Everything you need to plan a football-themed holiday to Barcelona.
Interested in a football trip to Barcelona? Of course you are! FCB are one of the most famous and iconic clubs in the world, and the Camp Nou one of the most famous and biggest sports stadiums in the world.
Whether you want to take in a game or just tour the stadium, this guide will help you plan a memorable sporting holiday.
More than a club
The giants of world football love their slogan mes que un club which in English means ‘more than a club’. And that’s exactly what they are. For FC Barcelona are a symbol of not only a city, but the entire Catalan region.
The red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag (and of the independence movement) are just as common a sight as the famous red and blue stripes among the local fan base.
Camp Nou
One of the world’s most famous football stadiums is also one of the biggest. A capacity crowd at the Camp Nou sees almost 100,000 people creating an atmosphere never to be forgotten.
As well as being the home ground of FCB, the stadium has hosted two UEFA Champions League finals, five FIFA World Cup games including the opening game of the 1982 tournament, and the final of the football tournament at the 1992 Olympic Games.
Opened in September 1957, the stadium does show its age despite renovations in 1995 and 2008. Some of the modern facilities now include mini-pitches for training matches and a chapel for the players. A €600 million project is planned to improve the stadium further and is due for completion by 2021.
Museum & stadium tour
An undoubted highlight for all football fans is the combined stadium tour and entry to the FC Barcelona museum. The self-guided tour begins in the museum, where you will learn all about the club’s history and strong connection to the city and Catalonian identity.
The tour then proceeds through various parts of the stadium including a tremendous view of the pitch. The great thing about the self-guided nature of the experience is that you are free to take your time, and take as many selfies as you desire!
Watching a game
While seeing the stadium, taking the tour and exploring the museum will satisfy most football fans, being present for a game is the icing on the cake. FC Barcelona season ticket holders and members get priority on tickets, but it’s usually possible to get tickets for most games if you book in advance.
Unfortunately due to La Liga TV rules, the exact date and time of fixtures are only confirmed as little as ten days before the scheduled weekend, so bear this in mind if planning a weekend trip.
FC Barcelona shopping guide
The Camp Nou is home to an enormous superstore that stocks everything from replica jerseys to footballs, toys to t-shirts. The stadium tour ends in the superstore, so during the afternoon the queues to pay can be long. If you know you want to buy a shirt, visit the superstore before taking the stadium tour.
There are also a number of much smaller official FCB stores around the city, the best known of which is on Plaça de Catalunya. Some street merchants on La Rambla also sell shirts, but check carefully to verify their authenticity, or be disappointed when you take the shirt out of the wash!
Where to stay
The Les Corts neighbourhood in which the stadium is located is largely residential and there isn’t much to do beyond the obvious. This means staying near the Camp Nou isn’t essential to enjoying a perfect football weekend in the Catalan capital. Numerous metro lines are within easy walking distance of the stadium, so staying in downtown Barcelona is a good choice.
Having said that, some games in La Liga kick off as late as 9pm, so if you are planning to attend an evening match, perhaps you would prefer to be in the vicinity of the stadium? If so, there are a couple of choices within a 10-15 minute walk of the arena. Here’s our take on the cheapest hotels near the Camp Nou.