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Bucket list experience:

Aerial view of the empty blue and white Real Madrid stadium.
Last updated: 03 December, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Football is a great Madrileno passion, and football in Madrid means either Atletico Madrid (red) or Real Madrid (blue). For an insight into just what football means to the city, head to Real’s 85,000-seater Bernabéu Stadium. Guided tours allow visitors to walk down the players’ tunnel, sit in the presidential box, and marvel at the silverware accumulated during the club’s illustrious 110-year history.

Even if you don’t like football, this is a fascinating insight into one of Madrid’s greatest sporting and cultural institutions.

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Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The closest metro is Santiago Bernabeu. Official tour tickets are sold online, but also on-site. They start from Torre B (Tower B) on Avenida de Concha Espina. The tour takes about an hour, but you’ll probably spend another hour in the museum and store.

If you want to catch a live match while you’re in town, visit the ticket sales section of the website. Seat prices usually start at £30.

If you happen to be there for the ‘Derby’ – when local teams Atletico and Real play each other, be warned: all hell breaks loose on the streets before, during and after the match.

When to do it

The stadium is open for tours all year round, seven days a week. Tour times vary, so check the website and book your tickets online in advance.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Unico Madrid

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[2.7 miles]

An intimate, expensively furnished townhouse in Madrid’s most upmarket neighbourhood, with boutiques and galleries nearby.

Official star rating:

Totem Madrid

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3 miles]

This sophisticated design hotel with great service and a genteel location in Madrid’s upmarket Salamanca district.

Official star rating:

Vincci the Mint

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3.8 miles]

Colour-drenched boutique hotel, centrally located on Madrid’s main street – just steps away from the buzzing, bar-filled district of Chueca. A great base for a first visit.

Official star rating:

Radisson Blu Madrid Prado

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4 miles]

A comfortable, well-equipped and reasonably stylish boutique hotel – superbly located close to the big art museums and great shopping.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Madrid

Madrid Region, Spain

Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.

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Prado Museum

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4.4 miles]

Madrid’s most renowned museum, home to the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

Best for ages: 18+ | £13

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Best for ages: 10+ | Free

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