The Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona is offering 20,000 free tickets for four “Open Doors” days from 19 to 24 September 2025, as part of the city’s La Mercè festival.
Visitors must register online for a ticket raffle between 8 September at 10 a.m. and 14 September at 9 p.m., with winners notified on 15 September. The free visits will run 4 p.m.–8 p.m., except on 20 September when hours are 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
The giveaway is intended to expand public access to Gaudí’s unfinished basilica and highlight new sculptural installations, including a 3-metre relief of the Wedding at Cana in the Chapel of the Assumption. The Sagrada Família topped 4.8 million visitors in 2024 and remains one of Spain’s most visited monuments.
Details of the Free Ticket Raffle
Registration for the drawing is open via the Sagrada Família’s official website and social media platforms. Each person may submit one entry, selecting a preferred date and time slot. Winners will receive a confirmation email on 15 September and must arrive at the Marina Street entrance on time.
Normal entry to Sagrada Família costs €26–€30, depending on the source.
New Artworks and Visitor Experience
During the Open Doors days, visitors will be able to see newly installed sculptural scenes related to the life of the Virgin Mary—including Wedding at Cana, The Presentation of Mary at the Temple, The Death of Saint Joseph, and The Dormition—in the Chapel of the Assumption.
The basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudí, reached 155.58 m in height in July 2025, making it the tallest building in Barcelona and edging closer to its projected height of 172.5 m. Completion is expected in 2026, over 140 years after construction began.
The free ticket initiative responds to frequent visitor demand and long wait times. The Sagrada Família’s open days offer an opportunity for both locals and international tourists to access its interior during La Mercè, when regular tickets are not available for purchase.
Given consistent high attendance—over 4.8 million in 2024—the basilica’s decision to hold open days reflects broader efforts to balance visitor access and congestion. The 2025 open days are expected to relieve pressure on ticket availability and highlight ongoing construction progress ahead of the basilica’s planned completion.
