A list of Barcelona’s most iconic churches
It doesn’t matter if you come to Barcelona for only one day or plan to stay for a week or more. One thing is sure: you will visit at least one of these nine most famous churches in Barcelona. These churches are a must-do in the city for their beauty, elegance, history, and religion.
In this blog, we included some of the most important churches in Barcelona and some beautiful monasteries and Cathedrals outside Barcelona, which you can visit on a day tour.
Below is the index that allows you to navigate this blog. For every church, you will find the opening hours, ticket prices, service schedule, and the day tours offered by FromBarcelona.Tours.
Churches in Barcelona
Churches outside Barcelona
- The Monastery of Montserrat
- Girona’s Cathedral
- Tarragona’s Cathedral
- The Monastery of Poblet
- The monastery of Scaladei
What are the differences between a church, a basilica, a cathedral, or a monastery…
- A basilica is a church the Vatican recognizes for its antiquity or essential role in the Christian community.
- The Cathedral belongs to the bishop, who is responsible for the priests in a specific area.
- A Church is a religious temple used for public Christian worship. It englobes all of the above.
- A monastery is a building occupied by monks who live in a community under specific religious vows.
> Check this tour of Barcelona’s famous churches
1. Sagrada Familia: the most famous church in Barcelona
- Book tickets well in advance!
- Opening hours: 11:00-17:15
- Entry fee: From 39,99€
- Get tickets on the official website.
The most famous church in Barcelona is Sagrada Familia, an unfinished basilica that started construction in 1882. Its popularity arose after Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the church in 2010 after the Central Nave was finished.
Sagrada Familia is famous for its monumentality and beauty. It was designed by Antoni Gaudi, a genius who lived in Barcelona during the XIX and XX centuries. Gaudi made the city beautiful, thanks to buildings like Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
The construction was initiated in 1882 and is still unfinished due to its almost impossible architecture. Gaudi knew he wouldn’t finish in his lifetime, so he concentrated on only one side. The Nativity side, the oldest entrance of Sagrada Familia, was entirely made under Gaudi’s supervision.
Gaudi was not the only architect.
Gaudi took over Francisco de Paula, the first architect, who resigned one year after starting this project. Of course, we are talking about a very different style, a neo-gothic church that Gaudi used as the base of his temple.
That is why the church has distinct styles. At the back of Sagrada Familia, you can see the neo-gothic temple. You will recognize it by its pointed arches, typical of the Gothic style.
It will soon be the tallest monument.
Once it’s finished, the Tower of Jesus Christ will be the tallest in Barcelona, totaling 172 meters, making it the tallest church in the World. Gaudi chose this height not by mistake but because it is higher than the Ulm Minster church in Germany and lower than Montjuic, the mountain inside Barcelona.
The tower is expected to be finished in 2026 to commemorate Gaudi Century’s death. But this doesn’t mean that the church will be completed since we still miss the Glory side, the future main entrance of the church.
The symbolism behind the towers
- Four towers at each entrance make 12 towers dedicated to the 12 apostles (remember that we still need one entrance).
- The Jesus Christ Tower will be the tallest one, still being constructed today.
- The four towers surrounding Jesus’s tower are the four evangelists: John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke.
- The Virgin Mary tower is blue and has a star on its top.
Sagrada Familia translated into numbers
- With 4.707.367 visitors in 2023, it is the most visited monument in Spain.
- €126.9 million of revenue in 2023, 52% of the funds went to construction and 26% to Temple management.
- 2026 is thought to be finished with the central tower.
- 172 meters will be the total height once it is finished.
> Discover more stories of Sagrada Familia here.
2. The Cathedral of Barcelona
- Opening hours: 9:30 – 18:30
- Entry Fee: from 14€
- See the service schedules here.
- Get tickets on the official site.
The one actual cathedral in Barcelona is in the Gothic Quarter, near the Barcelona Town Council. This Gothic Temple started construction in the late XIIIth century and finished in the XVth century. Although the façade is much more recent, completed only in the 1900s
Watch out, a neo-gothic façade is fooling you!
