La Sagrada Familia is the most famous landmark in Barcelona and a must-see for any visitor to the city. However, a ticket to go inside Sagrada Familia isn’t cheap, so if you are wondering if the ticket price is worth it, I’ll show you a glimpse of what you can get for your money! Read on to discover what you can see outside La Sagrada Familia, and whether I think it is worth going inside.
What is La Sagrada Familia?
La Sagrada Familia is a basilica that was designed by Antoní Gaudí, a modernist architect who left his mark all over Barcelona with incredible designs that were inspired by nature. As well as La Sagrada Familia, his work includes Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, among others.
Work began on the Sagrada Familia in 1882, and it was intended to be a temple dedicated to the Holy Family. Originally, another architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, was commissioned to head up the project, but Gaudí took over a year later and transformed the design from a Neo-Gothic style cathedral to a Modernist masterpiece, making it his own.
Gaudí dedicated his life to the construction of the cathedral and worked tirelessly for the next 43 years to realise his dream. Unfortunately, he was killed by a tram in 1926 and never got to see his masterpiece completed.
Work has continued on the Sagrada Familia over the years, with interruptions due to the Civil War and COVID among other delays.
The main part of the cathedral was completed in 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death, and the Pope blessed the newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ. This central tower crowns the church at a height of 172.5 meters and officially makes it the tallest church in the world, but the entire complex won’t be finished for several more years.
La Sagrada Familia is probably the most famous building site in the world, and the money raised from entry tickets goes towards the construction of the cathedral. At the very least, you should go and see it from the outside, and although what you can see from the street is impressive, the inside is absolutely spectacular!
Is It Worth Going Inside La Sagrada Familia?
The short answer is YES it is definitely worth paying to go inside La Sagrada Familia! What you can see from the outside, while quite wonderful, is a fraction of what you will see on the inside. The Sagrada Familia interior is really where Gaudí shows his mastery in architecture, not just decorative designs.
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Sagrada Familia Tickets
There are several ticket options that you can buy to go inside Sagrada Familia. I’d highly recommend buying your tickets to the Sagrada Familia well in advance, as they usually sell out (sometimes weeks in advance), and there is no ticket office on-site, so you need to buy them online.
Tickets are available at specific time-slots throughout the day. Once you’re inside you can stay as long as you like. I would say that the best time to visit Sagrada Familia is first thing in the morning as it is a little quieter, and the sunshine is streaming through the colourful stained glass windows.
Fast-track or “Skip the Line” tickets no longer make any difference, as all tickets have timed entry, so you arrive ready for your time slot and join the (relatively short) line of people all due to go in at the same time. Before timed entry was introduced, there used to be huge lines, but that’s not an issue anymore.
➡️ This is the official Sagrada Familia website where you can buy tickets and tours directly from the Sagrada Familia, BUT tickets are non-refundable and non-changable.
➡️ Alternatively, GetYourGuide is an official seller and you can now buy tickets from them that you can cancel up to 2 days in advance for a full refund.
The tickets through GetYourGuide are more expensive than on the official site, but if you’re not 100% sure of your plans but don’t want to miss out this could be a great option for you!
Guided tours booked through GetYourGuide can usually also be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance with a full refund (check the details carefully before you book). ➡️This option is best if you want to go up one of the towers, or ➡️this one for entry and a guided tour without tower access.
Sagrada Familia Entry Tickets & Audio Guide
Standard tickets all include an audio guide for your phone. You can download the audio guide in advance for iPhone here and Android here. (Don’t forget to bring headphones so you can listen to the guide and not disturb others). If for any reason you don’t have access to a phone to listen on, you can get an physical audio guide when you arrive.
There is also an extra option to add access to one of the Sagrada Familia towers to your ticket – either the Passion Façade or the Nativity Façade Towers, which both have gorgeous views of the city. Access to the tower will be exactly 1 hour after your selected time to access the Basilica.
Access to the towers must be booked in advance and can’t be added on once you arrive. For safety reasons, only children over 6 cannot visit the towers and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Bear in mind that the towers are not accessible – there is a lift up to the towers, but the only option for coming down is to use the narrow spiral staircase, so it is not recommended for people with disabilities or those who might struggle with enclosed spaces.
