Real Madrid
Soak up the atmosphere of this great city with its wonderful sights, culture, bars and nightlife followed by a match at the Bernabéu, a must for any football fan. Currently undergoing major renovation at an estimated cost of €500m, the magnificent 'new' Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is due to be completed by December 2023.
Where to Stay
Puerta del Sol is not only considered the centre of Madrid but also the centre of Spain, there's even a plaque in the square marking Kilometre 0 from where the Spanish road network is measured from. This is the beating heart of the city and a great base to discover the best of Madrid.
As Madrid is such a vibrant capital there are other impressive areas to stay such as La Latina, Malasaña or close to Gran Vía or Plaza Mayor, all reasonably central with plenty of bars, restaurants and attractions close by.
Getting tickets
Real Madrid's easy to use website allows you to buy and print tickets from the comfort of your own home. Prices vary widely depending on where you want to sit and who the opposition is, the best atmosphere is created behind the goal in Fondo Norte. Since the stadium has been redeveloped, tickets can be difficult to get hold of so companies such as Viagogo are an option, just be aware of the large markup on the ticket price.
Stadium and museum tours are also available through the following link.
https://www.realmadrid.com/en/tour-bernabeu
How to get to the Bernabéu stadium
The Santiago Bernabéu has its own Metro station on Line 10 which is straight outside the stadium. If you want to find a bar close by you could get off one stop early at Nuevos Ministerios which is a 10 minute walk from the stadium.
From Puerta del Sol, Metro Line 1 runs to Tribunal on Line 10 in 2 stops, from here Santiago Bernabéu is 4 stops away. You could also stay on Line 1 until Alvarado Station which is a 20 minute walk to the stadium.
Where to go before a Real Madrid match
As the the Bernabeu is fairly close to the city centre and with 80,000 fans heading to the match, there are great bars all over the city to enjoy a lively build up. Madrid has one of the highest number of number of bars per capita in the world.
Close to the the stadium there are a number of bars and restaurants off the main street Paseo de la Castellana. The Irish Rover is particularly good and very popular on match days.
Another option is to stay in and around Puerta del Sol. La Fontana de Oro, Taberna Malaspina, Gramabar, Taberna Alhambra and Casa Cabra are all great bars to visit.
Not to miss while you're in Madrid
Plaza Mayor - Wonderful large square full of bars, restaurants and shops.
Gran Vía - Take a stroll down Madrid's most famous street and sample the beautiful architecture and bustling shopping area.
Prado National Museum - One of the worlds best art museums holding works by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, amongst many others.
Retiro Park - Escape the city with a stroll around this beautiful, peaceful park.
Puerta Del Sol and surrounding area - Large, central square with a great atmosphere and shopping all around.
Mercado de San Miguel - Covered market offering an abundance of local food and delicacies with a vibrant atmosphere.