Here’s What to Know Before Visiting La Sagrada Familia
👉 Jump to: History | Why Visit | Visiting Info | Getting There | Best Tours | Points of Interest | Tips | FAQ
La Sagrada Familia is the most popular tourist attraction in Spain, attracting millions of visitors every year. However, while it’s a must for first-timers in Barcelona, visiting such an iconic site isn’t as simple as just buying a ticket and showing up.
There are a few crucial things you must know to maximize your time at La Sagrada Familia — like the fact that it is usually quite crowded, that you need to book tickets well in advance, and that the church is still very much under construction.
I’ve spent extensive time in Barcelona and created this guide to save you hassle and help you have a great experience.
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History of La Sagrada Familia
🏗️ Construction Begins – 142 years ago, a Spanish architect named Francisco de Paula del Villar began the original design for La Sagrada Familia before passing the project onto the famed Antoni Gaudi a year later.
🪦 Gaudi’s Life & Death – Gaudi worked tirelessly over the next 40 years to develop the beautiful church until he died in 1926. After his passing, La Sagrada Familia was put into the hands of several other architects who followed Gaudi’s vision.
Throughout the 20th century, Sagrada Familia was constantly worked on to create a piece of architecture unlike anyone had seen before.
📜 UNESCO World Heritage Site – La Sagrada Familia was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, along with several other of Gaudi’s works such as Casa Batlló.
✅ Expected Completion – Even though La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for nearly a century and a half, it is still not completed yet. It is anticipated that the church will finally be finished very soon in 2026.
Why Visit La Sagrada Familia
⛪ #1 Attraction in Spain – La Sagrada Familia receives over 73,000 visitors every single week, making it the most-visited tourist site in Spain and one of the top attractions in all of Europe [Source]. Its notoriety alone makes the church worth a spot on your itinerary.
🇪🇸 Key BCN History – Out of all of the interesting things to do in Barcelona, none is more well-known than La Sagrada Familia. In the nearly a century and a half since its construction began, the church has become a symbol of the city.
🏛️ Iconic Architecture – La Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi’s most cherished work and it’s one of the most legendary buildings in the world. It looks ethereal through photos, but it’s even more breathtaking when you see it with your own eyes.
📷 Gorgeous Photos – La Sagrada Familia is a cultural symbol of the city as well as a photographer’s dream. This is one of the best places in Barcelona to get that perfect shot to remember your trip.
Visiting Info
🎟️ Ticket Cost – A general admission ticket to La Sagrada Familia costs $28. For visitors under age 30, it costs $25. It is free to visit for children under the age of 11 and people with disabilities [Source]. You must make your reservation at least 48 hours in advance to receive free admission.
🖥️ Reservations – Visitors must reserve their tickets online in advance at the La Sagrada Familia website. It is recommended to book your tickets a few days to a week before the day you wish to visit, especially during peak tourist season in the summer.
🕰️ Opening Hours – Opening hours to La Sagrada Familia change seasonally.
- November to February: 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Saturday, 10:30 am – 6 pm Sundays
- March and October: 9 am – 7 pm Monday – Saturday, 10:30 am – 7 pm Sundays
- April to September: 9 am – 8 pm Monday – Saturday, 10:30 am – 8 pm Sundays
♿ Accessibility – All of the basilica is accessible for visitors in wheelchairs except the towers. People with mobility limitations should arrive at entrance B on Carrer de la Marina. Wheelchairs can be provided upon request.
💻 Website – Official La Sagrada Familia Website
📱 Phone Number – +34 932 080 414
📍 Location – C/ de Mallorca, 401, L’Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
👉 Need a Place to Stay? Sercotel Hotel Rosellon is the only hotel in Barcelona with direct terrace views of La Sagrada Familia.
Getting To La Sagrada Familia
🚇 Public Transportation – The best and cheapest way to reach La Sagrada Familia from anywhere in Barcelona is the metro system. The nearest train station is even called “La Sagrada Familia,” so it’s very simple to figure out where you need to get off.
