For football fans, there’s no experience quite like planning a trip to Camp Nou. The storied home of FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most successful, famed football clubs, has a game-day atmosphere like no other – it really has to be experienced to be believed.
Not only does Barça have a stacked trophy cabinet and some of the world’s best players, but their stadium is a sight to behold. Seeing Barça play at Camp Nou draws football lovers from all over the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Camp Nou to see FC Barcelona, make sure you save some time to explore some of the other sights and attractions around Camp Nou – there’s plenty of action in the area! Here are the 10 best things to do around Camp Nou before or after a Barça match.
The 10 Best Sights and Things To Do Near Camp Nou
There are plenty of attractions around Camp Nou, some within walking distance and some further afield. Whether you’re looking for a museum to spend a few hours before kickoff, somewhere to hang out after the game, or other sights to see during your stay in Barcelona, this is the list that you can use as travel tips to watch FC Barcelona live at Camp Nou stadium.
- FC Barcelona Museum
Can’t get enough of Barça? That’s understandable. If going to a game at Camp Nou isn’t enough to satisfy your football appetite, you should definitely pay a visit to the FC Barcelona Museum, or the Museu del Futbol Club Barcelona. The museum is open daily, including on match days (but stadium tours are unavailable if there’s a Barça game at Camp Nou.
For convenience, the museum is located right outside Camp Nou, making it even easier to get to. If you have some time to kill on game day, it’s a great place to learn more about the history of this amazing club, explore the trophies and other memorabilia, and fall even further in love with Barça. Tickets include an audio guide which gives you great context as you explore the exhibitions.
- La Masia
Another thing you can do near Camp Nou (it’s right outside the stadium) is pay a visit to La Masia, the club’s old (and very famous) training facility. Although it’s since been moved, the original La Masia is pretty much the most famous football school in the world, with incredible players like Xavi, Guardiola, Iniesta, and countless others having spent time here.
There are no tours of the training ground, but it’s free to enter and explore. There’s not a lot to see anymore, given that the training facilities have been moved, but the original building itself is pretty spectacular, having been built in 1702 as a country residence. La Masia is located just outside Camp Nou, on the northern side. If you have some time to kill before the game, I’d recommend walking up there and checking out this incredible patch of sacred football ground.
- Fundació Suñol
Barcelona has many famous art galleries and museums, and although the Fundació Suñol isn’t necessarily one of them, it is a great art museum that’s very close to Camp Nou. The museum features pieces by Dalí, Gaudí, Miró, Picasso & Warhol – it has an emphasis on modern art and rotating exhibitions that change every few months.
Something else that’s great about the Fundació Suñol is that entry is free – perfect if you’re traveling for sports on a budget! It’s open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays – confirm the hours online before your visit. The museum is just a 5-minute walk from Camp Nou, back east toward the city. It’s a great spot to spend a couple of hours before kick-off and get your art fix.
- Parc de Pedralbes
The Parc de Pedralbes is a huge city park, with a historic palace, beautifully manicured gardens, and stunning water fountains. It’s picturesque, relaxing, and a great place to take a breath after the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside the park, you’ll find plenty of walking trails, the Pedralbes Royal Palace, now a museum with a Gaudi-designed fountain, and a photo-worthy pergola in the middle of the park.
The Royal Palace isn’t open to the public, but you can admire it from the outside. The Parc de Pedralbes is free, open daily, and just a 10-minute walk from Camp Nou. In summer, there are lots of events held in the park, including music concerts. While there are other, more famous parks in Barcelona, this is the closest one to Camp Nou, and a great choice for anyone planning a trip to Camp Nou to see Barça play.
- Tapas
Barcelona is famous for its tapas – delicious little plates of food that can be shared, or not. Tapas are great because they suit all budgets – cheaper small plates like olives and bread are a great snack, or you can go all out for larger, more elaborate seafood and meat-based dishes. It’s such a staple of Spanish cuisine, and a great way to try an entire menu with just a few bites!
There are plenty of tapas bars and restaurants near Camp Nou, and in Barcelona in general. Whether you’re by yourself or with a group of travel buddies, make sure you try traditional Spanish tapas at least once while you’re in Barcelona!
- Ride the Port Cable Car
If you’re traveling to Barcelona to see Barça play at Camp Nou, why not take things a level higher with the Port Cable Car? As long as you’re ok with heights, this is the best way to see stunning views out over the city. First, you’ll climb the Tower of Sant Sebastià, then step into the cabin to cross the city. Be warned – this is a pretty popular activity and can get quite crowded. The cable car is small and only holds around 20 people, so you may find yourself waiting for an hour or more.
The ride itself is pretty short – around 10 minutes one-way. You can exit the cable car at Miramar, or you can return to the original starting point at Barceloneta. The cable car is free for children (great news if you’re traveling for sports with kids!) but costs 20 Euros for adults. It’s fairly expensive for what you get, but the views are worth it.
- Marvel at the Gothic Quarter
If you’re planning a trip to see Barcelona play at Camp Nou, you should also explore the best of Barcelona’s city center, starting with the Gothic Quarter. The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the historic center of Barcelona, and has a charming atmosphere, narrow streets, and medieval architecture.
The Gothic Quarter is located in the Ciutat Vella district, stretching from La Rambla to Via Laietana and from the Mediterranean seafront to the Ronda de Sant Pere. The quarter is free to explore at any time of day or night. It’s home to several famous attractions, including remnants of the ancient Roman walls that once surrounded the city of Barcino and impressive Gothic churches like Santa Maria del Pi and Sant Just i Pastor.
- Step Inside the Sagrada Familia
Speaking of churches, don’t miss the Sagrada Familia, the world-famous unfinished Gaudi masterpiece. Millions of tourists flock to this incredible architectural icon every year, with its ornate facade and iconic spires. There’s also a really interesting subterranean museum where you can learn all about the history of the area.
The Sagrada Familia has stunning stained glass windows, and a tower you can climb to get to the top and enjoy stunning views out over the city. If you’re planning a football trip to Barcelona, this is one of the best things to do around Camp Nou. The Sagrada Familia is a 25-minute metro ride from Camp Nou.
- Stroll Down La Rambla
Another of the best things to do around Camp Nou is to visit Barcelona’s most famous street – La Rambla. This is one of the busiest areas in Barcelona, and quite touristy, but it also gives you a great idea of what the city’s all about. It’s lined on both sides by historic buildings, boutiques, attractions, artworks, and more.
Along La Rambla, you can find the famous Canaletes fountain – known by football fans as the historic place where Barça celebrate their victories, and where the scores used to be announced (back before we had phones) whenever there was a game happening at Camp Nou. La Rambla is a 25-minute metro ride from Camp Nou.
- Soak Up the Sun at Barceloneta Beach
Even if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona to go to Camp Nou, you can’t leave the city without visiting at least one of the amazing beaches! There are plenty to choose from, but Barceloneta is the city’s most famous. There are so many people here when the weather’s nice (basically all summer) – the people-watching is next-level.
Barceloneta Beach has lifeguards, chair rentals, restaurants, Wi-Fi, and long stretches of sand where you can stretch out and read a book. The water is warm enough to swim in, and the vibes can’t be beaten. Barceloneta Beach is on completely the other side of the city from Camp Nou, but it will still only take you around 45 minutes on the metro.
Explore the Best Attractions Around Camp Nou Before the Game!
As you can see, there’s so much to do around Camp Nou! If you’re traveling to Barcelona to catch a Barça match at Camp Nou, make sure you set aside some time to check out the other attractions near the stadium! From the Barça Museum to the iconic Sagrada Familia, there’s something for everyone in this stunning city.
