The opening hours for the Sagrada Familia during the summer are the following:
During these two shoulder months, the opening hours are slightly reduced. Saturdays are unchanged, whereas the other days close one hour earlier:
During the winter, the opening times are further reduced and aligned to those for the Saturdays:
Keep in mind that the opening hours for the Sagrada Familia may be changed by the management due to special events taking place in the Basilica, so make sure to check the latest news. For example, on the 25th and 26th of December and on the 1st and 6th of January, the opening hours are reduced to 9AM to 2PM.
Sagrada Familia has strict rules for last entry to ensure everyone has enough time to visit. Last admission is typically 30 to 60 minutes before closing. For example, if closing is at 8:00 PM, the final entry is often at 7:00 PM.
Anyone arriving after the last entry will not be allowed inside, no matter if they have tickets. This rule is always enforced, so arriving early is important.
Arriving early in the day helps visitors enjoy Sagrada Familia with fewer crowds. The doors usually open at 9:00 AM, and mornings tend to be calmer than afternoons. Weekdays, especially outside of peak tourist months like July and August, see shorter lines and quieter spaces.
Late afternoons can get busy, especially in the summer months since the basilica stays open until 8:00 PM from April to September. Sundays and holidays are more crowded because of special events and local visitors
Antoni Gaudí envisioned the Sagrada Família as a combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. Using a variety of organic forms, Gaudí aimed to create a structure that harmonized nature and architecture. It is open to tourists throughout the year, with different opening hours depending on the period. It is advisable to book your tickets online because the entries are scheduled in time slots.
For those wanting to dive deeper in the history of this amazing building and get the necessary context to really enjoy its finer details, consider taking a guided tour.
For individuals with mobility issues, the Sagrada Familia is fully enjoyable by people with any need, except for its towers, which require a good amount of steps to get back to ground floor.
Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar before Gaudí took over the project in 1883. Gaudí dedicated the latter part of his life solely to this monumental task. After his death in 1926, construction continued based on his detailed models and plans.
Significant milestones include the completion of the Nativity facade in 1935 and the progress made on the Passion facade in the late 20th century. By 2010, key elements like the nave and main altar had been completed, allowing for consecration by Pope Benedict XVI.
The construction of the Sagrada Familia has faced numerous challenges, including political turmoil, funding issues, and technical difficulties. The Spanish Civil War in the 1930s saw Gaudí's original plans and models largely destroyed, necessitating reconstruction based on surviving documents and interpretations by subsequent architects.