🚖 Taxi – Taxis are readily available throughout Barcelona and can be requested through apps like Cabify, FreeNow, and Bolt. This can be a very convenient way to reach La Sagrada Familia, but it’s also the most expensive. It’ll cost around €15 to €20 for a 10-minute taxi ride.
🚶♀️ Walking – Visitors can get their steps in by simply walking to La Sagrada Familia. It will take around 45 minutes to walk from the Gothic Quarter in central Barcelona to La Sagrada Familia.
👉 Pro Tip: Take a 20-minute stroll to JOK, a Catalonian eatery (and one of the best restaurants in Barcelona) after visiting La Sagrada Familia.
Best La Sagrada Familia Tours
👩👩👦👦 Group – This Sagrada Familia Guided Tour is a decently affordable tour option at €53. It comes with skip-the-line access, which is enormously helpful at a super busy attraction like this.
Headphones are provided to ensure you hear every bit of information your tour guide shares about the church. The group tour is available in English, Spanish, French, or German (subject to availability).
🧍 Private – Visitors who want a more personal experience should opt for this Complete Private Tour with Sagrada Familia & Park Guell, which conveniently takes you to two top BCN attractions by taxi.
After visiting the sites, you’ll be treated to a tapas lunch and even grab some coffee at one of Pablo Picasso’s favorite spots. Please note that this experience does not include a guided tour inside Sagrada Familia or Park Guell – just an audio guide.
🏞️ Gaudi Combo – Short on time in Barcelona? Book this small-group Complete Gaudí Tour with air-conditioned transfers and entrance tickets to Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Park Guell.
An English-speaking, art historian guide will give you the inside scoop on each of these beloved Barcelona staples.
Points of Interest at La Sagrada Familia
The Stained Glass Windows
The vibrant stained-glass windows are one of the most emblematic features of La Sagrada Familia. On one side of the church is a sunset-like set of windows and on the opposing side is a bluish, green arrangement.
Light floods into the church through these windows, casting rainbows all over the space. It’s one of the best spots to take photos of yourself at Sagrada Familia.
Nativity, Passion & Glory Facades
The outside of La Sagrada Familia is just as intriguing as the interior with three different sides to explore – the Nativity, Passion, and Glory Facades.
The Nativity side on the East is the oldest piece of the church and displays the story of Jesus’ birth. The Passion Facade on the West presents his death and resurrection.
The south-facing Glory Facade is the newest and is still uncompleted, but will eventually feature depictions of heaven. [Source]
The Towers
The pointy towers of Sagrada Familia are a key piece of the Barcelona skyline. Visitors can walk up the winding staircase of either the Passion or Nativity Tower for views over the city.
The Columns
Columns are a central part of La Sagrada Familia’s interior, serving both an architectural purpose for support and aesthetics. Gaudi was inspired by nature when creating these pillars and they’re meant to invoke the sense of walking through a forest of towering trees. [Source]
The Evangelist Pinnacles
The Evangelist Pinnacles are an important nod to the church’s religious influences. Each of these pinnacle sculptures is meant to represent the four Evangelists: Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John.
The Baldachin
The Baldachin sculpture in the center of the church is one of the first things you’ll likely notice upon entering Sagrada Familia.
The floating statue designed to represent the Holy Spirit was added to the church’s main altar just 14 years ago and it has become one of the most eye-catching highlights of the attraction. [Source]
The Crypt
La Sagrada Familia isn’t just Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece but also the site of his tomb. His body was laid to rest in a section of the church underneath the main basilica called the crypt.
The crypt is only open from 9 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 9 pm between Mondays and Fridays and from 9 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm on weekends and public holidays.
Tips For Visiting La Sagrada Familia
Tip #1 – Book Your Tickets in Advance (Especially Between June and August)
Snag your tickets to La Sagrada Familia as early as possible during the high season (June – August). As the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona, it’s very common for tickets to sell out for days at a time during these months.
