The Sagrada Familia Basilica is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks. You can see Sagrada Familia from different locations all across the city as it towers above everything around it. But where can you get the best views of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Read on to find out!
Know Before You Go to Barcelona
Before travelling to Barcelona, make sure you book your Sagrada Familia tickets or tours and your accommodation ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
⭐ TOP 3 SAGRADA FAMILIA TICKETS & TOURS:
1: Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket – Entry ticket & audio-guide at chosen time
2: Sagrada Familia Tour & Optional Tower Visit – Morning tour option with a guide
3. Sagrada Familia Evening Tour with Cava – Evening visit with rooftop views
🛌 BEST BARCELONA HOTELS WITH A VIEW OF SAGRADA FAMILIA:
$$: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon – Incredible view of the Sagrada Familia from some rooms and the terrace
$$:The Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel, Barcelona Sagrada Familia – Views of Sagrada Familia from the terrace
$$: Sensation Sagrada Familia – Some apartments have views of Sagrada Familia as does the terrace
❗BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS❗
Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro. Use a theft-proof backpack and consider getting some hidden-pocket clothing to keep your belongings safe.
The Best Views of Sagrada Familia Up Close
Across the Pond in Plaça de Gaudí
My favourite view of Sagrada Familia is from across the pond in Plaça de Gaudí (get the exact location here). Early morning is the best time to come here for photos as the sun rises behind you and shines onto the Sagrada Familia so you can see the details in the Nativity Façade without glare from the sun.
There are a few gaps in the trees where you can see the whole of the basilica, but it can get crowded as everyone waits to take the perfect shot! It is one of the most Instragrammable places in Barcelona so expect to wait for a photo unless you get there first thing in the morning.
The pond can give a nice reflection although you’ll need a wide-angle lens to get it all in! If you just want to enjoy the view there are a few benches here although it’s usually not that enjoyable to sit for too long with all the people bustling around.
If you have someone with you (or are particularly talented with a tripod), you can perch on the wall and get a photo of you with most of Sagrada Familia in it as well, although it’s not easy to get the angles right!
Other places in the park can give nice views too but often you’ll have people walking around in front of your photos – unless you get there super early!
The Park in Plaça de la Sagrada Família
Conversely, the best place to see the Sagrada Familia from the Passion Façade on the other side is from Plaça de la Sagrada Familia (here). Later on in the day the sun has moved around and shines onto the more modern façade so late afternoon and early evening – Golden Hour – before sunset is really beautiful.
The footpath leading into the park opposite the Sagrada Familia is a popular photo spot although not my favourite angle as there are always lots of people there too!
Have a walk around the park as there are several different angles to view the Sagrada Familia, so explore to find your favourite viewpoint. In early spring there are pink flowering Judas Trees in the park which add a colourful aspect to the view, although you can’t see the base of the cathedral from here (behind the kid’s playground) I love the contrast of the pink flowers and blue sky.
From the Base of the Cathedral
As you walk around the Sagrada Familia, take time to admire all sides of this incredible building, and see what details you can spot. While there is quite a high fence around the outside you can still get some nice views of Sagrada Familia from across the street on either side of the two main facades.
Morning is best for photos of the Nativity Façade which is the older, more intricate side, and afternoon is best for the Passion Façade which is newer and a more austere style. Play around with angles but there are no bad views, although it’s not always easy to get photos without people in them if that’s important for you.
If you buy tickets to go into the Sagrada Familia you’ll be able to get closer still, then you can see details of the designs. The audio guide you can get with the entry tickets is well worth it, or join a guided tour to get more personalised tips and ask any questions you might have about the Sagrada Familia and Gaudi.
Best Views from Inside Sagrada Familia
Obviously to get really up close and personal you’ll need to buy tickets to go inside Sagrada Familia to see this incredible building and to appreciate the genius of Gaudi’s design and his skill as an architect. There is no bad place to see Sagrada Familia from the inside!
Just make sure you look up to appreciate the magnificent ceiling, with the columns stretching up to the roof like trees!
Views from Sagrada Familia Towers
While this article is really about views of the Sagrada Familia, I had to mention the views from the towers of Sagrada Familia. Of course, you can’t see the whole of the cathedral from here as you’re in it, you can get some really interesting angles of the architecture and get close to parts that you can’t get near from anywhere else.
So far I’ve only been up the Passion Tower for sunset which was lovely, although if it’s your first time inside Sagrada Familia I’d recommend going before sunset to make sure you see more of the inside while the sunlight is still shining through the colourful stained glass windows.
