Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, Eixample, Barcelona

Sorry, I am going to go against the flow. This is possibly the ugliest building I have ever seen. A complete waste of time, money and effort. I am afraid I am a traditionalist at heart and this monstrosity does nothing for me. It is scheduled to be completed in 2026. If I had my way it would be demolished in 2027. A complete blot on the Barcelona skyline. Each to their own.

Even though the Sagrada Familia is far from finished, the remarkable church is well worth a visit. You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is buried. A museum tells the story of this great architect and the history of the church.
You can also visit the towers. An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona. The climb is not recommended for those with fear of heights or for people with claustrophobia!
Best family vacation destinations

When I was little I was always saying,; what is so amazing in churhes? I didn't realize the beauty in them, and until summer 2008 I was blind. Sagrada Famiglia is something special to see and experience. After a short tour (cca. 3hours) we went outisde and sit behind it. I was staring at her for at least 30 minutes, so many details, big, beutiful, enchanting.

Stunning architecture. Amazing to see. Truely beautiful.

Sagrada Familia, a cathedral to rival all cathedrals. It is history in the making. Photos can not show the sheer magnificence of this stunning piece of architecture, one can not truly appreciate the wonders and story of every piece of stone that has been carefully carved, shaped and placed to form this spectacular masterpiece.
With a prediction of another 50 years until completion, a little help from the detail drawings and sketches along with the stunningly detailed models of the building, one can just visual the glory of the finished building once all the scaffolding has been taken down.
A key piece to see in Barcelona, if you are not scared of heights, it is well worth queueing to take the short lift ride up a spiral to the top to see Barcelona from birds eye view, before taking the long whiny starts down while stopping occasionally to appreciate the details of the architecture close up.

If I have taken one memory away with me from La Sagrada Familia, it is its collossal size! Images of the enormous tree-like columns growing from the floor and into the heavens. The story of the structure alone is enough to blow your mind: with construction beginning in 1883 by the famous Antoni Gaudi and expected to finish no earlier than 2026...

The construction being solely reliant on donations and entrance fees, I encourage anyone to become part of the story, and visit this spectacular monument to human ingenuity and creativity.

Is nothing short of breathtaking. I have seen most of the major attractions in Europe, and this stands out from most of the rest.

It may take a while standing in a queue to get up the elevators to the top, but it is worth it! The view from the top is amazing, with a 360 degree view around Barcelona. the architecture is spectacular. From having seen this masterpiece of architecture, one can understand why Gaudi spent so many of his last years of life, solely working on this building. Is a must-see if you go to Barcelona, without a doubt!

Absolutely amazing. This is a must see in Barcalona and you will end up taking so many pictures just trying to get one that does it justice. The work is so detailed, it is just incredible. The unfinished Cathedral is spectacular and it is definitely worth going inside where you can see the work in progress and find out about its’ history and that of the architect. It lives up to all the hype.

A stunning and beautiful church which was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi and still 100 years later isn’t finished. It’s idea was to provide a place, primaily, for the people of Barcelona to come and worship this is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. The back of the Sagrada Familia is ornate and older in style, and it’s unbelievable that people have carved the intricate religious depictions out of the stone by hand. The front is a lot more modern and still as beautiful even though the two styles are completely contrasting. When visiting you will notice that the building work is still ongoing, and quite rightly so due to the amount of hard work and determination that has gone into building it. There are four steep spires each containing a spiral staircase which we chose to climb by foot. It does get very scary near the top but definitely worth it for the stunning views over Barcelona. This was Gaudi’s last project and he died being run down by a tram outside and never got to see his dream finished. Incredibly Gothic in style and with the most amazing stained glass windows, one visit is definitely not enough to appreciate the beauty and workmanship. Definitely have a go at crossing the spires by the little bridge, probably one of the bravest things I have ever done as I am so scared of heights but again well worth it.

Taking the lift to the top of the spires of the Sagrada Familiar affords you spectacular views across this sprawling Spanish city, the heart of Catalyna. However this is probably not best suited to those who suffer from vertigo as the small bridge between the spires (look at any photo) are narrow and the side walls aren’t that high!

