Ash
Written by Ash

La Sagrada Familia Church: The Famous Cathedral in Barcelona

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Sagrada Familia Church is a UNESCO Heritage Site, the most visited church in Europe behind the Vatican, and Spain’s biggest tourist attraction by numbers.

Yup, this famous church in Barcelona just might be the most beautiful ever – and it’s not even finished yet!

Let’s figure out how to visit La Sagrada Familia like it’s not our first time around the block.

La Sagrada Familia Tickets

In the post-COVID world, to visit this Gaudi church it is now mandatory to buy your tickets online.

With the booking links below you can guarantee times, skip long lines, and go right in with smartphone tickets.

I strongly recommend purchasing them several weeks in advance because it’s the most visited monument in Spain.

SAGRADA FAMILIA
Lock in your timeslot now!

Also, upgrading to the English guided tour is strongly recommended as it unlocks the symbolism of this amazing church.

Here’s how to book yours:

Sagrada Familia English Guided Tours

Sagrada Familia guided tours are the best option for first-time visitors.

You get a 90-minute Sagrada Familia tour with an entertaining flesh-and-blood guide who knows this Antoni Gaudí church inside out.

English Sagrada Familia tour times are daily at 11:15 am and 1:30 pm.

Sagrada Familia Guided Tour PricesPrice
Adults€51.00
Kids (4-10)€31.00
Kids (0-13)Free
SAGRADA FAMILIA
Book my guided tour!

🧐  |  Curious yet? Read hundreds of Sagrada Familia English tour reviews now.

La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell Combo Tickets

Most tourists visit these 2 elite Barcelona attractions on the same day due to their proximity, and guaranteeing spots at both places with the same clicks is tidy business.

The famous Gaudi Bundle is the best way to do this, and even get a free city audio guide thrown in.

The ticket includes:

  • Skip the line access at La Sagrada Família with an official interior audio guide.
  • Skip the line access at Park Güell with an app self-guided tour audio guide.
  • Barcelona city audio guide with in-depth info on 100+ city sights.

The Gaudi Bundle prices are as follows:

  • Adults: €59.00
  • Young adults (13-29): €55.00 
  • Youth (11-12): €51.00 
  • Senior (65+): €47.00 
  • Kids (7-10): €14.00 
  • Kids (0-6): free.
GAUDI BUNDLE
Book my ticket now!

Sagrada Familia Fast Track Entrance + Audio Guide

The independent tour with audio guide is another great option, if basic.

This is the cheapest ticket, and you’ll get explanations of the architecture and history in English.

You’re free to stay at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia as long as you want.

Audio guide ticket entrance slots run every 15 minutes from 9:00 am (last entrance 30 minutes before closing time) until closing.

Sagrada Familia + Audio GuidePrice
Adults€33.80
Students and young people (11-30)€31.20
Seniors (65+)€27.30
Kids (6-10) and disabled visitorsFree
SAGRADA FAMILIA
Book my audio guide now!

*Barcelona visitors with a disability above 65% have the right to an accompanied companion at the same price. There is also a sign language video guide. To book this ticket write 24+ hours in advance to [email protected].

Looking to book group tickets for 10+ guests? You’ll need to do so using the Sagrada Familia group ticket form.

Related: Is Sagrada Familia Worth it to Go Inside?

stained glass windows inside the sagrada familia in barcelona spain

La Sagrada Família: The Famous Church in Barcelona

This epic creation (and Barcelona architecture staple) started after a bookseller’s 1872 trip to Italy.

There, he saw a comparatively uninspiring minor basilica called the Basilica della Santa Casa.

After this spark of inspiration, Sagrada Familia construction began in Barcelona in 1882. The ball got rolling under Francisco de Paula del Villar as a standard Gothic revival church.

He resigned in 1883.

⚠️  2023 Warning ⚠️: It’s now mandatory to book your Sagrada Familia tickets in advance.

The only way to guarantee your spot is by booking Sagrada Familia tickets online:

Cue the arrival of the real architect: Antoni Gaudi.

It’s here that radical project changes begin. The famous church in Barcelona takes on a decidedly modernist look with nature as its inspiration.

Antoni Gaudi would die in 1926 with the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia only 20% complete.

Construction of this Gaudi church was later suspended during the Spanish Civil War, and his plans are burned by Anarchists. After the war, the construction is resumed by Gaudi’s contemporaries.

Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the Sagrada Familia church in 2010.

sagrada familia from outside the passion façade

What to See at La Sagrada Família Basilica

The Sagrada Familia Exterior

The outside of the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is pure impact – only a madman would envision this.

Calling for 18 spires representing the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and Jesus Christ – the latter will rise to 172.5 meters above street level, one meter shorter than the highest point in the municipality of Barcelona: Montjuic.

