How to Buy Tickets to La Sagrada Família in 2022

Barcelona is a destination that captures the imaginations of many travelers, in part thanks to its wonderful selection of attractions like the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. But with so much to see and do in Barcelona, you really have to make the most of your time while you’re there. One way to save time is to follow a detailed Barcelona itinerary that shows you how to plan your time during your visit. 

Another smart idea is to purchase advance tickets to Basílica de la Sagrada Família and other city attractions so that you don’t waste your time standing in a line waiting to get in. In this guide, we’ll not only show you how to book tickets for the Sagrada Família but also provide all the information you need to help you visit the Sagrada Família without hassle.

Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to La Sagrada Família: Unless you like spending your vacation waiting in long lines, we highly recommended you either book your skip-the-line Sagrada Família tickets in advance here or book a guided tour of La Sagrada Família. Out of these two, the guided tour is the better option as you get to learn about the history of this beautiful basilica from an expert guide.

Best Ways to Get Tickets to the Sagrada Família

Since the basilica is such a popular and impressive attraction to see in Barcelona, it makes sense that there are a few different options for getting your tickets to La Sagrada Família. Ultimately, the best way to buy tickets for Sagrada Família will depend on how you like to visit places and the circumstances around your trip.

1. Line Up in Person (Not Recommended)

It goes without saying that buying entrance tickets for Sagrada Família in person when you arrive there is the worst option available to tourists. Lines for getting tickets to Basílica de la Sagrada Família can take as long as two hours, which is several hours better spent seeing the city sights. Plus, who wants to stand about in the sun of summer or rain of winter for hours on end? Unless you spontaneously arrive outside La Sagrada Família and want to visit, this is an option best avoided. Getting last minute tickets is also next to impossible during high season when tickets sell out quick.

2. Book Online

A far better approach to getting La Sagrada Família tickets is to purchase them in advance online. This way, not only do you get to decide what time works best for you and your itinerary, but you’ll also be getting skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Família, allowing you to head right in.

Now, there are a few places online where you can buy tickets. For starters there’s the official Sagrada Família website where you can purchase tickets directly with the foundation that runs the basilica. These are the cheapest ways to purchase tickets, but they do have one major downside, which is their strict change/refund policy. Requests for an exchange or refund must be made at least 48 hours before your scheduled visit and require “official proof” justifying the change.

If you’d prefer some flexibility and peace of mind, then we believe the best place to buy Sagrada Família tickets is booking through this link. You still get exactly the same kind of ticket but can instantly cancel up to 24 hours in advance of your visit to receive a full refund.

3. Book a Guided Tour (Recommended)

Tickets for general admission allow visitors to explore the basilica at their own pace with an audio guide to lead them around. However audio guides are rarely as good as the real thing, so if you want to properly learn about the basilica, then it’s best to go with a guided tour of Sagrada Família. Visiting with a small group or a private tour, you have the benefit of being able to ask questions and learn directly from your tour guide.

For Sagrada Família tours, you have two options, depending on whether you’re interested in seeing the views from one of the basilica’s towers. Most visitors tend to opt for the basilica tour without the towers included, but if you’d like to ride the escalator up to the tower’s observation deck, then go for the tour with the towers included. Note that visitors can only see the towers as part of a guided tour and only when access to the towers is available.

Useful Information for Visiting the Sagrada Família

La Sagrada Família Hours of Operation

La Sagrada Família is open daily throughout the year but typically has varying hours of operation depending on the time of year. Since reopening during the pandemic, the basilica has moved to opening hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, the opening times of the basilica may change during special events. Final entry is 45 minutes before closing time.

What’s the Best Time to Visit the Sagrada Família?

Much like there are better ways to buy La Sagrada Família tickets and better times to visit Barcelona, there are better times to visit the basilica. Typically, this popular Barcelona attraction is at its quietest first thing on a Monday morning, but you’ll usually find fewer visitors there at around 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each day.

Travelers can alternatively wait until after 5:00 p.m. when the crowds tend to reduce noticeably. The basilica is at its busiest around lunchtime and in the early afternoon. As this is also when the summer heat is at its worst, this is not a time of day you want to be out standing in a line to get in. Just another reason to secure skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Família if you can.

One time best to avoid if you want to freely explore the basilica is each Sunday morning when international mass is held. While there is no charge for attending mass at the basilica, spaces are limited and you won’t have the opportunity to walk around or learn about its construction and design from a guide.

Those looking to have the Sagrada Família to themselves will be disappointed to learn that there are currently no special night tours for after-hours visits.

How to Get to the Sagrada Família

The general entrance for La Sagrada Família is on Carrer de la Marina. Visitors can reach the basilica by metro using the L2 and L5 lines and alighting at the Sagrada Família station. If you plan on using public transport to get there or get around Barcelona, make sure to get your public transport card in advance.

