In view of a weekend a Barcelona or a multi-day trip, it's important to consider the attractions you want to include in your itinerary. In particular, visit the Sagrada Familia it is an absolutely essential stop, given the importance of the place and its exciting majesty.
Visit the Sagrada Familia it is one of the fundamental stages when organizing a trip to Barcelona. How much do they cost? Tickets? Where are they purchased? Here are some tips.
La Sagrada Familia
Same symbol as Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia it is always very crowded, so you will need to keep in mind some useful indications to optimize your time, especially if you are only there weekend in Barcelona or Spain.
La Sagrata Familia it is what is called the masterpiece of Gaudi. Unfinished monument, the Sagrada Familia attracts a notable number of visitors from all over the world every year. The bell towers have a notable height, almost 100 metres, and the central spire, upon completion, will have a height of 180 metres. The completion of the works is scheduled for 2016, the year of the centenary of the death of Gaudi. The architect never completed his masterpiece which included three facades because he limited himself to finishing only the Nativity facade.
It is possible to climb the bell tower thanks to a lift and a ticket of a few euros. He is buried in the crypt of the Basilica Gaudi, the architect who gave so much fame to this place of worship. At the weekend the queues are very long and therefore it could take up to three or four hours before being able to access the interior of the Basilica, a masterpiece of Gaudi, still under construction today.
Barcelona is a destination that captures the imagination of many travellers, partly thanks to its wonderful selection of attractions such as the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. But with so much to see and do in Barcelona, you really need to make the most of your time while you're there. One way to save time is to follow a detailed Barcelona itinerary that shows you how to plan your time during your visit.
Another smart idea is to purchase i tickets for the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and for the other attractions of the city so as not to waste time queuing waiting to enter. In this guide, we will not only show you how to book Sagrada Familia tickets but also provide all the information you need to help you visit Sagrada Familia hassle-free.
The best ways to get Sagrada Familia tickets
Since the basilica is such a popular and interesting attraction to see in Barcelona, it makes sense that there are several options for getting your La Sagrada Familia tickets. Ultimately, the best way to purchase Sagrada Familia tickets will depend on how you like to see the sights and the circumstances of your trip.
1. Stand in line (not recommended)
It goes without saying that purchasing Sagrada Familia entrance tickets in person upon arrival is the worst option available to tourists. Lines to get tickets to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia can take up to two hours, which is best spent several hours seeing the city's sights. Plus, who wants to stand in the summer sun or winter rain for hours on end? Unless you spontaneously arrive outside the Sagrada Família and want to visit it, this is an option best avoided. Getting last minute tickets is nearly impossible even during peak season when tickets sell out quickly.Skip the line with priority entry to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
2. Book online
A much better approach to getting La Sagrada Familia tickets is to buy them in advance online. This way, not only will you be able to decide which time is best for you and your itinerary, but you will also get skip-the-line tickets for the Sagrada Familia, which will allow you to enter straight away.
Now, there are a few places online where you can purchase tickets. For starters there is the official website of the Sagrada Família where you can purchase tickets directly with the foundation that manages the basilica. QThese are the cheapest ways to buy tickets, but they have one major drawback, which is their strict exchange/refund policy. Requests for replacement or refund must be made at least 48 hours before the scheduled visit and require “official proof” justifying the change.
If you prefer a little flexibility and peace of mind, then we believe the best place to buy Sagrada Familia tickets is book through this link. You always receive the exact same type of ticket, but you can cancel immediately up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund.
3. Book a guided tour (recommended)
General admission tickets allow visitors to explore the basilica at their own pace with an audio guide leading them around. However, audio guides are rarely as good as the real thing, so if you want to know the basilica properly, then it is better to go with one guided tour of the Sagrada Familia. By visiting with a small group or private tour you have the advantage of being able to ask questions and learn directly from your tour guide.
For Sagrada Familia tours, you have two options, depending on whether you are interested in seeing the view from one of the basilica's towers. Most visitors tend to opt for the tour of the basilica without the towers included, but if you want to take the escalator up to the tower's observation deck, choose the tour with the towers included. Please note that visitors can only see the towers as part of a guided tour and only when access to the towers is available.
Useful information for visiting the Sagrada Familia
Sagrada opening hours Family
La Sagrada Familia is open every day throughout the year, but generally has variable opening hours depending on the time of year. Since reopening during the pandemic, the basilica has moved its opening hours from 9 a.m. to 00 p.m. However, the basilica's opening hours may change during special events. Last entry is 18 minutes before closing time.
What is the best time to visit the Sagrada Family?
Just as there are better ways to buy La Sagrada Familia tickets and better times to visit Barcelona, there are better times to visit the basilica. Typically, this popular Barcelona attraction is quietest first thing on Monday mornings, but you'll usually find fewer visitors there around 9:00 to 10:00 each day.
Travelers can alternatively wait until after 17pm, when crowds tend to thin out considerably. The basilica is busiest around lunchtime and in the early afternoon. Since this is also the time when the summer heat is at its worst, this is not the time of day you want to be queuing to get in. Just one more reason to secure skip-the-line tickets to the Sagrada Familia if you can.
One time that is best avoided if you want to freely explore the basilica is every Sunday morning when the international mass is held. While there is no cost to attend mass in the basilica, spaces are limited and you will not have the opportunity to walk around or learn about its construction and design from a guide.
