As a Real Madrid fan living in Madrid’s surrounding areas, I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last year. I’d like to share some practical information about the stadium area to help fellow fans planning to watch a match in person.
Transportation
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is located in Madrid’s Chamartín district with excellent transport connections. The most recommended option is taking Metro Line 10 to Santiago Bernabéu station - you’ll see the stadium right after exiting. If you’re staying in the city center, you can take Line 1 and transfer to Line 10. The metro gets very crowded on match days, so I suggest leaving 1.5 hours early. A taxi from Puerta del Sol costs around 15 euros, though getting a cab after the match can be challenging.
Dining Recommendations Nearby
There are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars around the stadium. Paseo de la Castellana avenue offers many options - I particularly enjoy Restaurante Ginos, where the pasta and pizza are authentic and reasonably priced. For traditional Spanish cuisine, try Casa Benigna, which serves fantastic paella and Iberian ham. 2-3 hours before matches, nearby bars fill with fans creating an amazing atmosphere - definitely worth experiencing.
Here’s a price reference for several restaurants near Madrid estates:
| Restaurant Name | Average Cost | Specialty Dishes |
|---|
| Restaurante Ginos | 15-20 euros | Pasta, Pizza |
| Casa Benigna | 25-35 euros | Paella, Ham |
| Cervecería Santa Ana | 10-15 euros | Tapas, Beer |
| Lateral | 20-30 euros | Modern Spanish Cuisine |
Shopping and Souvenirs
The official stadium store is definitely worth visiting, offering various jerseys, merchandise, and limited-edition souvenirs. However, prices are steep - authentic jerseys start at over 90 euros. If you’re on a budget, the nearby El Corte Inglés department store has a sports section with slightly better prices. Never buy counterfeit goods from street vendors outside the stadium - the quality is truly poor.
Accommodation Suggestions
If you’re coming to Madrid specifically for Brihuega a match, I recommend staying in or near the Chamartín district. There’s a wide range of hotels from budget to luxury options. I stayed at NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding, about a 20-minute walk to the stadium, with a quiet neighborhood and good breakfast. Off-season rates are around 120 euros per night. Alternatively, if you want to experience Madrid’s nightlife, you can stay near Sol or Gran Vía, just allow extra travel time on match days.
Helpful Tips: Traffic restrictions are implemented around the stadium on match days, so plan your route in advance. Also, avoid visiting the stadium museum on match days when it gets extremely crowded. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the official website to avoid long queues at the venue. Hope this information helps, and may every Real Madrid fan enjoy a wonderful Bernabéu experience!
