Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia For The First Time
Are You Planning On Visiting Sagrada Familia For The First Time? Keep Reading To Find Out Everything You Need To Know!
Today we are going to talk about tips for visiting Sagrada Familia for the first time.
Keep in mind that this post has been updated in 2024.
If there is only one thing that you have the time to see in Barcelona, I highly recommend this basilica.
Get ready to have your mind blown away, because nothing can prepare you for seeing this marvelous creation.
I have wanted to see Sagrada for many years and I was super excited that I finally had a chance to visit in person.
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Sagrada Familia
Let’s start with answering some frequently asked questions when it comes to visiting Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.
Who is the main architect of La Sagrada Familia?
The genius architect behind the creation of this masterpiece is no other than the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.
The style is a mix between Catalan Modernism and Art Nouveu as well as a few other architectural styles that inspired Gaudi.
When will La Sagrada Familia be finished?
La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for over a century and as of right now they’re hoping to have it completed by 2026.
However, due to delays caused by Covid, they might not be able to meet that deadline.
When construction is completed, Sagrada Familia is supposed to have 18 towers, each of them representing different biblical figures.
Currently, only eight towers have been completed.
Why is Sagrada Familia taking so long?
The main reason for the long construction is the lack of funding.
Most of the funds needed to move the process forward come from donations and tourism.
The government does not provide support for the building of the church.
Therefore, it all depends on the amount of money collected from the public.
Another reason is the incredible complexity of the church’s architecture as well as all the small details and elements.
If the construction is indeed completed by 2026, as they have promised, it will be the same year as the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
Once completed it will be the tallest religious building in Europe!
What does Sagrada Familia mean?
Sagrada Familia means “Holy Family” in Spanish. So it translates into the Temple of the Holy Family.
Why is the Sagrada Familia so famous?
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain is probably one of the most popular and distinguished churches in the world.
UNESCO declared the basilica a World Heritage Site in 2005, due to its stunning architectural features and innovative style.
The style incorporates a lot of natural elements as well as organic shapes and forms.
👉 To book your tour, check out this link: Sagrada Familia: Fast Track Guided Tour with optional Tower
What is the best time to visit Sagrada Familia?
Morning Hours: Visiting Sagrada Familia in the morning, especially during the early hours, can be beneficial. The crowds tend to be smaller, and the morning light can enhance the beauty of the stained glass windows.
Weekdays: If possible, consider visiting on weekdays rather than weekends. Weekdays generally see fewer visitors, making it a more peaceful experience.
Off-Peak Seasons: Avoiding peak tourist seasons can contribute to a more enjoyable visit. The shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) typically have milder weather and fewer tourists compared to the summer months.
Late Afternoon: If you prefer a quieter atmosphere but can’t visit in the morning, late afternoon can be a good time. The crowds tend to thin out, and you can witness the changing light on the basilica.
What are the Sagrada Familia opening hours?
The operating hours of Sagrada Familia depend on the time of year and day of the week.
November through February: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sundays from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.
March and October: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sundays from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm.
April through September: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sundays from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm.
Can we take pictures inside the Sagrada Familia?
While photography is permitted, visitors are usually required to be respectful of the rules and guidelines set by the Sagrada Familia staff.
This may include restrictions on the use of tripods, flashes, or selfie sticks.
Also, during special events, religious ceremonies, or in certain areas of the basilica, photography might be restricted.
How long does it take to visit the Sagrada Familia?
On average, visitors typically spend around 2 to 2.5 hours inside the basilica.
If you opt for a guided tour, it may take a bit longer as the guide provides detailed information about the history, architecture, and symbolism of the Sagrada Familia.
If you have specific interests, such as photography, spirituality or a deep interest in architecture, you may choose to extend your visit accordingly.
Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia
Let’s move on to the tips for visiting Sagrada Familia on your first visit.
Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia – Getting There
We were staying at an Airbnb located in the Gothic Quarter. So we walked up Passeig de Gracia (which is one of the main streets in Barcelona, kind of like Champs-Elysees in Paris).
We stopped by Casa Batllo and Casa Mila which are located on Passeig de Gracia.
🦄 If you want to know more about those two attractions, check out this blog post: Barcelona: Casa Batllo, Casa Mila & Casa Vicens
After we visited them in the morning, we grabbed lunch and walked to Sagrada Familia for our afternoon tour.
There are a lot of interesting buildings to see in the area between Passeig de Gracia and Sagrada which is why we chose to walk around.
I liked Casa Serra, Palau del Baró de Quadras, Casa de les Punxes (see the below map).
Map of Sagrada Familia and other attractions in the area
If you don’t want to walk, there are two subway lines that connect right in front of the basilica.
L2 (purple) and L5 (dark blue) are the two metro lines that go to the church.
Sagrada Familia is the name of the stop (see the map).
💡 Tip: It is easy to get to the basilica, you can walk to it or use the Metro – extremely convenient and easy.
Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia – What To Expect
As you probably know, the church is still under construction and the finish date keeps getting pushed further and further into the future.
So essentially you will see a bunch of cranes and construction everywhere.
Once you arrive, there are these little green areas/mini parks around Sagrada and from there you can take some beautiful pictures.
From them, you can take a picture of the entire building without having to lay on the ground which is what a lot of people were doing.
Keep in mind that there will be a lot of people. So prepare yourself for crowds, airport security checks, and a lot of noise and commotion.
💡 Tip: Take great pics from the mini-parks around Sagrada.
The Facades of Sagrada Familia
The best way to explain what you will see is to keep in mind that the building is divided into three facades.
Two are finished – the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade and the third one which is called the Facade of Glory is still under construction.
The Nativity Facade
The oldest part of the basilica is the Nativity Facade. Gaudi built it during his lifetime.
It faces East which is the direction that the sun rises. Gaudi was inspired by the beginning of life and spring while creating the facade.
Essentially, it portrays the birth of Jesus and different biblical stories from his early life.
You can stare at this facade for days and not be able to see all the details.
There are people, animals, and plants. Everything is blended together flawlessly to make this stunning work of art.
You will enter through the Nativity Facade a.k.a. you will instantly have your brains blown out.
There is a fun fact about the two pillars in front of the Nativity Facade.
At the bottom of each pillar, there is a turtle, however, the two turtles are different.
The pillar that is closer to the Mediterranean Sea has a water turtle (aquatic turtle) and the pillar that is further from the sea has a land turtle (tortoise).
So whenever you go make sure you say hi to my two turtle friends.
Another detail not to miss is the Cyprus tree which symbolizes the tree of life. It is high up, close to where the towers are.
It is green and pretty big so you cannot miss it.
💡 Tip: Pay attention to the details, find the turtles and the tree
The Passion Facade
The Passion Facade is facing West (sunset) and is the complete opposite of the Nativity Facade.
The famous Catalan artist Josep Maria Subirachs designed that side of the church.
His style depicts all the statues in an extremely simplistic way – without a lot of detail, with harsh straight lines and rigid shapes.
However, Josep was able to express the pain and devastation of Jesus’s crucifixion on all of the figures present on the facade.
The main focal point is the Cross of Glory, which is essentially this huge cross with Jesus on it that looks like it is leaning toward the viewer.
There are other figures scattered around the Cross of Glory which were also inspired by biblical events.
Overall I prefer the Nativity Facade because it has way more figures and detail and looks truly original.
However, the Passion Facade creates a strong feeling of sadness and desperation due to Jesus’s death.
💡 Tip: Take a moment to look at the faces of the figures on the facade and feel the emotion that they’re trying to emit.
Facade of Glory
The third facade which is supposed to be the biggest and most important of the three is still being built.
It is called the Facade of Glory (faces south) and it is supposed to glorify the incredible life of Jesus.
It will eventually be the main entrance to the church but at this moment you can only see some of it from the outside.
So to summarize the Nativity Facade symbolizes the birth of Jesus, the Facade of Glory symbolizes his life and work and the Passion Facade symbolizes his crucifixion.
Which facade of Sagrada Familia is better?
Most people (me included) think that the Nativity facade is better because it is older and more detailed.
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The Towers of Sagrada Familia
Our tour included tower access. Keep in mind you will need to pay to get tower access if you choose to do it on your own, they are not free to enter.
Which tower is better at Sagrada Familia?
Everybody recommended seeing the Nativity Towers if possible because they were built during Gaudi’s time.
Also, that side has a little bridge where the towers are and the Passion side doesn’t have a bridge.
You are only able to pick one of the sides – either the Nativity Facade towers (4 total) or the Passion Facade towers (4 total).
You also see a different part of the city depending on which side you choose.
Unfortunately, when we visited there were a whole bunch of protests going on for Catalan independence and some of the protests started turning violent.
Therefore, the towers were closed because of security issues and we were not able to go inside them.
Viator did, however, issue us a refund for the tower portion of the tickets.
Apparently, it is common that they close access to one or both of the towers due to weather or construction.
So be aware that it is highly possible that you might not be able to do the tower portion.
I am hoping to return to Barcelona once Sagrada Familia is completed and be able to do the towers then.
💡 Tip: There are elevators in the towers however remember that you might have to use the stairs to come down (that’s what it said on our tickets). The number of stairs, by the way, is over 500. Keep in mind that the stairs are winding, they have no railing and there is not a lot of space.
Can you go inside Sagrada Familia?
Yes, you can! I highly recommend going inside because it is stunning.
Also, you should book in advance because the queue outside can be up to 2 hours long.
Interior of Sagrada Familia
The inside of the church is equally jaw-dropping. The first thing you will notice when you walk in, are the huge pillars which kind of remind me of tall trees.
The windows on each side of the church are also stunning. One side was all blue and green and the other side was all red and yellow.
It is hard to explain but here are a few pictures of them.
