there, but you have to contact the Archbishop of Barcelona to find out the dates. This seems like a lot of hassle, plus I’m not sure they welcome tourists! But if you are Catholic, it could be a seriously amazing experience.