“Alé alé, alé alé, Força Barcelona alé” - this is the raucous chant that reverberates through the Camp Nou on match days. Ah the Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona and might I even add, the home of football, is one of the most historic and renowned football stadiums in the world. This magnificent structure is a landmark in football history and why not? After all, it is the home of one of the most decorated and successful clubs in the world! FC Barcelona is one of the best teams in Europe, if not the world, and have been so for the past few decades.
The Camp Nou is the largest football stadium in Europe and second largest in the world, in terms of capacity. This colossal arena can accommodate 99,354 people at a time! Over the next couple of years, the club plans to restructure the stadium and increase its capacity to hold 100,000 people along with adding some new state-of-the-art features, which would only add to the allure of the stadium.
With players like Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Maradona, Eto’o and countless other legends having graced its pitch, the Nou Camp is the ‘dream home’ for aspiring football stars.
Camp Nou Tours
Club: Futbol Club Barcelona
Honours
La Liga : 24 times
Copa Del Ray : 29 times
UEFA Champions League : 5 times
UEFA Super Cu : 5 times
Stadium: Camp Nou
Built: 1954–1957
Field size: 105 m × 68 m (115 yd × 74 yd)
Capacity: 99,354
Record attendance: 120,000 (FC Barcelona vs Juventus, first leg of the 1985–86 European Cup quarter–finals)
Hours
- February - March 25th:
10 AM - 6:30 PM (On Sundays: 10 AM - 2:30 PM) - March 26th - October 14th:
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM - October 15th - December 15th:
10 AM - 6:30 PM (On Sundays: 10 AM - 2:30 PM) - December 17th - December 31st:
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Address
C. d'Aristides Maillol, 12
08028 Barcelona
Get Directions
Camp Nou Tour Tickets
Quick Jumplinks to Navigate the Guide
Why go for a Camp Nou Stadium Tour
You must be wondering “Why visit a football stadium?” To answer this question, you must understand that football and FC Barcelona especially, are ingrained in the culture of Catalonia.
Barcelona is located in Catalonia, the northeastern part of Spain. This area, in yesteryears, used to be an independent region, with its own laws, customs and even language. However, through wars, conquests and unification, this region came to be under Spanish Governance. Under General Franco’s rule, the Catalans had greatly suffered. Their customs, traditions, festivals, history, language and culture had been suppressed and quashed by the Government. In essence, their identity was subdued. It was during these times that the people embraced FC Barcelona and considered this club as the sole carrier of their Catalan identity. Since then, FC Barcelona has been an integral part of Catalan life and will continue to be so for centuries to come.
By visiting the Nou Camp, you are not just walking into a mere football stadium, you are stepping into and experiencing history.
Leaving history aside, another reason to visit this stadium is the fact that it is the home ground of one of the most established clubs in world football. FC Barcelona has a rich history, having been at the summit of European football for years. Even today, they are one of the best clubs in the world in terms of the number of trophies they win and the players they attract. Just to give you an idea of what their trophy cabinet looks like - They have won 5 Champions Leagues, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 24 La Liga titles and 29 Spanish Cups. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to look at all their laurels and feel what it is like to be a Barcelona player.
What to expect on the Camp Nou Tour
Camp Nou Stadium Tour
In the stadium tour, you will go behind the scenes at FC Barcelona and get a chance to look at and be in places that are otherwise only permitted to the players and staff! Get exclusive access to the press box and enjoy a panoramic view of the stadium, the dressing room where the players get into their kits right before a game, and the pressroom, where players and managers give their thoughts after a game. You will also be lead to the Camp Nou pitch via the players’ tunnel! Experience what it is like to walk onto the turf of one of the most enchanting stadiums in the world. You will also get the chance to sit in the players dugout and feel how it is to be on the sidelines.
