Seeing La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will be your priority if you plan a trip there. On any given day, waiting in line for a ticket to enter this UNESCO World Heritage Site may take several hours.
A fast Google search will inform you that more than three million people visit Sagrada Familia each year. If there was a way to avoid the wait, wouldn't you take advantage of it so you could spend more time exploring Barcelona's sights?
What To Expect from Sagrada Familia's Wait Times
Due to the large number of visitors to Sagrada Familia daily, lines for purchasing tickets can stretch for 60 minutes or more. This, in addition to the sweltering heat of the Mediterranean, guarantees that waiting in line to enter the Basilica will wear you out long before you reach the inside. If you'd want to avoid the long lines at Sagrada Familia, we also have a few additional tricks up our sleeves. Keep reading to learn more.
Line-Breaking Strategies for the Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia Barcelona's popularity is evidenced by the endless line of people waiting to get tickets to visit the landmark. The prospect of standing in line to get tickets to witness the phenomenon of Sagrada Familia might dampen your enthusiasm.
Buy Skip-The-Line Sagrada Familia Tickets Ahead of Time
Your Sagrada Familia tickets may be purchased before your journey to Barcelona online. A digital copy of your ticket will be emailed to you after your reservation for Sagrada Familia has been confirmed; please bring this to the church so you can enter by the faster entrance.
Plan A Guided Visit To The Sagrada Familia
A knowledgeable guide is a must when visiting any landmark, especially one as significant as the Sagrada Familia. Choosing this path grants you early entry into the building and access to a treasure trove of data. You may take a self-guided tour, a tour with an audio guide, or a guided tour of Sagrada Familia with a certified guide, all according to your preferences.
Start In Advance
The best time to see La Sagrada Familia is first thing in the morning when it opens at 9:00. Given that many visitors show up before the doors open, this phenomenon is present. While the Basilica may be less crowded, this is still an excellent time to visit.
Go Monday
Even though the Sagrada Familia is open every day, many tourists mistakenly believe other museums in Barcelona close on Mondays. It's open 24/7/365, so there is no need to worry about missing out on the holiday festivities. Mondays are slightly less crowded than the rest of the week since visitors presume it is closed.
Buy Nativity Facade Tickets
I offer you this as a possible alternative, or Plan Z. A side door may be found in the tower of the Nativity Façade. Most visitors avoid this area of the Basilica since it requires descending a long flight of steps.
For around €29, you may purchase a special ticket that grants you entry during a 15-minute window and provides breathtaking views across Barcelona's eastern neighbourhoods.
Get The Park Guell + Sagrada Familia Combo.
Avoid the lengthy admission lineups at these well-known Catalan attractions and make your way there immediately. This 3.5-hour walking tour will take you to some of Barcelona's most famous sights while shedding light on the motivations behind the movement and its impact across Catalonia.
Which Is Better: Skip-the-Line Tickets to the Sagrada Familia or a Guided Tour?
When visiting Sagrada Familia, a guided tour is essential so that you may gain as much as possible from your experience there. The best way to take in everything that the magnificent Basilica offers is to do it with a knowledgeable local guide who can show you its exterior, towers, bright stained-glass windows, and interior.
However, skipping the lines is the highlight of a guided tour. You may skip the long lines by meeting your guide outside the Basilica. However, a Skip the Line ticket is the best option for those traveling to Barcelona on a tighter budget.
There is a modest cost to pay in exchange for substantial time and effort savings. Grab an audio tour to see Sagrada Familia at your leisure, or read our guide to the Basilica before you arrive.