How To Visit Sagrada Familia in 2023: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More
Sean Finelli
Heading to Barcelona and wondering how to visit Sagrada Familia? One of Barcelona’s top attractions and one of the world’s most unique churches, Antonio Gaudì’s masterpiece draws visitors from near and far to indulge in its incredible beauty and layered meaning. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how you can visit Gaudì’s must-see Sagrada Familia.
Pro Tip: Planning your visit to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our Barcelona Guide for more planning resources, our top Sagrada Familia tours for a memorable trip, and read incredible facts about Sagrada Familia ahead of your visit.
Visiting Sagrada Familia: What We’ll Cover
The best thing you can do to ensure a great visit to Sagrada Familia is to plan ahead. Schedule your visit and purchase tickets in advance. Antonio Gaudi’s church sells out quickly and lines can be long to get inside.
Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how to visit Sagrada Familia from getting tickets to the top guided tours, what to see and inside, and where to eat nearby. Here’s what we’ll cover:
November to February: Mon – Sat, 9 am – 6 pm; Sundays, 10:30 am to 6 pm.
March and October: Mon – Sat, 9 am – 7 pm; Sundays, 10:30 am to 7 pm.
April to September: Mon – Sat, 9 am – 8 pm; Sundays, 10:30 am – 8 pm.
December 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th: 9 am – 2 pm.
Tickets:
Admission Cost: €26 for adults. Check the official website for current discounts.
Getting tickets to Sagrada Familia is your first step to visiting this incredible church and work of art. As long as you plan ahead, you’ll be fine. You will be required to select a day and time slot for your visit when purchasing a ticket online.
There are plenty of ways to get around in Barcelona, which can often make the choice more difficult. We’ll explain how to get to Sagrada Familia by subway (metro), bus, and taxi.
For more information on how to get around Barcelona, including rent-a-bike options, check out our dedicated article on using public transport in Barcelona.
Subway (Metro):
There is a metro stop right next to Sagrada Familia (called Sagrada Familia—easy!). A single-use subway card in Barcelona costs €2.40, which is relatively inexpensive for a subway system as comprehensive as Barcelona’s.
The L2 (purple) and L5 (blue) lines go straight to the Sagrada Familia metro station. It’s likely you’ll be headed to Sagrada Familia from one of our recommended areas to stay in Barcelona: El Raval, Bari Gothic, or Eixample. If that is the case, you probably won’t have to change lines on the metro.
If you’re not near either of the direct L2 (purple) and L5 (blue) lines, you can catch the L1 (orange) or L3 (green) nearest to you and connect with the L2 or L5. Always be sure to check you are on the right platform, so you catch the metro headed in the right direction.
Metro Stop: Sagrada Familia
Lines: L2 (purple) and L5 (blue)
Cost: €2.40 each way
Taxi:
Using an online taxi calculator, a taxi from the Barcelona Cathedral in Bari Gothic to Sagrada Familia will cost between €12 and €22 depending on whether you manage to hail a taxi or if you have to call one. For me, this is the best route if you are not very close to a metro station. However, taxi fares can add up quickly.
Bus:
Taking a bus to Sagrada Familia is also an option. The fare costs €2.40 and you won’t have to go down to a metro station. That said, I always have issues with buses in foreign cities.
It is less clear whether you’re headed in the correct direction until you can see the attraction you are headed to. Unless you are afraid of the subway, I recommend you forgo the bus and use the subway.
There is a lot to see in this beautiful church. Filled with exquisite detail, you won’t want to miss these features. Here is a list of the top things to see inside. If you’re looking for more detail, read our article on the top things to see in Gaudí’s unfinished church with interesting descriptions.
The Nativity Facade (Eastern Side)
Passion Facade (Western Side)
The Facade of Bliss
The Towers
Inside Nave/Vaul
Illuminated Christ on Cross (Gloria A Deu, A Dalt Del Cel)
Stained Glass Windows
Jesus Presented to the Crowd by Pontus Pilate
Buttresses and Flying Buttresses
Sagrada Familia Tour Options
Without a doubt, the best way to visit Sagrada Familia is with a tour guide for many reasons. First, the cathedral is a complicated masterpiece with many layers of meaning designed by a genius.
A local guide and historian will elevate your visit and make it more memorable. Here are the best tours to take of Sagrada Familia:
This tour is a great way to see many of Barcelona’s top attractions in a full-day tour. Our customers love this tour because it simplifies the experience. We arrange admission, local transport, and organize the best tour guides.
We recommend this tour by far for anyone looking to visit Sagrada Familia while in Barcelona. It is an amazing way to see the city and you will accomplish so much that your sangria will taste even better at the end of the day!
On this tour, get skip-the-line tickets and enjoy all the stories and insights of your local expert guide as they take you through every inch of Sagrada Familia. It’s a great way to fully appreciate this incredible structure, the artist behind it, and the layers of meaning—which we are certain will make you see everything in a new light.
For those who prefer a more personal touch on their city tours, this private tour to see Barcelona in a day is the ideal choice. You’ll explore the best of Barcelona with a private guide who knows the secrets of the Gothic Quarter, tasty places for lunch, and all about Gaudi’s famous works.
Since you’re the only group with your private guide, you can help set the pace of this tour to make sure you spend time in the places you’re most interested in. And of course, you’re sure to dive deep into the wonder of the Sagrada Familia with your skip-the-line tickets.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sacrificed a good meal for the most convenient meal when nearby a major monument. Don’t fall for those golden arches or sit down at a restaurant with waiters ushering you in, we’re here to help you avoid wasting your time on sub-par meals. For more options, check out our article on the best restaurants near Sagrada Familia. Here are three great places to eat near Sagrada Familia:
Zed: €€ | Healthy Eating—This place has diverse healthy options cooked with seasonal products from the local markets. They always use the freshest ingredients in their amazing menu, which changes along with seasonal produce.
La Ramona: €€ | Outdoor Seating | Tapas—This is a great place to get tapas in a friendly environment. They continuously adapt the menu with new creative dishes, which is why they get such great reviews.
Restaurante Seoul: € | Korean Food—If you’re looking for something a bit different, Restaurante Seoul is an excellent Korean restaurant near Sagrada Familia that has been serving food to locals for 15 years. Many have named this restaurant for the best Korean food in Barcelona.
A great hotel at a great price has become the norm in this internet era. Our article explains what areas are the best in Barcelona so you can get a great deal on the perfect location!
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
