Sagrada Familia

Useful Information About Basilica La Sagrada Familia

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Sagrada Familia Ticket options

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‍La Sagrada Familia: Fast Track Entry Ticket (Ticket Prices from: €33.80)

• Basic Entry Ticket - includes Sagrada Familia Entry on a Fast-Track basis + access to the museum inside the Sagrada Familia but does not include access to the Sagrada Familia Towers

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La Sagrada Familia: Fast Track Entry Ticket & Tower Access (Ticket Prices from: €46.80)

• This ticket includes access to the Sagrada Familia on a Fast-Track basis + access to the museum inside the Sagrada Familia and DOES also includes access to a Sagrada Familia Tower

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La Sagrada Familia -Go with a local tour in English. 1.5 hr group guided tour. (Tickets from €48.00)

• This is a very popular ticket option for those wanting a guided tour around Sagrada Familia

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La Sagrada Familia: Group Guided Tours (German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch) (Ticket Price from: €54.00)

• This is another popular option for a guided tour and also offers more language options

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La Sagrada Familia: Small Group Tour (Ticket Price from: €59.00)

• This is a great ticket for those wanting to enjoy a guided tour of Sagrada Familia but with a smaller group.

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La Sagrada Familia & Park Güell Combination Ticket with guided tour (Ticket Prices from: €79.00)

• This is a great combination ticket offering fast-track access to Sagrada Familia with a guided tour + access to the museum (but not including Tower access) and also includes Park Guell entry.

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Montserrat & Sagrada Familia Guided Tour from Barcelona (Ticket Prices from: €99.00)

• Another great combination offer.

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Gaudi Houses & Sagrada Familia Full Day Tour from Barcelona (Ticket Prices from: €130.00)

• This is a great ticket for Gaudi fans as it includes a full day tour of some of his properties including fast track access to the Sagrada Familia

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Various La Sagrada Familia Combination Passes (Combination Tickets including Sagrada Familia from: €86.50)

• This shows you other combination offers for Sagrada Familia

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Sagrada Familia Address

La Sagrada Familia, Carrer de Mallorca, 401, Barcelona, 08013 / Carrer de la Marina, Barcelona.

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How to get to La Sagrada Familia

Metro / Train Line - L2 (Purple Line) and L5 (Blue Line) to Sagrada Familia

GPS Coordinates - N 41º 24' 283" | E 2º 10' 486"

Bus - 19, 33, 34, 43, 50, 51, H10 and B20 & B24

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Sagrada Familia Opening Times

• November: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 18:00
• December: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 18:00
• January: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 18:00
• February: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 18:00
• March: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 19:00
• April: Monday -Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• May: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• June: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• July: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• August: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• September: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 20:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 20:00
• October: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00 & Sundays: 10:30 - 19:00

Please note opening times and days may occasionally be modified by the management due to special events taking place inside the Basilica.

Special Opening Hours: 25 & 26 December, 1 & 6 January, opening hours will be from 09:00 AM to 14:00 PM

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Sagrada Familia Fun Facts

• Construction on Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and was due to be completed in 2026 but has sadly been delayed de to Covid and funding issues.
• Sagrada Familia is designed in a Catalan Modernism (Art Nouveau) architectural design!
• Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
• The Sagrada Familia's full title is "Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia"
• The Sagrada Familia will have 18 spires when complete!
• They've included modern technology in designing the Sagrada Familia including 3D Modelling and CAD processes.
• The Sagrada Familia has its own museum onsite which tickets also give you access to!
• Gaudi is buried in the Crypt of the Sagrada Familia.
• Sagrada Familia doesn't have any straight lines as Gaudi was obsessed with nature and as nature doesn't have straight lines, he didn't want Sagrada Familia to have any!
• Gaudi wanted the Sagrada Familia to be the tallest church in the world. Lets see how long that lasts for!

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ABOUT SAGRADA FAMILIA

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Sagrada Familia.

An architectural masterpiece that captivates visitors from around the world. Designed by the late renowned Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, this magnificent basilica is an iconic symbol of Barcelona's cultural heritage and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of Spain, let alone just Barcelona, attracting an astonishing 20,000,000 visitors each year to see it from just the outside, with an estimated 7,000,000 of those buying tickets to enjoy the inside.

The Sagrada Familia was due to have a completion date of 2026 but sadly due to delays caused by COVID and now suggested funding issues, the expected completion date has been pushed back and they aren’t currently giving a suggested completion date.

