La Sagrada Familia welcomes nearly 5 million visitors every year, and one of the biggest questions from every visitor is not about the ticket they hold, but about the Sagrada Familia entrances.
The basilica has multiple access points, each assigned to a different type of visitor, and arriving at the wrong one can mean a time-consuming walk around the perimeter just as your time slot begins.
The entrance you require to La Sagrada Familia depends on whether you are solo or in a group, if you have a licensed guide, and what ticket you have purchased.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover every entrance in detail, from where to find each entrance, who it is for, the Sagrada Familia entrance fee, the crypt, and everything else you need to know to breeze through the correct entrance.
How Many Entrances Does the Sagrada Familia Have?
The Sagrada Familia has three active visitor entrances:
- The General Entrance – for individuals and small groups of fewer than 9 people
- The Group Entrance – for organised groups of 9 or more with a licensed guide
- The School / Educational Entrance – for pre-booked school and baccalaureate visits
Two of these entrances (the General Entrance and Group Entrance) are located along the same side of the Sagrada Familia along Carrer de la Marina, around the Nativity Façade area of the basilica.
The third entrance, which is used for school groups and educational tours, is located on the opposite side of the Sagrada Familia along Carrer de la Sardenya.
The fourth side of the building, the Glory Façade, is still under construction and currently closed to visitor access. When it is open, it will be the primary public visitor entrance.
One major point of clarification: the Passion Façade (along Carrer de Sardenya) is not a separate, ticketed entrance. Though it is noticeable and it is the most commonly used entrance by visitors, if you are looking for Sagrada Familia entrances where you need an entry ticket, you will not enter through the Passion Façade. Instead, this area is primarily intended to be used as an exit to the Sagrada Familia, and it is the area where the lifts to the Passion Façade tower are located.
Important: Temporary Entrance Changes (November to May)
Due to ongoing public works on Carrer de la Marina, the standard entrance positions are temporarily relocated during the winter-to-spring period:
- Individual visitors (November to May): Directed to the Marina-Provença corner instead of the usual right-side gate
- Groups (November to May): Directed to the Marina-Mallorca corner instead of the usual left-side gate
- Exit via the shop: Remains unaffected and continues to operate as normal
On-site signage is clear, and staff are stationed to redirect visitors, but it is worth knowing about this in advance so you are not caught off guard. Always check your booking confirmation email for any updates specific to your visit date.
The General Entrance – For Individuals and Small Groups
The General Entrance is the entrance to the Sagrada Familia for almost all visitors. If you are visiting alone, in a couple, in a family, or in a group of fewer than 9 people without a tour guide, you will use this entrance.
Where exactly is the General Entrance?
Sagarda Familia General Entrance is located on Carrer de la Marina, on the right side of the Nativity Façade as you face the church. After you have exited Sagrada Família metro station using the Carrer de la Marina exit, turn towards the basilica, and you will find the General Entrance through a gate on your right.
To reach the Nativity Façade from central Barcelona, follow Carrer de Mallorca and approach the façade from the west. The entrance gate on Carrer de la Marina will be directly in front of you on your right.
The Group Entrance – For Organised Groups of 9 or More
The Group Entrance is used for pre-booked, organised visits of 9 or more people with a licensed guide. This includes official Sagrada Familia guided group tours, third-party operator tours with a guide, and large institutional or corporate visits.
Where exactly is the Group Entrance?
The Group Entrance of Sagrada Familia is located on Carrer de la Marina on the left side of the Nativity Façade (across from the General Entrance). Approach the same Nativity Façade from Carrer de Mallorca, and enter through the left side gate on Carrer de la Marina.
The School / Educational Entrance – For Pre-Booked School Visits
The school entrance is specifically for school groups and baccalaureate groups with an officially pre-booked educational visit. It is not for general tourist use and is only open during scheduled visit windows.
Where exactly is the School Entrance?
The School entrance of Sagrada Familia is located on Carrer de la Sardenya, on the Passion Façade side of the basilica, the opposite side from the Nativity Façade. The school entrance is located at Carrer de la Sardenya, 314, very close to the intersection with Carrer de Mallorca. To reach it, exit Sagrada Família metro station via the Sardenya exit rather than the Carrer de la Marina exit.
Sagrada Familia crypt entrance – A Special Access Point Within the Basilica
The Sagrada Familia crypt is in a unique location; it is also one of the most historically significant places in the basilica, and it is the one area that most people tend to walk by without understanding how to get to it!
Construction on the crypt began in 1882. It is the oldest section of the entire structure, and the basilica also houses the tomb of Antoni Gaudí himself, located in the Chapel of the Virgen del Carmen. Together with the Nativity Façade, it is one of only two areas in the Sagrada Familia that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do you get to the crypt?
The crypt at Sagrada Família is not part of the standard tourist circulation through the basilica, and it cannot be freely visited during your regular timed-entry sightseeing slot. While many visitors assume it is included in the general admission route, the crypt chapel itself is a functioning place of worship and is accessed separately from the main basilica interior.
The primary way to enter the crypt is by attending Mass. Entry for Mass is free, and no standard admission ticket is required. Access is via a separate exterior entrance on Carrer de la Marina, on the Nativity Façade side of the basilica. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. During services, photography is not permitted, and the space is treated strictly as a religious setting rather than a tourist attraction.
