The Sagrada Familia (holy family in english) area is part of the planned grid of Barcelona. Located east of Plaza Catalunya close to leafy Paris-style boulevards of Passeig Sant Joan and Diagonal, the Sagrada Familia area is much more than just a church. Near the beaches and the city centre, it is an ideal base for your trip to Barcelona. What’s more, hotels in the Sagrada Familia area are great value for money, and you can save more by eating in the cheap local restaurants in this area.
Also on Gaudi's main works, are the Park Guell, a 20 hectares park on the hills of the city, the Pedrera and Casa Batllo buildings, situated at the elegant Paseo the Gracia in central Eixample. The temple will have three main facades; the nativity, the glory and the passion facade.
Sights
This area is dominated by a star attraction. More than 100 years old, the towers of the world famous Sagrada Familia is one of the landmark images associated with Barcelona. A visit is a must.
The most ambitious project of Barcelona´s star architect and devout Catholic Gaudi, this cathedral to opulence is still a work in progress. Of Gaudi´s planned 32 towers, just eight have been erected. A shabbily-dressed Gaudi devoted over 40 years to the project until he was tragically mowed down by a tram in 1926. Bad news for Gaudi but good news for you – his tomb lies in the crypt of the cathedral and is open to public view.
Gaudi´s design of the cathedral is magnificent, a Gothic fantasy decked out in dazzling colours and mosaics that shine in the Barcelona sun. Reach the top of the towers by elevator to take in views of the whole city.
Sometimes there are free concerts playing outside the church, the music made from the chimes of the church bells. The church and the park around it are very special places to visit whatever your religion.
In front of the Sagrada Familia there is a small but verdant park with plenty of benches which make a great escape from the tour bus crowds. Check out the lake in the centre which acts like a mirror reflecting the pinnacles of Gaudi´s masterpiece. It’s awe-inspiring.
Locals in the district are campaigning against a plan to put a high speed rail tunnel within metres of the foundations of the Sagrada Familia, and when you’re walking around the district you might come across ´No AVE´ signs in shop and apartment windows. Which goes to show that this Gaudi icon is as valuable to the locals is it is to tourists.
Bars and restaurants
Close the Sagrada Familia there are dozens of tourist bars and restaurants offering English menus but prices are high by Barcelona standards, so those cathedral views come at a cost. But if you walk 5 minutes in any direction away from the cathedral you escape the crowds and find pleasant local bars and restaurants. Away from the tourist bustle prices fall sharply.
Hotels in Sagrada Familia
The two towers of Sagrada Familia are in the same line as the twin towers (i.e. the towers is the Hotel Arts, one of Barcelona´s finest). If a view of the Sagrada Familia is your goal, you’ll get it in many of Sagrada Familia district’s fine hotels which cater to every budget.
Getting there
Metro lines 5 and 2 stop at Sagrada Familia station, just under the cathedral.
Top 3 reasons for staying in a Sagrada Familia hotel
1. Catching your first glimpse of Gaudi´s world famous cathedral
2. Discovering the fascinating story of this architectural work in progress
3. Watching barcelona views from the top of one of it’s towers
Posted by colaborator from barcelona on the 09-10-07
sagrada familia is expected to be finished at 2020. Worth to visit then !
Posted by contributor from barcelona on the 24-01-08
My boyfriend (who is Spanish) and I stayed in a three star place very near sagrada familia a few years ago. Don’t remember what it was called but if was pretty comfortable at any rate. We loved the temple especially climbing up to the top! Funny thing is that they’re still working on it apparently it will be finished by 2020. But you shouldn’t wait that long before visiting it cos its beautiful! The area is very touristy but we found a lot of nice places a few blocks away. We saw another really nice building a few blocks away on Gaudis Avenue called Hospital de Sant Pau, which is built in a modernist style like other Gaudi stuff. Another thing we did was we took a bus from Sagrada Familia to the Park Guell which is a huge park on the hills overlooking the city with lots of beautiful sculptures by Gaudi. There were zillions of other tourists there but no matter cos it was a fine place to spend the afternoon in the middle of summer. We were dead tired after walking up about 500 steps to get to the lookout in the top in 35 degree heat but the views of the city were worth it when we eventually got up there. The panorama of the whole of Barcelona was spectacular. I still get tingles when I look at the photos!
Posted by contribution from bcn on the 02-05-08
From Sagrada Familia square I recommend you to walk along Gaudi Avenue, called after the famous architect who designed it. At the end of this walk, you will find the Hospital de Sant Pau, of modernist style.
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