The Sagrada Familia is without a shadow of a doubt Antoni Gaudí's best work, if not an architectural masterpiece, and no wonder thousands of people want to visit it every day. A compulsory stop for anyone visiting Barcelona, it is absolutely one of the city's must-see attractions. The building is only a very small part of what Gaudi was supposed to have built, which makes it an inexhaustible well of history.
Where is it located and how to get there
Onfoot: Carrer de Mallorca, 401 - Get directions
By bus: the blue line of the Bus Turistico has a stop near the basilica
By metro: Line II (purple line) and Line V (blue line) station Sagrada Familia
How to getthere from the Pier: take the PortBus shuttle that will take you to the Mirador de Colom, from there walk a few minutes until you reach the L3 metro stop"Drassanes", take it and get off at Diagonal to change to the L5 blue line and get off at Sagrada Familia
SEE ALSO: Getting around Barcelona - info, costs and advice
Timetables and prices
Timetables: October to March from 9am to 6.30pm, April to September from 9am to 8pm. Closed on the afternoons of 25 December, 1 and 6 January. From October 2017 it is possible to attend the international mass every Sunday morning. Mass starts at 9:00 a.m. but the doors open as early as 8:30 a.m. due to limited seating. The entrance is on the Carrer Marina side, and you must be dressed appropriately.
Best time to avoid queues: there are almost always queues. It is best to take advantage of dead hours, such as lunchtime or times when it is warmer and people prefer not to stand in line. Alternatively, buy a ticket with a skip-the-line option
Ticket price: €18.00 entrance only. €29.00 including tower and audio guide for adults, €27.00 for students and under 30s, €22.00 for disabled, free for under 11s
Reductions: children under 30 and students €16.00, people over 65 €14.00
Free: disabled people + accompanying person, children from 0 to 11 years old
Tours, guided tours and online tickets
What to see and how to visit the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is a very complex architectural work, and should therefore be visited in a certain way. After admiring this architectural marvel in its entirety, i.e. from a distance, you should pay special attention to the Nativity façade: the grotto at the entrance contains sculptures that evoke the most tragic events in the life of Jesus.
Visiting the interior of the cathedral is equivalent to wandering through a forest of tall columns; the effect was intended by Gaudí to demonstrate the greatness of God.
The visit itself should not take more than an hour, as some areas are still closed due to works.
Underneath the church is a large crypt and the Gaudi Museum, in which drawings of the original plans, photographs, sketches, models etc. are kept. If you have purchased the appropriate ticket, you can then take the lift to visit the open towers. From here you can enjoy not only a splendid panorama, but also the opportunity to take a closer look at the details and workmanship of the other towers.
For the descent, there is no lift, so be prepared to walkdown a long, winding and beautiful spiral staircase.
Where to stay
If you're looking for a comfortable and convenient place to stay while visiting the iconic Sagrada Familia, H10 Madison Hotel is an excellent option. Located just a short walk away from the basilica, this upscale hotel offers luxurious accommodations and a wide range of amenities. From the elegant decor to the top-notch service, H10 Madison Hotel is the perfect choice for travelers seeking a sophisticated and comfortable stay in Barcelona. And with easy access to public transportation options like the metro and bus, exploring other parts of the city is a breeze. Whether you're in town for business or pleasure, H10 Madison Hotel is the ideal home base for your Barcelona adventures.
Useful tips for visiting the attraction
Getup early: arriving before opening time is perhaps the best way to avoid queues. It is advisable to avoid weekends and public holidays as the influx of visitors is massive and the queues kilometres long.
Buy the city card: the Barcelona City Pass combines Barcelona's major attractions in one ticket. There is no need to print out the ticket, just show it on the display of your mobile phone.
Buya priority ticket: you can buy a fast-track ticket online, which allows you to skip the queue.
Dress appropriately: despite the fact that it is a consecrated church, it is not obligatory to cover your shoulders and legs; however, this does not mean that you can enter with clothes that may be offensive to the church. In particular, you will not be allowed to enter the designated prayer areas wearing shorts or tank tops.
Watch out for restrictions: entry to the towers with children under the age of six is forbidden.
Take your time tovisit: the recommended time to enjoy the church from both outside and inside is at least two hours.
Choose a guided tour: as everyone knows, the Sagrada Familia is full of meanings and secrets and little details: it is really worth booking a guided tour that will tell you everything. If your budget doesn't allow you to take part in a tour with a real guide, there is the option of a tour with an audio guide, which costs less and is still interesting even if you don't get a chance to ask questions.
History, trivia and practical info: what to know in brief
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Fam ília, or simply Sagrada Família, is a Catholic basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Work began in 1882 following a neo-Gothic style, but when Gaudí took over as designer of the work in 1883, he completely redesigned it.
The architect worked on the work for forty years, but only managed to see the Navità façade and the tower of San Barnaba completed: he was killed by a tram in 1926. Gaudí designed the interior of the Sagrada Familia as if it were the structure of a forest, with columns in the shape of trees that split to form branches supporting the structure.
The columns are inclined so as to best receive the pressure perpendicular to their section, and are made in the shape of a double helix, like the branches and trunks of trees.