Tour of the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid (Santiago Bernabéu)
Real Madrid's soccer cathedral
Have you ever wanted to be part of something great? Something that connects and unites millions of people from all over the globe? Are you interested in taking part in history?, and visiting a place where history happens every day anew? If so, buckle up and join us on a journey to the heart of the city of Madrid, where Real Madrid's football stadium stands, the magnificent Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Imagine this - you enter a mighty Colosseum, from which you can see a spectacular view of a vast green field and the urban landscape of the city of Madrid, you sit in the stands next to the roars of over 80,000 passionate fans. The Bernabéu football stadium is not just any stadium, but the hall of fame, the holy of holies of the Real Madrid football team, one of the most successful and famous football clubs in the world.
About the stadium:
As soon as you approach the Bernabéu stadium, you will notice that it is not an ordinary stadium. It is actually one of the largest stadiums in the world, with stands that can accommodate over 81,000 enthusiastic fans. Its size is not only physical - the glorious history of the beautiful stadium echoes with every step within the stadium walls.
The stadium was built in 1947 and named after the former president of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu Yeste. From then until today, the spectacular stadium serves as the home of the Real Madrid football team. Santiago Bernabeu played a significant role in the construction of the stadium, and believed that in order to compete with the leading football clubs in Europe and the world, the Real Madrid team needed a respectable and magnificent stadium. Another reason for building the stadium is the growing number of fans of the team in those years, which caused congestion in the team's previous small stadium, which could not accommodate the number of fans who wanted to attend the team's games.
The stadium, which took three years to build, was initially called the Nuevo Estadio Chamartín after Real Madrid's old stadium. In 1955, its name was changed to the Brabanau Stadium.
Over the years, the stadium has undergone numerous changes and expansions to accommodate the growing number of the team's fans. The last renovation was completed in 2022 and now the stadium is considered a state-of-the-art stadium, equipped with a retractable roof, 360 degree video screens and a fascinating interactive museum which we will expand on later.
The Santiago Bernabéu is not only a football stadium, but a beacon symbolizing the history of sports and football in particular. Over the years, the stadium has hosted the biggest players, as well as the biggest matches, including the European Cup and Champions League finals, the FIFA World Cup final and numerous spectacular matches in the Spanish league.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol:
Whether you are Ronaldo fans or Messi fans in general, it is impossible to take away from the Real Madrid football club the respect it deserves.
Real Madrid is one of the most famous and successful football clubs in the world, and even at the time of writing, the club is conquering records and dictating history.
The iconic club was founded in 1902, and from then until today it is a symbol of the excellence and prestige of football. The club's white uniform earned the team the nickname "Los Blancos", the white ones.
The legendary team has a rich history in the Spanish league as well as in the European and world leagues: in Spain's top league, La Liga, the club won a large number of championships and achieved various titles in the Copa del Rey, Spain's leading football cup competition.
On the international stage, Real Madrid is considered nothing less than a masterpiece. The team won several times in the UEFA Champions League, the football tournament of the leading European clubs, victories that made the team one of the most successful clubs in the history of the competition.
During its years of existence, the Real Madrid football team has been home to some of the greatest footballers in the world, among them you can find Zinedine Zidane, Franz Puskas and of course Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid Football Club represents the pinnacle of world football and is a symbol of excellence, talent and passion for the beautiful game of sport.
Real Madrid Museum (Real Madrid Museum):
The Real Madrid Museum is where the past, present and future of the football club come to life in inspiring exhibitions and displays.
The iconic museum is located inside the home of Real Madrid, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and is actually a time capsule, a treasure chest and a factory of dreams that together create a fascinating journey through the world of Real Madrid.
As soon as you enter the museum you will come across the unimaginable collection of trophies won by the Real Madrid team over the years. The glittering showcase includes several titles in the Spanish top league "La Liga", "Copa del Rey" trophies and an impressive array of UEFA Champions League trophies.
Don't linger too long on the impressive display of trophies, because the museum is much more than just a trophy cabinet.
By visiting the museum you will find a huge variety of collectibles related to the legendary club - from historic shirts worn by soccer legends, through signed balls to shoes that scored historic goals. Each item has a fascinating story behind it.
One of the highlights of the visit to the museum is a visit to the 'Best Club in History' room, a room full of interactive displays and innovative multimedia content that will teach you about the glorious history of the club while watching videos of historic goals, sweet victories, interviews with past players and a timeline containing the milestones of the successful club.
Another room that you should not miss is the 'Sensations' room where you can immerse yourself in the emotional world of yourself and the team, with huge screens projecting some of the club's greatest moments of victory, which will make you feel as if you are right now in the stadium alongside tens of thousands of cheering fans.