Sagrada Familia Guided Tour Including Optional Tower Access
Enjoy a comprehensive tour with an expert guide who will share more information about the Sagrada Familia than it is possible to get on your own. Your guide will point out hidden gems and secrets of the basilica as you walk around the interior and exterior of the Sagrada Familia.
After the tour, you have as much time as you like inside to revisit areas of the basilica at your own pace.
Complete Gaudí Tour with Sagrada Familia, House Visit & Park Güell
If you only have a day to see the main Gaudí sites, a guided tour can be a good option to help you see them all in one day. This complete Gaudí tour by Walks Devour includes a complete tour of the Sagrada Familia basilica and its façade, a guided tour of Park Güell, and a visit to either Casa Batlló during the morning tour or Casa Vicens in the afternoon. You’ll also see Casa Mila – La Pedrera from the outside.
Sagrada Familia Closing Time Experience: Evening Light & Rooftop Views
This evening tour of La Sagrada Familia starts with a glass of cava on a nearby rooftop terrace with incredible views of the basilica, where you will learn about the history of the Sagrada Familia before walking over to begin your tour. You’ll be inside La Sagrada Familia after the crowds have left but before the sun sets, so you can still enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and the glorious colours.
BOOK THIS EVENING TOUR
Last Minute Sagrada Familia Tickets
Tickets to go inside La Sagrada Familia often sell out, sometimes weeks in advance during busy periods. Try to buy your Sagrada Familia tickets as far in advance as you can, bearing in mind that they can’t usually be cancelled or changed once you have bought them on the official website, but tickets bought through GetYourGuide can be cancelled up to 2 days before for a full refund (check the terms before you buy).
If you can’t find entry tickets available for the day you want to visit, there are a few things you can try to find last-minute tickets for Sagrada Familia:
There is no longer a ticket office at La Sagrada Familia, so there are no tickets available to buy on the day from La Sagrada Familia. On the fence around the basilica there are signs with a QR code that shows you availability on the official Sagrada Familia website and app.
- Try looking at tours to the Sagrada Familia, as tour companies often bulk buy tickets in advance, so they may have space for you. In addition to the recommendations above, GetYourGuide is a good way to search for availability on a specific date, but always read reviews to make sure the company selling tickets and tours is a reputable one. AVOID Walker Tours or any other website that looks official, unless it really is the official Sagrada Familia website.
- Ask at the tourist information booth on Carrer de Sardenya, opposite the Passion Facade of the basilica. They sometimes have last-minute Sagrada Familia tickets available, or try any of the tourist information booths you come across in the city.
- Julia Travel is a tour company with an office close to the basilica at Carrer de Sardenya, 311, and they sometimes have tickets.
Sagrada Familia Free Tickets & Discounts
Children under 11 years old get free entry to La Sagrada Familia, and students and seniors get a discount with proof of status. Disabled people can get a free ticket for them and for 1 companion if you book in advance – reserve your disabled access ticket here.
Mass at La Sagrada Familia
The Archdiocese of Barcelona holds an international Mass at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família on Sunday mornings at 9am, and Saturday evenings at 8pm.
Unless you intend to worship, please don’t visit the Sagrada Familia during Mass, as capacity is limited and local people still come to pray and attend Mass here. It is not a tourist activity. There are long queues to enter, I’ve heard people say they started queuing at 6am to get in for the 9am Mass.
You can read more about worshipping at the Sagrada Familia here.
Access Rules & Requirements
Before going inside the Sagrada Familia, there are some rules and regulations in place that you must follow. These may change without warning so check the details on your ticket carefully.
- Bring a passport or ID with you
- All visitors must go through a security check, which may take up to 25 minutes in high season. Do not bring any pocket knives or weapons with you.
- Bring your own headphones for the audioguide, and download the guide before you arrive.
- The Sagrada Familia is a construction site, so some areas may be closed or inaccessible.
- Modest clothing is required: knees and shoulders must be covered at all times; no swimwear; no transparent clothing; no plunging necklines, exposed backs or stomachs
- You must wear shoes to enter the Sagrada Familia
- No hats are allowed inside the nave or the museum, except for religious or health-related reasons
What Can You See for Free?
First off, let’s start with what you can see of La Sagrada Familia from the outside, without having to buy tickets.
Currently, there are fences up around the cathedral, which can restrict your view, but you can still see the beautiful façades and the Sagrada Familia towers from the outside.