Sagrada Familia: A Brief Overview:

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, or more commonly known as the Sagrada Familia, is a Roman Catholic basilica that has been under construction for over a century. It's located in the Eixample district of Barcelona and stands as a testament to Gaudí's unique architectural vision.

Antoni Gaudí: The Mastermind behind the Design:

Gaudí, one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century had dedicated the latter part of his career to the creation of the Sagrada Familia. After he completed Casa Mila - La Pedrera (another major tourist attraction in Barcelona) in 1912 he had dropped all other projects to concentrate on what had become his passion project, the Sagrada Famlia, and spent his final years only working on this project. His distinctive style which is characterized by organic shapes, intricate details, and the integration of natural elements, is evident throughout the property.

History of Sagrada Familia:

It was a local called Josep Maria Bocabella who was actually a bookshop owner in Barcelona that had the original idea for Sagrada Familia and wanted to create an expiatory temple consecrated to the Holy Family. He commissioned the original project with an architect (not Antoni Gaudi at this stage) to design the property and the construction began in 1882. Disagreements followed on the design and it was at this stage that Antoni Gaudi became involved and took over the project. He was still working on other local commissions at the time including Casa Mila - La Pedrera (another very popular tourist attraction in Barcelona).

Gaudi's vision was to build the church incorporating the three stages of Jesus' life, the nativity, the passion and the glory, and with it, to use his style of including nature in the design. He would include elements in the architecture with stained glass and other design elements to tell the story through time, including other biblical events.

Gaudi realised how big the project was and that it wasn't going to be completed in his lifetime and because of that, its suggested that he concentrated on the external part of the church as he feared that the project could end after his death if the outside wasn't at a certain stage.

Gaudí himself devoted over 40 years of his life to the project until his tragic death in 1926, when he was sadly hit by a tram in Barcelona when it is believed he was on route to mass. Since then, a succession of architects have continued Gaudí's work, striving to remain faithful to his original design.

La Sagrada Familia hasn't been without its issues over time, as you would expect with such a large project. It suffered damage during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) when it suffered an arson attack. Works then started again in 1954 and other than during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, construction has been constant ever since.

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UNESCO World Heritage Site and becoming a Basilica

The Sagrada Familia is listed by UNESCO World Heritage as part of the “Works of Gaudi”. The Nativity façade and the crypt of the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia being declared World Heritage sites. Pope Benedict XVI also consecrated the Temple and granted it a Minor Basilica in November of 2010.

Sagrada Familia Architecture and Exterior:

Sagrada Familia's architecture is a blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau elements.

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The Sagrada Familia will have three façades when complete:

The Nativity Façade

The Nativity Façade is on the eastern side of the Sagrada Familia and is the oldest one. It depicts the birth of Jesus Christ and the events which surround the nativity. It includes numerous sculptures with intricate details and nature, animals and various biblical scenes. Gaudi wanted it to portray the beauty of life.

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The Passion Façade

The Passion Façade is on the western side of the Sagrada Familia and symbolises the suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can see pain and suffering from the elements on this side.

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The Glory Façade

The Glory Façade is on the southern side of the Sagrada Familia and is still under construction. This will be the main entrance once complete. It will symbolise the final judgement and heaven and hell, which represent the journeys through life, from creation to reward or punishment, being heaven or hell. Its expected to contain both demons and angels, again representing both heaven and hell.

The Sagrada Familia Towers and the Exterior

The Sagrada Familia will have 18 towers in total (when complete) with each representing somebody.

6 of the Towers are dedicated to Jesus, Mary and the 4 Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

12 of the Towers will represent the Apostles.

“The Tower of Jesus Christ” will be the tallest tower, it will stand at 172 metres and will be one of the tallest constructions in Barcelona.

Some of the Towers are open for public access with the appropriate ticket. Visitors do not get to choose which tower they can access. Ticket holders are told which one they are allowed to access on the day of your visit. Also, importantly, although elevators are available to go up some of the towers, the only way down is via spiral staircases, which means the towers may not be suitable for visitors with physical disabilities or those that suffer from claustrophobia or heart conditions.

The Sagrada Familia Interior

When you enter the Sagrada Familia due to the way its been designed, you are welcomed by an almost ethereal ambiance which is created by the interplay of light and colour from the stained glass windows and the peacefulness of the church, even though it receives thousands of visitors per day, it still offers this unique peace. The church is full of incredible columns inside which look like trees that branch off and support the roof. We know that Gaudi loved to take inspiration from nature and with trees being strong and supporting.

