Your Essential Guide to Visit Sagrada Familia in Barcelona | Timings, Location, Tips & More
An enigmatic architectural ambition, Sagrada Familia, or the Basilica of the Holy Family, is an unfinished minor basilica in Barcelona, Spain. The construction of Sagrada Familia began in 1882 under the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. Next year, he quit the job and Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi took over. Often regarded as the most ambitious and puzzling architectural achievement in modern history, Sagrada Familia is likely to be completed before 2026.
Plan your visit to Sagrada Familia with this comprehensive travel guide!
Sagrada Familia Opening Hours
Sagrada Familia is open daily, but the opening hours vary throughout the year.
- November to February: 9 AM to 6 PM
- March: 9 AM to 7 PM
- April to September: 9 AM to 8 PM
- October: 9 AM to 7 PM
- 25 & 26 December and 1 & 6 January: 9 AM to 2 PM
- Sundays: 10:30 AM
Mass Timings:
International mass takes place at 9 AM every Sunday. Entry is free, however, the seating capacity is limited.
Know MoreBest Time to Visit | Sagrada Familia
Weekday vs Weekend: The best time to visit Sagrada Familia is early in the day between 9 AM to 10 AM. Weekends see a tourist rush, so choose to visit on a weekday. The stained-glass windows of the church are one of the best attractions. Tourists pack the church during noon and the evening to watch sunlight hit the glass.
Peak Season vs Low Season: The best time to visit Barcelona is in the Spring (May to June). The weather is mild with plenty of sunshine, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius. The fall season from September to December is another good time to visit, as the summer tourists finally say goodbye. Winter falls in January and lasts till March and the average temperatures drop to 13 degrees. Avoid visiting in summer, between July to August, if you don't enjoy large crowds.
Where is Sagrada Familia?
Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona.
Address: C/ de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain | Find on maps
Closest Landmark: Design Museum of Barcelona
Getting to Sagrada FamiliaHow to Get to Sagrada Familia?
By Public Transport
Metro: Sagrada Familia is easily accessible by metro. Travel in L2 and L5 lines to alight close to the church.
Taxi: Official Barcelona taxis can carry up to four people in a ride. The minimum fare is €7 and the rate per additional kilometer varies from €1.21 to €1.45.
Bus: Several buses are available to Sagrada Familia. Bus numbers 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20, and B24 take you to the church. Alight at the stop València – Lepant.
By Car
Barcelona has one of the most beautiful urban designs in the world. It’s easy to navigate through the city. Sagrada Familia is very close to the city center, from where you can easily walk to the monument.
Nearby parking facilities:
Parking Sagrada Familia (4 minutes away by foot)
Bond Krup (4 minutes away by foot)
Rius - Sagrada Familia (5 minutes away by foot)
Know Before You Go
- Storage facility is available for bags and rucksacks but not for suitcases.
- Toilets are available at the site.
- You can purchase souvenirs and other items at the Sagrada Familia shop.
- Except for the towers, the rest of the attraction is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- The Gaudi House Museum is not completely accessible, however, visitors can explore the ground floor and garden area.
- Visitors with disabilities can enter through the Carrer de la Marina entrance. This is located next to the gift shop.
- All visitors must carry valid proof of their disability.
- Wheelchairs can be rented at the Basilica.
- Guide dogs are allowed inside the premises.
- Hats are not allowed except for religious, creed, or health reasons.
- Avoid backpacks inside the monument.
- Transparent clothing and swimwear are prohibited.
- Visitors must cover their shoulders.
- Shorts and half skirts are not allowed.
- Clothing promoting any celebrations or ornaments designed to distract/attract attention is not allowed.
- Smoking is prohibited within the premises.
Although there are no restaurants inside, you will find a range of food stalls right outside Sagrada Familia.
Bear in mind that food and drinks are not allowed inside during your visit, so you can grab a snack or beverage once you're done.
If you'd like to stay close to Sagrada Familia and extend your stay in Barcelona, here are a few options.
- Hotel Barcelona Go: A highly-rated two-star hotel in the city center.
- Hotel Victoria Palace: A two-star hotel with an in-house restaurant. Airport shuttles are available for this hotel.
- Sercotel Rosellón: A highly-rated four-star hotel, very popular with families.
- Ibis Barcelona Centro: A two-star hotel that is pet friendly and affordable.
Sagrada Familia Entrances
Both the general and group entrances are located below the Nativity Facade. If you're facing the church, the general entrance is on your right and the group entrance is on your left.
The accessible entrance is towards your left, right near the Sagrada Familia gift shop.
What’s Inside Sagrada Familia?
Enter the Sagrada Família and get a glimpse of Gaudi's genius. With tall columns, colored by the hues of the glass-stained windows, and intricate details of the altar and the apse, there is a lot to see inside the Sagrada Familia.
Facades
Sagrada Familia consists of three main facades: the Nativity Facade, the Passion Facade, and the Glory Facade. Each facade is connected to the life of Christ. The Nativity Facade marks the birth of Jesus, the Passion Facade depicts His death and resurrection, and the Glory Facade portrays His eternal glory. The Glory Facade is yet to be completed.
Three Facades of Sagrada Familia
The Towers
The Towers of Sagrada Familia are beautiful and captivating. The architect envisioned 18 towers, but only eight have been completed. Visitors need to buy an extra ticket to access the towers. You can go up the tower in a lift but you will have to go back down using the staircase.
Sagrada Familia Towers
Sagrada Familia Museum
A must-visit for buffs of history and architecture, Sagrada Familia Museum showcases the construction models, drawings, and photos of Antoni Gaudi, the architect behind the design of Sagrada Familia. The museum is in the semi-basement under the Passion facade.
Explore the Gaudi MuseumVisitor Tips | Sagrada Familia
- Face masks are no longer mandatory inside the Basilica.
- The dress code must be followed strictly by all visitors. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered.
- If you're interested, there is an international mass that takes place every Sunday at 9 AM.
- We recommend going on a guided tour of Sagrada Familia to make the most of your visit. If not, you can always read about the Basilica and its history before you go.
Sagrada Familia Tickets & Tours
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning Your Visit to Sagrada Familia
A. Yes, Sagrada Familia is open to visitors.
A. Sagrada Familia is an iconic church, known for its impressive architecture. It is also one of the most commendable works of architect Antoni Gaudi.
A. No, you need to purchase a ticket to visit Sagrada Familia.
A. Tickets to Sagrada Familia are available online.
A. Your Sagrada Familia tickets start from €49.
A. Sagrada Familia is open year-round. The timings vary from season to season.
A. The best time of the day to visit Sagrada Familia is around 9 or 10 AM in the morning on a weekday.
A. Sagrada Familia is located in Barcelona, Spain.
A. Yes, Sagrada Familia allows group visits. However, no more than 30 people are allowed in a group.
A. Yes, families with children can visit Sagrada Familia.
A. Yes, all areas except the towers of Sagrada Familia are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
A. Food and drinks are not sold inside Sagrada Familia, however, you can purchase them at stalls that are present outside the church.
A. We suggest spending about 2 to 3 hours exploring Sagrada Familia and its intricate architecture.
A. Yes, Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain.
