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After having a great experience in touring Santiago Bernabeu, it would be a disservice if I didn’t tour Camp Nou, if just for a comparison and to say which tour and stadium is better. Initially after reading some bad reviews on the experience, I was quite hesitant to make the trip to the stadium since it is a trek away and a good 15 minute walk from the Collblanc metro, but I’d rather make my own choices than listening to others.
As for specifics:
- What: Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium is the world’s second largest football ground (97,000).
- Where : Aristides Maillol, entrance no 7 Barcelona, 08028.
- It lies about 3km north west of Las Ramblas. Getting there by metro is the best and most viable option. Metro: Line 3 (leave at Maria Cristina or Les Corts) & line 5 (leave at Collblanc or Badal).
- When : It is not possible to combine a tour on game day, since the stadium is closed 6 hours before. Additionally, the museum is closed during game times – which is the highlight of the tour. Get there early on a weekday to have the place to yourself. I got there at the opening at 10am and there were no people there. I left 2hrs later and there were lines at the gates.
- Monday – Saturday, (from 6th April to 4th October): 10:00 – 20:00 (from 5th October to 5th April): 10:00 – 18:30 Sundays and public holidays, from: 10:00 – 14:30
- Cost : €17 … seriously! And I thought it was a colossal rip-off until the museum. It is possible to get a museum tour for €8.50, but if one comes that far the first time, then the full experience is mandatory.
- Format : Completely self guided. You can buy an audioguide, but I asked three people there about it, and they said that it was waste of money.
The stadium itself was in good condition, a bit rundown in some places but once you’re there at pitch level, you forget everything else, if just for a second.
The self directed path leads you though through the media area, press box, Presidential lounge. All very run of the mill and not really different from any other huge European stadium.
Touring the stadium through a preguided path with no one around you, isn’t really that fun. The Museum rectifies the completely underwhelming experience to that point. There is the combination of historical football artifacts in the museum, then a 3D video experience of Barcelona’s cup run of 2008-2009, which was spectacular.
A video wall of Barcelona supporters singing the song was also quite nice. However spending time playing with the video table and video wall was enough to make me one of these things. I have no clue how much it would cost, but I want one of these light interface computers.
The tour ends as basically as it started, guiding you through the Trophy room, banners etc straight into the store. One has to love the tie-ins.
Conclusion : Worth the money, only because of the high tech museum experience. If you don’t like gadgets, save the money towards a game ticket, since you’ll need all the money you have, to see a game.