For me, the best time to visit the Sagrada Familia is in the morning on a sunny day so you get the full affect of the sunlight before the crowds arrive.
In the tower, there is a small terrace viewpoint where you can see some of the statues on the facade as well as the view of Barcelona, which is quite special, and I loved being able to see the details of the mosaics.
Once the Sagrada Familia is completed in 2026 the largest central tower will also have a viewing platform but we’ll have to wait and see what that will be like!
The Best Views of Sagrada Familia from Nearby Streets
Avenida de Gaudí
Avenida de Gaudi is a street that leads diagonally between the Sagrada Familia and the Hospital de Sant Pau, another magnificent Modernist building in Barcelona. It is a pretty, tree-lined street with restaurant tables in the centre, and you can get some great views of the Sagrada Familia from here.
Hospital de Sant Pau
While I wouldn’t call this one of the best views of Sagrada Familia, it’s a nice surprise to see the cathedral from the windows of the Hospital de Sant Pau. This beautiful modernist building is a former hospital one well worth visiting in its own right – and it’s only a short walk up Avenida de Gaudi to see it too.
Hotel with the Best View of La Sagrada Familia
Sercotel Hotel Rossellón (Formerly the Ayre Hotel Rossellón)
Sercotel Hotel Rossellon has incredible views of La Sagrada Familia from some of the bedrooms and from the roof terrace. The hotel used to be called the Ayre Hotel Rossellón but has now been rebranded to Sercotel Hotel Rossellon, and it is a short 4-minute walk from the hotel to the basilica.
If you want to see La Sagrada Familia from your room, make sure you book a superior room with a “Landmark View”. I treated myself to one of these rooms, and the view really is incredible! These superior rooms are a decent size and well-furnished. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-con, a mini bar fridge and wifi.
There is also a rooftop terrace with a bar and panoramic views of Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia, where you can enjoy a drink and some tapas or just gaze at the cathedral.
There is no longer a swimming pool up there, but it is a lovely spot for a drink. Unfortunately, access to the terrace is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the hotel to book a table on the terrace or book a bedroom here: >>>CHECK HOTEL PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
Best Views of Sagrada Familia from Rooftop Bars
As well as the stunning view from the terrace of Sercotel Hotel Rossello bar, there are some other bars with rooftop terraces in Barcelona that have more gorgeous views of Sagrada Familia.
83.3 Terrace Bar at Royal Hotel Passeig de Gracia
This bar on the rooftop of Royal Hotel Passeig de Gracia has one of the best views of Sagrada Familia, with an uninterrupted view of the cathedral. Their terrace is the highest in the Eixample, and you can also see the sunset over Montjuïc Mountain and the horizon over the sea as well as Sagrada Familia. Book a table on their website here.
The terrace is covered and heated so you can enjoy it all year round.
View this post on Instagram
La Dolce Vitae at Majestic Hotel
This iconic hotel on Passeig de Gracia has stunning views from the rooftop terrace bar La Dolce Vitae. There is a food menu with a selection of tapas and drinks to choose from, as well as a swimming pool. The terrace bar is open every day from 11am to 11pm and you can see the menu on the website here.
View this post on Instagram
The Best Views of Sagrada Familia from a Distance
The best thing about finding views of La Sagrada Familia is that the cathedral towers above every other building in the city – Gaudí wanted it to be this way, although he did make sure that the Sagrada Familia is slightly lower than God’s own creation of Montjuic.
Tibidabo mountain is also higher, so getting somewhere above the Sagrada Familia is a great way to see it with panoramic views of the city.
Montjuic
As one of the highest points in the city, Montjuic has some of the best views of Barcelona, and by default, of Sagrada Familia, although from a distance. I love how the Sagrada Familia stands out so much with just the cathedral in the middle of relatively low buildings!
This photo is from the Jardins de Joan Brossa, close to the Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc which also has amazing views from their terrace bar but is closed at the moment. Check the location here.
The Bunkers at El Carmel
The Bunkers del Carmel is a former anti-aircraft defence point with 360-degree views of the city. While a few years ago it was a hidden gem, it’s now a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike and there are gorgeous views of the city with the Mediterranean Sea beyond. It’s definitely one of the best views of Sagrada Familia you’ll find in the city!
I hope you’ve enjoyed these gorgeous views – do you have any more suggestions for the best views in Barcelona? Let me know and I’ll check them out!