Barcelona Sargarda Familia questions
 

I am looking at purchasing entrance tickets to Sargarda Familia online before I travel to Barcelona. I can't print the ticket at the time of booking and would like to know if it is essential to print the ticket when I book it. I have looked at the website and I have gone throught the steps for online bookings until I need to enter my credit card details, at no time and I asked if I want to print the ticket or pick up the ticket. If any fodorites have used this website for tickets
http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng...informacio.php
could you please let me know if you were able to pick up the tickets once in Barcelona?

Also, I am confused about the two lifts, what is the difference between the Nativity lift and the Passion lift, do these take visitors to different places? Which is the better option?

One final question, I plan on visiting Parc Guell and Sargarda Familia the same day. Which is best, Parc Guell in the am and Sargarda Familia in the pm or vice versa? I will be in Barcelona later this month and I know the days will be short, also trying to determine how best to avoid crowds at these two sights.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Forgot to ask, it the audio tour at Sargarda Familia worthwhile? How long does it take?

RJames - when I visited last year, I don't recall what elevator I took up. But, the line for one was long, and I was directed to go wait in the other line - so you might not have a choice.

Elevators:

Passion side: you can take elevator both up and down, if you choose. This is the newer side.

Nativity side: you take a claustrophobic elevator up. You MUST walk down. You walk across this tiny bridge up in the air. Do NOT attempt Nativity unless you 1) can walk down a lot of tight spiral stairs and 2) not claustrophobic. There are warning signs all over the elevator waiting area. This is the older side that Gaudi worked on.

One (or both) elevators can be out of service.

I'm a retired teacher so I cant stop myself. It's Sagrada Familia. Holy Family

Sorry, my mistake with the wrong spelling, Sagrada Familia, okay, got it.

Are the lines for the elevator generally long in January?

From what I understand if I take the Passion side elevator I can't walk across the bridge, if that is correct, I'll take the Nativity side elevator instead. If anybody has done the Nativity side elevator and walked down I'd like to hear their experiences.

You can "experience" going down stairs. Search "Sagrada Familia stairs" in www.youtube.com

I don't know which elevator I took - I walked down the spiral steps on 2 different occasions. It's a very neat experience and one I think you'd enjoy. Last time I walked down, a 20-something young man was leaning against the wall with his head down. I asked him if he was OK and he indicated he was getting uneasy. I didn't have any issues, but it is something to consider if you are very afraid of heights or claustrophic. (I don't want to exaggerate this, though, as I don't think this is an issue for the average person).

I visited in December 2007 and there were no lines for the elevators. I went back in April 2010 and in May 2011 and the lines were ridiculously long (opted out).

We were there Dec 2010 and were there at the opening and walked in. Bought tics then and there. When we came out about2 hours later, line was all the way around to the other side, so go in the AM. Audio tape was worthwhile.

Elevators not working when we were there.

as I just stated in another post, you can buy tickets at any Caixa ATM. There is one across from the Sagrada. Arrive 15 minutes before opening and you will skip the lines.

Rjames,
We were in Barcelona in October 2010. We bought the audio guides & I highly recommend them.

Regarding the elevators: Takek the elevator on the NATIVITY SIDE. You do get to walk across the bridge, with great views. Then you do walk down a narrow spiral staircase, but it didn't bother us. There are also small "walk-out" areas, where you get nice views & some fresh air, so it's a place to rest a minute & not feel claustrophobic. My husband sometimes has issues with claustrophobia, but the staircase did not bother him.

The reason I recommend the Nativity side elevator is because when we were there, the Passion-side elevator had a HUGE line!! I assume that's because it is the first elevator tourists see. The wait at the Nativity side was only 10 minutes.

I think there shouldn't be a problem with crowds in January; however, to be safe, I recommend going to Sagrada Familia first thing in the morning. I agree with ita that you should arrive at least 15 minutes before opening.

If you wish, you can click on my name to read my trip report, if that would help.

Since the Sagrada Familia was consacrated in November 2010 I think it is really worth to go inside as the interior decoration is finished.
In January and February there are in general no lines (except Bank holidays...).
There is a new system to avoid the lines on the elevators, they give you an hour when you buy the entrance ticket.

It´s possible to book in advance a guided tour in English with a local official guide with or without elevator for 35 euros, including the entrance ticket and avoiding the lines www.skipthelinebarcelona.com

Hope this information is useful

Agreed - the Nativity side is incredible though definitely NOT for the claustrophobic. I also really liked the audio guide - it's a really good one at the Sagrada Familia with lots of details - and it features the choir singing in the cathedral, to showcase the stunning acoustics of the building.

Another vote for the audio guide! ALso, suggest going to Sagrada Familia in the morning, since crowds will be lighter then.

Go on the Nativity side (the NE side of the church)
- you will see master's sculpture right in front of you - you can almost touch it.
I am a bit claustrophobic, but had no problems there. The turret in which the steps are located is not that narrow and there is enough light.

The SW side, i.e. the Passion side might be also interesting, but it is recent construction in the style of Gaudi not by Gaudi himself...

You can do both: Sagrada Familia and Guell park in one day, no problems!