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La Sagrada Familia Stained Glass Windows

The stained glass windows of the Sagrada Familia cast incredible colours across the interior of the church, which are simply stunning as they light up different areas of the as the day goes on and the sun changes position in the sky. Some visitors will sit for hours just taking it in and watching as the light changes and casts different shadows across the church interior. In fact one of Gaudi's quotes was "Glory is light, light gives joy, joy is the happiness of the spirit" and he certainly wasn't wrong when it comes to the light in the Sagrada Familia. It offers a mesmerising show.

The Sagrada Familia Naves

The Sagrada Familia has 5 naves and the central one is bigger than the others. The central nave is supported by columns which appear to resemble trees, almost like a forest-like arrangement, which matches Gaudi's passion of bringing nature into his designs. The columns also add to the shadows cast by the light as they interrupt the light the windows create as the hours move through the day.

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The Sagrada Familia Apse, Alter and Crypt

The Crypt inside the Sagrada Familia is where Antoni Gaudi himself was buried on 12 June 1926. Its situated near the Apse, where the Altar is located. The apse is under a large sculpture of Jesus Christ and below a large set of stained glass windows, which help to fill the church with the incredible colours throughout the day and change the shadows and patterns as the hours of the day move along. There are also stairs on either side of the apse. The apse is in the middle of the Nativity and Passion facades. It's said that Gaudi, who was a faithful devotee to the Virgin Mary, took inspiration from the Virgin Mary in the construction of the apse and it involves the 7 sorrows and joys of Saint Joseph.

Sagrada Familia Museum

Under the Sagrada Familia is a museum dedicated to the life and works of Antoni Gaudi, which all Sagrada Familia ticket holders are welcome to visit. The museum displays various exhibits providing an insight into Gaudi’s life and his creative process. The museum also shows original furniture, drawings, photographs and models that relate to the construction and vision he had of La Sagrada Familia. The museum offers its visitors a deeper understanding of Gaudi and his vision of the Sagrada Familia. It shows the history of the property and the future.

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Now

It's believed there may now also possibly be some controversy regarding the more modern materials being used in the build of La Sagrada Familia, with some believing that Gaudi, if he was here today, may not have used some of the new materials that are being incorporated. However, you could also say that is how we progress. As new technologies and material become available, as the building is still under construction, surely its right to incorporate these new materials? You've also got to consider that as the building is still under construction and with Gaudi having sadly passed away in 1926, although his influence will very much be present and lives on, as new architects are involved with the project, their design inspiration may also be incorporated into the project. Unless a person completes a project, their wishes will always be subject to interpretation of the next person in charge.

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‍Frequently asked questions about La Sagrada Familia

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Q: What's the best time to visit the Sagrada Familia?

A:During high season (April - September) one of the best times to visit the Sagrada Familia is in the morning during the week (Monday - Friday), and ideally try to arrive just before 9AM when they open the doors, if possible. Queues due form quickly though, especially during peak season because it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona. Low-season (October - March) can be quieter.

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Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance for Sagrada Familia?

A: We always suggest its better to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and queuing. Once you arrive, you will see the queue and will be happy you bought in advance and on line.

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Q: Which ticket option is best for Sagrada Familia?

A: This depends on whether you would like to walk around yourself and listen to the audio guide that accompanies our tickets or if you would like a more in-depth guided tour where the guide will provide you with a lot more information. You also need to know if you would like to have access to the Sagrada Towers as the basic tickets don't allow you up them, you need to buy a ticket with Tower access included. For Gaudi fans, we also offer combination tickets to more of his work, so you can have Sagrada Familia + Park Güell, for example. Or Sagrada Familia + Casa Batlló, one of his incredible houses in Barcelona. Or the Gaudi Bundle is another popular combination ticket.

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Q: How long does it take to walk around Sagrada Familia?

Again, this is another difficult question to answer as its entirely up to you how long you spend inside as the ticket allows you to spend as much time as you want inside on your given date. We would always suggest at least an hour and a half to you can enjoy it. Some visitors spend 3 or 4 hours though just enjoying the experience and walking around and looking in great detail. On sunny days the stained glass windows bring incredible light into the building and some just sit and enjoy it. If you are visiting the towers as well though, you need to add at least another half an hour to your visit.

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Q: Does Sagrada Familia offer a Mass service?

