Is it Worth Going Inside Sagrada Familia 2023: 7 Unique Tours
Is it worth going inside Sagrada Familia?
If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, you might be wondering this exact question.
The Sagrada Familia is easily considered one of the top attractions in Barcelona. You can admire the beauty and intricate details of the exterior of the church. However, is it worth going inside Sagrada Familia as well? Or is seeing the outside of the church enough and you should skip the tour altogether?
I visited Sagrada Familia on more than one trip to Barcelona, and I am going to share with you all of the tips for visiting this famous church.
⏰ No time to read the entire article? No worries, I’ve got you covered!
My Top Pick for the Best Tour to See Inside La Sagrada Familia:
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
✔️ Skip the line
✔️ I personally booked this tour
✔️ 30,000 outstanding reviews
Is it Worth Going Inside Sagrada Familia 2023
100% yes, it is worth going inside Sagrada Familia. With stunning stained glass windows, towering tree like columns, and a profound sense of spirituality, the interior of Sagrada Familia is even more spectacular and remarkable than the outside of the church.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is an iconic basilica that is famously known throughout the world for its unique and innovative architecture from the mastermind Antoni Gaudi.
Even without an interest in architecture, you can still appreciate the vision and centuries’ worth of hard work that has gone into creating the Sagrada Familia. The construction of Sagrada Familia started in 1882 and theoretically should be completed by 2026.
La Sagrada Familia offers a unique experience you will not get visiting any other European church.
I have gone inside La Sagrada Familia on multiple occasions, and what I love about it is how you can witness the progress made throughout the years and see Gaudi’s vision come to life.
Lastly, going inside Sagrada Familia, you will get the opportunity to learn about the rich and interesting history of this unfinished church.
7 Best Tours to See Inside Sagrada Familia
Going inside Sagrada Familia is worth it, but what is the best way to see inside this iconic church?
There are a variety of many amazing and unique tours that you can book to see La Sagrada Familia. Keep reading, I am going to share the tours that I have done, the best combo tours, and tips for visiting the world-famous Sagrada Familia.
TIP: Book your tour ASAP. The tours do sell out, especially during peak tourism season, which is from May to September.
If you book with Viator or Get Your Guide, they offer FREE cancellation. So you have nothing to lose booking your tour right away.
1. The Official Basilica De La Sagrada Familia Website
The official Basilica De La Sagrada Familia offers tickets and tours on its website. You can either book an audioguide tour or a tour with a guide. And there are tours of the towers offered as well.
However, I don’t recommend booking your tickets on the official website for two reasons. One is they do not accept changes or returns of your tickets, whereas if you book with Viator or Get Your Guide you can cancel up to 2 days in advance for a full refund.
The other reason, the tickets are general admission, so you will still need to wait in line to go inside Sagrada Familia.
🏆 Best Tour of Sagrada Familia
2. Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
RATING: ⭐ 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1-2 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Over 35,000 reviews!
- Explore the Sagrada Familia at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour
- Skip the line tickets
- The cheapest option (that includes skip the line) for tickets to see inside Sagrada Familia
With over 35,000 reviews, this is the tour that most people decide to book when visiting La Sagrada Familia. And this was the tour that we did on our most recent visit to la Sagrada Familia.
I preferred the audio tour because you can explore at your own pace without the tour group.
The Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide tour does not come with a tour guide. This is the tour for you if you prefer to see the inside of Sagrada Familia and visit the famous church on your own.
With this tour, you get skip-the-line tickets, so you don’t have to worry about waiting in a long line. You also will get access to the self-guided audio tour. It’s also very easy to do! Be sure to download the audio guide before your tour and bring headphones or earbuds with you (they are not provided).
“Easy to book and use. Highly recommend to get your tickets here.” – GetYourGuide traveler (read more reviews)
✅ Check rates and availability for the Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide tour here
🏆 Best Guided Tour
3. Barcelona: Sagrada Família Skip the Line Tour & Entry Ticket
RATING: ⭐ 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Skip the line tickets to see the inside of Sagrada Familia
- Knowledgeable tour guide to show you around the famous basilica
- Choose from either a small-group or private guided experience
This tour of Sagrada Familia is the best option if you prefer to be in a small group with a tour guide. The audio guide is great and informative, but you will get a more detailed history of Gaudi’s life and the construction of La Sagrada Familia if you book your tour with an expert guide.
“The tour was great. Highly recommended. Our guide Victor was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting and fun. We didn’t feel the time passing. He was also very patient making sure that everyone was following and was able to hear. ” -GetYourGuide Traveler (read more reviews)
This ticket also includes a fast-track entry and a visit to the Sagrada Familia Schools and the Sagrada Familia Museum.
