The Ultimate Guide to Sagrada Familia Tour

The Sagrada Familia, also known as the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, is probably on your itinerary if you're traveling to Barcelona.

It is a must-see spectacular structure, and most tourists to the city put it at the top of their list of things to see. Due to its popularity, you will need to make some preparations before going. Tickets may sell out during the busiest seasons of the year. There is a lot to see and do in this city as well as decisions to be made before purchasing a ticket to the Sagrada Familia.

The Sagrada Familia is still being built, though. As a result, certain portions of the building might be closed, schedules might alter, and access might change. Here is everything you need to know to help you plan your Sagrada Familia Tour:

Getting There:

There are several ways to travel to the Sagrada Familia, which is a bit northeast of the city center.

You can first walk. It is roughly a 2.4km (1.5 miles) walk from Plaça de Catalunya and should take 30 minutes.

Public transportation is the ensuing choice. Right near to the church is a metro stop with the name Sagrada Familia. From most stops in central Barcelona, you may travel to the Sagrada Familia on the L2 and L5 subway lines in 15 to 20 minutes. Public buses are also an option, although depending on the traffic they may take longer than subways. The average trip takes around 30 minutes.

Sagrada Familia Opening Times

In ordinary times, the Sagrada Familia is open all year long, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Dates and times differ contingent upon the season, and are regularly as follows:

January to February: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Sundays 10.30 am - 6 pm.

March: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 7 pm. Sundays 10.30 am - 7 pm.

April to September: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 8 pm. Sundays 10.30 am - 8 pm.

October: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 7 pm. Sundays 10.30 am - 7 pm.

November to December: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Sundays 10.30 am - 6 pm.

Special cases for the above are December 25th and December 26th, and January first and January sixth. Nowadays the initial time is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What to See:

The stained glass windows, the apse, the altar, the crypt, and the museum are the main draws for visitors to the interior of the Sagrada Familia. The most important thing is to immerse yourself in the environment.

The Sagrada Familia's interior is impressive in grandeur and stunning in its religious, naturalistic, and purely poetic power, much like the building's façade. Every guest seems to be surrounded by a divine aura. It's challenging to avoid getting sucked into the ethereal aura that Gaud intended. A center of worship, but more importantly, an inspirational modernist masterpiece.

The stained glass windows of the expiatory temple: Visitors will note seven rays, which stand for the Holy Spirit, falling from the top of the apse. Light, along with symbolism and dreams, is a crucial component of Gaud's religious iconography. More than any other of Gaud's masterpieces, this basilica unquestionably exhibits it in its most brilliant form.

The Basilica's main altar: With its expansive canopy suspended twelve meters in the air, this basilica location is the most significant, leaving a breathtaking impression. The apse is decorated with numerous statues, including those of the founding saints of various orders Saint Anthony, Saint Benedict of Nursia, Saint Bruno the Carthusian, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare, and Saint Eloi. In addition to wheat as a representation of the Eucharist and animals like salamanders, snakes, chameleons, snails, lizards, and frogs, nature is always present.

The tomb of the Sagrada Familia: The crypt serves as a chapel where daily mass is said. It is accessible through a stairway and is situated beneath the apse. This substantial underground chamber is topped by a sizable vault, which displays a painted and sculpted image of Mary's Annunciation. Josep Llimona, a sculptor, created an altarpiece representing the Holy Family for the church's main altar. Four chapels surround it, one for the Virgin of Carmel (where Gaud is interred), one for Jesus Christ, one for the Virgin of Montserrat, and one for the Crucified Christ, where Josep Mara Bocabella, the architect of the Sagrada Familia, is buried.

The Sagrada Familia Museum: Lastly, a trip to the Sagrada Familia Museum is essential to comprehending Gaud's creative process, his building methods, and the development of the temple over time. Plans, drawings, models, and images that detail the basilica's history and construction, from its inception to its eventual completion, are available here.

Fetch your Sagrada Familia Tickets now and have a fun time. Bon Voyage!