The best place to photograph the exterior of the Sagrada Familia is Plaza de Gaudí. This pedestrian area offers clear views of the east facade. For stunning photos, visit at sunrise or sunset to take advantage of the soft light.
Is it possible to take photos inside the Sagrada Familia?
Yes, it is possible to take photos inside the Sagrada Familia. Official guidelines from the church’s website indicate that photography is allowed, provided that flash is not used.
Many tourists avoid taking pictures inside Spanish churches due to previous negative experiences or strict regulations, such as those in the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Initially, the interior photography ban led to caution when visiting notable churches, including the Sagrada Familia. However, the rules at this iconic basilica are more lenient.
Where to take photos Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia offers numerous excellent viewpoints. Although many streets and squares around the temple provide good perspectives, not all are ideal due to factors like crowdedness, obstructive walls, or electrical cables. Here are some top spots for photographing the Sagrada Familia:
- Plaza de Gaudí: This pedestrian plaza is traffic-free and provides unobstructed, picturesque views of the entire east facade of the Sagrada Familia. It’s a favorite spot for both tourists and professional photographers.
- Terraces of the Design Museum of Barcelona: Located in Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, this lesser-known spot offers stunning high-angle views of the Sagrada Familia. The terraces are particularly photogenic on cloudy days or near sunset, as the lighting can add dramatic and romantic effects to your photos.
These locations are recommended for capturing unique and spectacular images of Barcelona’s most famous monument. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned professional, these viewpoints ensure you’ll take home memorable photos of the Sagrada Familia.
Best places to take the exterior of the Sagrada Familia in a photo
Light is important, especially so that you can take excellent photographs of the windows. In the morning, natural light painting comes in more intensely, which will help to bring out the colours of the windows. Remember that in some places the use of a tripod is not allowed, so you will have to use a flexible tripod or use your eyes to place the camera on a railing or flat surface. The Temple of the Sagrada Familia is ideal for architectural photography and here you can see why Gaudí spent 43 years of his life on the construction. You really won’t be able to stop photographing every corner of the building, and the winning photos will be those that capture the essence of Gaudí’s innovative construction.
The main façade of the basilica is one of the most impressive and the best to photograph. In front of the façade you will find a long space that will allow you to walk from one end to the other and observe every detail. In this case it is essential that you have a wide-angle lens to take the photo from a fixed point, right between the square and the façade. The interior of the Basilica of the Sagrada Família is very spacious and bright, so there are no lighting problems. The best time to visit is in the morning, because there is better light inside and there won’t be too many visitors.
EXTRA TIP: to avoid converging lines, try to take the photos from a distant point.
When editing your photo choose a black and white option, this is ideal to focus attention on the most important element of the scene and avoid distracting details.
How to take photos of the interior of the Sagrada Família
Best times of day to take photos
In short: in summer, in winter with clear skies or on clear autumn days, the ideal times are around sunrise, early in the morning. Some outdoor areas around sunset, at the latest at 19:00. We will tell you why: mainly, to the east of the temple at that time the sun completely illuminates its main façade or Nativity Façade. As for the west, it gives better results near Plaza Gaudí, but in any case they are not very suitable times. It is interesting to take photos of the protagonists of the tower of Jesús de más de la Cavalleria (in front of the Museu Elder) early in the morning. Also photograph the façade opposite the street, but around sunset it is sure to be extraordinary.
In Barcelona, with very few exceptions, it is very sunny practically 85% of the year. This strong, direct light is ideal for taking photos in most situations, with the exception of 10:00-11:00, when the Campanar tower usually rises behind the apse of the church; between 15:00 and 16:30, when the church receives the most sun and it is almost impossible to photograph the Nativity façade with adequate lighting; between 16:30-17:15, when the interior of the church is very dark: 30-17:15 hours, interior photos of the temple are very dark (bear in mind that the Sagrada Família has religious consecration and it is considered disrespectful to take photos of the interior with flash), and between 17:15-30 minutes before sunset, interior photos are very dark, except photos that are “against the direction of the back of the temple with the sunset”. Outside areas between 30 minutes before and after sunset are the most suitable for most visits to the Sagrada Família.
Composition and framing tips
– The most beautiful framing angles are 3/4 or contra-angle. These framing angles will make the elements stand out more and lengthen the impression of the height of the church (3/4) or emphasise and differentiate the U-shap, so characteristic of Gaudí’s building, much more.
– Although it depends on many variables that are not always common, try to frame the whole building.
– Do not focus the point of interest with the coliseum in the centre, as if it were a target. Try to have more elements on the sides than at the top and bottom. The focus and visual path will be much wider and will make the viewer spend a little more time looking at the entrance.
– Avoid including other useless elements (another object, person, tree, car, etc.) that do not add information to the image. Take the opportunity to photograph these elements in another shot.
– Not all photographs have to be taken in daylight. You can take night photographs, especially of the atmosphere of the queues, at a slow speed (4 or 5 seconds) and this way you will have those spectacular trails of car lights that will give a special air to these shots. And mark where the horizon is coming from. It will avoid the feeling of leaning backwards and will eliminate the annoying loss of the upper part of the facade.
Ethical and safety considerations when taking photos at the Sagrada Família
In some cases it will be a simple matter if, for example, you plan to take photos of the Passion portal. But with exterior details you don’t know for sure until you are inside until you are inside. From the outside you can guess, but the amount of detail is infinite and after seeing it for the first time you are sure to spot something you couldn’t (or didn’t even feel like…) photographing.
The use of tripods is not allowed, not even a flexible mini tripod. Tablets are not allowed for taking pictures, nor are big hats, big backpacks, etc. for safety reasons. The use of flash is prohibited. And if you are one of those with a super-fast camera, think that this sound, which everyone will hear when you press the shutter release, is also frowned upon because it can even interfere with the prayers of some people, many of whom are going to the Sagrada Família as a pilgrimage.
You have to enter the Sagrada Família taking photos like there’s no tomorrow. You will buy a ticket to visit the Sagrada Familia with a scheduled time, so consider the time between your arrival and your entrance as “photo time”. Because when the time comes, you won’t be able to go in with your big photographer’s equipment or an improvised stick mobile.