✅ Check rates and availability for the Sagrada Família Skip the Line Tour & Entry Ticket here
🏆 Best Combo Tour
4. Skip the Line: Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
RATING: ⭐ 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Over 1,800 5 star reviews
- Guided tour of La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell with skip-the-line entry
- Small-group tour limited to 12 people.
- Transportation between Park Güell & Sagrada Familia
- Knowledgeable tour guide
This is one of the best combo tours that you can book. This tour offers skip the line tickets to two must-see and top attractions in Barcelona, Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia.
Park Guell, also designed by the talented Gaudi, is a park composed of vibrant mosaic-covered structures, unique architectural elements, and stunning panoramic views of the city.
The park showcases Gaudí’s distinctive style and is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a whimsical and enchanting experience amidst its colorful gardens and imaginative designs.
“Fernando was our guide and he did a great job. Knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about Guell and La Sagrada. Quite a bit of walking at Guell but it was a beautiful park with great views. La Sagrada is unique. Highly recommend this tour.” – Ronald L. (read more reviews)
I honestly wish we booked this tour instead of booking two separate tours of Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia.
To tour both locations with a tour guide, transportation, and skip the line tickets, you can’t beat the price. Also, since both locations are always very crowded, this tour will save you save a ton of time, so you can spend more time sightseeing and exploring Barcelona.
✅ Check rates and availability for Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia Guided Tour here
🏆 Best Full Day Tour
5. Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat
RATING: ⭐ 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8-9 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Explore Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Montjuic Hill, Montserrat National Park, and other top sights in Barcelona in one day
- Skip the line tickets to Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia (available upon request not included in price)
- Pickup from your hotel or cruise ship & transportation provided to each site
- Montserrat Mountain & Park Guell tickets are included in the price
If you are up for a full and packed day of exploring Barcelona’s top attractions and a trip to the incredible Santa Maria de Montserrat, then this is the tour for you! This is the perfect tour if you don’t have a lot of time in Barcelona, but want to see and do as much as possible in one day.
I don’t think there is a tour that offers more sights in one day than this Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat tour.
“This tour was perfect for seeing the most impressive sights of Barcelona for the amount of time we had visiting Barcelona. Our guide, Marta, was amazing with her wealth of knowledge and experience. Definitely would recommend this tour!” – Karen P. (read more reviews)
Your knowledgeable tour guide will collect you from your hotel and you will be off to see the top sights in Barcelona including Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Barcelona’s Olympic stadium on Montjuic Hill, Casa Batllo, Port Olimpic, Casa Mila, Montana de Montserrat, and many many more!
Montserrat is a mountain range that is located in Catalonia, Spain, outside of Barcelona. It is known for its unique rock formations, unbelievable views of the Catalan landscape, and the famous Montserrat Abbey.
✅ Check rates and availability for Barcelona Highlights & Montserrat Tour here
🏆 Best Private Tour of Sagrada Familia & Barcelona
6. Barcelona Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
RATING: ⭐ 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Customizable itinerary
- Private tour with a local private guide
- Transportation for the day of sightseeing is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What I love about this tour is that you get to customize the perfect itinerary of Barcelona with a local guide. It is a great way to see and explore as much of Barcelona as you can on a short stay.
“This is the tour!!! Miquel was our guide to all you could want to see and learn about Barcelona! We comfortably hit every stop on our Barcelona bucket list in 4 hours. You’re felt welcoming, relaxing, packed full of knowledge and hidden stories. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Miquel is beyond informative and gives you a real sense of passion for the Spain history. Great for any age!” – Kimberly H. (read more reviews)
Take your pick from top attractions like Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, or Climb Montjuic Hill to admire the 1992 Olympics complex and stunning views overlooking the city.
✅ Check rates & availability for the Barcelona Half-Day Sightseeing Tour here
🏆 Best Tour That Includes Access to Towers
7. Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Tower Access
RATING: ⭐ 4.3 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 hours | BOOK NOW
What Makes This Tour Unique:
- Skip the line tickets to see inside Sagrada Familia
- Access to one of the towers & the Museu Gaudí, located underneath the basilica.
- Choose from either a small-group or private guided experience
If you are interested in seeing more of the inside of La Sagrada Familia, this tour allows access to one of the towers of the basilica.
“Book the first tour of the day is you can’! It well worth it to get up early and do your tour before it gets crowded. Pay the money, get the guided tour, skip the line, go up in the tower! This is all well worth it! Our tour guide was amazing! She was knowledgeable and it was wonderful to hear all the history and the details she provided” -GetYourGuideTraveler (read more reviews)
Meet your guide outside of the famous church and begin your tour. You will learn the fascinating history of Gaudi and his inspiration behind la Sagrada Familia. Experience panoramic views of Barcelona from one of the towers and visit the Museu Gaudí, where Gaudi is buried.
