Sagrada Familia Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia is, without a doubt, the most important and symbolic monument in the city of Barcelona. This iconic architectural work was created by Gaudí, the famous modernist architect, who made the city of Barcelona a place that is now recognised worldwide.

This place should be at the top of your list of places to see in Barcelona, not only because of its great historical importance, but also because of its symbolic value and its spectacular artistic and architectural prestige. Besides being the most famous religious temple in the whole city, the creation of this basilica took more than 40 years for Gaudí to design. You can’t miss its majesty on your visit to the city of Barcelona.

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History of the Sagrada Familia

Construction began on the Sagrada Familia in 1866 and is currently the most important religious structure in the city of Barcelona. It has incredible historical value, mainly due to the number of years it took to build, as well as having suffered some damage during the Civil War.

Gaudí’s message and the source of inspiration in his design was Christianity and nature. This church has three huge façades, each representing a different stage in the life of Jesus Christ. These are the “Birth”, the “Passion, death and resurrection”, and finally, the “Glory, present and future”.

The Sagrada Familia is currently undergoing restoration and expansion. It is estimated that construction will be completed in 2026. Having been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, this structure also witnessed a unique historic moment in 2010 when Pope Benedict XVI visited for its consecration.

The Sagrada Familia has a base with a Latin cross plan, consisting of more than five central naves. The interior of the basilica is reminiscent of a kind of forest made of stone, with an impressive set of columns and other ornamental features. You cannot miss a visit to this spectacular monument.

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What to see in the Sagrada Familia?

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Nativity Facade

The Nativity Façade is the most important part of the Sagrada Familia, being the only one of the three façades that was built by Gaudí himself. It is a World Heritage Site and, like the other façades, made up of four bell towers. The theme of this work is the period leading up to Christmas: Advent. This façade is characterised by abundant ornamental details, which create an atmosphere of joy for the birth of Jesus.

Passion Facade

In comparison to the Nativity Façade, the Passion Façade is the one that faces the city of Barcelona. Gaudí’s aim for this façade was to depict death and resurrection. That is why, of all the façades, this is the one with the darkest atmosphere, as it represents the moment before the death of Jesus.

Glory Facade

The Façade of Glory is certainly the largest and most monumental of the whole complex. Its themes are death, the Last Judgement and Glory. The three portals on this façade represent the three theological virtues. Its most important features are the towers (or bell towers). The two towers in the centre reach a height of 112 m, while the two outer towers are 107 m. It is probably the most recognisable façade of the whole of the Sagrada Familia.

Towers

You can currently visit 8 of the 18 towers that were planned according to Gaudí’s design. Each one has a different height and characteristics, each unique in its own way. You can climb to the top of one of them to enjoy breathtaking views of the whole city.

Inside the Sagrada Familia

Despite its spectacular exterior and size, the interior of the Sagrada Familia does not fall short. Inside, you can wander around a space made of stone that tries to emulate nature and forests using features such as columns and other ornamental objects. You will fall in love with the purity and beauty of your surroundings.

How to get to the Sagrada Familia Barcelona?

There are two easy ways to get to the Sagrada Familia by public transport:

– The first and most recommended option is to take the metro. You can choose between lines 2 and 5 and get off at the Sagrada Familia stop, located a short distance from the basilica.

– Another option is to take the bus and get off at the Temple Expiatori de La Sagrada Família stop. You can choose between lines 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 44, 50 and 51.

How much does a ticket to the Sagrada Familia cost?

An adult ticket to the monument costs €17, or €25 if you want it with audio guide included. Admission for students and under-30s is reduced to €13, while senior citizens can enter for €11 and children under 10 are free.

You can also go for these package deals:Entrance to the Sagrada Familia and the Gaudí House-Museum for 16,50€.

– Entrance to the Sagrada Familia and the Gaudí House-Museum for €16.50.
– Entrance to the Sagrada Familia and the towers for €32.

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What to see around the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?

Casa Batlló

One of the first places to visit near the Sagrada Familia is the well-known Casa Batlló. In addition to being another of Gaudí’s works, this house has unique architecture with a remarkable Catalan modernist style. It is just a 22-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia. If you want to discover other places to visit nearby, read our post: Things to see and do in Barcelona.

Agbar Tower

The Agbar Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in Barcelona, just a 19-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia. You can admire all its architectural and cultural splendour while strolling around the area. If you want to find out more about this spectacular structure, make sure to read our post: Torre Agbar Barcelona.

Casa Milà

The Casa Milà is another impressive architectural work by Antoni Gaudí. This building has a naturalist and modernist style where you can also enjoy panoramic views of the entire city of Barcelona. Inside you can also walk through a series of courtyards that will make you feel as though you are in a natural environment thanks to its forest-inspired geometric constructions.

What are the opening hours of the Sagrada Familia?

From November to February, you can enter the monument from 9:00 to 18:00, while in March the cathedral is open until 19:00. From April to September, the opening hours are from 9:00 to 20:00, dropping back to 19:00 during the month of October.

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How to plan your visit to the Sagrada Familia?

Download the Passporter app:

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
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• Save your tickets and reservations.
• Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
• Find out the best travel option for each place.
• Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to the Sagrada Familia?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”

Finally, if you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.