Sagrada Familia Official App
End-to-end design and development of the official app for one of the world's most visited monuments.
Una nueva forma de visitar la Sagrada Familia
The official app for one of the world's most visited monuments
When the COVID pandemic forced the Sagrada Familia to close its doors, Inqbarna was brought in to build something that had never existed before: a single official app for one of the world’s most visited monuments. Before the pandemic, there was no official app — tickets were printed, audioguides were physical devices handed out at the entrance, and a third-party app handled digital audio separately. With reopening approaching, the Basílica needed to digitalize the entire visitor journey, fast.
In spring 2021, a team of 5 built everything from scratch: product specification, UX/UI design, native iOS and Android apps, and a custom security middleware. The app launched on July 6, 2021 — just weeks after the phased reopening began on May 29th. It now serves 100.000 monthly visitors and offers audioguides in 19 languages plus sign language, an augmented reality experience, tower visit enhancements, Traceback magic link ticketing, and full WCAG 2.2 accessibility compliance.
THE CHALLENGE
Digitalize the complete visit experience with no official app, and no time
Before the pandemic, the Sagrada Familia had no official app. Tickets were sold at the entrance and online — most visitors still printed them. A third-party provider handled audioguides via a separate app, and physical audio devices were handed out at the entrance. When COVID hit, minimizing physical contact became essential. The Basílica needed to digitalize the complete visit experience — ticketing, audioguide, and visitor information — in a single official product, before it could safely reopen.
- No existing app or digital infrastructure — the full product had to be built from scratch including product specification, UX/UI design, and native development, in a matter of months.
- Multiple existing third-party providers (ticketing system, audioguide platform, AI chatbot) needed to be integrated into one seamless experience without disrupting already-working solutions.
- Ticket security: validation needed to be robust against fraud, requiring a custom middleware and deep link solution to deliver a smooth purchase-to-app experience.
OUR SOLUTION
A team of 5 who took full ownership of the product
The client came with requirements; we handled everything else. A team of 5 took full product ownership — from initial specification and UX/UI design to native development and backend architecture — and delivered a production-ready app in one of the tightest timelines in our history.
- Full product specification and UX/UI design from scratch across iOS and Android
- Native iOS app (Swift, SwiftUI) and Android app (Kotlin, Compose)
- Custom security middleware: apps connect through our backend rather than directly to the ticket provider, enforcing integrity via Apple DeviceCheck and Google Play Integrity
- Traceback magic links: Inqbarna's proprietary deep link solution — users click the ticket link in their purchase email, get redirected to the App Store if needed, and when they open the app the ticket is already loaded and ready to use, based on Universal Links (iOS) and Android App Links
- Audioguide in 19 languages + sign language (LSE, LSC, SSI) + descriptive audio, replacing all physical audio devices
- Augmented reality experience: point the camera at parts of the Basilica to unlock videos and 360-degree experiences of hidden areas
- Tower visit enhancements: dedicated audioguide for the towers and the ability to purchase tower tickets during the main visit, fully integrated into the app experience
- AI-powered visitor assistant: integration of the Basílica's existing web chatbot into the app, replacing the FAQs section
- Full WCAG 2.2 accessibility compliance (released 2025), on top of multilingual support and sign language audioguides
THE PROCESS
From product definition to launch in record time
The project advanced from the initial product definition to the public launch, combining design, native development, technical integration and continuous evolution.
UX/UI Design
Spring 2021
Requirements definition, product spec, UX/UI design
Development
Spring – Summer 2021
Native iOS and Android apps, custom security middleware
Launch
July 6, 2021
App Store + Google Play release, phased reopening support
Ongoing
2021 – Present
Tower enhancements, Traceback integration, WCAG 2.2 accessibility (2025)
UX/UI Design
Spring 2021
Requirements definition, product spec, UX/UI design
Development
Spring – Summer 2021
Native iOS and Android apps, custom security middleware
Launch
July 6, 2021
App Store + Google Play release, phased reopening support
Ongoing
2021 – Present
Tower enhancements, Traceback integration, WCAG 2.2 accessibility (2025)
IMPACT & RESULTS
A unified experience, adopted at scale
The official Sagrada Familia app replaced fragmented processes and physical solutions with a single integrated digital experience. Since launch, the product has continuously evolved to serve thousands of visitors every month, expanding features, languages and accessibility capabilities.
100.000
monthly active visitors
180.000
monthly downloads
19
languages + sign language
WCAG 2.2
full accessibility
TECHNOLOGIES USED
A technical foundation built for performance, security, and scalability
The official Sagrada Familia app was built with native technologies for iOS and Android, alongside a custom security architecture and purpose-built solutions for deep linking, augmented reality, and accessibility.
iOS
Android
Security
Deep Linking
Augmented Reality
Accessibility
THE FINAL PRODUCT
An app designed to accompany the visitor before, during and after the visit
From ticket purchase and management to the audioguide, augmented reality, tower visit, and accessibility features, the app brings together in a single digital experience all the key touchpoints of the visitor journey.
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