Sagrada Familia

 

Here are five amazing things to do around the Sagrada Familia

1.) The Gaudi Tour

Sagrada FamiliaThis walking tour will make you discover the real Gaudi and his most famous works of art, such as The Sagrada Familia, the Casa Batllo, and Casa Mila (La Pedrera).You will also learn all the secrets of the Chupa Chups lollipops.

2.) Have a look at the different Facades of the Sagrada Familia

Sagrada FamiliaThe best-known façade is of course the Nativity façade, which has been named “Patrimony of Humanity” by the UNESCO, but there are also other beautiful facades, notably the Passion façade and the Glory façade. They are very different form the Nativity Façade but still were designed by the same architect, Antoni Gaudi, although J.M Subirachs was the one in charge of the construction when Gaudi died.

3.) Take a break at the Sagrada Familia Plaza

Sagrada FamiliaThis place is very pleasant for several reasons. First, it is located just in front of the basilica. Secondly, it is full of trees and flowers, which is really appreciated in this area of the city. Thirdly, you can relax there with a drink or an ice-cream without being disturbed by traffic noise.

4.) Have a drink at “Michael Collins” Irish pub

Sagrada FamiliaThis is one of the most famous pubs in the city. It has a very good reputation and is located just in front of the Sagrada Familia’s plaza. The atmosphere is really cool and a lot of young locals usually go there for drinks.

5.) Take a stroll around the gardens of the Sedeta

Sagrada FamiliaOn the windows of the buildings you will find examples representative of the Arab domination in Spain during the middle ages. Moreover, there is a beautiful church just behind the gardens.

 

Facts about the Sagrada Familia

The « Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy family », the so-called Sagrada Familia, is a Roman Catholic basilica but is also one of the best examples of Catalan modern art which Gaudi introduced in Barcelona. Unfortunately, Gaudi died before finishing it. He only built the crypt and the Nativity façade, but he had imagined everything so the workers now follow his drawings and instructions. It is still under construction.

The architecture is really peculiar and audacious. Indeed, Gaudi chose to represent many forms and symbols, like the flowers over the towers, making the Sagrada Familia beautifully poetic. The façade makes a curve over the entry with the bottom of the towers, which is particularly striking.

Nowadays, it is the second most visited monument in Spain, which helps financing the end of the construction because the construction is paid by a private foundation, the Catalan government doesn’t support it because Spain is nowadays a secular country.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is really emblematic of the city, and of the new Spain. With Gaudi and the modern art, innovation became the rule of art. But we have kept some of our traditions, like religion for instance. The Sagrada Familia embodies this fragile combination of faith and modern art that Gaudi introduced in Barcelona.”

Guide

How to get there

By Metro:
L2 and L5 to Sagrada Familia

By Bus:
Lines 19, 3, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20, B24

  • 13 million visitors a year 99%
  • Incredibly detailed 80%
  • Contains hidden mysteries 70%

Insider’s tips:

  • If you are planning to visit the inside of the building, it’s totally recommended that you book tickets online. The line to enter it’s always huge and in summer it gets worst.
  • The restaurants close to the cathedral are not very good and a little bit expensive. So if you want to eat typical Catalan food without your wallet suffering too much, stay away from the principal avenues.

Near By

Sagrada Familia

1.) Park Guell:
This beautiful park is located in the center of Barcelona. Designed by Gaudi, it includes many peculiar details such as long, curvy bench which was designed to adapt to the shape of people’s back or the magnificent mosaics and sculpted animals like the Dragon designed by Gaudi, one of the clearest examples of “trencadis” the modernist technique.

2.) Gaudi’s Avenue:
This is one of the longest pedestrian avenues of Barcelona. It is full of trees, which makes it a fresh place in the summer to find some shadow from the sun. You will also discover many restaurants and shops there, walking from the Sagrada Familia to the biggest hospital of Barcelona.

3.) Flora Tristan’s gardens:
From these gardens you will have a marvelous view over the city. You will be able to see the Agbar Tower and the Sagrada Familia, and to distinguish many other famous places around the city, enjoying the sunset from the roofs of the buildings circling the garden.