How Much Do Tickets for the Sagrada Família Cost?

Tickets to La Sagrada Família have different prices depending on whether you visit independently or with a tour guide. A general admission ticket for adults costs €26 and includes an audio guide, while a ticket with a standard guided tour for adults costs €27.

There is also an extra charge if you wish to visit the basilica’s towers as well.

Students and those under 30 years of age can receive €2 off their ticket when they show relevant ID. Seniors also receive a discount on their admission fee, while children under 11 enter free.

How Do La Sagrada Família Tickets Work?

Tickets to Basílica de la Sagrada Família can be purchased online roughly two months in advance and are set for a specific date and time. When purchased online, these skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Família allow visitors to enter without waiting. Tickets can be shown as a PDF or with the Sagrada Família Official App on your smartphone, although you can also print it out if you prefer.

Hotels Near the Sagrada Família

It’s not really necessary to stay close to the Sagrada Família when visiting Barcelona. The city has a good public transport system that makes getting about easy, and frankly, there are other parts of Barcelona that are closer to more attractions. However, if you’d prefer to stay near the basilica, here are some of the best options.

To treat yourself to a special stay in Barcelona just 400 meters (1,300 feet) from the Sagrada Família, definitely look at Hotel Barcelona 1882. This glamorous four-star hotel offers sleek, modern rooms and superb amenities that include a rooftop pool and terrace with views of the basilica.

For somewhere to stay that balances affordability with comfort, consider the Eurostars Monumental. Also roughly 400 meters (1,300 feet) from the basilica, this four-star hotel features smart, contemporary rooms, some of which have private balcony views of the Sagrada Família’s towers.

Backpackers will be pleased to hear that Generator Hostel Barcelona, one of the best hostels in Barcelona, is less than a 20-minute walk from La Sagrada Família. The hostel has both dorms and private rooms, views of the basilica, and pleasant and polite staff members who aim to make your stay a pleasant one.

Security Process at the Sagrada Família

As Sagrada Família is a major tourist attraction and important place of worship, there are significant security procedures in place that visitors must comply with.

All visitors must go through this process, so it helps to know what’s involved in advance to make your entry as easy as possible. While those with skip-the-line entrance tickets for Sagrada Família won’t have to queue to get their tickets, they still have to line up for the security check. 

During the security check, all bags, rucksacks, and luggage will be checked. While luggage is technically allowed inside, the church advises visitors not to bring it in with them as there are no lockers for storing items during your visit. No hats, except those worn for belief-related reasons, are allowed inside.

Being a place of worship, the Sagrada Família also has requirements for how visitors dress. To show respect, visitors are asked not to wear see-through clothing, swimwear, short skirts, or sleeveless tops.

FAQ – Facts About the Sagrada Família

What Is La Sagrada Família?

La Sagrada Família is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church, and not a cathedral, despite the common misconception.

Where Is the Sagrada Família Located?

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is located in the northeastern corner of Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood. Its location is relatively distant from other popular attractions in the city like the Gothic Quarter and Parc Güell.

When Was the Sagrada Família Started?

Construction on the Sagrada Família began on March 19, 1882, as a new church rather than a renovation or restoration of an existing place of worship.

When Will the Sagrada Família Be Finished?

The basilica is still in construction well over 100 years after the first stone was laid in 1882. It has been announced that there are hopes to complete the basilica by 2026. This year has special significance as it marks the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the visionary behind its design. However, La Sagrada Família was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on November 7, 2010.

Who Designed the Sagrada Família?

The original architect behind the design of the Sagrada Família was a man named Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a neo-Gothic look for the building. However Villar was replaced a year after groundbreaking by Antoni Gaudí, a Modernist architect responsible for some of Barcelona’s most interesting and unique buildings. Gaudí worked exclusively on the basilica from 1914 right up until his death in 1926.

Why Was the Sagrada Família Built?

An interesting part of the history of La Sagrada Família is that it was Josep Maria Bocabella, a local bookstore owner and philanthropist, who conceived the idea for La Sagrada Família after a trip to Rome in 1872. He wanted a Catholic church dedicated to the Holy Family in Barcelona and so purchased the land for the church and hired the project’s first architect.

Can You Attend Mass at the Sagrada Família?

Yes, it is possible to attend international mass at the Sagrada Família every Sunday. Mass is held at 9:00 a.m. in multiple languages. and there is no fee for attending. Spaces are limited, so it’s best to arrive early.

With all this information, you should now be well prepared for your visit to La Sagrada Família. Making the right decisions when it comes to getting your tickets to La Sagrada Família can really make a difference to your overall enjoyment of the experience.