A: Yes - Sagrada Familia celebrates mass on Sunday mornings at 09:00. The service lasts for 1-hour and is done in several languages. The service is free of charge to attend but as you would expect, it gets busy, so it is advisable to arrive at 8AM to try and gets seats.

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Q: Is Sagrada Familia Wheelchair Accessible?

A: Yes, the main floor of Sagrada Familia is wheelchair accessible. There is also a special entrance for access via the Groups Service Centre on Carrer de la Marina or the other entrance for wheelchairs is via the Visitors Services Centre on Carrer de Sardenya. Please note unfortunately the Sagrada Familia Towers are NOT wheelchair accessible.

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Q: Does Sagrada Familia have locker options for luggage?

A: No - Sagrada Familia does not have any lockers for suitcases or bags.

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More Interesting facts about La Sagrada Familia

• Since construction started, works on the Sagrada Familia have only come to a complete stand still twice. The first between 1936-39 during the Spanish Civil War and secondly, in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• La Sagrada Familia was consecrated a minor Basilica in November 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.
• Antoni Gaudi had dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia project later in his career, dropping all other work to focus solely on La Sagrada Familia. Gaudi sadly died, having been hit by a tram in 1926. It is believed he was on his way to his daily confession.
• La Sagrada Familia has 18 towers with each tower being dedicated to someone. 6 of the towers are dedicated to Jesus, Mary and the Evangelists and the remaining 12 other towers represent the 12 Apostles.
• You can also include a trip up a tower in your ticket to enjoy incredible views of Barcelona (it does cost extra though and doesn't form part of the standard ticket).
• The construction of Sagrada Familia has primarily been funded through donations and tickets sales.
• Gaudi's original plans were sadly destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.

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Dress Code for La Sagrada Familia

Please do remember Sagrada Familia is a religious building so please do be respectful of that. With it being a Catholic building the following dress rules do apply and you can be stopped from entering if you don't follow the guidelines:

• No see-through clothing
• Trousers and skirts must come down to at least mid-thigh
• Visitors may not enter in swimwear
• Visitors will not be allowed to enter wearing special clothing to celebrate any sort of festivities, nor with any decorations designed to distract or draw attention for artistic, religious, promotional or any other purposes.
• No hats are allowed inside the nave or the museum except for religious, health or belief-related reasons.

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Sagrada Familia Free Tickets and Free Entrance

1. Children under 11 do not need paid-for tickets for Sagrada Familia, however they do need to be accompanied by an adult with a paid-for ticket and that adult can accompany two free children.

2. Disabled visitors (+65% disability) along with their carers can also enter for free but proof of disability is required.

3. Sunday Morning Mass at Sagrada Familia is free of charge. Starting at 9AM and running until 10AM.

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Sagrada Familia General Info

Visitors with a disability of at least 65% will get free access to Sagrada Familia. They must go to the entrance on Carrer de la Marine which is next to the Sagrada Familia official shop where you will be required to present proof of disability and then free access will be granted along with a carer, if one is accompanying.

Should you need a wheelchair for your visit, the Basilica can provide one for you. You can email the Basilica on informacio@sagradafamilia.org or call on 935 132 060 to arrange it and it would be delivered to the entrance.

Guide Dogs are the only pet allowed.

Children UNDER 11 get in to Sagrada Familia for FREE. However at least one adult ticket must be purchased at the same time and a maximum of two children will get the free entry with the same adult.

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Sagrada Familia Contact and social media information

Email: informacio@sagradafamilia.org

Instagram: basilicasagradafamilia

Twitter: BasilicadelaSagradaFamilia

Facebook: sagradafamilia

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What is Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is the biggest and yet unfinished Catholic church in the world! The project was started in 1882 and had an expected/estimated completion date until recently of 2026, but due to covid and subsequent funding issues, the completion date has been pushed and there (at the time of writing) is no expected date of completion at the moment. The Sagrada Familia is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Spain let alone Barcelona and attracts an estimated 20,000,000 people to the local area each year to view it from the outside alone, with around 5,000,000 of those buying tickets to see the inside. The passion project of Antoni Gaudi, the architect that managed the design, who sadly died in 1926. However, some of his properties, including Sagrada Familia, still remain as major tourist attractions in Barcelona to this day, including Casa Batllo, Casa Mila - La Pedrera and Park Guell, all being UNESCO World Heritage Sites and each attracting millions (Sagrada Familia & Park Guell) and Casa Batllo and Casa Mila - La Pedrera attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to Barcelona.

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