✅ Check rates and availability for the Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Tower Access here
Why Going Inside the Sagrada Familia May Not Be Worth It
Besides your personal preference, there are a few reasons why going inside may not be worth it for you.
Tickets are Sold Out
One issue you might encounter is that you still want to visit, but did not get your tickets in time. To see the inside of La Sagrada Familia, it is best to reserve your tickets in advance, especially during the summer months, because time slots fill up fast.
If you are checking the official website and tickets appear to be sold out, what you can do is book a tour with an outside tour company like Viator or Get Your Guide. They have a designated amount of tickets and both offer a variety of tours to see inside Sagrada Familia.
Crowds & Lines
The Sagrada Familia is a major tourist attraction, drawing enormous crowds throughout the year. And the last thing you want to do on your trip to Barcelona is spend half your day waiting in line.
What we always do, that always seems worth it for us, is book skip-the-line tickets.
Skip the line tickets, do exactly that, they have a separate line that skips in front of the general admission line, and you get to go inside without having to wait in any long lines.
It might cost a little extra, but it has always been worth it for us to be able to skip the long lines so we can spend more time sightseeing.
The Cost of Tickets
The cost, there is an admission fee to go inside the Sagrada Familia. However, it is possible to get free tickets or discounts.
According to the official website “Free tickets are only for people who are unemployed, religious figures, people with disabilities and their companions, children under 11 years old, ICOM members and Barcelona Press Card holders.” To get free tickets, you must send in your request at least 48 hours before your visit.
Are the La Sagrada Familia Towers Worth Visiting
The towers of Sagrada Familia are worth visiting because they feature stunning panoramic views of Barcelona. As you reach the top of the towers, you can get an up-close view of the intricate details and grandeur of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece.
I did the tour of the towers on my first visit to Barcelona and I thought it was definitely worth visiting. Also, visiting the towers is an easy addition to your tour. It doesn’t take long to climb or take the elevator to the top of either tower. You do need tickets to visit the towers.
During your tour, you are permitted to only visit one tower. The Passion Towers give you a better view of the ocean. The Nativity Towers provide views of Barcelona’s eastern side, which includes mountains and a little bit of ocean.
What is the Best Time of Day to Go Inside Sagrada Familia
As Spain’s most visited attraction, La Sagrada Familia sees millions of visitors each year. Peak tourist season in Barcelona is between May through September when you will find the largest crowds.
To avoid the crowds, the best time to book your tour is in the morning between 9 am to 11 am. Or visit later in the day around 5 pm to 6 pm. However, in your busy itinerary of exploring Barcelona, it is not always possible to visit at these exact times.
This is why I always recommend booking skip-the-line tickets. That way you are guaranteed not to have to wait in a long line.
FAQ: Is it Worth Going Inside Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is world-renowned for many reasons. It is an architectural masterpiece designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia is also unique because the basilica’s construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing, making it a symbol of endurance and dedication to a vision.
Lastly, La Sagrada Familia is deeply rooted in religious significance as a Catholic basilica and is an important cultural symbol of Barcelona.
Once you are inside of Sagrada Familia, you can stay as long as you like! However, it will typically take you 1-2 hours to tour the inside of the basilica.
You can visit Sagrada Familia without booking a small group or private tour. Instead, you can buy entry tickets and do the self guided audio tour.
A lot of people decide to do the audio tour because it allows you to see La Sagrada Familia at your own pace. If you choose this option, remember to download the audio tour app in advance and bring earbuds with you, they do not provide them.
Since La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic church, you will want to be respectful and dress appropriately. You should avoid wearing hats, no see-through clothing or sleeveless shirts, no bare feet, and trousers and skirts must come down to at least mid-thigh.
In Conclusion: Is it Worth Going Inside Sagrada Familia
In my opinion, it is absolutely worth going inside Sagrada Familia. It is a bucket list attraction in Barcelona that you should see at least once in a lifetime. I promise you will not regret it!
Barcelona is also a vibrant and lively city with a rich and diverse culinary scene. From mouthwatering tapas to the best paella you will ever have, the Catalan capital has some of the most delicious food in the world.
One of the best ways to experience this unique culture and beautiful city is through a food tour!
Are you planning on traveling to other destinations in Europe this year?
You can check out my posts on Italy, where you can find many tips on visiting Tuscany, Florence, and the incredible Saturnia hot springs.
Edinburgh in Scotland is also a must visit! Or if Amsterdam is on your itinerary, find Tips to Get From Airport to Amsterdam & Are Canal Cruises Worth it in Amsterdam.
