Tickets for LaSagrada Familia
 

I will be in Barcelona the middle of October. Is it necessary to buy tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia?

Yes, absolutely. Sagrada Familia is a very popular attraction and, if you don't book in advance, you will first wait in a massive queue to buy your timed ticket, and then wait several hours for your entry slot. Also book a ticket for a tour of one of the towers by lift/elevator - this is also very popular and tickets sell out.

Your visit will be for 15 minutes, but no one minds if you stay longer. Effects of light are said to be better in the afternoon.

YES! Be aware that the tower visit includes an elevator up but you must walk down. Also buy tickets for La Pedrera and Casa Batlo in advance as these both had long lines. We spent a little extra and purchased Premium tickets which allowed entry any day, any time. This proved to be a good deal as we had originally planned to do both in one day, but after seeing La Pedrera (sensory overload!) we decided to wait and see the other house another day.

I was there in May...went 1 1/2hr before closing...no lines to buy tickets, no lines to go in...plus the sunset through the stainglass windows was amazing and it wasn't crowded at all inside..

Drove by the next morning and the line was wrapped around the block. For peace of mind, pre-purchase tickets, but I recommend later the better to visit.. I think visitors start their day first because of the long lines..

On the contrary go to Gaudi Park first. Park Guell..if you take the hop on hop off bus, they have headset commentary and point out all of the Gaudi architecture throughout the city which you may miss if taking a taxi.

And if you have the time, go to Montserrat and research the time the boys choir is singing. Was easy to take the train independent and wear good walking shoes, the hikes at the very top are spectacular and pretty easy.

To each his/her own -- I'd go to Park Guell later in the day (IME, not so busy then, no worries about the sun or heat in unshaded parts) plus it's open later than many other places that I wanted to visit and I didn't have to use my precious daytime hours for the transit back (it's a bit out of town).

But I agree with the idea of planning a visit to La Sagrada Familia to catch the light at sunset. Glorious! :-)

Get tickets in advance and prepare for what can be an unforgettable experience in "a cathedral for our times": https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...-for-our-times

AND: Fabulous Farru and rising star Karime Amaya - grand-niese of the greatest flamenco dancer in history, the barcelonesa Carmen Amaya (1913/17-1963) - dance in Tablao Cordobés right on Las Ramblas from Oct. 16: http://www.tablaocordobes.es/en

Farru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxGsksJusU
Karime Amaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklXLAvSIyc