Visit Sagrada Família
A tour of la Sagrada Família is a must-see and should be included in your to do list when you are in Barcelona, Spain. Whether you are a local or a tourist from out of town, you should make the time on your trip to the city to get to know up close this beautiful and magnificent church. Here you can find a few tips on how to best tour la Sagrada Família, the best time of the year and hours to admire it at its splendor.
Plan your visit to the Sagrada familia
Of course, when you are travelling you want to make the best use of your time on during the trip. That is why we went ahead and made you a list of some of the best tips to visit la Sagrada Família, the most optimum time of the year and hours to enjoy it a the fullest.
Planning to visit the Sagrada Familia? To enhance your experience, begin by securing your tickets online ahead of time to skip the lengthy lines and guarantee your entry. Be sure to verify the operating hours, the most efficient way to access the basilica, the expected conduct guidelines, and the best routes to reach this iconic landmark.
Sagrada familia opening hours
The Sagrada Familia’s opening hours change throughout the year:
- November – February hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Sundays from 10:30am to 6:00pm.
- March hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm. Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Sundays from 10:30am to 7:00pm.
- October hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm. Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Sundays from 10:30am to 7:00pm.
- April – September hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Sundays from 10:30am to 8:00pm
Sagrada familia location
Where can you find the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? The Sagrada Família is located at Carrer Mallorca, 401 in Barcelona, Spain, nestled in the Eixample district. It can be found at the crossroads of Mallorca, Provença, Sardenya, and Marina streets, making it a prominent and easily reachable site for tourists. Visitors can access the Sagrada Familia conveniently via the metro by taking either the L2 (purple line) or the L5 (blue line) to the Sagrada Família station.
Sagrada familia masses
Three types of masses are celebrated at the Sagrada Família: international masses, usually held on Sundays, international evening masses on Saturdays at 8 PM, and masses for extraordinary celebrations that require an invitation. These services attract both locals and tourists, creating a unique atmosphere of spiritual unity. Attending a mass at this iconic basilica offers a chance to experience its beauty in a different light. If you’re interested in attending, it’s advisable to check the schedule in advance to ensure a spot, especially for special celebrations.
Sagrada familia dresscode
When visiting the Sagrada Familia, women should wear sleeved tops and long skirts or pants that cover the knees, avoiding transparent clothing for modesty. Men are encouraged to wear shirts with sleeves and long pants or knee-length shorts, while avoiding offensive graphics on their attire. While there is no strict dress code for footwear, comfortable shoes are highly recommended due to the amount of walking and standing.
How to visit to the Sagrada familia
Visiting the Sagrada Familia is an unforgettable experience that combines architectural wonder with deep cultural significance.The sheer scale and detail of the Sagrada Familia, crafted by the genius Antoni Gaudí, make it a must-see for anyone traveling to the city. However, to truly appreciate this masterpiece and make the most of your visit, it’s important to plan ahead. Of course, when you are travelling you want to make the best use of your time on during the trip. That is why we went ahead and made you a list of some of the best tips to visit la Sagrada Família, the most optimum time of the year and hours to enjoy it a the fullest.
- It is best to buy your entrance tickets online, as access to the Sagrada Familia is limited. On busy days, many visitors go directly to the ticket office only to find they cannot enter the basilica due to sold-out tickets. While online tickets allow you to skip the queues, it is still advisable to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time to account for security checks and any unforeseen delays.
- Choose the right type of ticket: Consider options such as guided tours, which provide valuable insights into the history and architectural significance of the basilica, or combination tickets that include access to the towers for a stunning panoramic view of Barcelona. These additional options can enrich your experience and provide a deeper understanding of Gaudí’s vision.
- To avoid crowds, plan your visit for early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as these times tend to be less busy. Visiting during weekdays, if possible, can also help you enjoy a more serene atmosphere.
- Dress appropriately, as the Sagrada Familia is a place of worship. Ensure your attire is respectful by wearing sleeved tops and avoiding overly casual clothing. Modest clothing is appreciated, as it aligns with the sacred nature of the site.
- Take your time to explore and appreciate the details of this architectural marvel. Allocate at least two hours to fully absorb the beauty of its intricate facades and stunning interior, which features beautiful stained glass and unique design elements.
- Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the surrounding Eixample district, which is home to many other architectural masterpieces by Gaudí, such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera). Wandering through this area will deepen your appreciation for Gaudí’s impact on Barcelona’s architectural landscape.
Inside Sagrada Família
As you probably know by now, la Sagrada Família is Barcelona’s most iconic and famous symbol, and without a doubt, also one of the most impressive buildings as well. The church is quite massive in its dimensions and it is usually considered a cathedral, but since it does not have a seat for a bishop it is not officially one. It is one of Gaudí’s masterpieces, still under construction since 1882 so you may encounter areas that are not yet available to the public.
The outside of la Sagrada Família is quite outstanding, and the interior is breathtaking. The unique design guides you to look up and admire beautiful and high ornate ceilings, and alongside the view, you get to admire the lighting. On the West side of the church – the Passion façade – you will find yellow, orange, and red stained glass decorations, and on the East side – the Nativity façade – you can enjoy the blue and green stained glass decorations.
When you are inside at the right time that the sun hits the colored windows and the interior of the church is showered in a beautiful rainbow light, a magical sight to behold.
Sagrada Família Façades
The first thing you can admire from la Sagrada Família is the outside structure and design of the building. It is a lot to take in as every side is different. The exterior has three façades; to the East there is the Nativity façade, to the West the Passion façade, and to the South the Glory façade with eighteen towers in total around the building. Book your tickets now to visit the Sagrada Família >
The Nativity façade was the first to be completed, and it has the most direct influence and style by Gaudí. This side is dedicated to the birth of Jesus, hence the name. It has four towers that represent 4 Apostles: Matthew, Barnabas, Jude, and Simon.
The Passion façade is more severe and simple in comparison to the Nativity façade. This side reflects the suffering and pain endured by Jesus during his crucifixion. The four towers here are dedicated to four more Apostles: James, Thomas, Philip, and Bartholomew.
The Glory façade is the last side that has been under construction since 2002. It is dedicated to the Glory and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the largest façade of la Sagrada Família, and it reflects the road to God: Death, Final Judgment, Glory and Hell as well.
Towers
La Sagrada Família has a total of eighteen spires, more commonly known and the towers. They are dedicated as follows: twelve to the Twelve Apostles and are situated on the three façades of the church; the other six spires represent the Four Evangelists, Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. There are only eight completed towers from the total of eighteen spires. The ones that are finished correspond to the four Apostles on the Nativity Façade, and the ones on the Passion Façade. From the eighteen towers the tallest of them all will be the one that represents Jesus Christ, surmounted by an enormous cross with a height of 170 meters (560 ft).
To visit the Sagrada Família Towers there are some considerations you should know beforehand:
- The standard ticket does not include access to the Towers. There is a ticket available with access to the Towers.
- The Nativity and the Passion façade are not joined together, so the access to the spires are in different places.
- To get to the top of the towers it is only accessible via an elevator, one for each façade.
- Visitors have to take the stairs down the spires, on both of the Nativity and Passion façade.
FAQs about visiting Sagrada Família
- Buy tickets in advance online.
- Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds.
- Dress modestly to adhere to the dress code.
- Use public transport to reach the basilica.
- Allocate enough time to explore both the interior and exterior.