Tip #2 – Dress Conservatively
All visitors must cover their shoulders in La Sagrada Familia and see-through clothing is prohibited. It’s recommended to bring a light jacket or shawl to wear inside if it’s too hot out for a more modest outfit.
La Sagrada Familia is still an important religious site despite being a big tourist attraction. You need to dress appropriately or you may be denied entry.
Tip #3 – Visit Right Before Sunset to Marvel at the Stained Glass Windows
Arrive about 30 minutes to an hour before sunset for a chance to watch the golden light stream through the basilica. La Sagrada Familia was designed to appreciate the daily sunset through its stunning stained glass windows and it’s truly a sight to behold.
Tip #4 – Download the La Sagrada Familia App for a Free Audio Guide
The La Sagrada Familia app provides visitor information, features an interactive map, allows you to purchase tickets, and best of all includes a free audio guide that will teach you all about the architectural wonder.
The audio tour through Sagrada Familia takes around 45 minutes and you’ll need your own headphones to use it inside the attraction.
Tip #5 – Visit Early to Avoid Crowds
Booking the earliest available time slot at 9 am is your best chance of not drowning in a sea of people.
Nobody ever manages to get La Sagrada Familia all to themselves, but the early morning has the fewest tourists. As the day goes on, the church gets extremely crowded and it can be a little overwhelming.
Tip #6 – Buy the Barcelona Pass
The Barcelona City Pass is one of the city’s greatest travel hacks because it allows you to bundle tickets to top attractions at a discounted price.
With the virtual city pass, you’ll get fast-track access to La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. You’ll also have a choice of visiting either Casa Batlló, Casa Mila, or a 72-hour BCN public transportation card.
Tip #7 – You Need a Separate Ticket to Climb Up the Towers
The standard ticket to La Sagrada Familia does not include access to the church’s towers, so you must purchase the fare that comes with tower access. It costs €10 more and you’ll choose between climbing up the Nativity or the Passion Tower.
Tip #8 – Keep in Mind That the Towers are Enclosed
Don’t expect open and unobstructed views from the top of the towers at La Sagrada Familia. Everything is completely sealed for safety. While the towers still provide a beautiful perspective over Barcelona, it’s not the best conditions if you’re hoping to shoot photos up there.
Tip #9 – Check the Calendar for Upcoming Events at Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia holds events like mass on holidays and certain days of the week, which can be an interesting experience or a hassle depending on your preference.
Check out the official La Sagrada Familia Calendar to see a full list of upcoming events.
Tip #10 – Use Your Camera’s Zoom to See Fine Details
Use your phone to its full capacity at Sagrada Familia to get a closer view of all the far-away details on the building.
There is an abundance of features to discover in the church from top to bottom, but many of them are too out of reach to truly appreciate their intricacy without a little help from technology.
Tip #11 – Go to Placa de Gaudi to Snap a Photo of Yourself with La Sagrada Familia
Plaça de Gaudí offers a clear view of Sagrada Familia for free and it’s the ideal spot to snap a photo of yourself in front of the Barcelona attraction. Trying to take a photo from any closer won’t allow you to capture the entire building.
FAQs
How much time do you need at La Sagrada Familia?
Visitors need around 2 hours in La Sagrada Familia to see all aspects of the church. However, there is no time limit and you’re welcome to roam around the basilica for as long as you wish.
Can you just walk into the Sagrada Familia?
You cannot just walk into the Sagrada Familia. Tickets must be purchased online in advance on the official Sagrada Familia website.
Are there toilets in Sagrada Familia?
There are multiple accessible bathrooms at La Sagrada Familia located near each entrance.
Can I bring a backpack to Sagrada Familia?
Small backpacks are allowed into Sagrada Familia, but all items will be thoroughly checked by security before entering the church. If any dangerous or unlawful contents are found, visitors may be denied entry into the basilica.
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That’s the end of my complete guide to visiting La Sagrada Familia. I hope you’ve found it useful. For more Barcelona fun, check out this post next.
(Featured Image Credit: Valerie2000 / Shutterstock)
