🖐 La Sagrada Familia is one of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The beautiful cathedral attracts thousands of tourists every year, many of whom wish to capture the view from above using a drone. However, flying a drone in this area requires a permit. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to obtain a permit to fly a drone above La Sagrada Familia. Give a 👍 at the end of this post & feel free to share your experience or any updates you might have in the Spain Drone Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our knowledge & does not replace official sources & your research.
La Sagrada Familia is in Spain which follows the common rules of the State Agency of Air Security (AESA). If you're looking for the unmanned aerial vehicle rules of Spain then click here.
In a nutshell, no matter where in Spain, you should fly:
fly at a maximum altitude of 120 m above the ground, or above the highest obstacle located within 150 m from you & within your sight at all times.
fly away from people or large crowds & respect individuals' privacy.
give priority to all other categories of aircraft.
it is advised to subscribe to an insurance covering all risks.
fly at least 8 km away from airports (any airport, seaplane base or area where aircraft take off and land) or 15 kilometres on approved out of sight flights.
avoid sensitive areas including government or military facilities.
for approved out of sight flights, and if your drone weights less than 2 kg, you will need a detection & evasion system (distance sensors).
Can I fly a drone over La Sagrada Familia?
Before you start the permit application process, it's essential to understand the regulations surrounding drones in Barcelona. In general, drones weighing over 250 grams must be registered with the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA). Drones also cannot fly within a 8-kilometer radius of an airport, and they must stay at least 150 meters away from urban areas and people, which includes La Sagrada Familia area being one of the most visited monuments in the world.
Catching a plane to visit Spain? Be compliant & get your fireproof lipo battery bags
Drone Fly Map for La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
✅ Spain recently launched, ENAIRE which allows you to plan your flight's details and the software will remind you what conditions apply for your specific flight "Genius!" Note, you will need to combine this info with the below flight zone map to make sure you're flying in an authorised flight zone.
🚨 Sadly, drones are not allowed to fly over heritage sites, including La Sagrada Familia, without a permit. There are several reasons for you to need a permit but the main one being the amount of activity happening in this amazinf heritage sight. La Sagrada Familia is indeed one of the busiest places in the world as it welcomes:
20 millions visitors each year, that's 55,000 people everyday !
Is open from 9am to 8pm almost everyday of the year.
Barcelona itself is home to 1.8 million inhabitants.
When combining all these factors, it is easy to understand why La Sagrada Familia is so regulated when it comes to fly over with a drone.
👷♂️ Fun fact, it is also the oldest construction project still in activity. La Sagrada Familia's construction started in 1882 and continues to this day..
How do I apply for a permit to fly near the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
The next step is to identify the appropriate authority to apply for a permit. In this case, the permit must be obtained from the City Council of Barcelona, specifically from the Department of Architecture and Heritage. You can either find them onsite via one of their offices:
you can find their offices locations here
or call 010 from within Spain or +34 900 226 226 from overseas (everyday from 7am to 11pm)
Today, to fly a drone near La Sagrada Familia for:
🚨 Recreational use: its unfortunately not allowed almost everywhere over Barcelona.
✅ Commercial use: it is possible for you to fly there for commercial purposes (movie, aerial photography, etc.) but you must apply for a permit.
To apply for a drone permit, you will need to provide certain documents, including:
Proof of insurance covering damages caused to third parties up to a minimum of €300,000.
A certificate of professional qualification if the drone weighs over 2 kilograms or if the drone is for commercial use.
A detailed plan of the flight path and duration.
⏰ Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can submit the application to the Department of Architecture and Heritage. The application must be submitted at least 15 days before the planned flight date. After submitting the application, you will need to wait for approval. The City Council will review the application and may request additional information or modifications to the flight plan. It's essential to be patient during this process, as the approval may take several days.
In conclusion, obtaining a permit to fly a drone above La Sagrada Familia requires careful planning and adherence to regulations. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your drone flight is legal and safe. Remember to respect the heritage site and the people around you while enjoying the beautiful views that Barcelona has to offer. But once you've got everything in order, you can start flying over La Sagrada Familia and create a video like this one
Where else can I fly my drone in Barcelona?
🚨 Sadly Barcelona is very regulated and you will need to travel a fair distance to fly your drone without any permits required. To find if you can fly somewhere, the best is to check the ENAIRE website, the closest spots to take off are:
Mataro, about 30kms North from La Sagrada Familia
Roda de Bera, about 80kms South from La Sagrada Familia
Travelling to Spain? Need the best travel drone? Click here
✅ Please leave a comment or update Spain Drone Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone over Barcelona! Have fun and safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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