As I was able to tell you in my article dedicated to visiting Madrid, the Spanish capital is a magnificent city. When you think of Madrid, some people think of the Royal Palace or the Prado Museum, while others think: Real Madrid. Indeed the city of Madrid is home to one, if not the, best football club in the world. For all football enthusiasts, a visit to Real Madrid's emblematic stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, seems to be a must during a stay in the city.
In this article, I will tell you everything about my visit to the mythical Madrid stadium: access, reservation, skip-the-line ticket, prices, timetables, museum visit, etc.
Visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium:
- Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium of a legendary club
- Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
- What to see during the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid?
- Practical information: Times and prices for a visit to the Madrid stadium
- Attend a Real Madrid game at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
- Football fan? Visit the Wanda Metropolitano, home of Atletico de Madrid
- My opinion on the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
This link allows you to directly book a visit to the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Book your visit
Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium of a legendary club
For those who are not familiar with Real Madrid or for those who would like to know more, here is a small presentation of the club, an extract of what you can learn by visiting the museum of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Indeed, very quickly during the visit, we learn that Real Madrid is none other than the “best football club of the century”. It is indeed a reward and a trophy that the club received in 2000 awarded by FIFA. It is, at present, the only club to have received this trophy (which is quite logically explained since FIFA was born in 1904, only one team was able to receive this title).
The history of Real Madrid begins in 1902. While the players were not yet professional at that time, the club won its first trophy in 1905, the Spanish Cup (current King's Cup). The club will win 4 between 1905 and 1908.
The professionalization of football did not arrive until 1920 in Spain, with only 10 clubs (20 today).
During the visit, you will review the various titles and records of Real Madrid, such as the astonishing record of 1932 when Real Madrid won the title of champion of Spain without losing a single match.
The museum also highlights the incredible series of 5 consecutive Champions Leagues won between 1956 and 1960.
A series that earned them a cup. Indeed, the cuts are similar each year. After their 5 titles, the cup was replaced to be given to Real Madrid.
The club now has 13 Champions Leagues, more than any other football club. Real Madrid has also won, since its creation, 19 Spanish Cups, 33 Spanish Championship titles and 7 Club World Cups.
A quick word on Santiago Bernabeu, someone who marked the history of Real Madrid. Bernabeu is a former Real Madrid player, from 1910 to 1927, then manager, assistant manager, coach and finally president of the club from 1943 until his death in 1978.
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Several solutions are possible to visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
A skip-the-line ticket
First of all, it is possible to buy your skip-the-line tickets online. You will find them on the GetYourGuide site for example (at the same price as at the counter).
The advantage is that you won't have to queue at the shopping counter.
Two skip-the-line ticket options are available:
- single starters at €25,
- and tickets with an audio guide (in French) at €31.
Both will allow you to access all the parts of the stadium that can be visited: museum, changing rooms, panoramic view, etc.
The visit will therefore be on your own with or without the audio-guide to guide you and give you explanations about the history of the club.
Visits are possible all day at the desired time. No need to book a particular time slot. For opening times and days, go a little further down in the “Practical information: Times and prices for a visit to the Madrid stadium” section.
Skip-the-line ticket for the Real Madrid stadium:Skip-the-line ticket for a self-guided Santiago Bernabeu stadium tour with optional audio guide. Buy his ticket
A guided visit
There are also guided tours of the stadium. These do not take place every day, nor all year round. You will need to check the days and times of visits beforehand.
These are only in Spanish and English and cost 44€.
You can check the timetables and book by clicking on the link below:
Guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium:Opt for a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the mythical Real Madrid stadium. Book a visit
What to see during the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid?
The visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium is divided into several stages, the first is the stadium and club museum.
The museum aims to trace the history of Real Madrid. We therefore discover the outfits and shoes of the first Real Madrid players, more than a century ago.
As you move forward in the museum, you naturally find yourself very quickly in front of a cup. All the cuts are on display, from the oldest to the most recent, including the most prestigious or the heaviest, the largest, etc.
It is a multitude of trophies and awards of all kinds that you can admire in this museum.
