Sagrada Familia - Barcelona; time "allocation"
 

I plan to buy tickets online for Sagrada Familia (Basilica+Audio Guide+ Towers). Could someone who visited explain how much time can one spend during the visit in the Basilica and the tower? Is one told by what time to exit? One has to pick a tower when buying tickets. Any suggestions re. which one to pick? Is there a specific time assigned to go up the selected tower? Thanks.

You can spend as much time as you like as long as you don't leave the grounds. We arrive early and wandered around inside, did a docent-led tour, looked around the outside, and then went back into the church. It's fabulous. We talked about going back another day but then didn't do it and now I'm sorry.

We didn't do the towers so I can't advise.

friends of ours loved the Sagrada and could have spent all day there. OTOH we were distinctly underwhelmed and an hour was quite long enough.

so be prepared to be blown away, but also have Plan B incase you find that you agree with us.

Absolutely buy your tickets online in advance and print them out before you go. When we were there a week or so ago the line for tickets was huge but we sailed right in with our pre-printed tickets. And do pay attention to the time on your ticket and get there about 15 minutes before that time - if you are late you may be be SOL. We heard a fellow American ask the gate agent "what is the window of time in which our ticket is good" and the agent responded that there was no window, that the time indicated is the time, period.

As for duration, once you are inside no one tells you when to leave. We did not do the audioguide but walked around reading the numbered signs. I'd allow an hour at least. If you are into taking lots of photos - and there are a gazillion interesting shots to be had - add more time.

Towers if no vertigo. Recommend guided tour. I thought I knew much about both Gaudí and Sagrada Familia before I got there, but the guided tour totally blew my mind. Details, scales and ambitions out of this world!

Thanks a lot for the helpful answers. I am glad to know that I can spend as much time as I want to once inside.

We were totally awestruck by La Sagrada Familia, the details are incredible. Wishing you a wonderful day there, however long you spend. We stayed nearby and walked by it everyday.

The info here is very helpful -- but I want more! ;-)

I am debating between the audio guide (which I normally prefer), the actual guide (which I often find particularly useful at places with a lot to see -- like the Sagrada Familia), or both.

And I am debating between just one tower (I'm leaning toward the Nativity tower) or both.

I am currently inclined to book two consecutive reservations - (a) one for the Sagrada Familia, guided tour, and a tower and (b) one for the Sagrada Familia, audio tour, and a tower. I know that if I double up on tours and towers I will have a LONG visit -- perfectly fine with me! If it takes me 4 or 5 hours (or more!) to see this cathedral, I can do that. (And of course, if I don't like it, I can leave!) But I'm not sure how to time things or whether I would be engaging in duplicative experiences to no end.

Any and all comments are welcome -- thanks in advance!

kja: If you book two consecutive reservations, wouldn't you have to pay two entrance fees? That's an extra fifteen Euro for nothing. I think you need to call or email them directly.

http://visit.sagradafamilia.cat/

@ anyegr -- good point! I'll contact them.

In the meantime, I would still appreciate comments about the merits of taking both tour options and / or visiting both towers -- even if I can do so without the extra entrance fee. :-)

I've already heard back from the Sagrada Familia staff (that was FAST!) :-) and, as anyegr thought, I won't need to pay for two separate entrances: Should I choose to do so, I can rent the audio guide once inside and I can also pay for a visit to the 2nd tower once inside. Thanks so much, anyegr! :-)

SO... I will book the ticket that covers the Sagrada Familia, guided tour, and a tower. I will consider renting the audio guide thereafter -- but I don't need to decide in advance.

My remaining questions are about the towers: If just one, Nativity? Worth visiting both? Thoughts about timing? Thanks!