This Gaudi building is spectacular. The detail inside and out is so intricate it has to be seen to be believed, you won’t have seen anything like it. The views of Barcelona from the top are amazing but you will either have to be patient and wait quite a while for the lift up or take the many steps up to the top.

One of the most amazing places to visit. I have been here over the years and I wish I had been more particular with my photos so that I could have seen how this building has grown. You could spend hours gazing at the amazing architecture and admiring how something so old can be so contemporary. You need a steady nerve to climb the winding stairs to the top, but definitely worth the shaky knees for another view of this building and Barcelona.

The sagrada familia is a truly awesome building. While it may not be to everyone’s taste (mine included) it is definitely a sight to see. The sheer size of it is overwhelming. If you do decide to go in it costs 10euros and as it is unfinished this means that there is a lot of scaffolding and not much to see in the interior of the cathedral, however, if you pay to go in you might as well pay the extra 2euros to go to the top of the building. While not for the faint-hearted this is the best part of the whole place. The views are incredible and if you walk down, rather than getting the lift, you can really see Gaudi’s intricate architecture.

The Sagrada Familia really is a one off and ot to be missed on any tour of barcelona. make sure you take a guided tour though as there is so much to know about thre place that you will not get from a leaflet or book.

This is the only building I have actually gasped out load at when I saw it for the first time. I walked through the streets from Las Ramblas, and as I came to the end of a street it just appeared before me. Outside is a small park wth market stalls selling gift items. You have to pay for entry but there is a discount if you show your student card.

The buiding is still under construction aand will be for at least the next 10 years. Gaudi’s, the designer, plans are being carried out posthumously as it is such a big project. Even so the construction doesn’t detract from the experience, it actually seems to add to the awe factor of the building.

Inside there are notice boards in English and Spanish explaining the story of the building, showing pictures of its construction and showing the designs. If you wish to go up the tower (I didn’t) be prepared to queue, but there is a better view of the city from Pac Guell.

The church is quite simply amazing. Everywhere you look there is some tiny detail which is an artwork in and of itself. There is symbolism everywhere, and if you’re into that kind of thing the building itself seems to be the text of some intricate riddle. Very worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.

In my opinion, Barcelona is the most interesting and variable city in the world. I, personally, like very much the Catalans and their way of like. They are often affectionately called the “German Spaniards” as they are a really hard-working people. But working in Barcelona is more comfortable than working in other countries. You always enjoy the great atmosphere, the sea, the numerous bars,… If you go to Barcelona, you don’t have to leave without having seen the Sagrada Familia. This Catholic Temple was built by Antoní Gaudi, but it hasn’t been finished yet. It’s unique and very impressive.

This place took my breath away. As soon as our tour bus drew up beside it I knew I had to go inside, and it was well worth the entrance fee (especially as the money goes towards continuing the building work). It’s just stunning, I never knew a man made structure could be so inspiring and intricate. It gave me goosebumps! I learned a lot about Gaudi too. I promised myself that I’d go back when they finally finish it!

It is magnificent! You can see it from the sightseeing bus, but the best way to feel it, is to pay (very expensive) entrance.
Your money is used for church (one day they might finish it).
And - you’ll hear about Gaudi and his work everywhere in Barcelona you are. Enjoy it!

Some of the facts:
It is still under construction. Building work began in the late 19th-century and is now funded by churchgoers and devotees, and through ticket revenue from visitors like you. It is Gaudi’s dream, to wich he devoted much of his life. At the time of his death in 1926, only one of the towers had been completed.

If you have only day/or half a day in Barcelona, make sure you dont miss this spectacular building. There is many ways to describe it, but the best thing to do is to see it for yourself and surely you will discover in your own way. The leading landmark ofd Barcelona, the entry is not cheap, but it is worth every cent.

Worth a visit although the entrance is fairly expensive but you can apprecaite the running costs of it.
If you are not afraid of heights take the tour, just don’t look down!
:-)