La Sagrada Familia Travel Guide

Barcelona

La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia

Walk in Gaudí’s footsteps by visiting his breathtaking temple, an impressive labour of love that started in the late 19th century and is still ongoing today.

La Sagrada Familia occupies several town blocks along the Carrer Mallorca. While local architect Antoni Gaudí did not start the build, nor saw it finished, his influence on the modernist basilica was so great that it’s often called Gaudí’s temple. Admire his life’s work, then explore the nearby streets and parklands and visit his former home.

Although the first stone of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia was laid in 1882, the grand edifice is only about three-quarters complete. It was Gaudí who turned the original neo-Gothic design into a modernist marvel. When he died in 1926, he had overseen the construction for 43 years. He was buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the basilica’s crypt.

Stroll through the two adjacent parks first to see the spires of the central towers take shape from below. At ground level, notice how each façade is vastly different. Having only seen the intricately carved Nativity Façade to near-completion, Gaudí left detailed plans for the façade of Glory, along with instructions for the central nave, the 12 towers and sacristy.

Inside, take a seat on one of the long wooden benches to let the sheer size and ethereal beauty of the temple sink in. Notice how the natural light streams in through the spectacular stained-glass windows. The basilica will house 14,000 people all at once when it’s finished.

After your visit, grab some sweet churros from the nearby Gaudí Bakery. For an introduction to modern-day Barça passion, pay a visit to FCBotiga, the merchandise store of FC Barcelona with a museum for soccer fans.

Walk along Gaudí Avenue to see another awe-inspiring modernist building, Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. It’s an art nouveau gem. Tour the L’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau with its colourful Moorish-style pavilions and patio gardens.

From there it’s a half-hour walk to Park Güell, which offers bird’s-eye views of La Sagrada Familia. Enjoy the Gaudí Experiència, an interactive 4-D movie about Spanish modernist architecture in the museum under the hill. Head uphill to see Gaudí’s colourful mosaic benches and fountains and visit the Gaudí House Museum, where the artist used to live.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in La Sagrada Familia

Sercotel Rosellon

Sercotel Rosellon

4 out of 5
C/ DEL ROSSELLON 390, Barcelona
The price is £141 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£141
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Barcelona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,174 reviews)
"This hotel wins because of its prime location and the VIEW. The rooftop restaurant of the hotel is amazing with friendly and welcoming staff. Nothing comes close to this hotels rooftop view and the restaurant experience. The rooms are just OK. The towel warmer was old and rusty. The shower was leaking ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Sercotel Rosellon
Hotel Sagrada Familia

Hotel Sagrada Familia

3 out of 5
Carrer de Corsega 541, Barcelona
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £104 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£104
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Barcelona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Hotel clean, staff friendly and helpful. Perfectly located around many sights."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Hotel Sagrada Familia
Grand Hyatt Barcelona

Grand Hyatt Barcelona

5 out of 5
Plaza de Pio XII, 4, Barcelona
The price is £203 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
£203
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Barcelona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,304 reviews)
"The property was nice and clean."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Grand Hyatt Barcelona
INNSiDE by Melia Barcelona Apolo

INNSiDE by Melia Barcelona Apolo

4 out of 5
Avinguda del Paral.lel, 57-59, Barcelona, Barcelona
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £132 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£132
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Barcelona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,293 reviews)
"Close to public transport. Walking distance to different"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

INNSiDE by Melia Barcelona Apolo
Barcelona Airport Hotel

Barcelona Airport Hotel

4 out of 5
Plaza de la Volateria, 3, Poligono Mas Blau, El Prat de Llobregat
The price is £117 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
£117
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in El Prat de Llobregat. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (5,030 reviews)
"Quiet and dark room good for sleep"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Barcelona Airport Hotel
Lamaro Hotel

Lamaro Hotel

5 out of 5
Avenida Catedral, 7, Barcelona
The price is £325 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£325
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Barcelona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,769 reviews)
"Loved the location. Great rooftop bar overlooking the Barcelona Cathedral! Staff very kind."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Lamaro Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around La Sagrada Familia

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el Fort Pienc

You might enjoy the bars while in el Fort Pienc. Avinguda Diagonal is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Marina Station or Arc de Triomf Station to see more of the city.

el Fort Pienc
Placa de Catalunya featuring a statue or sculpture and outdoor art

Dreta de l'Eixample

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Dreta de l'Eixample. Check out top attractions like Plaça de Catalunya and La Rambla, and jump on the metro at Girona Station or Passeig de Gracia Station to see more of the city.

Dreta de l'Eixample
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Eixample

4.5/5(1,463 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Eixample. Check out top attractions like Plaça de Catalunya and Sagrada Familia, and jump on the metro at Diagonal Station or Passeig de Gracia Station to see more of the city.

Eixample
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Gràcia

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Architecture, cafes and shopping highlight some notable features of Gràcia. Make a stop by Passeig de Gràcia or Gaudi Experiencia while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Joanic Station or Fontana Station to get around town.

Gràcia
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La Vila Olimpica del Poblenou

3.5/5(15 area reviews)

If you're spending time in La Vila Olimpica del Poblenou, you might enjoy attractions like Barceloneta Beach and Nova Icaria Beach. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's pristine beaches before hopping on the metro at Ciutadella-Vila Olimpica Station to see more of the city.

La Vila Olimpica del Poblenou
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Poblenou

4/5(199 area reviews)

Enjoy the stunning beaches in Poblenou. Bogatell Beach is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Poblenou Station or Llacuna Station to see more of Barcelona.

Poblenou

La Sagrada Familia Travel Guide

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