Why?

Head architect Antoni Gaudi believed that his creation shouldn’t surpass one of God.

Recently, in December 2021, the Tower of the Virgin Mary was finally topped off with a placement of a massive, illuminated star – the first Sagrada Familia tower inaugurated since 1976.

At 137 meters, it’s the highest tower currently completed.

Like what you see above? That photo is a shot of the Passion Facade.

tree-shaped columns holding up a lighted ceiling at the sagrada familia in barcelona spain

Inside the Basilica de La Sagrada Familia

The interior is like stepping into the heart of a rainbow: the colour beaming in through the stained glass windows is other-worldly.

The light coming in from the Nativity Façade sparkles with ocean blues and forest greens while the Passion façade glows red and yellow. You’ll be able to tell the time of the day (blue/green in the morning and red/yellow in the afternoon) by which colours dominate.

The columns supporting the Sagrada Familia were built to mirror trees and branches, each spanning various geometric forms.

None of the interior surfaces are flat, and the level of detail to the ornamentation is something to behold.

Toward the front of La Sagrada Familia, you’ll also be able to peek down into a small chapel (the only one constantly in use) and see Antoni Gaudi’s tomb on the floor decorated with a series of burning candles.

Wanna see inside before going all in and getting tickets? Here’s a video preview of Sagrada Familia:

Sagrada Familia Opening Hours 2023

Again, as of January 2023, tickets are only available online, so it is mandatory to book a time slot in advance online that allows you at least one hour to visit the famous Barcelona church during the following hours:

Sagrada Familia HoursMonday to SaturdaySunday
November to February9:00 am to 6:00 pm10:30 am to 6:00 pm
March to October9:00 am to 7:00 pm10:30 am to 7:00 pm
April to September9:00 am to 8:00 pm10:30 am to 8:00 pm
25th and 26th of December9:00 am to 2:00 pm9:00 am to 2:00 pm
January 1st to 6th9:00 am to 2:00 pm9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Bookable time slots are every 15 minutes (:00, :15, :30, :45).

Sagrada Familia mass times for international visitors are Sundays at 9:00 am.

Related: When Will Sagrada Familia be Finished?

Related: How Long Does it Take to Visit Sagrada Familia?

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How to Get to La Sagrada Família

You’ll find La Sagrada Familia church at the top of the trendy Eixample district at 42 Calle Marina.

It is served by the Sagrada Familia stop of the Barcelona metro system stop (purple line L2 and blue line L5).

The area is served by buses 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20, B24, and V19.

You can also get there using the Bus Turistic (blue line, Sagrada Familia stop).

Sagrada Familia Map Location

La Sagrada Família Tips: Mastering the Big Church in Barcelona

Showing up without tickets for Sagrada Familia and buying at the window means waiting in lines.

After 30+ minutes of queuing, you’ll be booking a time slot that is crowd dependent, so a 4:00 pm arrival could mean a 6:45 pm entrance.

To avoid the hassle, buy your Sagrada Familia tickets online.

Some other visiting tips for visiting Sagrada Familia?

  • Go before 10 am for the best shot of avoiding crowds.
  • Set aside at least 90 minutes for the visit.
  • Get there well in advance of your time slot, as they can be sticklers.
  • Check my post on things to do after visiting Sagrada Familia to plan your next move.
  • The more natural light, the better (sunset is great, but nights should be avoided).
  • Print out your Sagrada Familia tickets if you can, as smartphone copies are hard to scan in the sun.
  • Sit in the pews for at least 15 minutes to see the colours change as the sun moves.
  • Keep an eye out for Barcelona pickpockets outside Gaudi’s cathedral.
  • If you need to go to the bathroom, go to the Mcdonald’s outside beforehand!
  • Avoid weekends if possible; the crowds at this church in Barcelona are a nightmare!
  • You can grab a perfect selfie angle on the escalator at the Calle Marina metro exit.
  • iPhone users: change to the ‘chrome’ photo filter to truly capture the colours of light.
  • You may seriously want to stretch your neck as you’ll spend a lot of time looking up.
  • Consider seeing the Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau (just 15 minutes away).
  • Can’t decide a day? Check the Barcelona weather forecast and opt for the sunniest day.

🧑‍🎨 Want more of Gaudi? Unlock his masterpieces with the top Gaudi tours in Barcelona.

Related: Best Time to Visit Sagrada Familia

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La Sagrada Familia Barcelona FAQ

  • Why is Sagrada Familia so special?

    The Sagrada Familia is special because of its breathtaking architecture, visionary design by Antoni Gaudí, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivating visitors with its beauty and unique spiritual experience.

  • Who is paying for Sagrada Familia?