A standard ticket to the Sagrada Família includes the basilica interior (the main nave), the museum exhibition spaces, and the Sagrada Família Schools building. The museum areas, which contain models, construction history, and detailed information about the work of Antoni Gaudí, are located near the crypt level. However, access to these museum spaces does not automatically grant entry into the crypt chapel itself.
Outside of scheduled Mass times, access to the crypt may occasionally be permitted for prayer, but this is controlled separately and is not guaranteed as part of a standard tourist visit. In practical terms, visitors who wish to see the crypt chapel itself should plan to attend a Mass service rather than rely on general admission access.
Which Entrance Matches Your Ticket? – Quick Reference
| Your Ticket / Situation | Correct Entrance |
| Standard timed-entry (individual or small group under 9) | General Entrance – right side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Audio guide ticket | General Entrance – right side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Ticket with Nativity or Passion Tower access | General Entrance – right side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Walk-up / no advance ticket | Ticket office at General Entrance – right side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Guided tour (group of 9 or more with licensed guide) | Group Entrance – left side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Pre-booked school or baccalaureate visit | School Entrance – Carrer de la Sardenya, 314 |
| Sunday Mass (no ticket required) | Nativity Façade, Carrer de la Marina – doors open 8:30 am |
| Crypt Mass (free, no ticket) | Nativity Façade side, Carrer de la Marina |
| Wheelchair / accessible entry | General Entrance – step-free ramp adjacent to the main gate |
8 Things to Know Before You Reach the Entrance
1. Book your Sagrada Familia Tickets much ahead of your visit date.
Tickets to the Sagrada Família are sold online in timed windows, and the most popular times (especially early and late) can sell out weeks in advance. Booking as soon as possible gets you the best options without any risk of tickets being sold out.
2. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before your selected time slot.
Get to the proper entrance at least 15-20 minutes before your entry time (for all visitors, not just ticket holders with fast track options or tours). Security is done through airport-style screening, and this can take 10-20 minutes at busy times. Your entry time is just the beginning of the process!
3. Your mobile QR ticket is all you need. No need for printouts.
E-tickets with a QR code on your phone are fully accepted. Just make sure you have the code ready to go and your screen bright before you get to the gate so that you don’t hold up everyone behind you.
4. Travel light and don’t bring forbidden items.
There is no luggage storage at the Sagrada Familia. Sharp items, professional camera equipment (tripods, detachable lenses), and large backpacks can cause problems at security. Travel light.
5. Re-entry is not permitted once you exit the attraction
After you pass through security and enter, you cannot exit and return using the same ticket. If you think you may need anything during your visit, such as using the restroom, taking exterior photos, or grabbing something from your bag, take care of it before going through the entrance.
6. Lighting conditions change throughout the day.
The light inside the basilica changes constantly throughout the day due to the stained glass. Early morning light is cooler and more diffused, while the late afternoon (4 PM – 6 PM) provides intense warm light on the Passion side of the nave, a photographer’s paradise.
7. Bring valid ID Proof.
Most of the time, ID is NOT checked for entry, but if you have any discounted tickets (seniors, students, youth, disability, etc), be sure to have ID on hand that matches your ticket in case you are asked. This will save you from being turned away without a refund.
8. Look for temporary changes prior to your visit.
Due to ongoing public works on Carrer de la Marina, individual and group entrance points shift between November and May. Always check your booking confirmation or the official website for the most current access point information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sagrada Familia Entrances (FAQs)
1. Where do I enter Sagrada Familia?
Your entrance to Sagrada Família depends entirely on your ticket.
- Individual visitors and small groups (under 9): General Entrance (Carrer de la Marina, right side of Nativity Façade)
- Guided groups (9+ people): Group Entrance (left side, same street)
- School visits: Carrer de la Sardenya side
2. Can I enter through the Passion Façade?
No, despite how it looks, the Passion Façade is not a valid entry point for ticket holders. It mainly functions as an exit and access point for tower lifts.
3. What is the exact location of the General Entrance?
The General Entrance is on Carrer de la Marina, to the right of the Nativity Façade when facing the basilica. If you exit the metro toward Marina, it’s the first entrance you’ll reach.
4. What happens if I go to the wrong entrance?
You’ll need to walk around the basilica perimeter, which can take 10-15 minutes, enough to miss your timed slot, especially during peak hours.
5. Do guided tour ticket holders use a different entrance?
Yes. All guided tours (especially groups of 9+) must enter through the Group Entrance on Carrer de la Marina (left side of Nativity Façade). Your guide will usually meet you nearby and take you in.
6. Is there a separate entrance for school or student groups?
Yes, school and educational visits use a completely different entrance on Carrer de la Sardenya (Passion side), and it’s only open for pre-booked academic visits.
7. Are entrance locations ever changed temporarily?
Yes. Between November and May, due to construction:
- Individuals are redirected to the Marina-Provença corner
- Groups are redirected to the Marina-Mallorca corner
Always check your confirmation email before visiting.
8. Can I use the General Entrance with a tower access ticket?
Yes. Even if your ticket includes Nativity or Passion Tower access, you still enter through the General Entrance, not the tower side.