Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Guaranteed to make every list of "things to do in Barcelona", I admit I was hesitant to raise my expectations for fear of disappointment. However, Sagrada Familia was easily the highlight of my trip to Barcelona and I wholeheartedly recommend making time for a visit.
I booked through the official website a month prior to the date that I wanted. The website was very good at cautioning visitors to book early because it's near impossible to buy tickets on the day of. Since ticket sales help fund the ongoing construction of the basilica, I felt the guided tour was reasonably priced and worthwhile.
It was unbelievably busy on the day if my visit. I visited in late April, and the Tower of Jesus had recently been completed, in line with the 100th centennial celebrations. I was glad to have arrived 20 minutes early and after squeezing through security checks, I found my tour guide amongst the dozens of other groups.
Sagrada Familia is impressive from a distance, but seeing the fine details of the outer wall up close was a different kind of awe. It was the first moment I realised that the basilica wasn't just a famous tourist attraction, but a genuine masterpiece of architecture and craftsmanship.
Other than some light research, I had little knowledge about the origins of Sagrada Familia or Gaudi, so having the guide explain the meaning behind the creative choices that shaped this unique building made the visit more memorable. I think I was especially lucky because our guide spoke with genuine passion for the history and kept the explanations short but detailed. I can still remember so much of what I learnt more than half a year later!
He also ushered us politely but firmly to squeeze together tightly and out of the way of passageways. It was a small detail, but I appreciated how he carefully directed the group so that other visitors could also enjoy their visit.
I opted for a ticket that included access to the Nativity Towers, however, I personally didn't find it worth the extra cost. It was unguided, but there were explanations available through a smartphone app (I didn't utilise it). The elevator takes you right to the top, and then descend a spiraling staircase back to ground level. The view of the city was pretty and it was neat seeing the Christmas-tree-esque ornaments up close, but because the staircase was only wide enough for one person, there was a constant feeling of needing to keep moving so as not to hold up the people behind me. A bit too distracting for me, personally.
Back in the main nave, the evening sun streamed through the stained glass, filling the interior with shifting shades of green, red, and gold. I could have sat there for hours simply watching the colours change across the stone walls. As the building closes at 8 pm, the crowd really thinned out by 7 pm and it was much easier to take photos.
I'm looking forward to its completion in ten years' time and would happily visit again if I get the chance. Few attractions have exceeded my expectations quite as thoroughly as Sagrada Familia, and it remains one of the most impressive buildings I have ever visited.