    The construction and ongoing maintenance of the Sagrada Familia are funded through a combination of private donations, ticket sales, and revenue generated from various sources, including souvenir sales and tourism.

  • How tall is the Sagrada Familia?

    The tallest part of Sagrada Familia is 115 meters (377 feet) tall – though the final tower will rise to 170 meters (560 feet) tall upon its completion in 2026 (estimated).

  • Can I take photos inside Sagrada Familia?

    Yes, you can take photos inside Sagrada Familia though be mindful of the other visitors – you likely won’t line up that perfect shot as there are many visitors around.

  • When is Sagrada Familia lit up at night?

    Sagrada Familia is lit up between Monday to Thursday between 8:00 pm and 12:00 am.

  • What does Sagrada Familia mean?

    Sagrada Familia means ‘holy family’ in Spanish.

  • Is Sagrada Família free?

    No, Sagrada Familia is not free – you’ll have to pay for tickets to see it from the inside. Tickets start at €33.80 for basic admission and €48.00 for a guided tour in English.

  • How far in advance can I buy Sagrada Familia tickets?

    Tickets for Sagrada Familia can be bought up to two months (60 days) in advance. It is recommended to buy tickets at least two weeks in advance in low season) or 30-60 days in advance in high season.

💸 Related: Are There Sagrada Familia Discounts?

Visiting the Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona?

Feel free to write me with any Sagrada Familia questions you didn’t get answered here.

And don’t be afraid to join the La Sagrada Família Church discussion by joining my group; I’m Off to Barcelona. Here, you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with thousands of Barcelona travellers.

