Sagrada Familia Barcelona Hours

Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece is almost finished Have you already booked your tickets to see the last works? Keep reading and you will find all the available schedules for your next visit.

Carla Yaquer

Carla Yaquer

6 min read

Sagrada Familia Barcelona Hours

View of the Sagrada Familia | ©F Delventhal

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia took more than 100 years to complete, unlike other works by Antoni Gaudí such as Park Güell, which took only 14 years to complete. Over time, the temple has also varied its opening and closing times, depending on the season, days of the week or even remodeling.

On December 29, 2021 a new star illuminated Barcelona from its highest point of the Sagrada Familia, in the Tower of the Virgin Mary. After so much waiting, witnessing the final finishes of this work is a privilege and every month a new detail is added. Aim fixed to this destination inBarcelona, I clarify all the doubts about the schedules for you to prepare your itinerary.

General opening hours of the Sagrada Familia Basilica

The Sagrada Familia| ©bvi4092
The Sagrada Familia| ©bvi4092

The general opening hours are from Monday to Sunday at 9:00 am, the biggest difference is at the end of the day. There are also guided tours of the Sagrada Familia in which at the time of booking you must select the starting time of the tour.

The closing time of the Sagrada Familia depends on the seasons, weekdays and special considerations such as Easter. The Board of Directors of the temple or the Barcelona City Council will make public the special calendar. For more information consult the official website. Let's see how the regular schedule is organized.

Spring timetable at the Sagrada Familia

The church is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The exception of the season is the last week of March when the temple closes its doors one hour earlier, at 19:00. With the mild weather all of Gaudí's works shine at their best. At the Sagrada Familia it is time to take pictures and the schedule allows it.

Summer timetable at the Sagrada Familia

With the heat of the season, in addition to visiting the Costa Brava (perfect for the occasion), you can visit the interiorof the basilica from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00 hours.

Autumn opening hours at the Sagrada Familia

With bargain prices and the crowds of the summer season over, the Basilica reduces its opening hours. Between October and December the church remains open from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 and 18:00 hours.

Winter opening hours at the Sagrada Familia

A key word for the season: illumination. During the month of December the Sagrada Familia dresses up and lights up like never before and you can only enter the church Monday through Saturday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Few realize that the Sagrada Familia is also beautiful to visit in winter. The white cement and carvings reflect in the sun with such intensity that it can only be seen clearly from the outside of the church, making it look like a fairytale palace. Don't miss out on this experience and consider the winter schedule on your next trip.

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Sagrada Familia weekend schedule

Interior of the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini
Interior of the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini

Saturdays are during the regular seasonal opening hours. The same is true for the closing time of the basilica, the difference is in its opening hours on Sundays. The church opens its doors at 10:30 a.m.

ImportantOn Sundays there is another exception. Parishioners have free admission for communion between 9:00 am and 10:00 am. It is best to come at least half an hour in advance because places are limited.

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Special schedules for the Sagrada Familia

Inside the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini
Inside the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini

The celebration of Christmas, the Three Wise Men and the beginning of the New Year have special schedules. On December 25 and 26 as well as January 1 and 6, the temple is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Holy Family Mass Schedule

Altar of the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini
Altar of the Sagrada Familia| ©Domenico Convertini

In addition to taking pictures and running up to Facebook, Instagram or TikTok to share the experience, there is also an invitation to parishioners to pray inside the temple. What are the mass schedules? The appointment is every Sunday at 9:00 am.

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What should I know about the Mass at Holy Family?

  • The Mass is international. The Archdiocese of Barcelona offers the liturgy every Sunday in different languages.
  • Dress code. There is not really any specific dress code, however, beyond monument it is a church so one should dress respectably and modestly.
  • Special Masses. Although there are seasonal schedules, the basilica also offers special masses. Consult the church calendar for more information.

Sagrada Família's telephone hours of operation

Sagrada Familia exterior| ©Edward
Sagrada Familia exterior| ©Edward

Special inquiries about the church can be made by calling the visitor service line: +34 932 080 414, following the seasonal schedule.

  • Between November and February the hours will be from 9:00 to 18:00 hours.
  • Between April and September the hours will be from 9:00 to 20:00 hours.Special telephone hoursIn March and October you can contact the church from 9:00 to 19:00 hours.
  • It is important to remember that tickets to attend the basilica can only be purchased online.

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Illumination schedule of the Sagrada Familia

Illumination of the Sagrada Familia| ©Konstantinos Dafalias
Illumination of the Sagrada Familia| ©Konstantinos Dafalias

The emblem of Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia shines brightly every year. However, that masterful glow follows a schedule of hours according to the regulations of the Barcelona City Council. If you visit Barcelona and expect to see the basilica illuminated, it is best to closely follow its rigorous lighting schedule:

  • January: from 18:30 to 22:00 hours
  • February and March: from 19:30 to 23:00 hours.
  • April and May: from 21:30 to 24:00 hours.
  • June and July: from 22:00 to 24:00 hours.
  • August and September: from 9:30 p.m. to midnight
  • October: from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  • November: from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • December: Almost the entire month the basilica is illuminated from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. except for Christmas and New Year's Eve, when the regulations allow for special extended hours.

Schedules for guided tours of the Sagrada Família

Temple of the Sagrada Familia| ©Cristian Bortes
Temple of the Sagrada Familia| ©Cristian Bortes

Guided tours of the Sagrada Familia are often divided into three blocks of the day, namely: at 9:00 am, 2:00 pm and around 4:00 pm. However, the time varies according to the service provider and the season.

ImportantIf you want to really get to know the Sagrada Familia, choose your ticket with priority access to the tower. Some people have an incomplete experience because they miss out on the breathtaking views from the Nativity Tower and the Passion Tower, both of which are uniquely inspired and finished.

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How to choose the best guided tour of the Sagrada Familia

A couple of tips to take into consideration are:

  • . Advise in advance the number of people for your tour, large groups get better deals.
  • Combine tickets. Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, A day among Gaudí's works, etc. The schedules will be coordinated by the guides and you can save up to 40% on your tickets, not bad, plus you will have visited at least two monuments with a single tour.

The best time to visit the Sagrada Familia

View from the Sagrada Familia| ©Russell James Smith
View from the Sagrada Familia| ©Russell James Smith

You can enjoy the Sagrada Familia all day long and still have time to enjoy its surroundings such as CasaBatlló or CasaMilá-La Pedrera. The best time to visit will depend on individual tastes, but, the best time is clear, is the window from 9:00 to 12:00 hours Reasons? If you attend the temple early there will be fewer queues and the sunlight is great for taking the best pictures. Keep in mind that this work is so unique that in every corner you get Gothic art next to Art Nouveau or Neo-Gothic. You need a moment to appreciate them and the fewer people around, the better.

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