Even if you can’t afford to buy Sagrada Familia tickets, don’t miss coming to see the exterior and admire the architecture and design of Barcelona’s most famous architect.
The best views of the La Sagrada Familia are from across the pond in Plaça de Gaudí where you can view the Nativity Façade, but you can also get nice views from the Plaça de la Sagrada Familia on the opposite side of the basilica, and right in front of the façades.
The Nativity Façade is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral, and follows the original designs that Gaudí made. Here you can see the story of the birth of Christ through the different statues and sculptures on the outer walls of the cathedral.
The Passion Façade is in a notably different style from the Nativity Façade and is the work of another architect and sculptor, Josep Maria Subirachs. The statues on this side are about the death of Christ, so the more austere style fits the theme of the façade beautifully.
If you are lucky you can also catch a glimpse of the peregrine falcons which nest at La Sagrada Familia. They are particularly active around April and May when they have chicks to feed, and from mid-May onwards you might also see the chicks looking out of the nest before they fledge (with binoculars is best!).
The Sagrada Familia Interior
If you can afford it and manage to get tickets, it is well worth paying to go inside La Sagrada Familia. Photos don’t do justice to this incredible building, but hopefully they give you an idea of what to expect!
Columns and Height
When you first enter the Sagrada Familia, the first thing you are struck by is the height.
Gaudí designed the columns of the cathedral to be like tree trunks, with a wide base that divides into smaller supporting branches near the top. Gaudí wanted people to feel like they were walking through a forest, not just a church.
Looking up to the ceiling is more like looking up through the dappled shade of giant trees than at the ceiling of a normal cathedral.
Stained Glass Windows
The colourful stained glass windows flood the interior of La Sagrada Familia with light, creating patterns on the floors and walls as the light moves with the sun. In the morning, the sun shines on the Nativity Façade, which has windows filled with blue and green glass, representing water and birth.
In the afternoon, the sun comes through the red, orange and yellow windows on the Passion Façade, representing the blood of Christ and his death in the most beautiful way.
When the Sagrada Familia is completed, the floor of the basilica will be made from marble to illuminate even more of the inside with mirror-like reflections.
The Sagrada Familia Crypt
Gaudí is buried in the Sagrada Familia; his resting place is in the Crypt Of The Expiatory Temple, which had been under construction before he took over as head architect. The crypt is constructed in Neo-Renaissance style, and can be visited with your Sagrada Familia ticket during limited opening times. If access is closed, you can view it through small windows looking down from the main part of the cathedral.
The crypt is actually a similar size to a normal church and can host ceremonies and mass in a more intimate setting than in the grand nave of La Sagrada Familia. If there is a mass or other event going on, you won’t be able to visit the crypt.
I haven’t found any official crypt opening times, but other sources suggest the opening times are from Monday to Friday between 09:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00, and on Saturday, Sunday & public holidays from 09:00–14:00 and 18:00–21:00 or until closing time of the Sagrada Familia itself.
Sagrada Familia Museum
As well as the magnificent basilica itself, inside La Sagrada Familia, you will also find a museum dedicated to Gaudí and the plans for his masterpiece. You can see close-up images of all aspects of the designs, from the animal sculptures that Gaudí used instead of gargoyles, to bunches of fruit.
The original model of the Sagrada Familia that Gaudí made was destroyed during the Civil War, but the reconstructed model is in the museum. You can also see through a window in the workshop where the current architects and sculptors use computers to construct the designs for the new parts of the cathedral.
The Sagrada Familia Towers
You can purchase an add-on to your ticket that includes access to one of the Sagrada Familia’s towers. While you can’t see the towers from inside the main part of the Sagrada Familia, if you can go up into the towers you have spectacular views of Barcelona.
Currently, you can choose to visit either the Passion Towers or the Nativity Towers, which are on the Passion Facade or the Nativity Facade, respectively. By 2026, work is due to be completed on the large central tower, which is dedicated to Jesus Christ, and there will be a viewing platform in the huge cross at the top of that tower, although it’s not known when that will open to the public.
I can’t wait to see what it will be like when it is finished, but we’ve got a few years to wait for that! So, what do you think – is it worth paying to see inside the Sagrada Familia before it is finished? I hope these photos of the Sagrada Familia interior have shown you that it is – but when you see it with your own eyes, you’ll realise that it is so much more beautiful.