There is an area in the center where there are a bunch of pews where if you enter you have to sit down and be silent.
The area is sectioned off and there are a bunch of docents walking around telling people to either sit down or leave that area.
People who have come to pray can use this dedicated section.
The altar is also different from any other church as there is a statue of Jesus on the cross hanging above the altar.
There is this strange natury feel to the entire interior as if you are in a forest.
💡 Tip: Don’t go into the sectioned-off area unless you want to sit down and be silent.
💡 Tip: Sagrada is a Catholic church which means modest clothing is mandatory or you can be denied entry. No skimpy outfits! Or bring a thin scarf to cover up if necessary.
🎥 Check out this video that I took where you can see the interior of the church: Inside Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Other things to check out around Sagrada Familia
There are a few other things to mention about Sagrada Familia that you should include in your visit.
Gaudi Tomb/Crypt
Beside the basilica, there is also the crypt that houses Antoni Gaudi’s grave.
Virgen del Carmen is the name of the actual chapel within the crypt.
You need to enter from the outside, not through Sagrada Familia. We didn’t have much time to explore the crypt as they were closing.
However, we briefly checked it out and there is a small altar with a few rows of pews.
At the end of the crypt, you will find Gaudi’s tomb. There are four chapels surrounding the tomb.
The crypt was not part of the guided tour.
Children School
Another building that you can check out, which was part of the guided tour is the small school building.
Gaudi is the one who designed it.
The kids of the workers who were building Sagrada studied in that school as well as many underprivileged children from the neighborhood.
The school is a separate building, so you will not be able to enter through the church.
Both the crypt and the school are on the west side where the Passion Facade is.
Museum
Underneath the church, there is a museum where you can see different pictures from the early construction days, material samples as well as Gaudi’s office.
We didn’t have much time to explore the museum as like I said they were closing. The museum was also not part of the organized tour.
There was no extra fee for any of the above attractions.
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Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia – Book A Guided Tour
Viator was the company that organized the guided tour.
I highly recommend Viator. I have booked many tours with them and loved every single one.
We visited on a Tuesday and the tour started at 5 PM. The tour lasted around an hour and a half.
I highly recommend booking a skip-the-line /fast-track entry ticket.
👉 To book your tour, check out this link: Sagrada Familia: Fast Track Guided Tour with optional Tower
Otherwise, you will waste a lot of time waiting in lines because there are hundreds of people.
A guided tour of Sagrada Familia was a great choice as our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a ton of information.
Even if you already know a lot about Sagrada, I still encourage you to do a guided tour.
Overall the tour was a great idea – we skipped the lines and learned a lot of interesting information about Gaudi and the church.
Remember that even with the fast-track ticket, you still end up waiting around a bit but not even close to how long you will have to wait without it.
If possible, do an earlier tour as we were stuck with the later one because the earlier ones were sold out. Book way ahead of time!!
That way you will have more time to walk around and not be rushed because the church is closing.
💡 Tip: Book your fast-track guided tour online to save yourself a ton of time. And do a tour that is earlier in the day.
Is visiting Sagrada Familia worth it?
Yes, visiting Sagrada Familia both outside and inside is 100 percent worth it.
The church is so interesting and unique that you will fall in love with it.
👉 To book your tour, check out this link: Sagrada Familia: Fast Track Guided Tour with optional Tower
Hotels Near Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Keep in mind that the area around Sagrada Familia doesn’t have many hotels. It is mostly all apartments.
Also, due to the proximity to the attraction, the prices for the apartments are not the cheapest.
Refer to the map above for the exact locations.
Absolute Sagrada Familia
- Absolute Sagrada Familia is located beside Sagrada Familia (you can see it from the window) – full-on front view of the nativity facade
- Large panoramic shared rooftop terrace
- Close to the metro, a variety of shops and restaurants
- There is a kitchen, washing machine, microwave, etc.
👉 Check availability for your dates: Absolute Sagrada Familia
Sercotel Hotel Rosellon
- Sercotel Hotel Rosellon has high ratings and reviews
- 200 m away from Sagrada Familia and the metro station
- Offers panoramic views towards Sagrada from a rooftop terrace
- Buffet breakfast is available in the mornings
👉 Check availability for your dates: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon
🦄 If you want to learn more about Mallorca, check out this blog post:
A Day Trip Around Mallorca
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Conclusion: Tips For Visiting Sagrada Familia For The First Time
Well, there you have it “Tips for visiting Sagrada Familia for the first time”.
Overall seeing Sagrada Familia was a dream come true for me. It is definitely worth seeing from the outside and the inside.
My jaw was hurting after the visit because there were so many jaw-dropping moments. Literally had to rehinge my jaw afterward lol.
I’m hoping to be able to visit again once it is completed as I don’t know if you’re aware of this but the middle pillar, which is the biggest one, is not even built yet.
This means that this huge building is missing its biggest component. I can’t imagine how grand it will look when it is completed.
Here is their FAQ page if you have any further questions.
