Advice please to see Barcelona soccer team play as part of a holiday

[Deleted User]

I would be very grateful for some advice.

My boyfriend has said he wants to see the current Barcelona football team play as they're (in his opinion) the best team in the world

I would really like to surprise him with a gift of a holiday to include a trip to watch Barcelona play soccer. Does anyone know where I can start? I've done a google search, but I'm confused. I want a holiday, but not sure if a package deal will include additional days that aren't centred around football.

I'm looking at a holiday at some point any time from February 2012 - one week, maybe 10 days. We're flexible. It's a holiday just for the two of us.

Please ask questions, as I don't know what information you might need to help me out

Hope someone can help

daveyjp

Find out when they are playing at home, purchase some tickets from the FC Barcelona website:

http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_11-12/arxiu_partits/llistat_tots_partits/tots_els_partits.html

then book the holiday around this date.

111KAB

Daveyjp is spot on but be aware that Barcelona and surrounds can be cold'ish that time of year so don't bank on a beach holiday. Personally I would just go for 3 - 4 days on a city break, get a cheap budget flight and do a deal on a hotel.

headpin

I'd strongly suggest you buy your tickets now and work your dates and triparound whatever you can get. You need to ensure that you have at least a day either side of the date that you book as sometimes the matches get moved to accommodate TV showing.

Also, most of the seats are already reserved as Barcelona are a supporter owned club and as a consequence a massive amount are reserved as season tickets/member seats (95%+ from memory). So, get in quick and buy when available. Even as far ahead as February there are currently very few tickets available for matches at Camp Nou. And where there are tickets they are often singles and not seats together. Their web site is very good and I suggest you see what you can get.

Also, the members can release their season ticket seats closer to the game and these are sold to the public through the club. However, the chances are you would be lucky to get two seats together even if you are able to access them.

Prices are not that cheap either. They range from around 55 Euros well in to the hundreds. As you would expect the cheaper seats are generall those with what are considered to be the least attractive view of the match, high and behind the goal.

Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Wow, thank you all so much for your advice and support I'm very grateful idea and it's really helped with the thinking of how to proceed.

I'll go for the city break and make it all about the football and all about what the boyfriend wants.

I'm very grateful for the explanation about the tickets being like gold dust! I think the idea of getting to a Real Madrid v. Barcelona match is going to be impossible. I'm ploughing through the games calendar to see which match I should go for. At least I know what sort of tickets I would like if they're available... I've learned more about football stadium today than ever in my life before

I've another question - I haven't a clue about Spanish teams, but as I cannot (or extremely unlikely to) get a Real Madrid v. Barcelona ticket, what is another good team that would be worth watching.. or should I just try and get a ticket to any game as the standard of play will always be good in the league they're in?

ruffwood

Deleted_User wrote: »

I've another question - I haven't a clue about Spanish teams, but as I cannot (or extremely unlikely to) get a Real Madrid v. Barcelona ticket, what is another good team that would be worth watching.. or should I just try and get a ticket to any game as the standard of play will always be good in the league they're in?

If you want to combine football with a city break, do remember that Madrid and Barcelona both have 2nd teams in the city, Athletico Madrid and Espanyol (They moved into a new stadium not so long ago as well)

However other options could include

Seville
2 clubs Sevilla and Real Betis
In the south so likely to be warmer in Feb/Mar but avoid week of their big festival. Lots to see there as well. Think both Easy Jet and ryanAir fly there

Valencia
Valencia themselves virtually in the centre and
Levante...surprise team of season so far
Valencia good climate likely to be better weather than Madrid or Barcelona at the times stated. Great beach as well as good sites

Bilbao
Not so much because of the football although it is an atmospheric place but it is up and coming as a destination ever since the Guggenheim was built and it is also only 1hr by coach from San Sebastian (Donostia) which has a great beach, building and superb pinxtos (tapas)

Any of those places are a good alternative to Madrid or Barcelona and likely to be cheaper. Also safer than Barcelona where Metro and Ramblas lie in wait for the unwary

111KAB

Having been to both Barcelona and Valencia this year IMO Valencia is much the nicer place for a 'city break' - less 'touristy' and more relaxed.

phatbear

if you are intent on going to barcelona you could always go and see Espanyol, who are bareclona's other team tickets are far cheaper and easier to get. On our last but one trip its was barca vs real madrid and it was on my birthday too but the tickets were going for 500euro+ each, so I spent the cash on a new tattoo instead.

Also a good shout for valencia. Valencia itself is lovelly, esp recommend the black sheep bar for an afternoon of sitting in the sun and watching the world pass you by. Just be aware that if you go for the cheap seats at valencia cf, they are at a seriously steep angle

BusPass_2

Last year I thought it would be a good idea when on a break to Costa Del Sol to pop up to Malaga to watch Barcelona visiting.

Oops........ cheapest ticket 120 euros, I watched it on telly instead.

barcelonacat

I find that February is a great time to visit Barcelona - the daytime weather is pleasant and it's not so busy with tourists. Just remember to take a coat for the evening, as it will get quite cold.

A big tip for February - avoid the Mobile World Congress Forum. It happens every year and in 2012 it's Feb 27 - March 1. It gets very busy and accommodation prices are hiked up.

Barcelona have 2 home games in Feb - one against Valencia and one against Real Sociedad. I've been to see Barca a few times and whoever they've been playing it has been a great experience. I love the atmosphere and you get to see some brilliant players.

Getting tickets is really just a case of checking the website - availability can seem to change from day-to-day. One thing to note is that you may have trouble buying through the FC Barca website. The last time I bought tickets (I'm in the UK), which was about 3 months ago, the website wouldn't accept UK cards. However, you can use the Servi Caixa website (it's one of the banks) to book tickets and there is an English version - http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/deportes/barcelona/camp_nou_estadi_f.c.barcelona_fcbx/f.c._barcelona/index.html?loce=en-deportes-left-1-2-CAMPNOUBARCELON

Also bear in mind that if you are seeing a weekend game it could be a Saturday or Sunday night. They don't usually annouce which until about 10 days before, so make sure are staying both nights so that you don't miss out.

You'll have a fantastic time!

whatyadoinsucka

right having been to a few barcelona games in nov06 / dec 08

it was always possible to go to the stadium and buy tickets over the counter at the ticket offices on the day before or same day, (buy online you will pay sky high prices) most matches are on at 8-9pm kick off on a saturday or sunday evening, ensure you book flights friday or sat morning and fly home mon or tuesday

i've been lucky 22 euros for barce vs racing santander, 6 goals, a red card, a fight, and a ronaldhino missed penalty, and then i paid aprox 60 euros 2 years later another good game versus valencia.
make sure you get the tube up early to the ground and have a few beers with the local crowds.

madrid is also good and for more spanish and cheaper than barcelona.
tickets for a bernabau game are upwards 22 euros, we got lucky last in line and queue after us turned away, paid 28

now getting an ac vs inter ticket thats expensive.
the tout drove into our hotel on his moped.. lol