Last Minute Flights

In 2007, according to studies at Harvard University, Real Madrid was the biggest and most popular football club in the world (not to mention one of the richest as well!). With Los Blancos being the most successful club in UEFA club football competitions history with nine European Cups and two UEFA Cups, it’s easy to understand why they have so many followers. Fans from all over the world flock to Madrid apartments for rent near to the stadium to be in the centre of all the action.

Currently leading La Liga with only a handful of matches to go, Real Madrid are on the cusp of another league title that will once again provoke an eruption of celebrations and fiestas all over the city. The month of May will be a fantastic time to stay in accommodation in Madrid and experience the passion the Madrileños show for their beloved Real Madrid.

If, for some unfortunate reason you’re unable to catch a match, the club museum is still well worth a visit, packed full of trophies and rich in history. European Cups, Intercontinental Cups, Spanish League Trophies, Spanish Cups, UEFA Cups and Super Cups, lined up opposite the famous photo wall that displays every player ever to have represented the club. It’s an interesting journey through Madrid’s history as one of the pioneers of the beautiful game. The chairman, after which the stadium is named, Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, was one of the first people to start bringing in world-class players to the club. Since signing the iconic, Alfredo di Stefano, los Merengues have prided themselves on being a multinational side. The famous Galáctico side has attracted world class players in recent years such as Zidane, Ronaldo, Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and David Beckham.

A visit to the city of Madrid is not complete without visiting the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Irrespective of whether you know your Robinho’s from your Ronaldinho’s, the stadium is a highly impressive sight.

The ground boasts an overwhelming capacity of 80,400 and is home to one of the best match day atmospheres in the world. It really is an incredible experience to witness that amount of people chanting ‘¡Hala Madrid!’ in unison, the ground shaking and the cheers echoing around this footballing palace.

The atmosphere is electric during El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a rivalry that dates back more than half a century. The matches between Spain’s two biggest and most successful teams often determine where the league trophy goes at the end of the season so the teams are playing for everything and the tie has produced some incredible encounters down the years.

There is more good news for the city as it has been announced recently that Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium will host the 2010 UEFA Champions League final, holding off competition from the new Wembley. I, for one, will be looking at apartments in Madrid well in advance to make sure I am a part of the celebrations.