There are two towers inside the Sagrada Familia, which you can actively tour. Unfortunately, while it would be nice to be able to visit both, it isn’t always possible. Sometimes, during the busy season, you don’t get to know which tower you are visiting.
Even if you go at another time, when you can choose the tower, you don’t always have time to visit both towers.
By far, the most loved tower is the Nativity Tower. It allows for better views of the city and the mountains. It is also designed by the original architect and has much more detail and history than the Passion Tower.
Where is the best view of Sagrada Familia?
Hotel Ayre is by far considered to have the best view of the Sagrada Familia. Specifically, the roof of the hotel is considered the best. The Rosellon terrace on the roof has completely unobstructed views of the Sagrada Familia.
This allows you to see the spikes and turrets of the La Sagrada Familia from a perspective you usually wouldn’t get to see, as well as the beautiful gardens that are on two sides of the temple.
However, that isn’t to say that the other views aren’t great either. Any view on the street is considered amazing as well.
How Many Towers are There?
There are 18 towers in total in the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona. According to records, 12 of the towers represent the apostles, while the other six are for Jesus, Mary, and the Evangelists. Unfortunately, however, if you want to see them in person, there are only two available to the public.
These are the Nativity And the Passion towers. They are also the most well-known since these are the ones people can visit. The Passion tower is a little taller than the Nativity one, but the views are relatively similar.
The Tower of Mary was just recently completed and inaugurated at the end of 2021. This was considered complete once the star of the Virgin was sealed on top of the tower. The star has 12 points and lights up the city of Barcelona.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
Going early in the morning is the best time to visit, as the crowds are usually smaller at that time. Generally, between 9 and 11 AM are considered the best options.
However, if you want a stunning view between 5 and 6 PM when the sun is setting, you can watch it through the towers. Additionally, going during the week instead of a weekend usually makes it less packed and easier to get in and see the views.
You can also take guided tours if you want to learn about the towers’ history and some of the city. The towers are open every day of the week. However, they may be closed for occasional religious holidays and celebrations or change the hours.
Which Tower is the Most Popular?
Sometimes, you are only going to have enough time to visit one tower. But which tower do you choose?
Despite the Passion facade and tower being taller, most people seem to enjoy the Nativity facade. This is shown in both the online reviews and the opinions of tour guides based on how their tourists react.
This is thought to be because it was built by the original architect, whereas passion was built by one of the later eight. Additionally, there is a bridge you can take for a beautiful view.
The Passion tower presents you with beautiful views of the ocean, but Nativity allows you to see the city and the mountains.
If you want to get the most out of your tour, you can visit the Nativity Tower in the afternoon, when the sun is at your back. This allows for better views and better pictures.
Do you Need Tickets in Advance for it?
You don’t need tickets in advance. It is possible to get them at the tower itself. However, there is usually a surcharge for buying them at the window and not online. So if you want to save a little extra money, try to buy it online in advance.
Also, the towers usually have very long lines at the windows. If you purchase a ticket online, you can skip those lines and go straight into the building. You don’t even need to worry about printing out the ticket, as you can just email the email to the entrance.
It is also important to know that during busy seasons if you buy tickets online, you don’t get to choose your tower, as it is determined by how busy each tower is and how they are rotating.
Finally, children under six are not allowed to go up to the towers. They can explore the rest of the attraction, but you cannot purchase tickets for them to go up.
Final Thoughts on Which Sagrada Familia Tower Is Better
The Sagrada Familia is one of the most well-known and unfinished Catholic churches in the whole world. It is located in Barcelona in Spain. Though there are twelve towers, you are unfortunately only allowed to visit two of them.
These are the Passion and Nativity towers. While the Nativity is the most enjoyed by previous tourists, you don’t always get to choose which tower you visit. However, both are gorgeous.
And if you want to see the tower better but don’t want to pay to enter either of the towers, look at staying at the Hotel Ayre. It provides beautiful, full views of the temple, so you can see it fully from the outside.