The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia tops the list of the most visited monuments in Barcelona, ahead of major tourist attractions such as La Roca Village, the FC Barcelona Museum, or the Monastery of Montserrat. Official statistics at the national level show it in second place, behind the Alhambra of Granada. What else do the numbers tell us? How many people visit the Sagrada Familia exactly? What is the average daily attendance? Below, we’ll answer all your questions about the number of visitors to the Sagrada Familia.
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Table of Contents
- Annual Visitors to the Sagrada Familia
- Sagrada Familia Statistics
- Daily Visitors to the Sagrada Familia
- The Top Tourist Attraction in Spain
- What Influences Attendance
How many people visited the Sagrada Familia in 2024?
The most recent data from the previous year shows that 4,833,658 people visited the Sagrada Familia in 2024. This is the official figure released by the institution responsible for managing the Basilica, the Junta Constructora del Templo. Compared to previous years, this represents an increase of 2.7%.
It is clear that interest in visiting Gaudí’s most iconic work continues to grow over time, especially as major milestones—such as the completion of the Tower of Jesus or the overall completion of the Basilica—appear increasingly near on the calendar.
Sagrada Familia Visitor Profile
Who visits the Sagrada Familia? What is their country of origin? Is it worth booking a ticket to the Basilica? The statistics help shed light on all of these questions.
Looking at the data from recent years as a whole, the typical visitor profile would be as follows:
The likely profile is that of a woman of U.S. nationality, between 46 and 60 years old, who has traveled to Barcelona by plane with her family for the first time and is staying in a hotel in the city. She considers the Sagrada Familia a must-see monument. It is her first visit, and she rates the experience a perfect 10, also saying she would definitely recommend it to others.
Let’s now take a look at where visitors to the Basilica come from in the following table:
| Country of Origin | Percentage |
|---|---|
| United States | 18.55% |
| Spain | 12.67% |
| France | 6.93% |
| Italy | 6.53% |
| South Korea | 6.18% |
| United Kingdom | 4.98% |
| China | 4.52% |
| Rest of Europe | 14.88% |
| Rest of the World | 20.51% |
Another significant and noteworthy fact is the level of satisfaction after visiting the Sagrada Familia. Is it worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. Visitor satisfaction is extremely high, with an average rating of 9.26 out of 10.
Basilica Revenue in 2024
The construction of the Sagrada Familia is funded primarily through ticket sales, along with a small percentage from donations and contributions. Conceived as an expiatory temple, all funding is 100% private, and the pace of construction is directly tied to these earnings. In short, more visitors mean faster progress on the completion of the Sagrada Familia.
The data shows that in 2024, the Sagrada Familia generated €133.9 million in revenue, 97% of which came from visitors.
Sagrada Familia Visitors Over the Years
Here’s a list of annual visitor numbers to the Sagrada Familia in previous years:
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2024: 4.83 million (historic record)
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2023: 4.70 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2022: 3.78 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2021: 1.26 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2020: 0.76 million (start of the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2019: 4.71 million (second best record)
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2017: 4.52 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2016: 4.56 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2015: 3.72 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2014: 3.26 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2013: 3.17 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2012: 3.23 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2011: 3.20 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 2000: 1.42 million
- Sagrada Familia visitors in 1994: 0.70 million
How Many People Visit the Sagrada Familia Daily
The average number of daily visitors to the Sagrada Familia is close to 13,000, in round numbers. As the most visited monument in Barcelona, it’s no surprise that it remains busy throughout the year, even on the rare days when access is restricted. That said, many people still visit the outside of the Sagrada Familia. However, the flow of visitors is not entirely regular or constant day to day.
The best months to visit Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia are January, November, and February, which coincide with the low tourist season in Barcelona. In contrast, there is a much higher concentration of visitors from May to September, especially during July and August.
The Most Visited Monument in Spain
When compared with other Spanish landmarks, the Sagrada Familia ranks among the very top, alongside the magnificent Alhambra in Granada. It’s difficult to definitively state that it leads the list of the most visited monuments in Spain, as the official data is not always fully conclusive—whether due to the timing of publication or the technical methodology used to count visits.
In any case, for reference, here is a ranking of the most visited monuments in Spain:
- Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
- The Alhambra (Granada)
- Seville Cathedral and La Giralda (Seville)
- Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba (Córdoba)
- Royal Palace (Madrid)
- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago de Compostela)
- City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia)
- Museo del Prado (Madrid)
- Montserrat Monastery (Barcelona)
- Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid)
What Factors Influence Visitor Numbers at the Sagrada Familia?
Visitor numbers at the Sagrada Familia are heavily influenced by the tourist seasons in Barcelona, as mentioned earlier. The months with the highest volume of visits are typically from May to September, which align with the summer in the northern hemisphere and school holidays in many countries. Conversely, January, February, and November tend to be quieter months—ideal for those wanting to avoid the crowds.
Major events in the city, such as international conferences like the Mobile World Congress, cultural festivals, important FC Barcelona matches, or Formula 1, also have a direct impact on daily visitor numbers to the Basilica. If possible, it’s best to avoid these dates or plan your visit carefully to enjoy a more pleasant experience and avoid long lines.
Another significant factor is the ongoing progress toward the completion of the Sagrada Familia. Interest continues to grow as the long-awaited completion of Gaudí’s great masterpiece draws nearer, prompting more and more people to come and experience the monument before its final form is unveiled.