DaveJJ

We have already purchased our tickets for our visit.

Is there a specific entrance for those who already have tickets?

Can any one recommend any good restaurants nearby?

Are restaurants closed during certain times of day?

adrienne

Go to the main entrance. You'll find it easily as there are throngs of people lined up to buy tickets. There is a facilitator at the turnstyle who will help you scan your bar code. It's so easy.

I didn't notice any restaurants near the church but that doesn't mean there aren't any.

You can easily find places to eat in Barcelona. I'm sure there are some restaurants that only open in the evening or are closed certain days but in the popular areas there are plenty of choices.

jent103

If I remember correctly, the line to buy tickets (for those who haven't pre-purchased) was on the Passion facade side, but we went in on the Nativity facade side. That's where the tours start from, if your tickets involve a tour. There's still a security checkpoint, but no big deal.

We didn't see much in the way of good-looking restaurants in the immediate vicinity either.

adrienne

I got there early and looked around prior to the tour. If you're at the main entrance to the church, the tour gathers to the right side, not very far from the main door. You'll spot others hanging around waiting for the guide. It was not clearly marked.

mareeS55

I don't recall having to queue at Sagrada Famiglia a mere couple of years ago. The tourist bus dropped us off, and the bus pack of passes included our entry ticket. We just walked in. What has changed? Queuing? Que?

adrienne

No one said anything about queuing if you have advanced tickets, which you did. If you don't have a ticket then you need to stand in line to buy one.

eigasuki

Last October there were two queues but they entered in the same place on the Nativity facade. The line to purchase at around ten went almost halfway around. The line for purchased tickets, which we had, went the other way, was much shorter and it moved quickly. I can't say how fast the other line moved.

Once in you went to the right to get audio-guides etc. No doubt the time of day, and time of year makes a difference. Maybe bus groups and other tours have other arrangements. We had not booked for the elevators and were unable to purchase a ticket on the day.

As I recall, the street nearby which went towards Hopital de San Pao there were several touristy restaurants.

adrienne

I had tickets for the first entrance with a tour at 9:30 or 10:00 and walked right in. That was in April last year. I think day of the week matters too.

DebitNM

Is it better to take English guided tour or will the audio guide be sufficient? Which tower do you recommend? (I know that one has elevator down and other doesn't. )

adrienne

I did the guided tour and enjoyed it. You can visit the church before and after the guided tour so aren't limited to the length of the tour. I booked the first entrance and it was still crowded in the church. There were few people on the tour - maybe a dozen.

Didn't do the towers but I've seen posts about them.

Also check posts (jamikins) about buying all 3 admissions. I think you have to buy the visit and towers and then book the guided tour when you get there. There isn't a combo ticket on line for all 3.

allsgood

Was there Wednesday 20th August 2014. We pre booked tickets for 13:00 (1pm) entry.

The queue to buy tickets on the day was long and on the 'Passion' side. Entry was on the 'Nativity' side and was immediate. From this I would always recommend pre booking.

We did the English guided tour, for the additional cost on the entry price I felt the 1 hour guide worth it.

We also booked the Passion tower. Also for the addition few € I felt worth it - great views/experience. There is a lift up and back down if you want, or a choice to walk down (which is deceptively long, but we had fun with it. My DH is a big man and found the spiral stairs down more awkward then my more petite frame). Just to restate that under 6s are not allowed up the towers, even with an adult, and to be honest that seemed fair to me with the safety aspect, certainly on the staircase.

Also, for the tower we had a booked time but turned up 15 minutes early and had no problem gaining entry, so try going when you are ready; it's more a guide time that a strict time (unlike the guided tour)

We booked entry, tour and tower all together online.

As for eating/drinking near the Sagrada, the only time in our 6 day stay that I felt 'done' was when we had 2 beers and a pizza slice within view of the Sagrada and they charged us €24. If you want to eat /drink near I suggest walking a few yards further to the next street out of sight of it.

kimhe

For a restaurants close to the Sagrada Familia, you could go to next street Aitor for some Basque pintxos (1,50€), a buffet at 16€ or a three course meal for some 14€. People seem quite happy in general. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Christina

It seems to me restaurants are often or usually closed in mid-afternoon, but that's true in most any city, for a real restaurant. They just aren't open all day long to serve people meals. SO closed in-between lunch and dinner. I wouldn't try to go to a real restaurant at 5 pm, for example, and expect to be served a meal. Snack bars/cafeterias will be open all day. A cafeteria isn't like in the US, it's like a diner more or less.

here's a place a few blocks from it open all day
http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/res...ntina-mexicana

kimhe

Restaurante Aitor is open until 4pm and opens again at 8.30 pm as most regular restaurants in town (and in Spain).
http://www.yelp.com/biz/aitor-barcelona

And you have of course the excellent value, very special and very popular Marisqueria La Paradeta one block away.
http://www.laparadeta.com/marisqueri...barcelona.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html