Although the temple was originally Gothic, the façade was finished in the 1900s. The reason is that the temple’s exterior was very sober, making it less appealing to visitors than other European churches, such as the Notre Dame de Paris.
That is why, in the late XIXth century, coinciding with the 1888 Universal Exposition, the City Council decided to change its outside look—changing its Catalan Gothic Façade to a more European one, similar to other churches in France.
How many geese are in the Cathedral of Barcelona?
The cloister of the Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic patio located in the heart of Barcelona. It is a place where one can meditate and contemplate the 13 geese, which are in honor of Santa Eulalia’s age when the Romans presumably murdered her in the third century AD.
Saint Eulalia, from martyr to patron Saint
The church is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. She is a girl who is thought to have lived in Barcino (the old name for Barcelona) in the third century AD. It’s believed that Santa Eulalia lost her life at only 13 years old for defending the Christian vows, although this was punished by death in the Roman Empire of Diocletian.
> Learn more about Barcelona Cathedral on this tour.
3. The Cathedral of the Sea in Barcelona
Although it is a Basilica and not a church, the name was popular after the book The Cathedral of the Sea by Idelfonso Falcones. It is a novel narrating the life of a fictional character in Barcelona in the XIVth century—the century when this church was built.
The people’s church
It is known as the church built by the people for the people. The guilds living in the Born neighborhood finance it, and it has a strong relationship with the area’s community.
Especially those who carried the stones from the Quarry in Montjuic, for whom we have a memorial at the church’s main entrance. Try to find the two bronze sculptures at the door.
The FC Barcelona shield on a window
If you look carefully, you can see FC Barcelona’s Shield in one of the windows. This is an homage to the club for helping to restore the church’s windows, which were severely damaged during the Spanish Civil War and the anarchist revolt of 1936.
Built in a record time
It was built in record time, from 1329 to 1383. Making it one of the fastest Gothic churches ever built. Thanks to the efforts of the guilds in the Born neighborhood.
That is the main reason why the whole church respects a unique style, the Catalan Gothic style. It is known for being austere from the outside yet rich and spacious indoors, all thanks to the single nave structure.
4. The church of Santa Maria del Pi
Another beautiful church in the Gothic Quarter is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, or, in English, Saint Mary of the Pine Tree. The name comes from a legend: Two wood choppers from the Middle Ages saw the image of the Virgin Mary in a pine tree.
The highlights are the rose window, one of the biggest in the world, and the central nave, supported only by its buttresses. They are an absolute delight to see and represent the magnificence of Catalan Gothic very well. The inside is surprisingly rich and spacious, contrasting with the outside, which is much more sober and compacted.
The central nave’s lack of pillars makes it perfect for live music shows. We recommend the classical guitar shows in Santa Maria del Pi.
5. The Monastery of Montserrat
The Basilica of Montserrat, nestled amidst the stunning Montserrat mountain range in Catalonia, is a revered pilgrimage site and architectural marvel. Its dramatic location and spiritual significance draw visitors from around the world. It’s one of the few active monasteries in Catalonia, home to around 60 Benedictine monks. Every year, 3 million people visit this monastery to admire its beauty.
You can get there by train, using the FGC/R5 train, starting from Plaça Espanya, or with one of our half-day tours to Montserrat.
The boys’ choir
It is the oldest boys’ choir in Europe. Founded in the 14th century, it has around 50 children between the ages of 10 and 12. Selection is based on skills such as voice, school performance, and social adaptation.
They sing daily from Monday to Friday at 1 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. (tickets required). On Sundays, you can hear them singing during the mass at noon. On Saturdays, they take the day off. Information and tickets are here.
The church of Montserrat
Montserrat Abbey is a beautiful church of neo-barrow style, rebuilt after the Napoleon wars in the XIXth century. It has a lovely sculpture dedicated to Jesus Christ, done by Josep. M. Subirachs is the same artist who decorated the passion side in Sagrada Familia.
The black Madonna
One of the main things to do in Montserrat is worship the black Madonna, which attracts many visitors and pilgrims throughout the year. The varnishes and incense changed the color of the beech wood.
> Visit Montserrat with us on this half-day tour.
