Sagrada Família 2026: What's Really Complete & When to Go

Karen Roldan

13 Jan 2026 — 7 min read

You will hear a lot of people say the Sagrada Família is “finished” in 2026. It is not.

What completes on June 10, 2026 (Gaudí’s death centenary) is the Tower of Jesus Christ, reaching 172.5 meters with the cross installed. The Glory Façade, the main entrance, is still under construction until at least 2034.

I live 15 minutes away and have visited several times since moving to Barcelona. This guide cuts through the headlines to tell you what you can realistically expect to see in 2026.

⚡️ Quick Summary: Sagrada Família Completion 2026

What is “Finished” on June 10, 2026: The Tower of Jesus Christ reaches 172.5 meters, and the ceramic cross is fully installed.
What is NOT Finished: The Glory Façade (main entrance) and exterior sculptures.
Tower Access: The Jesus Tower structure is complete, but the viewing platform opens in 2027. In 2026, tower tickets still only cover the Nativity or Passion towers.
Tickets: Book online 2–4 weeks in advance. There is no physical ticket office.

Low-angle view of the Sagrada Família's Passion Facade towers inscribed with 'Sanctus' and construction cranes.

What's Actually Completing in 2026

The Tower of Jesus Christ (the tall one in the middle) is set to be the big highlight on June 10, 2026. Right now, you can see the massive 17-meter ceramic cross coming together little by little. As of January, three of the four arms are already in place, and the final pieces will be added soon.

With this tower, the Sagrada Família will officially become the tallest church in the world at 172.5 meters, surpassing Ulm Minster. Gaudí designed it to be exactly 0.5 meters shorter than Montjuïc mountain because he believed human work should never look down on God's work.

What Still Isn't Done

The main entrance (the Glory Façade) won't be ready until at least 2034.

Gaudí’s original plans require demolishing the apartment buildings across the street to build a giant staircase. It is a massive legal standoff involving city permits and resident rights.

When you visit in 2026, you’ll be able to see the Jesus Tower completed, but the street level is still a work in progress. You’ll likely spot scaffolding and cranes around the Glory Façade entrance. The good news is that most of the construction is external, so once you’re inside, the views are clear and unobstructed.

The Experience: Light, Crowds & Hidden Details

Best Time for Light (Stained Glass): The stained-glass windows create intense, shifting colors throughout the day. If you’re light-sensitive, it's a good idea to bring sunglasses.

Cool Tones (Blues/Greens): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (East/Nativity side).
Warm Tones (Reds/Oranges): 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (West/Passion side). The “fire” effect is amazing here.

Crowd Patterns: Expect the area to be quite crowded between 10 AM and 3 PM.

I recommend visiting early, around 9:30 AM. That’s when I like to take a stroll around the neighborhood with my husband just before his Spanish class. At that time, it’s usually calm and not too crowded. Going inside early is actually very peaceful. Later in the day, the stone floors echo, and it can get pretty loud.
Sensory Note: If you attend Mass, be prepared for incense smoke because it can be quite strong and tend to linger. If you’re sensitive to scents, check the schedule at sagradafamilia.org to avoid the busy mass times.

A Hidden Gem: The Giant Clamshells

My guide didn’t mention one of my favorite hidden details. I actually first learned about it during a visit to the Philippine Consulate. The holy water fonts near the entrance are real giant clamshells from the Philippines. They’re huge, but because there’s no sign explaining them, most visitors walk right past without noticing. Be sure to keep an eye out for these hidden treasures because they’re worth a closer look.

2026 Events Calendar: When to Visit

The Sagrada Família has planned a full year of events for Gaudí's death centenary.

March 19, 2026: Foundation stone anniversary, featuring a concert by Orfeó Català and a solemn mass. I’ve attended mass here twice, and it’s surprisingly quiet. You can hear the organ clearly without 200 people talking over it.
June 6-10, 2026 (The Big Week): There’s a possibility that Pope Leo XIV might visit during this time, though nothing is official yet. Even without the pope, the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ will take place on June 10. Expect large crowds and increased security measures.
September 2026: The Mercè festivities will be happening in September. While residents can enjoy free admission (up to 20,000) the area tends to get very crowded. If you’re not here for the festival atmosphere, this might not be the best time for a tour.

