A stone forest in the nave
Inside the Sagrada Família, Gaudí did not copy a Gothic cathedral. The columns branch like trees and carry the vaults overhead. Each column splits into smaller branches as it rises, and the ceiling opens like a canopy. The columns are made from different materials.
The basilica is 90 metres long inside. Stand in the middle of the nave, look up at the crossing, then walk on towards the apse. A single visit takes in the nave, the transept and the museum.
Vault heights: multiples of 7.5 metres
The heights of the vaults follow a simple rule. Every level is a multiple of 7.5 m.
| Part of the basilica | Vault height |
|---|---|
| Side aisles | 30 m |
| Central nave | 45 m |
| Crossing | 60 m |
| Apse | 75 m |
The apse, at the far end, is the highest vault of all.
The apse and the canopy
The apse is the point where the nave ends and the sanctuary begins. It is also the top of the stepped heights above: 75 metres. Look for the canopy hanging over the altar.
Our picks: tours of the interior
Golden-hour light, a top-rated guided tour and a ticket with audio guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Golden hour guided visit
A guided visit in the late afternoon, when the Passion side windows glow orange and red. Entry included, towers not.
Check availability →Guided tour with skip-the-line entry
A licensed guide and entry, meeting next to the metro exit. No towers. One of the best-rated tours.
Check availability →
Sagrada Família entry ticket with audio guide
Entry with the audio guide app, towers only as an option. Officially the same ticket costs €26.
Check availability →Tickets and tours for the interior
Entry tickets and guided visits that include the nave, the museum and the stained glass, with live prices and availability.
Stained glass by Joan Vila-Grau
The windows have been made by Joan Vila-Grau since 1999. The colours are planned by side.
The Nativity side faces east. Its windows use bluish tones that suit morning light. The Passion side faces west. Its windows use orange and red tones that suit evening light.
According to the foundation's blog, the colours are most intense around the solstices. In summer, go in the morning and sit on the Nativity side. In winter, choose a late slot and look at the Passion side. Remember that a ticket is for a fixed time slot, and in winter the basilica closes at 18:00.
Check the opening hours before you pick a slot. Light also depends on the weather, so treat these times as a guide, not a promise.
The museum and the crypt
One is part of your ticket. The other is not.
Museum: included
The museum is part of the basilica ticket. The official information says you can stay as long as you like. The guided visit does not include the museum.
Sagrada Família tickets →Crypt: not in the standard ticket
The crypt was completed in 1889. Gaudí is buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Josep M. Bocabella is buried in the chapel of the Holy Christ. There is no separate official price. You can reach the crypt through masses and prayers.
Mass at the Sagrada Família →Quiet hour
Since 2 February 2026 the basilica has a quiet hour every day from 9:00 to 10:00. Audio is only allowed with headphones, and the church stays calm.
Opening hours →How long to plan
The ticket page gives about 1 hour for the basilica and about 1 hour 30 minutes with a tower. Allow extra time if you want to see the museum and sit for a while.
Tower tickets →Rules for the interior
The basilica is a church, so some things are not allowed.
Trousers and skirts must reach at least mid-thigh, swimwear and see-through clothes are not allowed, and hats come off in the nave and the museum. Tripods are not permitted without press accreditation. Food is not allowed inside, and drinks only outside the building. Read more on the dress code page.
Once you leave the building, you cannot come back in with the same ticket. Take your time before you go out. To understand what you see, read about the three facades and the history of the construction.
How to plan the interior visit
A few choices decide how much you take in.
Tickets are online only and valid for a fixed date and time. The basic ticket costs €26 in 2026 and includes the museum and the audio guide app. The audio guide runs in 19 languages, in a standard version of 45 minutes and an express version of 25 minutes. It is not for children under 10. The guided visit costs €30 and lasts about 50 minutes. For prices and discounts, see the tickets page.
If you want calm, choose the quiet hour from 9:00 to 10:00. If you want the colour of the glass, pick the slot by season as described above. The basilica is cleared 15 minutes before closing, so do not leave the museum for the last minutes.
If you also book a tower, you climb one tower on either the Nativity or the Passion facade. Read about the towers and the facades before you decide which side you prefer.
Inside the Sagrada Família: frequently asked questions
How tall is the ceiling inside the Sagrada Família?
It depends on the area. The side aisles are 30 m, the central nave 45 m, the crossing 60 m and the apse 75 m. All heights are multiples of 7.5 m.
When is the stained glass most beautiful?
The foundation says the colours are strongest around the solstices: in summer in the morning on the Nativity side, in winter in the evening on the Passion side.
Is the museum included in the ticket?
Yes, the museum is included in the basilica ticket. The guided visit does not include the museum.
Can you visit the crypt?
The crypt is not part of the standard ticket and there is no separate official visit price. Access is through masses and prayers. Gaudí is buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
What is the quiet hour?
Every day from 9:00 to 10:00, since 2 February 2026. Audio only with headphones, and the basilica stays quiet.
How long should you plan?
The official information says about one hour for the basilica. Allow extra time if you also want to see the museum and sit for a while.