6. Girona’s Cathedral
In the heart of Girona’s historic quarter, the Girona Cathedral has an imposing façade that captivates visitors. Its Catalan Gothic style is unique worldwide, with a massive central nave only by its buttresses. Making it the most significant Gothic church without pillars in Europe. This gives a sense of space like no other church in the world. It is a true marvel that you can visit by train or car since Girona is easy to reach from Barcelona.
Immortalized in the Game of Thrones show
In the popular TV series Game of Thrones, the Girona Cathedral was filmed for several key scenes. One of the most memorable scenes involves the cathedral in the sixth season when it serves as the backdrop for the dramatic chase sequence between Arya Stark and the Waif.
During this scene, Arya is seen fleeing through the streets of Braavos with the Waif in pursuit. The chase culminates in Arya ascending the iconic staircase, where she eventually evades her pursuer by jumping off a ledge into the narrow streets below.
The Creation Tapestry
One of the highlights of the Tapestry Museum is the Creation Tapestry, a magnificent textile masterpiece depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis. This intricate work of art is renowned for its vibrant colors and detailed craftsmanship.
7. Tarragona’s Cathedral
Tarragona Cathedral is another interesting site to visit if you visit Barcelona for a week or more. It has a rich history dating back to the Romans and a beautiful church with much to tell. Unlike the other Gothic churches, this is not a Catalan Gothic style and is more similar to other Castilian churches. This is because it has massive pillars and walls that give a sense of monumentality.
The Chapel of the Holy Sacrament
One of the cathedral’s most cherished treasures is the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, home to the revered Holy Christ of Mercy, a venerated relic believed to possess miraculous healing powers. Pilgrims and worshippers flock to the chapel to offer prayers and seek solace in the presence of this sacred icon.
The Cathedral Cloister
The cathedral’s cloisters provide a tranquil sanctuary, offering respite from the bustling city streets. Here, visitors can admire the intricate carvings adorning the columns and contemplate the centuries of history imbued within the cathedral’s walls.
The Cathedral façade
The façade features different figures side by side of the main entrance. These include the 12 apostles and some other biblical characters. On top of the door, there is an image of Saint Paul in the final judgment. You can also see all the Kings and Lords coming out of their graves and an image of Hell.
Above the right door of the Tarragona Cathedral’s façade is a notable relic known as the «Bethesda Sarcophagus.» This ancient marble sarcophagus dates back to around 400 AD and is displayed as a decorative element in the cathedral’s exterior. It is adorned with intricate carvings depicting biblical scenes.
8. The Monastery of Poblet
The Monastery of Poblet is located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Barcelona, in the province of Tarragona. Founded in the 12th century, this majestic monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most significant Cistercian monasteries.
It remains an active monastery where Cistercian monks continue to live, work, and pray according to the traditions established centuries ago. Visitors can explore the monastery’s tranquil gardens, stroll through the cloisters, and witness the monks’ daily routines, gaining insight into the contemplative life embraced by the Cistercian order.
The Monastery church
The impressive church is at the heart of the monastery, where echoes of Gregorian chants still resonate during religious services. The church’s ornate altarpiece and magnificent stained glass windows imbue the sacred space with a sense of divine splendor, inviting worshippers to contemplate the mysteries of faith.
Its historic value
The monastery’s history is intertwined with that of the Catalan kings, who chose Poblet as their final resting place. The Royal Pantheon, located within the monastery grounds, houses the tombs of several monarchs, including King James I of Aragon.
9. The Monastery of Scaladei
This is probably the most unknown church on the list. It was abandoned for two centuries until the Catalan Government started restoring it. Today, it is a quiet place nestled by the majestic Montsant mountains in Tarragona.
Its value lies in its history, as it was the first Charterhouse in Spain. Thanks to its wine production, the monastery was significant for the region. It gave its name to one of Spain’s most famous wine regions: the Priorat region.
The winery near the Monastery
Only 1 km from the Monastery is a significant winery: the Scaladei Winery. It has the same name because it traditionally used to be the Monastery winery. Today, it produces award-winning wines that are exported throughout the world. You can have a wine-tasting tour of the winery here.
