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Travel + Leisure

This Unfinished Masterpiece Was Just Named the No. 1 Attraction in the World by Tripadvisor

Of all the things there are to do in the world, one experience has risen to the top—not by chance, but by the sheer volume and enthusiasm of traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the past year. At the top of the platform's most sought-after (and most beloved) attractions is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona. The Catholic church has been under construction since 1882 (over 140 years, if you're counting) and is both a place of worship and a monument to architect Antoni Gaudí, who spent more than 40 years working on the church and whose vision remains the project's guiding light. But don't let the phrase 'under construction' deter you. The tangle of spires, cranes, and intricate stonework you see from the outside is part of the draw—a testament to a passion project that is still very much alive. It's an evolving story told in sculpture, light, and shadow. Basílica de la Sagrada Familia. Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure Step inside, and the noise of the city recedes. What remains is color and quiet. The nave rises like a forest canopy, supported by branching stone trunks, which supports Gaudí's vision to bring the natural world in. Sunlight filters through stained glass in hues that shift with the day: cool greens and blues in the morning, fiery ambers and reds as evening approaches. And above it all, the towers—some still being built—offer panoramic views over Barcelona, framed by the very structure that continues to rise. It is quite fitting that the Sagrada Família is at the top of Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards as this is the last year travelers will be able to visit the unfinished main structure, which is expected to be completed in 2026, which is about 100 years after Gaudí's passing. Following the Sagrada Família in the world's top attractions is the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The full ranked list is below: Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain Eiffel Tower, Paris, France NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, United States Louvre Museum, Paris, France Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing, Asia Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy Plaza de España, Seville, Spain