La Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Spain. This Catholic church, while unfinished, is one of the most unique buildings in the world. It is probably already at the top of your must-see list for Barcelona, as it should be. In this guide, we will break down some key tips and share some essential information to make your experience at La Sagrada Familia perfect.
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When to go (best time of day)
I have been to La Sagrada Familia twice now and both times it was extremely crowded. After all, it is the most popular thing to see in Barcelona so crowds are to be expected.
The good news is, once you are inside the Basilica, 90% of your time will be spent looking up at the tall, detailed corners and crevices of the structure. You do not really see other people when you are gazing up at the heights since everyone is on the bottom floor, which I found to be uniquely pleasant! You will be able to get amazing photos of the walls and pillars without any people in them.
The areas where the crowds really do get annoying are 1) the outside garden, 2) the towers, and 3) the museum. If you are trying to avoid the large masses of tourists then plan to come early (like really early). I would suggest getting there before the church opens for pictures outside and then buying your tickets for the first entry of the day. Head up to the towers once you are inside- you will want that spot to yourself! After that, go to the museum to learn about the history while it is still less crowded. Finally, enjoy the ground floor of the interior.
Fun fact: Construction of the Basilica began over 100 years ago in 1882 and famous architect Antonio Gaudi officially adopted the project just one year into construction.
How to get to La Sagrada Familia
While the church is not located in the popular areas of the Gothic Quarter or El Born, it is still very centrally situated in the city & very easy to get to. La Sagrada Familia is in the Eixample neighborhood so if you are staying in the Gothic Quarter I would not recommend walking. Unless you just really love walking 40+ minutes one way, then have at it.
Jokes aside, Barcelona has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. The bus routes and metro lines are perfectly cohesive with all of your map apps so I recommend using this to get there.
If you hop on the metro, it should take about 15 minutes from the Gothic Quarter. Taking a taxi or Uber may take up to double the amount of time (and money) depending on traffic and time of day.
Tip: Look up as you are coming out of the metro station- the immediate view of the Sagrada Familia is quite impressive!
Buying your entry tickets
When visiting La Sagrada Familia, you must reserve a time slot if you are buying tickets in advance, so keep that in mind for itinerary planning. I always recommend purchasing tickets in advance because I am type A and love to have everything scheduled out. But even if you are more of a go-with-the-flow type of traveler, tickets to La Sagrada Familia are known to sell out days in advance during peak season. If for whatever reason you cannot buy your tickets in advance, it is possible to purchase them at the door but availability is not guaranteed.
Entry tickets are not cheap- but it is a must-see spot and you won’t regret going. The prices range from 26 Euros to 40 Euros depending on if you want a guide and if you plan to go up the towers. The basic ticket does come with an audio guide FYI.
During my first visit to Barcelona, I only admired the Basilica from the exterior since I was on a budget and wanted to do other things in the city. It was still a good experience, but I didn’t know what I was missing. I’m super glad that I spent the money to go inside during my second trip. So if you have the funds, definitely go for it!
Buy your tickets on the official website here!
Experiencing La Sagrada Familia
As mentioned earlier, there are four main areas you will spend time in during your visit. Each one offers a different perspective of the church and is different from the last.
The exterior gardens
This park is located on the northeast side of the church and is a must-see spot. It offers a towering view with a couple of benches and rest areas. There is a large pond in the center but in my experience, it isn’t very nice looking (brown both times) but this may just be a one-off situation.
Since this area is free, please be on the lookout for pickpocketers. There likely won’t be any on the inside since the ticket costs at least 26 bucks, but they are known to hang around the exterior and take advantage of distracted travelers. Keep your belongings close to you always and don’t place valuables in your pockets.
Tip: You can get a great unobstructed photo of yourself by standing on a specific pillar in the garden. Check out the exact details in our Barcelona Photo-Spot Guide
The Interior Sanctuary
This is where it gets fun! The detail of every single thing inside the Sagrada Familia is absolutely exquisite. I could spend hours staring at the ceiling here. The stained glass is just something else! You don’t have to look closely to see that the architecture embodies nature. Even the gigantic main pillars are shaped like huge trees.
Once you’ve had a lap or two around the inside, take a seat on a bench and just stare upward for a few minutes while listening to an audio guide.
Fun fact: While designing the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi intentionally did not include any straight lines because they do not exist in nature. This gives the building that iconic “melting sandcastle” look.
The Towers
If you want a great panoramic view of Barcelona, definitely pay a visit to one of the two towers inside the Sagrada Familia. Some people will say to visit one over the other, but I can’t really speak on that because the day that we went, it was too windy to go up and the staff had the towers closed for the day. Let us know if you have visited and prefer a specific tower!
The Museum
I am not the biggest fan of museums for some reason, but the one inside La Sagrada Familia was super interesting. Even though we did not have a guide, I was able to learn so much interesting information about the building. I highly recommend spending some time in this section of the Basilica.
Fun fact: The church is expected to be finished in 2026 after 144 years of construction!
Bonus: The best view of La Sagrada Familia
Since the church is so tall, it can be hard to admire it up close. Eventually, your neck will start to hurt if you are looking up for a long time. This bonus spot in the guide is perfect for viewing La Sagrada Familia in a more relaxed fashion.
The rooftop of the Sercotel Rosselon Hotel is the very best spot to view the church. It is super close to the actual building but far enough to not be overwhelmed by the size. You do not need to be a hotel guest to visit the rooftop and you can even have a nice drink during your visit!
To get to the rooftop, just hop in the elevator and press the button for the top floor. There will be clear signs directing you to the rooftop bar.
Comment your tips and experiences at La Sagrada Familia below! 🙂
