How to Visit Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (2024) – Practical tips from our visit

Take a journey through the soaring towers and intricate facades of Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece in the centre of Barcelona. This guide includes practical information and tips for visiting Sagrada Familia (entrance, tickets, attractions, opening times, how to get around and more).

If you ask Catalans what monument to visit in Barcelona, the first thing most people will say is Sagrada Familia. The Basilica is visited by almost 5 million people a year and regularly ranks among the top ten most visited monuments in Europe and the top twenty in the world.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Sagrada Familia, including practical information on admission fees, opening times and how to get to the basilica.

Quick summary for Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona

Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona is monumental, unique and controversial at the same time. Few monuments evoke such strong emotions.

The English writer George Orwell described it as “hideous”, Salvador Dali as “a terrifying and poisonous beauty”.

Whatever your opinion of it, the fact remains that it is one of the most important monuments in the world. This is also evidenced by the fact that the crypt and the facade of the Nativity of the Lord are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The name of the basilica means “Holy Family”. The official name is “Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família” or “Temple of Reconciliation, dedicated to the Holy Family”.

Sagrada Familia was originally just a church. This changed after the completion of the roof in 2010, when the church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI. and awarded it the title of “Basilica minor”. It translates as “minor basilica” and is awarded by the Pope to major churches.

Although it is an important religious building, it is not the most important in Barcelona. This is Barcelona Cathedral, which lies in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Barcelona Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop and the only cathedral in the city.

☞ Barcelona Essentials Pass includes unlimited transport in the city and access to 2 of Barcelona’s most popular attractions – the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

Interesting facts about Sagrada Familia

When did the construction of the Sagrada Família begin?

The construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882, when 19th March, the first stone was laid. It was originally intended to be a copy of a prominent church in the Italian village of Loreto (Santuario della Santa Casa), inside which stands the Holy Hut (according to legend, the home of the Virgin Mary transported from Nazareth).

José Maria Bocabella, the founder of the local organization of the Association of Devotees of San José, came up with the idea of building a church and decided to promote the values of the Christian family.

Who built the Sagrada Familia?

The commission for the Sagrada Família was awarded to the Spanish architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. He planned to build a church in the Neo-Gothic style, but after disagreements with one of the consulting architects he resigned in 1883. Only the crypt, where Bocabella was later buried, has survived from his design.

The Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí then took over the commission and completely redesigned the project. His intention was to create a building that no one in the world had ever seen. Thanks to the unique style of Catalan modernism, he succeeded.

The project ran for 43 years until his death at 74, when he fell down a tram and succumbed to his injuries from the fall a few days later. He was then buried in the crypt of the basilica.

Since the Spanish Civil War, the basilica has been under construction according to Gaudí’s reconstructions. During the war, the original designs were destroyed along with the workshop and part of the basilica.

Interestingly, Gaudí applied for permission to build in 1885, but there is no official record that permission was granted. The basilica was not granted a building permit until 2019 at a cost of €4.6 million.

When will the Sagrada Familia be finished?

The basilica was to be completed in 2026 on the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. Unlike other religious buildings, the Sagrada Família is being built entirely with donations and contributions. Due to the pandemic and other circumstances, it is currently expected to be completed in 2040.

☞ Check out the description and itinerary map of how to spend 4 days in Barcelona.

What to see in the Sagrada Família?

When you first see the Sagrada Familia, the first thing that strikes you is how monumental it is. To give you a better idea, here are some numbers – the basilica consists of 5 naves, 18 towers and 3 facades.

As you approach the temple, you will notice that its facades tell a story: the Nativity facade, a celebration of life and nature, is rich in detailed carvings of plants and animals. In contrast, the façade of the Passion of Christ stands out with its austere, bony structures that poignantly depict the Passion of Christ.

The façade of Glory (see photo below), which is still under construction, promises to be a spectacular depiction of the path to God. Of the 3 facades, the facade of Glory should be the most monumental. At the same time, it should form the main façade as it offers a direct entrance to the central nave.

If you want to see the facades up close, you need a ticket.

The basilica has 18 towers representing the 12 apostles, the 4 evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), the Virgin Mary and the highest one Jesus Christ. The Tower of Jesus Christ will be 172.5 metres high and topped with a large cross. Gaudí chose the height deliberately. He wanted the basilica to be the tallest building in Barcelona, but at the same time not higher than the Montjüic hill.

The interiors are equally impressive. When you enter, you are greeted by a forest of columns branching out into vaulted ceilings, where light penetrates a kaleidoscope of stained glass windows and casts vibrant hues that dance throughout the interior. Every element inside the basilica, from the spiral staircases to the geometrically complex arches, reflects Gaudí’s belief that nature is God’s canvas.

☞ Barcelona City Pass includes the most popular sights in Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

When to visit the Sagrada Familia?

If you want to avoid the crowds, plan to visit the basilica first thing in the morning. There are the fewest people, there is little or no security line, and you can enjoy the inside tour with only a few others. There are already huge crowds in the morning, which persist into the evening.

In addition, the late afternoon sun shines on the facade of the Nativity of the Lord, making it all the more difficult to take a good photo.

How to get to the Sagrada Familia?

Sagrada Família is located on Carrer de Mallorca in the popular Eixample district and is within walking distance of the historic centre and other famous sites in Barcelona.

The Gothic Quarter with its cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Sant Pau Hospital, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló are all within easy walking distance.