Enjoy Barcelona’s famous church! ⛪

293 comments
  • October 24, 2019 at 2:22 pm
    San Cho
    HI, I am travelling to Barcelona coming weekend. Is it safe to travel? Is there any chances of riots again?
    • October 24, 2019 at 2:36 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi San, Things have been quite quiet this week with nothing major planned for the near future. You'll get up to date info from myself and tourists on the ground in my Facebook group I'm Off to Barcelona. Hope to see you there! Ash
  • October 23, 2019 at 5:26 pm
    Lori
    Ash, The ticketbar.com site which you link to is not offering an upgrade to tower option for the Sagrada guided English tour. Is there another source you recommend so we can get both? I want to be able to choose the tower also. On Sagrada's site directly you can't get a guided tour but you can get the 45 minute option with the tower, and choose the tower. This is so confusing. Any additional tips for how to get a guided tour with (choice) of tower, in English? Thanks! Lori C
    • October 24, 2019 at 10:12 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Lori, I know there are probably guided tour + tower offerings out there but I haven't personally tried them and thus can't recommend them personally. If it's on the official site it is definitely reliable, even if it's just 45 minutes, so you may want to try that. You could also try Viator as they have a long list of tours. That said, I write it in this article and elsewhere... the towers are nice but for me don't justify the price especially if you're going to be going up to Park Guell where the view will be 10 times better without the claustrophobia. My two cents, Ash
      • October 25, 2019 at 7:36 pm
        Lori C
        Thanks Ash! Great advice :-).
        • October 26, 2019 at 12:54 pm
          ashley
          Team Member
          Ash
          No problem! :)
  • October 15, 2019 at 2:07 pm
    David Nicoll
    Picked the wrong day to try and get into Barcelona, to see Sagrada Familia. Had booked guided tour tickets in advance, thanks for the advice. However, circumstances have been against us. Thanks again though, for the advice on trying to get a refund. Fingers crossed! Great site BTW.
    • October 15, 2019 at 3:36 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi David, So sorry to hear! What a weird area of the world we live in... these things seem to happen about once a year in Catalonia. Apologies for the bad timing :( Please let me know how you get on. Ash
      • October 15, 2019 at 6:14 pm
        David Nicoll
        Thanks Ash. No need to apologise. No luck with a refund, unfortunately. However, at least we have an excuse to come back again!! Some pretty scary images on the TV right enough.
        • October 16, 2019 at 11:00 am
          ashley
          Team Member
          Ash
          That's too bad! I've had many people encounter the same circumstances and I wish the venues would be more sympathetic :( At any rate, I'm glad you see the positives... when you come back I hope to hear from you again! Cheers
  • October 13, 2019 at 10:24 pm
    JohnB
    If one buys the Barcelona City Pass, how does one get the extended English guided tour?
    • October 14, 2019 at 11:24 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Easy! Just follow the link here: https://visitenglish.barna.ticketbar.eu/en/discount-cards/barcelona-city-pass-/ And then select 'guided tour' under the 'visit' option :)
  • October 5, 2019 at 5:59 am
    Ruby De Leon
    Hi traveling with agroup of 8 first time Barcelona travelers. Ive been searching various websites and am so glad to find you. Thank you for all your suggestions and tips ...so informative. Question our cruise ship disembarks oct 26 9 am in Barcelona, we have 2night hotel stay at gates diagonal hotel. I attempted to purchase guided tour tickets but the website noted that neither oct 26 or 27 are available. So were buying the audio tour. We also want to visit Monsaratt and Park Guelle on our 2 day stay how would you recommend our tour sites to begin. Thank you again great site!!
    • October 5, 2019 at 12:29 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Ruby, Thanks so much for the kind words, always glad to help :) I would do Sagrada Familia and Park Guell (in that order) on day one and then do Montserrat on day two. This should be a fairly stress free way of travel given you don't have that many sights to see. Just make sure you get an early start on Montserrat so you can come back late afternoon and check out some other amazing stuff like Casa Batllo, La Pedrera, the Gothic Quarter etc. Ash
  • October 2, 2019 at 11:39 am
    Sara
    Hi Ash This site is brilliant, thanks I’ve visited Sagrada Familia before and it is truly awesome! Can’t wait to go again so I’m going at the end of October. This time I’d also like to see the outside lit up. I’ve read different things online - some say it’s only lit up Thursday to Saturday and others say every day. Could you confirm which days it will be lit up? Thanks
    • October 2, 2019 at 5:51 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Sara, Thanks for the kind words :) At the end of October it's lit up between 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm. You can consult the whole schedule (in Catalan, but English with browser translation) here: https://guia.barcelona.cat/es/detall/horari-d-il-luminacio-del-temple-expiatori-de-la-sagrada-familia_99043094435.html Cheers, Ash
  • October 2, 2019 at 5:29 am
    Brad
    I just discovered this website. Thanks for putting this together. What's the difference between buying this from sagradafamilia.org and ticketbar?
    • October 2, 2019 at 10:04 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Brad, No difference as they're all tapping into the same ticket databases. With the brokers like Ticketbar though it allows blogs like mine to make a small commission at no extra cost to you, covering server costs and time invested. No pressure either way! Just go and enjoy the church :) Ash
      • October 2, 2019 at 5:34 pm
        Brad
        understood. thank you very much!
        • October 2, 2019 at 5:51 pm
          ashley
          Team Member
          Ash
          No problem! Thanks for saying thanks... you'd be surprised how many people just take the advice and run without replying ;)
  • September 16, 2019 at 7:42 am
    Pritika Kumari
    Hi there! I have bought an online ticket for the 12 noon - SAGRADA FAMILIA ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR via this website. Is it possible to enter before 12 noon to look around myself before the tour? Many thanks
    • September 16, 2019 at 11:40 am
      Lucile
      Hi Pritika, Unfortunately you can enter in the Sagrada Familia before 12pm, but you'll be able to stay inside as long as you want after the tour ;) Cheers!
  • September 13, 2019 at 10:21 pm
    marina andreadou
    hello, i have just a closed a ticket for sagrada familia , but the reservation has wrong date. the ticket is for october 8 at 12:30 noon. also have access to a tower . i can t cancel my reservation.. if anyone interested let me konw on facebook . marina andreadou . thank you
    • September 14, 2019 at 11:08 am
      Sara Genovesi
      Hola Marina, I recommend that you also post this in my FB gorup "I'm Off to Barcelona".
      • September 14, 2019 at 4:21 pm
        Marina
        Ohh thank you very much and please let me know if anyone is interested
  • August 26, 2019 at 6:39 pm
    Mary Latorre
    Hi Ash, Appreciate your advise on these questions in my mind: 1) For a December travel to Barcelona, what time is best to visit the Sagrada? You mentioned on your tips 'sunset is great' - what time is sunset during winter time (between Dec. 22-24) then? or would a morning sagrada visit be better? your thoughts please. 2) The tour i am joining returns back to Barcelona from Zaragoza on Dec. 22 (Sunday) and will drop us at Hard Rock Cafe, Placa Catalunya. what bus do we take to go to Hotel Barcelona 1882 Carrer de Corsega? or will i taxi that? Thank you for your awesomeness! mary
    • August 27, 2019 at 12:17 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hola Mary, Thanks for your awesomeness as well ;) Sunset on December 22nd is at 5:25 pm so I would book the tickets for a bit before that. That said, you can't really go wrong at any time! Just make sure it's either morning or later on in the afternoon as crowds gather in the middle of the day. From Plaça Catalunya I wouldn't worry about any buses... you can walk up to the Passeig de Gracia metro station and take the purple line to Sagrada Familia and from here it'll be a short walk. Will be cheaper than a taxi... but then again, if you don't mind dropping 12-14 on a taxi this is obviously the preferred option. Cheers, Ash
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