This post was last updated on August 9th, 2023 at 04:04 pm
SAGRADA FAMILIA: WHAT IS IT AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED
The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most famous unfinished church. Designed by Gaudi it is one of the most popular attractions in Catalonia.
It is considered a World Heritage Site and for the last 12 years is used as a church as well: Catholics on Sundays can attend the Mass in this beautiful masterpiece.
The construction of the most famous monument in Barcelona began in 1882 by Francisco de Paula del Villar but a year later Gaudτί took over adding Gothic elements. Unfortunately failed to complete it before he died in 1926. The Spanish Civil War started soon after and the project fell into second place!
The Sagrada Familia has been under construction for the last … 140 years and it is estimated that it will be completed in 2026!
SAGRADA FAMILIA VISITING HOURS
You can take pictures of the monument, but the truth is that it is worth visiting the interior of the Basilica and discovering the hidden symbols that Gaudi used! The opening hours of this attraction are Monday to Sunday: 9:00 to 18:00. During Christmas and the Second day of Christmas, entrance is until 14:00. The same schedule applies on New Year’s Day and on the 6th of January. The opening hours of Sagrada Familia are entirely different from the Vatican ones.
It is estimated that Barcelona’s most famous attraction receives 4 million visitors a year. As you can see, this is a problem especially if you are visiting during the high season: queues are huge! It takes about 2 to 3 hours to visit the attraction so do not waste your time waiting in line. Buy your ticket online and choose a fast-track entry ticket.
SAGRADA FAMILIA TICKETS
*** It is highly recommended to purchase the Sagrada Familia Tickets online in advance from here, free cancelation is offered***
Ticket prices for the Sagrada Familia in 2023:
- 26,00 €: entry ticket
- 30,00 €: entry ticket including a guided tour
You can buy tickets for the Sagrada Familia online by visiting the official website or you can buy them via Paypal or debit card from this website. They are a bit more expensive because they offer “fast-track entry” and the ability to cancel.
Always remember that even if it is a tourist attraction, it remains a church! Therefore, it would be good for your clothing to be as “decent” as possible. Short shorts and mini dresses are better to be worn later when you visit a bar and have tapas 🙂 The best time to visit the attraction is in the late afternoon, as the sunset falls on the stained glass windows and fills the church with incredible colors.
FREE ENTRY TO THE SAGRADA FAMILIA
It is best to pre-order the tickets and enjoy the tour, but if you are on a limited budget, you can visit the Sagrada Familia for FREE – there is a Mass on Sundays at 9 am.
You can take part (also if you are Catholic I believe that could be a nice experience) but of course, you will not be able to explore the interior and take pictures during the time of the mystery. The free entry to the Sagrada Familia on Sundays is a good option only if you are religious, you have a lot of patience (as you will need again to arrive by 8,30am max.) and you are planning to enjoy the Mass and be okay with the fact that you can’t take pictures and walk around like a tourist.
Unfortunately, this is the only option to see this attraction for free! If you decide to book your tickets, be prepared and book them in advance; otherwise, you risk spending hours waiting in queues. You can see the availability and book tickets here:
Additionally, free entry to the Sagrada Familia is guaranteed in 2023 for:
- Children under 11
- People with disabilities
WHAT SHOULD I SEE AFTER GAUDI’S MASTERPIECE?
You can read here my article with the best things to do in Barcelona and get some inspiration!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something I will receive a small commission – without any extra cost for you -. By booking through one of these links, you help to keep this blog up and running!
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