Those wishing to have the Sagrada Familia all to themselves will be disappointed to learn that there are currently no special night tours for out-of-hours visits.
How to get to the Sagrada Familia
The general entrance for La Sagrada Família is on Carrer de la Marina. Visitors can reach the basilica by metro using the L2 and L5 lines and getting off at Sagrada Família station. If you plan to use public transport to get there or around Barcelona, make sure you get yours public transport card in advance.
How much do Sagrada Familia tickets cost?
Tickets for La Sagrada Familia have different prices depending on whether you visit independently or with a tour guide. A general admission ticket for adults costs €26 and includes an audio guide, while a standard guided tour ticket for adults costs €27. There is also an additional cost if you also want to visit the basilica towers.
Students and those under 30 can receive a €2 discount on the ticket by presenting an identity document. Seniors also receive a discount on the admission fee, while children under 11 enter for free.
How La Sagrada tickets work Family?
Tickets for the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia can be purchased online approximately two months in advance and are set for a specific date and time. When purchased online, these Sagrada Familia skip-the-line tickets allow visitors to enter without waiting. Tickets can be viewed in PDF format or with the official Sagrada Familia app on your smartphone, although you can also print them if you prefer.
Hotels near the Sagrada Family
It is not really necessary to stay near the Sagrada Familia when visiting Barcelona. The city has a good public transport system which makes getting around easy and, frankly, there are other parts of Barcelona which are closer to more attractions. However, if you prefer to stay close to the basilica, here are some of the best options.
To treat yourself to a special stay in Barcelona just 400 meters from the Sagrada Familia, definitely choose Hotel Barcelona 1882. This charming four-star hotel offers elegant, modern rooms and excellent facilities that include a rooftop pool and a terrace overlooking the basilica.
For a place to stay that balances convenience with comfort, consider theEurostars Monumental. About 400 meters from the basilica, this four-star hotel has elegant, modern rooms, some of which have a private balcony overlooking the Sagrada Familia towers.
Backpackers will be happy to know that the Generator Hostel Barcelona, one of the best hostels in Barcelona, is located less than 20 minutes walk from the Sagrada Familia. The hostel has dormitories and private rooms, views of the basilica and friendly and polite staff members who aim to make your stay enjoyable.
Security process at Sagrada Familia
Because the Sagrada Familia is a major tourist attraction and an important place of worship, there are important safety procedures that visitors must comply with. All visitors must go through this process, so it's helpful to know in advance what's involved to make your entry as easy as possible. While those with skip-the-line entrance tickets to the Sagrada Familia will not have to queue to get their tickets, they still have to queue for the security check.
During the security check, all bags, backpacks and luggage will be checked. While luggage is technically allowed inside, the church advises visitors not to bring it with them as there are no lockers to store items during the visit. Hats are not permitted inside, except for those worn for reasons related to beliefs.
As a place of worship, the Sagrada Familia also has requirements for visitor clothing. To show respect, visitors are asked not to wear see-through clothing, swimsuits, short skirts or sleeveless tops.
Barcelona: see also
Curiosities about the Sagrada Familia
What is La Sagrada Familia?
The Sagrada Familia is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church, and not a cathedral, despite common misconception.
Where is the Sagrada Familia located?
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is located in the northeast corner of the Eixample district of Barcelona. Its location is relatively distant from other famous city attractions such as the Gothic Quarter and the Parc Güell.
When did the Sagrada Familia begin?
Construction of the Sagrada Familia began on March 19, 1882, as a new church rather than a renovation or restoration of an existing place of worship.
When will the Sagrada Familia be finished?
The basilica is still under construction well over 100 years after the foundation stone was laid in 1882. It has been announced that it is hoped to complete the basilica by 2026. This year has special significance as it marks the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death , the visionary behind its design. However, La Sagrada Familia was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on November 7, 2010.
Who designed the Sagrada Familia?
The original architect behind the Sagrada Familia design was a man named Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a neo-Gothic look for the building. However Villar was replaced a year after the groundbreaking by Antoni Gaudí, a modernist architect responsible for some of Barcelona's most interesting and unique buildings. Gaudí worked exclusively on the basilica from 1914 until his death in 1926.
Why was the Sagrada Familia built?
An interesting part of the history of the Sagrada Familia is that it was Josep Maria Bocabella, a local bookstore owner and philanthropist, who conceived the idea for La Sagrada Familia after a trip to Rome in 1872. He wanted a Catholic church dedicated to the Holy Family in Barcelona and so he purchased the land for the church and hired the project's first architect.
Can you attend mass at the Sagrada Familia?
Yes, it is possible to attend the international mass at the Sagrada Familia every Sunday. Mass is held at 9:00 am in multiple languages. and there are no costs for participation. Places are limited, so it's best to arrive early.
With all this information, you should now be well prepared for your visit to the Sagrada Familia. Making the right decisions when it comes to purchasing your La Sagrada Familia tickets can really make a difference to your overall enjoyment of the experience.
Sagrada Familia timetable, Barcelona
It is necessary choose an entry time which must be absolutely respected: there is a maximum tolerance of 15 minutes, beyond which the ticket will no longer be valid and no refund can be requested.
Access is possible from 9:00 to 20:00; the entrance to keep in mind is the one on Sardenya St.
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