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Sagrada Familia entry: practical information and booking
Discover one of the most extraordinary buildings of Catalan Modernisme. This emblematic architectural masterpiece of Barcelona, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, attracts millions of visitors every year. A unique experience in the world, not to be missed if you come to the Catalan capital in Spain!
Visiting the Sagrada Familia: what to see and do?
Buying online in advance is strongly recommended to avoid long queues, but above all so that the site isn't sold out on the day of your stay. Remember, the Sagrada Familia has more than 3 million visitors every year!
Valid for 1 day, free cancellation up to 2 days before the day.
Want to combine a visit to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell on the same day? We advise booking now and getting the best prices for your stay in Catalonia.
The Sagrada Familia seen from the outside, an architectural feat
Before you stands an impressive basilica, known worldwide for its towers, façades and unprecedented structure. Every element of the exterior is loaded with Christian symbolism.
From the outside, the Sagrada Familia stands out for its vertical structure, as if rising towards the sky. No wonder it marks Barcelona's skyline with its unique silhouette.
Antoni Gaudí planned 18 towers with geometric forms representing:
- the Twelve Apostles,
- the Virgin Mary,
- the four Evangelists,
- and the tallest of all, that of Jesus Christ.
Only 10 have been completed to date. They are the ones that reflect the light and symbolise the connection between earth and sky. The overall structure has three façades, each representing an important aspect of the life of Jesus Christ.
You have the Nativity façade, on the east side: it was the first to be completed and the only one worked on directly by Gaudí. Dedicated to the birth of Jesus, several sculptures depict the Nativity and nature. The towers of this façade are crowned with stars, symbolising the light of God in the world.
The Passion façade, on the west: it contrasts strongly with the previous one through its austere style and angular sculptures. It highlights the suffering and death of Jesus. You'll see figures such as the crucified Christ and the Stations of the Cross.
The Glory façade, on the main side of the basilica: this one is under construction. It will be the largest and most monumental of the three, symbolising death, the Last Judgement and the glory of paradise.
- Visit Barcelona on a hop-on hop-off tourist bus
- Paella culinary experience and visit to La Boqueria market
- Segway tour of Barcelona and the seafront
- See a flamenco show
- Visit Park Güell with skip-the-line entry
- Visit Casa Batlló with skip-the-line entry
- Take the Montjuïc cable car
- Visit the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia interior: an epic work inviting contemplation
Once you walk through the doors of this sumptuous building, you'll be overwhelmed. First by the incredible play of light passing through the stained-glass windows. An ethereal atmosphere, with shades of blue, green, orange and red that vary with the time of day and the season.
Take time to admire the tree-like columns that support the starry ceiling. Antoni Gaudí designed a space that imitates an enchanted forest, where each column branches out like tree trunks, supporting a starry celestial vault. The vaults, reaching up to 60 metres in height, are decorated with a complex network of ribs reminiscent of the veins of leaves.
Besides the architectural elements, the interior of the Sagrada Familia is full of sculptures and ornamentation. Figures of angels, saints and biblical characters dot the space, as if telling a spiritual story.
The interior houses several chapels and altars dedicated to different saints and aspects of the Christian faith. At the end of your visit, you can also climb the towers for a breathtaking view of Barcelona.
Visiting hours
The basilica is open every day of the year, with hours varying according to the season. In general, it opens at 9am and may close between 6pm and 8pm. Note that on 1 January, 6 January, 25 and 26 December, the Sagrada Familia will be open to the public only in the morning until 2pm. Check here nonetheless.
Sagrada Familia entry prices
Prices vary depending on the type of ticket: basic visit, with guide, with audioguide or with access to the towers. Prices are about €26 with audioguide for adults, with discounts available for students, seniors and Barcelona residents. Note that tickets sold on the official website are valid only for the chosen date and time.
To access both towers, you'll need to pay about €36 (the audioguide does not cover the tower visit). You can take the lift to do so.
The oldest is the Nativity tower (Torre del Naixement) at 55 metres. A little history: it was built in Gaudí's lifetime. The Passion tower (Torre de la Passió) is more recent, but also taller. It stands 75 metres high.
