Are the Sagrada Familia towers worth visiting?

Antoni Gaudí imagined the Sagrada Familia featuring 18 grand spires, each representing different biblical characters. Twelve of these spires are dedicated to the Apostles and are distributed across the three stunning façades. Among the other six spires, four celebrate the Evangelists, each embellished with their unique sculptural representations: an angel for Matthew, a lion for Mark, an ox for Luke, and an eagle for John. The last two spires are in honor of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. At present, eight of these towers are complete, relating to the Apostles of the Nativity and Passion façades. The main spire devoted to Jesus Christ is set to be topped with a 17-meter-high massive cross and will ultimately reach an impressive height of 172.5 meters, making it the tallest tower and emphasizing the Sagrada Familia’s stunning silhouette against the Barcelona skyline.

Know before you go

• The entry to the Towers is not part of the usual ticket price and must be purchased separately.
• As the Nativity and Passion Façades are not connected, the entrances to their respective spires are distinct.
• Access to the tops of these towers is available only through an elevator, with one for each façade.
• Visitors can opt to ascend the spire on the Nativity Façade to enjoy views of the eastern part of Barcelona or the tower of the Passion Façade that overlooks the city center.
• Guests are required to descend the stairs from the towers for both the Passion Façade and the Nativity Façade.

Are the Sagrada Familia Towers worth visiting?

Numerous visitors speculate whether exploring the Sagrada Familia Towers is a worthwhile endeavor, given the lengthy ticket lines, extra fees, and persistent throngs of people. Our response is clear: definitely! Here are three strong arguments advocating for your visit to the Sagrada Familia Towers.

A visit to the Sagrada Towers is relatively quick and affordable

You can enjoy a calming tour of the Tower within about an hour. During peak times, it may take a bit longer, but generally, it won't exceed 1.5 hours. The price difference is around 14 Euros between regular admission tickets and Tower Tickets. We believe that the Sagrada Towers are well worth those 14 Euros, considering the views, the historical significance of the walls, and the exquisite craftsmanship. Reviewing feedback from previous visitors will show that most deem the excursion to the Sagrada Towers worthwhile.

Ascending the Sagrada Towers is simple, and the descent offers its own thrill

To reach the top, just hop on the elevator, which will quickly lift you up with ease. Be ready for possible queues since the elevators are limited to six passengers at a time, which may lead to waiting, particularly during busy periods. The descent is quite a different journey; you will navigate spiral stairs that lack railings. Although it might seem intimidating, there have been no reported incidents, and it is completely safe. However, children younger than six are not allowed to enter the Towers due to the nature of the stairs.

The Sagrada Familia experience isn’t fully realized without a climb to the Towers

This is because the Towers formed a crucial part of Gaudi's overall vision, as he originally planned 18 towers, with only 8 having been completed. The elongated timeline for the Sagrada Familia's completion is largely due to the intricate design of the Towers, so they undoubtedly stand out as a key feature of his work. Additionally, Gaudi personally constructed the four Towers of the Nativity Facade, making a visit to them an authentic encounter with Gaudi’s masterpiece.

Perspective from Nativity Tower compared to Perspective from Passion Tower

As previously stated, there is no clear "superior" view, since the sights from the Nativity Tower and the Passion Tower each present distinctive and remarkable panoramas. The Nativity Tower affords expansive sights of Barcelona and its nearby mountains, whereas the Passion Tower grants an awe-inspiring glimpse of the azure Mediterranean Sea. Your decision relies on your inclination towards either urban scenes or seascapes. Each viewpoint is splendid, and as the expression goes, beauty lies in the eyes of the observer.

Numerous individuals feel apprehensive about ascending the Sagrada Familia Towers, largely because of the prospect of descending the winding staircase. The stairs twist around the closely surrounding walls and lack handrails. There are a total of 504 steps, and although ascending them may appear daunting, it is completely secure and not overly exhausting. These spiral staircases are reminiscent of a snail, reflecting Gaudi's fusion of design and nature. Nevertheless, children under six years old are prohibited from entering the Towers due to safety concerns. Additionally, those with physical impairments, claustrophobia, or heart issues are encouraged to avoid the Towers, as it may pose challenges for them and for others exiting.