If you are planning a trip to the city of Barcelonaa visit to the Sagrada Familia is a must during your stay.
Catalonia is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Europe and is without a doubt a major tourist destination in Spain. One of its most famous attractions is the Sagrada Familia basilica, which has been under construction for over 100 years.
Visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and knowing how much the tickets cost, how to buy them and what are the essential elements of this monument!
How to visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
Visiting the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona couldn't be easier. There are two types of tickets, so you can choose the one that best suits your interests.
The first ticket allows you to rent a guided tour. The second is the conventional Sagrada Familiaticket, ideal for visiting the site on your own.
The individual tickets are the cheapest, while the guided tours are slightly more expensive. These prices are the same throughout the year, whether it's high or low tourist season in Barcelona.
A visit to the Sagrada Familia is a recommended activity for the whole family. Although it is a place of worship, the visit has nothing to do with religiosity. What is impressive and interesting about this place is its design, the work of Antonio Gaudi, one of the great exponents of Catalan modernism, as well as, of course, its long construction process.
How to buy tickets for the Sagrada Familia?
The best way to buy tickets for the Sagrada Familia is to do it online. Not only does this save you from waiting in line at the ticket office, but it also guarantees you access at the date and time you want months in advance.
Sagrada Familia opening hours in Barcelona
- April to September : Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 8pm. On Sundays, the opening hours are from 10:30 am to 8 pm.
- November to February : 9am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and 10:30am to 6pm on Sunday.
- March and October : Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 7pm. Sunday, from 10:30 am to 7 pm.
In addition to these general opening hours, it is important to know that on December 25 and 26, as well as January1 and 6, access is allowed between 9am and 2pm.
Prices for visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
The guided tour is the most recommended option. Normally, it is done in groups of no more than 20 people, which guarantees you more personalized attention from a local guide who specializes in the history of the city and this church. In other words, you will have someone who will be responsible for sharing all the secrets related to the construction and design of this impressive structure.
There are also other competitive and interesting rates that promote savings. These are tickets that combine a visit to the Sagrada Familia with other monuments in Barcelona, such as Park Güell, a public park also designed by Antonio Gaudí.
Such a ticket usually costs around 70 euros and includes a safe and quick trip between the two attractions.
Guided tours of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona: is it worth it?
In fact, it's fair to say that all Sagrada Familia tours in the city of Barcelona benefit from a guide, as even the basic ticket includes an audioguide that allows you to get information about what you are seeing.
If you want a more personalized visit, you can opt for a guided tour led by a Sagrada Familia expert . He or she will tell you all the hidden secrets of the building and answer all your questions.
On the other hand, you will also find guided tours of the city of Barcelona that include a visit to this church with a specialist. This is the most expensive option, however, as it is almost always a private tour for a single family group. Prices are in excess of three figures per person!
Who can enter the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
All tours of this site are fully accessible to people with limited mobility. This means that people in wheelchairs can also explore the interiors of the Sagrada Familia as freely as other visitors.
In fact, the best museums in Barcelona are often fully adapted so that wheelchair users can visit their exhibits in comfort and safety. The capital of Catalonia stands out for its great willingness to make inclusion a reality in its tourist spaces, regardless of the disability of the visitor concerned.
How do I get to the Sagrada Familia from Barcelona?
It is very easy to get to the Sagrada Familia from anywhere in Barcelona. There are several bus stops in front of the basilica or in the surrounding streets. There is also a metro station near the building, which is the best option for getting around the city and from one neighborhood to another quickly.
If you are staying in the Gràcia neighborhood, the Sagrada Familia neighborhood or the northeast end of Sant Martí, walking is also possible.
In addition, the Sagrada Familia Basilica is usually a stop on the Barcelona tourist bus routes.
Is it advisable to visit the Sagrada Familia with children?
Although the Sagrada Familia is a historical and architectural monument associated with religion and prayer, it is a recommended attraction for the whole family. The structure of this place is a true modern marvel and is impressive for people of all ages, adults and young children.
Similarly, Barcelona is a city full ofrecommended activities for family trips. There are many natural and rural areas in the vicinity of the city that are excellent alternatives for entertaining the little ones.
If you're wondering what you should see inside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, you should bear in mind that the exterior and interior structure of this place is impressive and therefore deserves your full attention.
On the other hand, some corners often go unnoticed despite their importance.
1) The organ
Church organs are generally true marvels of engineering. In the case of the Sagrada Familia basilica, there's a phrase that perfectly describes this work of art: a jewel encrusted in a jewel box.
The instrument is distinguished by its 1,492 tubes divided into two sections. It was designed by Antonio Gaudílike the rest of the basilica.
2) The forest of columns in the central nave
One of the most impressive areas of this great structure is the interior of the central nave. This is composed of a series of uniquely patterned and discordant columns that seek to recreate the image of a forest filled with tree trunks. Accompanied by the roof and glazing, this part of the church truly looks like something out of a fairy tale.
3) The sacristy
The sacristy is an essential space in this church, although it was closed to visitors until 2016. Today, it is known as the Camí de la Liturgia, and is the site of a permanent exhibition of various objects designed by Antonio Gaudí himself for use in the church at liturgical times. These are not the original objects, but fairly faithful copies.
How do I get up to the Sagrada Familia towers?
It is possible to climb the towers of the Sagrada Familia, which have been completed and are the subject of certain guided tours. Times are the same as for the rest of the church, but children under 6 years of age are not allowed. Nor is it a wheelchair-accessible area.
How long does it take to visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
The Sagrada Familia basilica is a large church. It stands out easily from anywhere in Barcelona's urban landscape , both for its size and its height. That's why it takes time to visit the different areas on a guided or self-guided tour.
Guided tours almost always last an hour and a half at most, while self-guided tours generally last 50 minutes. This average duration means that a visit to this basilica could well be one of the must-dos of a two-day trip to Barcelona. We recommend that you combine your visit with a tour of the neighborhood of the same name, and then move on to the neighboring Gràcia district to see its splendors.
Tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Although visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona presents no difficulties whatsoever, apart from possible crowds, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make the most of your visit.
1) Go in the morning
The basilica is open most of the day, but most visitors don't go early in the morning. This is something you can use to your advantage, so you can walk around without having to deal with hundreds of other tourists.
2) Take a tour of the church
The area around the Sagrada Familia basilica is home to some of Barcelona's most representative buildings. La Pedrera, another work by Antonio Gaudí, is one of these. But there's also the famous Torre Glòries skyscraper and La Monumental bullring. So, on the day you visit this magnificent church, don't forget to take a stroll through the adjacent streets.