Sagrada Familia

It is impossible not to visit Barcelona without seeing the Sagrada Familia. The undisputed symbol of the city is a basilica whose construction began in the late 19th century at the hands of architect Antoni Gaudí, who devoted 40 years of his life to the project. At his death, this enormous church remained unfinished and still is today, although work is in progress to finish it according to the original plans.

Although incomplete, with almost 5 million visitors a year, the Sagrada Familia remains the most visited monument in Spain.

Critics of the Sagrada Familia claim it has been a building site for years, while fans say it is the most beautiful church in the world. Whichever side you are on, pay it a visit and you will be amazed by the interior, with huge columns and a ceiling reminiscent of sunflowers. On the outside, however, the Sagrada Familia will amaze you with its three façades, dedicated to the Birth, Crucifixion and Passion of Jesus, and its 18 towers representing the 12 apostles, the 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Of the three façades, Gaudí only managed to finish the Nativity one; the Crucifixion one was started in 1978 and inaugurated in 2002, while work on the Passion one is still in progress.

It should be noted that the Sagrada Familia is Gaudí’s resting place. The tomb of the famous architect can be accessed from the crypt museum.

Official ticket for the Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is the most visited attraction in Barcelona and to visit it you need to buy a ticket well in advance, given the crowds. You can buy it online at this link or by filling out the form below. By purchasing your ticket online you will avoid the queues that form at the ticket offices every day.

Combined tickets and guided tours

In addition to the single ticket, you can also have an expert guide accompany you during your visit: many tourists prefer this solution in order to make an in-depth visit and discover everything about Gaudí’s works.

Alternatively, if in addition to the Sagrada Familia you would like to visit other attractions such as the Parc Güell and take a sightseeing bus tour of the city, choose a combination ticket: this will save you money on buying individual tickets for each attraction.