We will be visiting the Sagrada Familia in early September. I have read many comments that speak of the large crowds - which impress me as being loud & shoulder-to-shoulder.
What is the best time to visit (perhaps first thing in the AM?), and do you recommend joining a tour - or - doing on-your-own? If tour, do you recommend any specific tour guides? Do you recommend going up the towers?
Thanks!
In the early AM is the best. I don't recommend a tour. You can get an audiotour. when you go up in the towers.
Here is the site you can use to buy everything 60 or 90 days in advance only
http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/tiquets/
We booked the very first time of the day, so we were able to enter before it was too, terribly crowded. As a result, I was able take some great photographs. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as they were sold out when we visited. The audio guide was more than sufficient and it allows you to move at your own pace, so I would not recommend a tour. We did go up in the Passion Facade tower which gave you a nice view of the city. It was OK, but not breathtaking; not sure I would do it again for that reason. The steps going down are a bit wider than those of the Nativity Tower, however be advised that it is still very narrow. We didn't find it difficult, but the young woman in front of us was terrified during the entire descent. Sagrada Familia left us in awe! Barcelona is one of our favorite large cities...enjoy!
I took a guided tour booked thru la sagrada website. We went at 10am. The grp was about 15-20 people and we had earphones. Reserve ahead for sure. There were many tourists but not overwelming and security well situated . A few yrs bef i did a self guide as all guided tours were full and i had no reservation. The guided portion is s must, imo.
I also recommend booking the first time-slot of the day. I did not ascend a tower so cannot speak to that, but I remember that it has been discussed here that the main value of the tower ascent is that you get a close-up look at some of the architecture; it's not primarily about a view of the city.
I used the audio guide and found it fine, but I'm not in a position to compare it to the tour I did not take. I appreciated the ability to move around as and when I wanted to. I loved the stained glass and spent a lot of time just marveling at that. There's a small museum that is interesting but which won't take too much time. Be careful about the shop: Once you enter it, you cannot go back to the church.
Yes, go first thing.
I think it’s a building worth exploring by yourself and having its surprises revealed organically, rather than being ordered by a guide.
Hi,
I am not the op, but was wondering the same thing... but my perspective was more along the lines of "What is the best time of day, where the light has the most dramatic effect with all of the stained glass and architechture?"
Thanks,
Depending on the month of the year. If you're visiting in September, I would probably say 3-4pm when the light enters the church thru the stained glass like this: https://secure2.pbase.com/joseantonio/la_sagrada_familia
Thanks everyone - extremely helpful! I think we'll do an early tour, using the audio guides.
PS. I see that a combo ticket is available which would also include the Gaudi House Museum at Park Guell. Does anyone know if their is a time restriction on visiting the house (i.e. same day, or does it allow a day or two cushion)?
