Barcelona is preparing a special event for tourists and architecture enthusiasts—one of Europe's most famous shrines will be temporarily open to the public free of charge. This is a rare opportunity to see the legendary temple, which has been under construction for over a century, as it nears completion. Learn more about free visits to the Sagrada Familia and the conditions of access for visitors to the city

Spain is preparing a pleasant surprise for tourists and architecture enthusiasts. As noted by Express, Barcelona will offer free admission to one of Europe's most famous landmarks, the Sagrada Familia, for several days. This is a unique opportunity to see the iconic building, which has been under construction for over 140 years and remains unfinished.

What exactly is the city planning, who will be able to get inside, and why is this event attracting so much attention? We'll tell you more in this article.

Are you planning a trip to Spain and want to figure out the visa rules and travel details in advance?

The Visit World travel guide will help you plan your trip independently and without stress.

When and why will the Sagrada Familia be open for free?

In February, Barcelona traditionally celebrates the feast of Saint Eulalia, one of the city's patron saints. On this occasion, the city authorities, together with the temple administration, open the doors of the Sagrada Familia for free visits at certain times. Usually, such a visit requires the purchase of a ticket costing about 30 euros, but an exception will be made on public holidays.

The format of the event provides for a strictly limited number of guests, which allows you to maintain safety, avoid overloading the space, and give visitors the opportunity to calmly explore the temple, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every day.

By the way, in our previous article, we reported that Spain is changing its visa and immigration rules from 2026.

How to get a free ticket to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?

Free admission is only possible with prior registration. Tickets are not distributed at the ticket office and are not available for free admission, but are raffled off through the official website of the Sagrada Familia in the form of an online lottery.

Applications can be submitted during a limited period, after which the organizers randomly select the winners. The results are published in advance so that visitors can plan their time in the city.

About visas for searching in Spain — we tell you here.

What does a free visit to the Sagrada Familia include?

The winners of the draw will have access not only to the main basilica, but also to the museum dedicated to the history of its construction, as well as to the Escoles complex — an important but lesser-known part of the architectural ensemble.

This format allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the project, follow the stages of its development, and see how the temple looks at the current stage of construction. Such free days have already become a tradition and are not being held for the first time.

Why has the Sagrada Familia been under construction for over 140 years?

Construction of the temple began in the 19th century and became the life's work of Antonio Gaudi, who radically redesigned the original project and devoted decades to it. After his death, work did not stop, but was repeatedly slowed down by historical events, wars, and global crises.

A special feature of the Sagrada Familia is its financing principle: the temple is being built exclusively with donations and ticket sales. Therefore, the pace of construction has always depended on the number of visitors and support from the community.

After the installation of part of the central cross, the Sagrada Familia officially became the tallest church in the world, surpassing the previous record. At the same time, the final height of the temple will deliberately remain lower than the highest point in Barcelona — Montjuïc Hill — because Gaudí believed that human creations should not be higher than the divine.

The main construction work is planned to be completed in the coming years, but decorative elements will continue to complement the architectural ensemble for a long time to come. Therefore, every visit to the temple is an opportunity to see it at a unique moment in history.

By the way, we previously talked about the conditions for obtaining a digital nomad visa in Spain.

Planning a trip?

To save time searching for information and avoid mistakes in preparation, use the Visit World travel guide. It contains all the key information about visa rules, required documents, length of stay, and useful travel tips.

After you order it, the guide will be sent to your email in PDF format in just a few minutes and will serve as a convenient checklist for your trip. Order a travel guide from Visit World and travel with confidence!

Reminder! The Spanish government has announced the launch of a legalization program for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants already living in the country. The new rules are expected to allow many to obtain the right to live and work. We discuss the conditions for legalization in Spain, the requirements for applicants, and the possible consequences of this decision here.

---

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

---

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.