La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona, Spain
La Sagrada Familia is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world and is interesting enough to be on this list as a stand alone, but really it's on here as the most iconic thing to see in Barcelona. Barcelona is one of those cities that you should really get to at some point. It's vibrant and touristy - all great reasons to visit (and equally great reasons not to live there).
A few notes on La Sagrada Familia:
It's under construction....and has been since 1882. The plan is to have it completed in 2032. As a result, when you visit there's going to be a construction zone feel to a degree. It doesn't ruin it, but it would certainly be better without the crains and noise.
There can be lines, sometimes massive ones, to get inside, but you should definitely do it. The inside is more beautiful than the outside. It's bizarrely designed, and like the outside there are oddities to view everywhere you look, but the beauty as the light passes through the colorful glass and reflects off every angle is undeniable. It's got to be the most unique of all the great European churches (technically it started out as a church, and then formally a cathedral, it is now officially a basilica).
Every square inch of the wonderful oddness of La Sagrada Familia is owed to its architect, Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi was a local and his influence is all over Barcelona, perhaps more so than any other architect on a given city. Part of that is due to volume, but it's also because his designs are so...unique - you can't mistake a Gaudi building. He's actually buried here in one of the chapels at LSF. He died in 1926 at the age of 73 when he was struck by a tram on a daily walk. He was mistaken for a begger and left before finally being taken to a hospital and given only basic care. By the time they realized who he was it was too late.
As interesting as La Sagrada Familia is, Barcelona is a can't miss city with or without it's most iconic landmark. Located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, this vibrant Catalonian capital has about 4.7 million people living in the metropolitan area. It's a big city, but if you stick with the touristy stuff it doesn't feel that big.
There are no shortage of things to see and do here, like strolling the fantastic pedestrian only Las Ramblas pictured above. Branelle and I spent a week here and didn't cover everything we would have liked to see. It has a warm but mild climate and if you avoid the busy months it can be quite pleasant.
I've said this before and I'll say it again: Don't go to the Med for the beaches (If you're American anyway - the caribbean has much better beaches and water and it's much closer and cheaper). That said, if you must dip your toes in Barcelona can certainly accommodate you.
Even if you aren't a soccer fan you should visit the Nou Camp. Americans should recognize that soccer is more a part of the culture in a lot of countries than just about anything else you're going to go see. If you want the full Catalonian experience you can't get it without some F.C. Barcelona mixed in. See a game if at all possible, but at the minimum take the stadium tour.
There are also many day trip options nearby. Montserrat is one of the more spectacular ones. We took the train and it was a very pleasant and relaxing half-day trip. There is also a Formula 1 track nearby and a lot more outdoor activities than you might expect.
Barcelona is a city that you don't really have to have a plan for. We scheduled some things the last time we were there, but I think we enjoyed just walking around the different neighborhoods about as much as anything else. The subway system is clean and fairly efficient. Driving around the city is pointless so don't waste your time.
Another great reason to come to Barcelona is the food. Sometimes I think the "great food" description is overused in the travel world. A lot of places have a reputation for outstanding food that is undeserved (France - for example) but dining in Barcelona is actually quite an experience. The 4 Gats is one of the most famous restaurants in the city, but there are so many good ones it doesn't matter. It's tapas style, so you're eating late and ordering a la carte. It's a full evening, so if you're in a hurry don't bother. Nel and I usually just ended our nights with a 2-3 hour dinner late at one of the many outstanding tapas places near our hotel.
I usually end these "100 Places" posts by asking "So should you go?" I think you can gather if you've read this far that I do think you should definitely hit Barcelona. You're not coming here without visiting La Sagrada Familia, so yes to that too.
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