Sagrada Família
Places
Nativity façade

Nativity façade through trees, with cranes behind.

Nativity façade of the Sagrada Família

The Nativity façade faces east on Carrer de la Marina, with 4 bell towers above 3 portals. Gaudí saw only the Saint Barnabas tower completed, as the Basilica's history page records.

Updated 27 October 2026 Hours and tickets the Basilica's own pages and booklets, last read 25 October 2026; tour listings read 25 October 2026

Gaudí's completed tower 1 tower Saint Barnabas, the only tower Gaudí saw finished. → Metro to the general entrance L2 / L5 Individual visitors enter on Carrer de la Marina. → UNESCO World Heritage Façade and crypt The Nativity façade and crypt share the designation. →

You can view the Nativity façade from Carrer de la Marina and Plaça de Gaudí without a sightseeing ticket. The €26 adult ticket on the basic ticket page includes the Basilica and museum, plus the audioguide app. The €36 adult ticket on the official ticket page adds one tower.

The place

Which Sagrada Família façade did Gaudí build first?

The Nativity façade was the first of the Sagrada Família's 3 main façades to be built. Gaudí built upwards so the finished work could guide the architects who followed.

Gaudí saw only 1 Sagrada Família tower finished: Saint Barnabas on the Nativity façade. The remaining 3 Nativity bell towers were completed after his death, as the official booklets record.

Gaudí used plaster casts from real people and animals to shape the façade's figures. The plaster casts were tried on the façade before the final forms were cut in stone.

The Nativity façade faces east on Carrer de la Marina, with morning light on its portals and bluer windows inside. Carved plants and animals surround scenes of Jesus' birth.

Plan around: a morning slot for the Nativity side.

Nativity façade portals above visitors at the entrance.

The portals

What do the Nativity façade portals show?

The Nativity façade's 3 portals show Jesus' birth and childhood, with one portal for each member of the Holy Family. From left to right as you face the façade, the portals are Hope, Charity and Faith.

The Portal of Hope honours Joseph. The Flight into Egypt is left of the Portal of Hope's door; the Massacre of Innocents is to the right. A sea turtle holds up Joseph's column.

The central Portal of Charity honours Jesus, whose birth is shown beneath the star of Bethlehem. As you face the Nativity scene, the Magi stand to the left and the shepherds to the right. The cypress above stands for the tree of life.

The Portal of Faith honours Mary, with Jesus preaching at the temple and working as a carpenter. Wild roses cover the Portal of Faith's door.

Sculpture groups and carved figures on the Nativity façade.

Carved roses and leaves in pink and turquoise.

Nativity façade bell towers beneath a cloudy sky.

The tower

Sagrada Família Nativity tower

The Nativity tower overlooks eastern Barcelona; the €36 adult ticket includes the Basilica and museum. The Basilica and tower visit takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The towers close in bad weather.

Select Nativity when buying the €36 adult ticket through the official tower ticket page or the Basilica's app. Official tickets go on sale roughly 2 months before your visit, as the Basilica's FAQ explains. If your Nativity tower slot is sold out, choose another date or a ticket without a tower.

The Nativity tower uses a lift up and stairs down, so the visit excludes people with reduced mobility. Children under 6 cannot enter the towers; those aged 6 to 16 need an adult. Leave your bag in a locker before the ascent.

The official price list gives €36 per adult for the tower ticket; GoforaJourney's English tour costs €119 with a guide and the Passion tower. A tour specifying the Passion tower does not include the Nativity tower route.

Your ticket: Sagrada Família with towers, €36 per adult, the Basilica and museum plus one tower and the audioguide app.

Plaça de Gaudí and its pond from a tower.

Getting there

Where is the Nativity façade entrance?

The Nativity façade entrance is on Carrer de la Marina, by Sagrada Família metro station on lines L2 and L5. Individual visitors use the general entrance. Visitors with reduced mobility use entrance B.

You can view the Nativity façade's 4 bell towers from Plaça de Gaudí without a sightseeing ticket. The Nativity tower ascent requires a ticket that includes the Nativity route.

The Basilica's opening-hours page gives these visiting times: In October, the Basilica opens 9:00–19:00 Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 on Saturday and 10:30–19:00 on Sunday. Your Sagrada Família ticket is valid only for its booked date and time under the official conditions of sale. Late arrivals cannot enter.

Bring the photo ID that matches the name on your ticket, as the Basilica's rules require. The Basilica checks bags at the entrance. You cannot return to the Basilica grounds after leaving.

Sagrada Família tours and façade walks

All 10 tour lists →

The 4 tours offer a façade walk, the museum explained, a Passion tower visit or a visit with Park Güell. The Passion tower tour does not include the Nativity tower route.