Can You Still Climb the Sagrada Família Towers During the Final Construction Phase?

Yes — tower access remains available to visitors in 2026, even as interior finishing on the central tower continues. You typically ride an elevator up one of the towers and then walk down a spiral staircase, enjoying panoramic views over Barcelona along the way. There are some important caveats: tower access is a separate, limited add-on to standard entry, exactly which towers are open can vary, the very summit of the central Tower of Jesus Christ is not a public viewpoint, and access can be paused in bad weather. But the core answer is reassuring — you can still go up.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan a tower visit during this final phase of construction.

What the tower experience actually involves

First, let’s set expectations clearly, because “climbing the towers” means something specific here. You don’t climb up — an elevator takes you most of the way to a viewing level inside one of the basilica’s towers. From there you can take in views out over the city and the sea, and get a remarkably close look at the intricate stonework, the bridges between towers, and the colourful ceramic decoration of the pinnacles that you simply can’t appreciate from the ground.

The descent is on foot, down a tight spiral staircase that winds its way back down inside the tower. This is the part that catches some visitors off guard, so it’s worth knowing in advance.

Which towers can you go up?

The Sagrada Família has historically offered tower access on two of its façade sides — the Nativity side and the Passion side — each offering a different perspective. The Nativity towers generally look out over the older part of the city, while the Passion towers face a different aspect.

Which option is available can change depending on ongoing work and operational factors, and the choice is usually made at the time of booking. One key point for 2026: the central Tower of Jesus Christ, despite being the headline of the completion story, is not a general visitor viewpoint. You won’t be standing at the top of the world’s tallest church. The towers open to visitors are the façade towers, not the central spire.

Does the construction affect tower access?

The structural completion of the central tower in February 2026 actually means the most disruptive phase of exterior work — the part involving large cranes around the summit — is behind us. Interior finishing continues through 2027 and 2028, but this is less likely to interfere with the façade-tower visitor routes.

That said, an active construction site always has some variability. Access to specific towers may occasionally be adjusted around ongoing work, which is another reason exactly which tower you visit can vary. The practical upshot: book ahead, and be a little flexible about which tower you end up in.

Important practical considerations

Before you book tower access, run through this checklist:

• It’s a separate add-on. Tower access isn’t included in a basic entry ticket. You need to select it specifically, and it costs more.
• Slots are limited and sell out first. Tower capacity is much smaller than general admission, so these tickets disappear well before standard entry. Book as early as you can.
• There’s usually a minimum age. Young children are typically not permitted on the towers for safety reasons. Check the current requirement when booking.
• It’s weather-dependent. Access can be suspended in high winds, storms, or other adverse conditions, sometimes at short notice. This is for safety and isn’t negotiable.
• The descent is on foot. The spiral staircase down is narrow and can be challenging for anyone with vertigo, claustrophobia, knee problems, or limited mobility.

Who should think twice about the towers?

The tower experience is spectacular, but it isn’t for everyone. The narrow spiral descent in particular can be genuinely uncomfortable if you have a fear of heights or enclosed spaces — the staircase winds tightly with limited views out, and once you’ve started down, turning back isn’t really an option. Anyone with significant mobility limitations, certain health conditions, or who is pregnant may want to skip the towers and focus on the equally remarkable interior at ground level.

If you’re unsure, the interior of the basilica is the real heart of the experience and requires none of the physical demands of the tower climb. You won’t feel you’ve missed the essence of the Sagrada Família by skipping the towers.

How to book tower access

Because tower slots are limited and sell out before standard entry, the single most important tip is to book early and add the tower option at the time of purchase rather than hoping to add it later.

When booking, pay attention to which tower (Nativity or Passion) is included, since they offer different views, and confirm the minimum age and any other conditions for your group.

Is it worth it during construction?

For most able visitors who don’t mind heights and enclosed staircases, yes. The views over Barcelona are genuinely special, and getting close to the pinnacles and stonework offers a perspective on Gaudí’s craftsmanship that the ground simply can’t provide. The fact that interior finishing is ongoing elsewhere in the building doesn’t diminish the tower experience.

There’s also a timing argument: doing it in 2026, the centenary year and the year the central tower was completed, adds a layer of significance. You’re ascending the towers of the world’s tallest church in the very year it claimed that title.

The bottom line

Can you still climb the Sagrada Família towers during the final construction phase? Yes — tower access continues in 2026, via elevator up and a spiral staircase down, on the façade towers (not the central spire). Just remember it’s a limited, separate add-on that sells out early, comes with a minimum age, depends on the weather, and involves a narrow descent on foot. Book ahead, go in with clear expectations, and you’ll enjoy one of the most memorable viewpoints in Barcelona.