Awe-inspiring basilica with stunning stained glass & intricate detail
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, L'Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain Get directions
"Visiting Barcelona, I was struck by the Basílica de la Sagrada Família: a Catholic church and living monument to Antoni Gaudí that has been under construction since 1882, with Gaudí spending more than 40 years shaping its vision. From the outside, the tangle of spires, cranes, and intricate stonework is part of the draw—a visible testament to a passion project still very much alive and an evolving story told in sculpture, light, and shadow. Inside, the nave rises like a forest canopy supported by branching stone trunks as Gaudí intended to bring the natural world in, while sunlight filters through stained glass that shifts from cool greens and blues in the morning to fiery ambers and reds by evening. Some towers are still being built but already offer panoramic views framed by the structure, and 2025 may be the last year to see the main structure unfinished before its expected completion in 2026, about 100 years after Gaudí’s passing." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A monumental basilica in Barcelona often photographed framed by palm trees on sunny mornings; this iconic architectural and religious landmark draws heavy visitor traffic during peak season and serves as a vivid example of the kinds of high-appeal sites that contribute to overtourism pressures in the city." - Opheli Garcia Lawler
"This iconic Gaudí basilica is widely regarded as the city's most famous attraction and can be seen unobstructed from the hotel's rooftop, serving as a prominent landmark for orienting and planning an itinerary." - Sean Flynn
"A monumental Antoni Gaudí-designed basilica whose long construction history is noted—slated for completion in 2026 after more than 140 years—and presented as a must-see architectural highlight." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"One of the essential works by Catalan modernist architecture's leading figure; this monumental basilica is a must-visit for its singular design and its status as a defining visual for the city's modernist heritage." - Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
