I love the Sagrada Familia! I went twice to Barcelona, the first time in 2013 with my mum after finishing my internship in Bilbao, and the second time in November 2022, as I was living close to Spain, in Toulouse. And both times, I visited the magnificent temple of Sagrada Familia and marveled at the beauty of its geometric and organic shapes.
Is The Sagrada Familia Finished?
When it comes to the Sagrada Familia, this is the big question! It feels like it has been under construction for ever. It has indeed been a while: the construction started in 1882, can you believe it?
And, as a matter of fact, even if Gaudí is always mentioned as the architect, there have been others. Gaudí died in June 1926 (nearly a hundred years ago), so others have been in charge of realizing his dream. So far, there have been 9 architects (including Gaudí): Francisco de Paula del Villar, Domènech Sugrañes, Francesc de Paula Quintana, Isidre Puig i Boada, Lluís Bonet i Garí, Francesc de Paula Cardoner i Blanc, Jordi Bonet i Armengol and Jordi Faulí i Oller.
And to answer the initial question: the goal is to complete the building in 2026.
Why Do I Love The Sagrada Familia?
I think that I’ve already said it on this blog, I usually don’t like the inside of churches because they’re very dark and don’t seem welcoming to me. (That and the sometimes zombie-like Jesus attached on the walls.)
But some cathedrals, churches and basilicas are different and full of light (like the Duomo in Milan). The Sagrada Familia is extraordinary: there are colors and light everywhere, making this place truly welcoming. A lot of decorations were inspired by nature, and the pillars actually look like giant trees.
I can’t help but feel amazed when I look around. I remember this woman, in 2022, who, when she entered, let out a loud “Holy Moly!” and then apologized. She was so shocked by the temple’s grandeur.
The last time I went there, I discovered the museum. I don’t think we saw it with my mum. Well, it’s worth having a look because you get some explanations about the construction, the inspiration and the architects. Also, there are miniature reproductions of the Sagrada Familia, so you can see it from every angle, even from the sky.
What Should You Know Before You Visit the Sagrada Familia?
Opening Times
It’s open all year long, but opening can vary depending on the season:
- From April to September, it’s open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm, on Saturdays from 9am to 6pm, and on Sunday from 10.30am to 8pm.
- In October and in March, it’s open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm; on Saturdays from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10.30am to 7pm.
- from November to February, it’s open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and on Sunday from 10.30am to 6pm.
Tickets And Scams
You can buy tickets online via the official website. Different types of tours are available:
- One with an audioguide that lasts about 45 minutes (but you can stay as long as you wish), without the entrance to the towers. That’s the one I did last time and it was good. However, make sure you have your own earphones because they are not provided. It costs about 26€.
- The same tour, but with an entrance to the towers: 36€.
- A guided tour without the entrance to the towers for 30€.
- A guided tour with the towers for 40€.
I hadn’t bought my ticket from the official, if I remember correctly, but it was the same prices and I took the No-queue option.
Be careful though, there are a lot of websites that sell tickets for awfully expensive prices. I saw one that sold tickets costing from 65.50€ for the audioguide tour to 416,00€ for a private tour.
A Virtual Tour Of The Sagrada Familia
If you can’t visit Gaudí’s temple, there is a virtual tour available on the official website.
Which Other Monuments Imagined By Gaudí Could You Visit In Barcelona?
The Sagrada Familia is not the only building created by Gaudí in the city of Barcelona. If you want to see more of his work, you can visit:
- Casa Vicens, classified as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2005;
- Guëll Palace (that I plan on visiting next time I’m in Barcelona);
- Park Guëll, (UNESCO site since 1984), also inspired by nature organic forms;
- Casa Milà, with a façade that looks like snowy mountains;
- Casa Batlò, with a façade that looks like waves of the Mediterranean.
And, even though it’s not been built by Gaudí, I would recommend a visit of El Palau De La Música Catalana.
To see more photos of Spain, you can visit the gallery Spain.
