If you’re a football fan who is keen to combine your passion for the beautiful game with a holiday away, Spain is one destination well worth visiting. Not only is the country home to some of the world’s best club sides, but its national team has won a host of trophies in recent years, including the 2010 World Cup. For a truly amazing sports-focused break, though, it’s worth heading to Barcelona.
Whether you’re an armchair football fan or enjoy playing the game yourself, you are certain to be thrilled with all the great sport that the city has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to sort a flight to Barcelona and then you can start planning all of your football-related activities.
FC Barcelona
As one of the most successful club sides in world football, FC Barcelona are sure to feature heavily on the agenda of any sport lover visiting the city. Even if you’re a relatively casual football fan, you really should take the opportunity to attend a game at the side’s Camp Nou stadium, if only because it’s the biggest stadium in Europe.
In doing so, you’ll get to see global superstars like Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in action – whether it’s in a La Liga game or in a European/cup competition – and cheer them on alongside more than 95,000 other spectators.
Taking in a game in person is the most obvious way to experience everything that FC Barcelona is about, but it’s also a fantastic idea to go on a stadium tour and check out the club museum. Doing so enables you to see the dozens of trophies that the side has won over the years – including the 2009 Club World Cup and the 2006 Champions League cup – while a giant 35 m screen enables you to watch some of the best goals and moments in the club’s history.
You’ll also get to follow in the footsteps of the home side by taking a walk down the players’ tunnel and you can even have your picture taken in the club’s own chapel, where you’ll find a replica of La Moreneta, the patron saint of Catalonia. Other places you can see include the press zone and the away team’s changing rooms, while walking out to the manager’s dugout is sure to be an experience that you never forget.
Situated across from Camp Nou is the Mini Estadi (which translates as ‘mini stadium’ in English). This is where Barcelona B – FC Barcelona’s reserve team – plays their home games and is where the likes of Messi and Victor Valdes played before making the step up to the main squad, so it’s a great place to see the stars of tomorrow in action.
Espanyol
While FC Barcelona are undoubtedly the biggest football team in the city, they’re by no means the only side here. Fellow La Liga side Espanyol are also based in Barcelona with the Estadi Cornella-El Prat stadium seating more than 40,000 spectators.
Playing their home games just outside the Cornella and El Prat de Llobregat regions of the city, Espanyol are one of the oldest teams in La Liga and have won a number of trophies over the years, with the 2005-06 Copa Del Rey (the Spanish version of the FA Cup) the side’s most recent accolade.
Coming here to watch a game is sure to be an equally enthralling experience as seeing a match at the Nou Camp, though it’s a good idea to stop by the club shop to buy a scarf or replica shirt so that you fit in with the local supporters.
As you can see, there’s plenty for football lovers to see and do in the city, so a holiday here is sure to hit the back of the net!