Friday, July 27, 2007

Nou Camp Tours


One of the most popular thing for tourists is to go on the Nou Camp tour as FC Barcelona are one of the most famous teams in the world. Nou camp tours can be done all year round even when the team aren't playing, so during the summer it is still a star attraction in the city.
The
Nou Camp tour ticket price is €11 per person. This includes a guided tour of the stadium where you see the players dressing rooms, medical area, press area where they have all interviews. It is covered by red tape barrier but many tourists sneak across to grab a quick picture in Frank Rijkaard's famous position. Along the walls there are famous pictures of stars past and present and as you take the stairs up to the pitch, you pass by the famous chapel which Ronaldinho prays in before every game, along with some other players.
As you enter the stadium up to the touchline, you are amazed at the sheer size of this, the biggest stadium in Europe. A great photo opportunity. From there you take the stairs up to the President's box where Laporta sits and then you can take the elevator up to the very top of the stadium to the press box to get a full view over the whole stadium. Also the ticket tour price includes a current exhibiton about the history of world football being h
eld in the stadium's trophy room which is very impressive along with the countless trophies and memorabilia in the room.
From then on you can leave the stadium and head over to the club shop to pick up any FC Barcelona souvenirs you may want.

Opening Hours
The stadium is open Monday to Saturday 10-18.30 except match days and on Sundays and bank holidays from 10-14.00.

Quick Tip

If you are coming to Barcelona from late August on
wards, then the season will have started, so if you try to do the Nou Camp tour in the morning, then there is a good chance you can see the players as they train across the street in the Mini Nou Camp and are often seen wandering about the stadium or arrivng/leaving in their cars.

Accommodation
There are quite a few hotels near the stadium and one of the most popular for tourists and football fans alike is the Bonanova Park Hotel near metro station Maria Cristina along the top end of Avenida Diagonal. It's cheap yet good quality too. A
favourite with many toursists.

Getting There
Getting from your Barcelona accommodation to the Nou Camp is easy.
You can take the metro to Collblanc (blue line) or Maria Cristina (green line) and from there the
stadium is well signposted.

For a more in depth Barcelona guide then look online.