Spain Guide
Madrid
Bernabéu stadium
Opening time: Tour Mon– Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10.30am–6.30pm, closes 5hr before kickoff on match days
Price: €15, under-14s €10
The magnificent Santiago Bernabéu football stadium, home of Real Madrid, is Just north of the business-oriented Azca complex. If you can't get to see a match, you can take the stadium tour, which is very expensive but understandably popular. It starts with a panoramic view of the massive 80,000-capacity stadium and takes in a visit to the dressing rooms and a walk through the tunnel onto the pitch. Also included is the trophy exhibition, complete with endless cabinets of gleaming silverware, with pride of place given to the team's nine European Cups and video footage of their greatest triumphs.
The tour ends with the obligatory visit to the overpriced club shop – where you soon come to realize why Real is the richest football club in the world. The stadium also has a surprisingly affordable café (Realcafé) and a more expensive restaurant (Puerta 57), both open to the public (except during games) and affording views over the pitch.