The difference a year makes: 2024 vs. 2025.

Tickets & Logistics (Read This Before Booking)

💡 Important: Tickets can’t be purchased at the door because there’s no physical ticket office. You need to buy your tickets online through the official website or app in advance.

2026 Pricing

Standard Entry: €33.80 (Skip-the-line)
Guided Tour: €49.40 (Expert guide + priority entry)
Entry + Tower: €54.00 (Nativity or Passion tower only)
Kids Under 10: Free (with adult ticket)

I recommend booking the guided tour whenever possible. When we visited in April 2024, our guide shared fascinating details that we would have missed otherwise, like the forest symbolism in the columns and why certain towers represent specific apostles.

If you live in Barcelona, you get 50% off throughout 2026.

How to book: You cannot book tickets online yourself. Instead, email resident@ext.sagradafamilia.org with your photo ID, padrón, preferred date, and ticket type.

Getting There

Take Metro L2 (purple line) or L5 (blue line) to the “Sagrada Família” station. You will exit directly across from the basilica. From my place, I usually walk since it is only 15–20 minutes, but the metro is the most reliable option if you are coming from other parts of Barcelona.

Arrival & Security

During summer, lines can sometimes take about 20 to 30 minutes. The queuing area has little shade, so it’s a good idea to bring water and sunscreen if you're visiting around midday.

Please note that outside drinks aren’t allowed inside. Security is similar to what you’d find at an airport, with bag checks and metal detectors, so packing lightly can help things go more smoothly.

⚠️ Tickets are not refundable, and you might be turned away if shoulders or mid-thighs are not covered. To keep it simple, it’s a good idea to dress conservatively or bring a scarf.

Towers & Accessibility

The Jesus Tower vs. Other Towers

Jesus Tower: The main structure was finished in 2026, but you won’t be able to climb it yet. They still need about a year to install safety features and elevators.
Nativity & Passion Towers: These are open for climbing.

Accessibility

The Towers: The open towers have an elevator to take you up. But going down involves walking down narrow spiral staircases with more than 300 steps. If stairs are an issue, it might be best to skip the tower tickets.
The Basilica: The ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible with wide aisles, so everyone can explore comfortably.

Questions People Actually Ask

Sort of. The Tower of Jesus Christ is finished as of June 10, 2026, which marks the completion of the main vertical structure. However, the basilica is not fully done. The Glory Façade (the main entrance) won't be structurally complete until at least 2034, and sculptors will be working on decorations for years after that.

The tower structure is finished in 2026, but the viewing platform at the top opens in 2027. Currently, you can only book climbs for the Nativity or Passion towers.

Yes. Since it is an active church, they enforce the dress code strictly. Shoulders must be covered, and shorts or skirts must reach at least mid-thigh. They will deny you entry without a refund if you are wearing swimwear, see-through clothing, or costumes.

No. All tickets are online only via the official app or website. Because 2026 is the Centenary, tickets sell out 2–4 weeks in advance. There is no physical ticket office at the basilica for same-day entry.

For the “fire” effect (warm reds and oranges), visit the Passion façade side between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. For the “cool” effect (blues and greens), aim for the Nativity side between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

Two women having drinks at the Sercotel Rosellón rooftop bar with a close-up view of the Sagrada Familia towers in the background.

Final Thoughts

Before I moved here, I wondered if the Sagrada Família might be a bit of a tourist trap. It’s so popular on Instagram that I thought I knew what to expect. But seeing it in person for the first time is completely different. It truly lives up to the hype and is one of those landmarks that feels just as impressive in real life.

Yes, the crowds can be intense. Most visitors come prepared and plan ahead, especially if you want to avoid the busiest times. I have the advantage of living nearby and visiting during off-peak hours, but if you’re traveling to Barcelona specifically for this, just remember that the crowds are part of the experience.

Just book your tickets early, wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunglasses if you’re light-sensitive. The June 10 inauguration will be a historic moment, but honestly, any visit in 2026 will be special.

About this guide: I wrote this based on my daily life here in Barcelona. I’ve lived 15 minutes away since November 2024 and have visited multiple times (both for tours and mass). I verified all construction dates and prices as of January 2026, but since things change, please double-check the official website before you book.