The museum also includes a space dedicated to the members of the team that won the Ballon d'Or and presents the team's legendary players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
The Real Madrid Museum provides a spectacular experience in the club's rich history and heritage, and offers fans of the team or just those interested in it an intimate journey into the world of the team.
Tours of the Real Madrid football stadium:
Befitting its status and size, there are many ways to visit the Bernabéu Stadium - from independent tours to private guided tours. Here are some of the top options:
Independent tour of the Bernabéu Stadium (Bernabéu Stadium Tour):
An independent tour of the iconic stadium that allows you to explore the world of Real Madrid at your own pace. The tour includes access to the stadium itself and the Real Madrid Museum, where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the pitch, the "Best Club in History" room or the fascinating "Sensations" room in the museum.
On days when there are no games in the stadium, you can also visit the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel and the press rooms in the stadium.
The price of the tour: from 18 euros per adult.
Guided Tour of Bernabéu Stadium:
An hour-long guided tour where you will learn about the team's rich history and get fascinating insights into the success of the iconic club. The tour is considered an in-depth tour, and the tour guides convey the knowledge in a professional and interesting manner. The tour includes access to key areas of the stadium including the field, the dressing rooms, the press room and the trophy room. You will also have the opportunity for an independent tour of the Real Madrid Museum after the tour.
The price of the tour: from 44 euros per adult.
The Madrid Football Lovers Bundle:
An extremely affordable package, a comprehensive experience that offers an immersive journey into the world of football in the city of Madrid, by accessing two of the city's iconic football fortresses: the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid, and the Estadio-Wanda Metropolitano, home of Atlético Madrid.
The package includes an independent tour of both stadiums, allowing you to explore them at your own pace. In each stadium you will get access to key areas, such as the pitch, dressing rooms and press rooms. In addition, this package includes entry to the club's two museums, where you will learn about their history and view an extensive collection of trophies and memorabilia.
This is without a doubt the perfect and affordable package for any soccer fan who wants to explore Madrid's soccer culture in depth.
Ticket price: from 48 euros per adult.
Private Guided Visit to Bernabéu and Real Madrid Museum:
For those looking for an exclusive experience, the private tour is probably just for you. This is a private tour lasting about two hours, accompanied by an attached professional guide in English or Spanish - your choice.
The tour includes walking through the stadium, visiting key areas such as the pitch, the dressing rooms and the press room. On the tour you can also explore the Real Madrid Museum, where you will learn about the club's glorious history and see an impressive collection of trophies and memorabilia.
The price of the tour: from 207 euros for the whole group.
Where is it located and how to get there?
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is located in the Chamartín district, a fashionable district with residential neighborhoods alongside luxury boutique shops and wonderful restaurants.
Stadium address: Av. de Concha Espina, 1, Madrid.
The most convenient and recommended way to get from around Madrid to the stadium is by subway, metro. The metro in Madrid is considered comfortable and developed, and the stadium can be easily reached from all over the city center and suburbs. Take a metro line to the Santiago Bernabéu station which is right on the stadium.
You can also reach the stadium by bus, with many lines that go directly to the stadium or near it, lines number 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 126, 147 and 150.
For those arriving by car, you can find parking around the stadium, but the task becomes very difficult on days when there are games in the stadium, so it is recommended to arrive on days when there is no game in the stadium, or use public transportation.
Questions and answers - Real Madrid football stadium tours:
Each tour is slightly different from the other tours, and allows access to different parts of the stadium, but most tours include access to the field and the stadium stands that offer a spectacular panoramic view, to the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel, the press room and the official club store. Most tours also offer access to the group museum - this must be confirmed when booking the tour.
Yes. For safety reasons, the stadium does not allow the entry of backpacks or bags larger than 25x25x25 cm. You must prepare for this in advance.
Yes. Can be photographed.
It is not recommended to go on a tour of the stadium on game days, because the tour may change and allow limited access to parts of the stadium, and most tours are only available up to 5 hours before the start of the game. You can find information about the tour times on game days when booking the tour.
Yes. Throughout the stadium you will find food stalls alongside restaurants and cafes.
Yes, there is a large official Real Madrid store at the Bernabéu Stadium where you can buy a wide variety of souvenirs such as jerseys, scarves, balls and other accessories of the iconic team.
In conclusion, a visit to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is an immersive experience that will take you on a journey through the world of sports, history and Spanish culture, all in an entertaining and fascinating way. Whether you are die-hard fans of Real Madrid, sports enthusiasts or a family that wants to discover the city of Madrid in a special and fun way, don't miss a visit to the Bernabéu Stadium, the most magnificent cathedral of the world of football in the city of Madrid (and some would say in the entire world).
