6 MISTAKES TO AVOID BEFORE VISITING SAGRADA FAMILIA IN BARCELONA
Sagrada Familia is the most famous landmark in one of the most visited cities in Europe. Visiting Sagrada Familia is definitely worth it and it is no wonder that thousands of people choose to do so daily! It is truly one of the best Antoni Gaudi buildings out there!
However, I have also noticed that many tourists happen to make one or more of these 6 simple mistakes which can transform their visit into a less enjoyable one than it could have been!
In order to help you out, I have noted all the common mistakes that people do while visiting Sagrada Familia so that when you go, you will not repeat those mistakes. This way, you will be able to turn your experience into one of the most unforgettable impressions of the city!
At the end of the article I also have a very useful bonus for you – some Sagrada Familia tips on how to skip the line to Sagrada Familia!
1. NOT BOOKING IN ADVANCE
As I said, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is by far the most visited attraction in the city and maybe in entire Europe!
Thousands of people queue there every day to see Gaudi’s masterpiece from the inside. Does that sound terrifying to you?
There is no need to worry! You just need to book Sagrada Familia tickets in advance online!
A very common question that I usually get is “How much in advance should I book my tickets for Sagrada Familia?”. While the tickets to Sagrada Familia can be bought online up to 2 months in advance, in high season, I would recommend booking your visit at least 5-7 days in advance in order to make sure your desired day and time are available.
Remember, it is best to visit Sagrada Familia inside during the sunset, because it is splendid!
2. NOT TAKING A GUIDED TOUR
Sagrada Familia is full of secret meanings, tiny significant details, pieces of architecture inspired by nature – these are all reasons why it is really worth taking a guided tour with skip-the-line ticket here!
Another good option is to tour Sagrada Familia using this guided tour with tower access.
If your budget does not allow you to do this, I recommend at least getting an audio guide together with your Sagrada Familia ticket – I promise you will not regret it, as the information is very interesting!
3. NOT VISITING DURING THE SUNSET
While the interior of the cathedral is mesmerizing any time of the day, the best time to visit Sagrada Familia is during sunset and I think you would regret it if you would miss the beautiful golden light reflecting from the countless stained glass windows!
This is actually the best feature of the Basilica and seeing it during Golden Hour when the sun reflects directly onto the stained glass is Antoni Gaudi’s exact reason for creating Sagrada Familia as it is. The entire process was created with great care and mathematical formulas in order to find the perfect arrangement for the colorful windows.
I loved the light and how the naves look during late afternoon, it was truly magical!
4. NOT LEAVING ENOUGH TIME FOR THE VISIT
I strongly recommend you leave at least one hour and a half for your Sagrada Familia visit if you want to discover the cathedral with no rush. You can add 30 more minutes if you want to go up to the Gaudi towers to see the view. Please note that the access to Sagrada towers is not included in your standard ticket,
If you have more time for your Sagrada Familia church tour, I definitely recommend buying a complete ticket with Tower access included! The towers will allow you to see some beautiful parts of the basilica that you really cannot see from below, as well as some construction and progress work that is being done to this masterpiece constantly.
5. NOT TAKING YOUR CAMERA
I strongly recommend you make sure to take your camera with you and charge your phone.Trust me, the photo opportunities will be endless and you will be snapping pictures continuously, especially if you visit this magical place in the late afternoon when the light keeps changing in the most beautiful way!
6. NOT WEARING APPROPRIATE CLOTHES
Finally, yet still important, even if the rules are not as strict as in Vatican, Sagrada Familia is a church after all and you should dress modestly when you decide to visit it. When you actually go there you will see many people dressed in shorts or skirts, but I suggest you avoid cleavages and mini-skirts, even if just to pay respect to this holy place!
I usually hate queuing and, seeing how crowded and popular Sagrada Familia is every day, I have done all the homework for you so that you will not waste your precious vacation time staying in the long lines!
Here is some precious advice on how to get to Sagrada Familia with no stress and waiting involved:
SOLUTION 1: BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE IN ADVANCE
The easiest and safest way is to buy your Sagrada Familia online tickets in advance and to make sure you won’t be late. The tickets are reserved for a specific time with a 15-minutes corridor.
Even if you have the online pre-booked tickets, you will still need to stay in a short line made out of travelers who have the same admission time as yours. Don’t worry, you won’t waste a lot of time, as this queue can be anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes.
SOLUTION 2: BOOK A GUIDED TOUR
Taking a guided tour means that you will have to meet your guide at a different gate than the standard one and you will also benefit from skip-the-line access. The best part? You will be accompanied by a certified live guide who will tell you everything about Sagrada Familia Cathedral!
SOLUTION 3: TAKE A PRIVATE TOUR OF SAGRADA FAMILIA
A private tour is a tour during which you will not be rushed, you will not be part of a large group of tourists and you will be able to ask all the questions you want. This tour is exclusive only for you, you will also be able to spend as much time as you want there.
source: 6 MISTAKES TO AVOID BEFORE VISITING SAGRADA FAMILIA IN BARCELONA