Camp Nou Museum
Once you are done with the Camp Nou, head into the FC Barcelona Museum where you can learn more about the roots of the club and have a look at some memorabilia that have enthused fans all over the globe. You will get a chance to look at all the trophies FC Barcelona have won, including the coveted Champions League crowns. In the interactive audiovisual area of the museum, you can enjoy a ton of videos and photos of Barcelona’s glorious 120 year old history. Lastly, you will get access to the ‘Messi Space’, a small area in the museum dedicated to the greatest player of our time (Ronaldo fans, it’s time you face the truth). Here you can peer at this little genius’ collection of trophies, including the 5 Ballon d’Ors. Also present here are 2 interactive tables displaying all of Messi’s goals for Barcelona, and you even have the chance to vote for your favourite one!
Camp Nou Tour Tickets
Camp Nou - All you need to know
Camp Nou Tour Timings
February - March 25th: 10 AM - 6:30 PM (On Sundays: 10 AM - 2:30 PM)
March 26th - October 14th: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
October 15th - December 15th: 10 AM - 6:30 PM (On Sundays: 10 AM - 2:30 PM)
December 17th - December 31st: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Getting to Camp Nou
Metro: If you are coming via the metro, you can stop at Collblanc or Badal station and make the short 5 minute walk to the stadium. According to locals, this is the best mode of transportation to reach the stadium.
Bus: If you are coming via the public bus, you can take line 59 or 54.
Car: The closest car park to the stadium is 300 meters away and is called 'BSM Tanatori Les Corts' (you can find the Google Maps link here). Another car park called ‘Ronda Park’ is situated 400 meters from the stadium (map link here).
Rules and Regulations
- On La Liga and Copa del Rey match days, the stadium tour will be closed the full day, with access only to the museum and a panoramic view of the stadium until 3 PM.
- On Champions League match days, the stadium tour will not operate one day before and on the match day. You will only get access to the museum and a panoramic view of the stadium until 3 PM.
- You may spend as much time as you like in the stadium and museum, however the average duration of this tour is 90 minutes.
- You can enter anytime within the operating hours on any given day. This is a self-guided tour, however you can purchase an audio guide at the ticketing counter for an additional fee. The audio guides are available in multiple languages including English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Japanese etc.
Reviews
My family and I were in Barcelona during the 1st week of January and did Camp Nou experience. Honestly, I wanted to attend a match but there were no matches until after my trip. Also, I felt $25 for a stadium tour was expensive, however, it really exceeded my expectations, because you get exclusive access to areas you wouldn't be able to get into during games, such as the trophy rooms, the actual field, the actual benches where the players sit, the visiting team dressing rooms, the press room, the tunnel that takes you to the field, etc... so, it was definitely worth what I paid. My family and I really liked it.
Whilst I don’t watch football I can only say that after a visit here I would now. It was an amazing experience and the whole tour is an absolute must if you visit Barcelona. Fantastic.
Read what others have to say about Camp Nou on TripAdvisor.
Insider Tips
- Purchase your tickets online. This not only saves you the hassle of waiting in line at the ticket counter (during the high season, the line can get very very long), but you also get the chance to score some great discounts!
- Make sure you have a look at the FC Barcelona calendar before you plan your visit. The tours’ operating hours and timings may change depending on the schedule of matches, so make sure you check at least 24-48 hours before your intended date of visit.
- Give yourself enough time to thoroughly enjoy the tour. Most people generally spend about 1.5 - 2 hours on this tour. However if you are a football fan, you may want to explore a little bit more and spend some more time at the stadium and museum, so give yourself at least 2.5 hours to take it all in. And if you opt for the audio guide, give yourself another half an hour.
- Eat something beforehand. Although there is a Tapas cafe and a Beer hall in the stadium, it is rather expensive. So save money and get some food before partaking in this tour.
- Try visiting the stadium on a matchday. Although you will not get a full-fledged tour of the stadium, you can take in the electric atmosphere and feel the buzz throughout the city as the Blaugranas take centre stage.
- Also keep in mind that this tour is not only meant for football fans! Sure, it helps if you are one, but if you are just interested in learning about the Catalan culture and seeing something new, you will surely enjoy this tour.
- Oh and before I forget, for all you curious cats out there, ‘Camp Nou’ translates to ‘New Field’ in English. Yes, you’re welcome.
The post Discover The Home Of FC Barcelona With A Camp Nou Tour appeared first on Headout Blog.
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