The Sagrada Familia, an architectural masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí, is a must-see for anybody visiting Barcelona. However, its popularity often results in long lines. But do not worry! With a little planning and some helpful tips, you can avoid the crowds and make the most of your time exploring this magnificent basilica.
Best Time to Skip the Lines
Even with a pre-booked ticket, specific days and periods are inherently busier than others. Here are some suggestions for determining the ideal time to bypass the lines quickly:
Weekdays over Weekends: In general, weekdays have fewer tourists than weekends. Even on weekdays, Monday and Friday attract more crowds than other days. Consider Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Early morning or late afternoon: Opening hours around 9 am and closing hours around 5 pm, depending on the closing time, are often less congested than peak daytime hours.
Seasons: Off-season months like November to March are often less crowded than peak tourist seasons like April to September and summer.
Which Entrance to Choose?
The General Entrance is for all visitors with pre-purchased skip-the-line tickets or regular admission tickets. The Group Entrance is specifically for pre-booked tours with a designated guide. The School Entrance is exclusively for pre-arranged school group visits.
Bypass Queues with the Passion Facade
The Sagrada Familia has two basic entrances: the Nativity and Passion Facades.
The Nativity Facade: It is typically the most popular choice among visitors, resulting in longer queues.
The Passion Facade: Choosing the Passion Facade will greatly cut your wait time. Although you may miss part of the Nativity Facade’s grandeur, you will be astounded by the Sagrada Familia’s magnificence from within.
Tips to Skip Lines
- Purchase skip-the-line tickets online and choose your timeslot wisely; popular tours sell out quickly.
- Join a guided tour to get ahead of the crowd and learn from experts. The additional cost is frequently justified by the knowledge and convenience it provides.
- Consider alternate access points like the Nativity Facade towers; queues are generally shorter, and the views are spectacular.
- Aim for the first entrance slot in the morning to avoid crowds. Alternatively, go later in the afternoon; lineups are usually shorter than during peak hours.
- Try visiting on a Monday, when tourist crowds are less prevalent.
Your Ticket to Speedy Entry!
Pre-purchasing tickets online is currently the best method for avoiding the long lines at Sagrada Familia.
1. Sagrada Familia Fast Track Ticket
This option allows you to skip the main entrance line, but you must be prepared for a security check-up. You can explore the interiors and unfinished masterpieces. Look up at the spires that rise above the Catalan capital. The sunshine shines through the stained-glass windows, causing rainbows to appear. You can also visit the museum inside.
- Fast track entry
- Wheelchair accessible
- Audio guide available in Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Ukrainian
Prices:
- Adult ticket (30 to 64 years): €34
- Youth ticket (11 to 29 years): €32
- Child ticket (up to 10 years): Free
- Senior ticket (65+ years): €27
- Student with ID Ticket: €32
- Disabled with proof ticket: Free
- Companion for disabled ticket: Free
Cancellation or rescheduling is possible up to two days before your visit.
2. Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Guided Tour
The Sagrada Familia Guided Tour is a favorite among visitors because it deeply explains Gaudí’s masterpiece. With a knowledgeable guide, you will learn all about the basilica’s history, unique design, and hidden details. The best part? This tour also includes access to one of Sagrada Familia’s towers, where you will get stunning views of Barcelona. Plus, you get skip-the-line entry through a VIP entrance, so you can walk right in without waiting!
- 1.5-hour guided tour of Sagrada Familia with an official Guide
- Live guide available in Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish languages
- Dedicated Entrance to Sagrada Familia
- Access to one of the towers
Prices:
- Visitor ticket (11 to 19 years): €65
- Child ticket (6 to 10 years): €49
Cancellation is possible up to two days before your visit.
FAQs
1. How does the online booking process for skip-the-line tickets work?
Book a ticket for your preferred time slot and make the payment. You will get your ticket to your email within 48 hours, and you will show it at the entrance of Sagrada Familia to enter.
2. Do skip-the-line tickets include access to the Sagrada Familia Towers?
There are separate entrance tickets for the Sagrada Familia Towers that offer skip-the-line access.
3. Can I upgrade my regular ticket to a skip-the-line ticket?
Unfortunately, upgrading the regular ticket to a skip-the-line ticket is not possible.
Featured image : Colin + Meg on Unsplash