Public buses and the metro stop right outside the basilica:

• Metro: purple line L2 or blue line L5 – Sagrada Familia station
• Buses: 19, 33, 34, D50, H10, B24

They’re stopping right by the basilica too
Hop On, Hop Off tourist buses. At the same time, you will then take the next connection at the same place once you have seen the basilica.

Entrance and tickets to the Sagrada Familia

Admission to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona varies depending on whether you plan to visit “only” the church here or both the church and the one with the tower. Admission fees vary as follows:

• church only: adults €26, children, students and young people up to 30 years old €24, seniors over 65 years old €21, free for children up to 11 years old, disabled and their accompanying persons
• church and one of the towers: adults €36, children, students and young people under 30 €34, seniors over 65 €28, accompanying persons for disabled persons €10, free for children under 11 and disabled persons

☞ Reservations for the Sagrada Familia are required. There are no ticket offices on site where you can purchase tickets. When you make a reservation, you choose a specific time for your visit – in my experience, it’s okay if you arrive a little earlier (+- 15 minutes).

The ticket also includes an audio guide – don’t forget to bring your own headphones. The audio guide is available in 15 languages, including English, Spanish, German or French.

How can I get a discount for Sagrada Familia?

If you are a senior citizen, student, child or under 30 years of age, you automatically receive a discount on admission to the Basilica. Take the necessary documents to confirm your entitlement to the discount. Children up to 11 years of age and persons with disabilities with an accompanying person are admitted free of charge.

☞ Sagrada Familia is part of the of the Barcelona Pass which includes a guided visit to the Basilica.

When to visit Sagrada Familia for free?

You can visit the basilica for free every Sunday or on holidays during the 9am international masses. Capacity is limited. The condition is that you must not disturb others, i.e. you can’t take pictures or walk around inside.

The second requirement is appropriate clothing that meets church standards – shorts or skirts at least to the knee, covered shoulders and no head coverings.

Where is the entrance to the Basilica and how does the visit work?

The entrance to the basilica is from the east through the facade of the Nativity of the Lord – this is the most decorative facade, where the largest crowds gather. Directly opposite is a small park with a pond. The main entrance should be relocated here once the Glory facade to the south is completed over the next few years.

Stand in the security queue depending on whether you are an individual or a group (for us it was entry D for individuals, entry B for groups). It’s signposted and there are staff to direct you – just show your ticket.

You’ll go through security, which is similar to airport security, but not as strict. You can take water with you, a small backpack is not a problem either. Don’t bring large luggage – there are no storage compartments on site, only at the towers. You must then keep your shoulders and knees covered during Mass.

Once you’re in, you can stay as long as you want. Except for the access to the towers, the basilica is wheelchair accessible.

How long does the tour of the Basilica take?

Wondering how much time to set aside to visit the Sagrada Familia? If you want to see the basilica, including the towers, take 2 hours. Allow at least 30 minutes to see the interior of the church itself, but set aside at least an hour to see the exterior together with the inspection.

Access to the towers of La Sagrada Familia

The basilica has 18 towers and most of them are not yet completed. Nevertheless, you can enter the two towers now. These are the Tower of Bethlehem on the facade of the Nativity of the Lord overlooking the sea and the Tower of the Passion on the facade of the Passion, from where you will have a view of the city (see photo).

Entrance to the tower is booked with your ticket. You get a combined ticket, which you show when you enter the basilica and when you enter the glass elevator that takes you to the tower.

The elevator can only hold 6 people, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit to the basilica in the morning or late afternoon so you don’t have to wait in line for the elevator. You can then descend back down a narrow spiral staircase of 300 steps. Small children under 6 years of age are not allowed on the towers.

Map of Barcelona

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of the best things to do in Barcelona, Spain. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the guide to where to go in Barcelona. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.

Tips on how to enjoy Barcelona

• Many places are located in the city centre and are easily accessible. For more distant places, use the metro or buses, and trams along the beaches – transport is safe and reliable.
• Travel unlimited on public transport with the Hola BCN card, which includes the airport metro, buses, trains and ground cable cars.
• Barcelona is big, but part of it is walkable – you’ll discover different neighbourhoods, each with a completely different atmosphere.
• Book your tickets for the most popular things to do in Barcelona early. Barcelona is extremely popular and tickets can sell out or long lines can form on site.
• This also applies to accommodation – the later you book, the higher the prices tend to be.
• Watch out for pickpockets – especially on La Rambla, near the Sagrada Familia and other similarly exposed places.
• Grab a paella, seafood or tapas bar. The best places are a bit hidden around the corner and there are lines, but it’s worth it.
• Planning to visit more paid sights, museums and attractions? Get a tourist card – choose from the Barcelona Pass, Barcelona Explorer Pass or Barcelona Card. For more information, see the separate article on how to save in Barcelona.

This was our guide to visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!

More information about Barcelona

THIGS TO DO IN BARCELONA: Plan your trip with our 3-day itinerary for Barcelona. Check out the description and itinerary map on how to spend 4 days in Barcelona.

Here are the best things to do in Barcelona (photos, map, practical information). In the next article we share tips on things to do in Barcelona with kids.

BARCELONA TRAVEL GUIDE: Here is a detailed guide to transport in Barcelona and how to get from the airport to Barcelona. We’ve put together tips on the best places to stay in Barcelona (the best areas and hotels). In the next article we share tips on how to save in Barcelona.

SPAIN: This is a list of the most beautiful places in Spain.

☞ Go to all articles about Spain.