The museum also highlights some of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, one of the club's greatest strikers in the 50s and 60s.
You will also have the opportunity to contemplate personal trophies of players who have passed through the club. There are countless golden balls, golden shoes and other trophies awarded to the most illustrious players on the planet: Zidane, Van Nistelrooy, Raul, Kaka, Ronaldo or Modric, one of the last winners of the Ballon Gold awarded each year by FIFA to the best player of the year.
A small room is also dedicated to the impressive and numerous trophies of Real Madrid in Basketball.
For those who don't know, Real Madrid have one of the best basketball teams in Europe.
After this first part of the museum, you will be able to cross different corridors of the stadium, boxes to arrive in a surprising room, the room of the "Champions Leagues".
Indeed these famous cups are placed in a different room.
13 Champions Leagues lined up, the old version, withdrawn since Real Madrid's 5 consecutive victories in this event, then the "new" versions.
The visit to the museum ends there, but before leaving the stadium, head for the stands to contemplate the lawn and its huge bleachers surrounding it.
During our visit we were lucky to fall on the same day as the presentation of a new club player to the supporters.
We were therefore treated to the famous juggling session of the young 18-year-old rookie from Brazil: Jesus Reinier.
Usually, outside of "events" such as the presentation of a new player or on match days, it is possible to visit the players' locker rooms, the room reserved for the press or the pre-match corridor.
Practical information: Times, prices for a visit to the Madrid stadium and access
The visit to the stadium is possible every day except December 25 and January 1.
It is possible to visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium from Monday to Saturday from 09 a.m. to 30 p.m. as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 19 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On match days, visits are possible up to 3 hours before the start of a match. However, only the rooms of the museum as well as the panoramic visit of the stadium will be possible (and not the visit of the locker rooms, room reserved for the press, etc.).
Entry to the stadium will cost you €25 for an adult and €18 for a child.
If you wish, add the price of the audio guide to this: €6 per person.
The audio guide is essential for me in this type of museum. You will have access to a lot of information, in French and so will be able to learn more about the history of Real Madrid.
The stadium is located about 5km north of Plaza de Mayor. It is possible to go there on foot but many bus lines and a metro line serve the surroundings of the stadium.
It is faster to opt for the metro with line 10, which will drop you off at the foot of the stadium.
Attend a Real Madrid game at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
Another way to visit the mythical Madrid stadium: attend a football match.
A word of advice, watch the matches scheduled in Madrid well in advance. These fill up very quickly.
Several possibilities, Spanish championship matches (Liga), cup matches: the King's Cup or Champions League matches.
No matter the match, you will find all the matches and can buy the tickets on the official Real Madrid website.
Football fan? Visit the Wanda Metropolitano, home of Atletico de Madrid
Are you a football fan and want to visit the stadium of the other emblematic Madrid club: Atletico Madrid? It is also possible.
The Atletico stadium, whose renovation was completed in 2017, is one of the most beautiful stadiums in Spain.
The Wanda Metropolitano has a capacity of 68 seats.
Even if the history of Atletico is not as prestigious as that of Real Madrid, the club is still one of the best clubs in Europe with 10 Spanish championships, 10 Spanish cups, 3 Europa Leagues and a recent Champions League final, in 2016 against arch-rivals Real Madrid.
There too, two possibilities to visit the Wanda Metropolitano: a guided tour or a self-guided tour, both at the price of 20€.
Visits du Wanda Metropolitano:Take a tour of the Wanda Metropolitano, the home stadium of Atletico de Madrid.
Choose a self-guided tour or a guided tour of Antoine Griezmann's former club stadium. Buy a ticket
My opinion on the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
A visit to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid will attract both Real Madrid fans and people with a footballing mind in general.
I love football but am not a fan of Real Madrid, nevertheless this visit teaches you more about the history of one of the biggest clubs in the world which has marked its history.
In addition, the visit to the stadium is truly stunning. One of the largest stadiums in Europe with 81 seats.
An interesting visit that I therefore recommend to all people who love Real Madrid and football in general.