Sagrada Familia ticket information: free for children under 11, as well as for disabled people (and their companion).
Sagrada Familia completion date: a symbolic deadline delayed
Originally planned for 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's death, the COVID-19 pandemic caused several delays. Although the work is progressing quickly, a precise completion date is still uncertain. Let's face it, the question of when the Sagrada Familia will be finished is a real subject of fascination and questioning. This deadline was mainly intended to pay tribute to the architect, whose work profoundly marked Art Nouveau.
Several modern technologies have been incorporated, such as 3D modelling and advanced construction techniques. Nevertheless, interpreting the architect's original plans, partly destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, adds a layer of complexity to the continuation of the work.
So where are we? Recent progress at the Sagrada Familia building site is notable, despite the delays. The completion of the towers dedicated to the Evangelists and progress on the central tower of Jesus Christ mark key steps towards the completion of the building. The Tower of Jesus, once finished, will become the highest point of the basilica, symbolising the connection between the divine and the earthly.
Barcelona's Sagrada Familia: a few key figures
- 43 is the number of years Gaudí devoted to the project
- 1882: start of construction
- 2026: expected completion
- 4.5 million was the number of annual visitors before the pandemic
- 4,500 m² is the surface area of the site
- About 170 metres high for the Jesus Christ tower once finished (probably 172.5 metres)
- 138 metres high for the Virgin Mary tower
- 8,000 is the number of seats in the basilica
- 14,000 is the number of people the Sagrada can hold
- 3,000 or more is the number of working hours for the star of the Virgin Mary
- 5.5 tonnes is the weight of the star of the Virgin Mary
- 7.5 metres is the diameter of the star of the Virgin Mary
Everything about the history of the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia carries a rich and fascinating history that begins in 1882. Originally, the project was entrusted to the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who designed a plan for a traditional Gothic church. However, disagreements over the design and funding led to his departure the following year.
It was in 1883 that Antoni Gaudí took over the project. He was then a young architect full of innovative visions. He decided to completely transform the initial concept to make it a grand monument far exceeding the conventions of his time. He therefore planned eighteen towers with deeply religious symbolism.
Until the end of his life, Gaudí would devote all his energy to this project, even living on the site. Unfortunately, he died tragically in 1926, hit by a tram, leaving his work unfinished. To give you an idea, less than a quarter of the construction was complete.
After Gaudí's death, several architects took over the project, striving to remain faithful to his original vision. New technologies and construction methods were incorporated, but the work was interrupted again by the Spanish Civil War.
This constantly evolving project today represents not only the pinnacle of creative genius, but also a living symbol of the Christian faith and Catalan identity.
Our good addresses near the Sagrada
Find all our good addresses around the Sagrada Familia: accommodation, restaurants, cafés.
Where to stay? Our top 5 hotels near the Sagrada Familia
Here is a suggestion of the best accommodation for visiting the Barcelona basilica:
- The Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel Barcelona Sagrada Familia, magnificent rooftop with a view, rated 8.9 Superb on Booking.com
- Aparthotel Barcelona with a view of the Sagrada Familia (rated 8.6 Superb on Booking)
- La Boutique Hostempo, rated 8.7 Superb on Booking.
- Hostemplo Sagrada Familia is located 200 metres away on foot (rated 8.3 Very Good on Booking).
- Lucaslansd Apartment also 200 metres away, rated 9.0 Fabulous on Booking
Where to eat near the Sagrada?
Here are 3 favourite addresses for eating nearby:
- Braseria La Salva Barcelona, for meat lovers, rated 4.5 on Google.
- Aladdin Lebanese Restaurant, rated 4.4 on Google
- Can Pizza Sagrada Familia, an Italian restaurant, rated 4.5 on Google
- Paisano Bistró, another Italian restaurant, rated 4.8 on Google
If you want to grab a bite on the go, note that there is a Five Guys right opposite the Sagrada Familia. Perfect for a burger and fries before setting off on your visit! Want a coffee break? There's Syra Coffee with its chill atmosphere to sit down in peace (rated 4.7 on Google).
