- Walk to Sol station (4 minutes)
- Board the Metro Linea 1 toward Pinar de Chamartin
- Ride 2 stops, exit at Tribunal
- Board the Metro Linea 10 toward Hospital Infanta Sofia
- Ride 4 stops, exit at Santiago Bernabeu
If the Hotel Regina was our home during this unforgettable week, then the Santiago Bernabeu was my home away from home (away from home).
When I signed up for this transformative experience, I had no idea what to expect. My plan was to have no plan… go with the flow and see what the city brings. That is, except on Wednesday March 11, 2026. That was the day of the Champions League elimination game between Real Madrid and Manchester City As the first day with the morning off, I had finally slept enough to beat my jetlag. When my alarm rang that day, I jumped out of bed, brushed my teeth, enjoyed some jamon croquetas and Spanish tortilla from the hotel breakfast, then set out for what would be the most fun (and my most expensive) day in Madrid.
Touring the Santiago Bernebeau
I set out to Sol station, stopping, as I did every day, to listen to the symphony street performers. I waited for Aleks, a friend I made on the trip, and tried to ask for some directions in my broken Spanish (which adds to the adventure!). 30 minutes later, the distinctive metro announcement rang out: “Proxima Estacion, Santiago Bernabeu.” When I walked out, I was immediately star struck. Madrid is a city of history and beauty – the Bernabeu stood as a monument to both. We walked through the stadium, seeing the 15 (!!) UCL trophies, numerous individual player trophies, and exhibits to the history of the club. We concluded with a panoramic view of the stadium and pitch.
The Reina Sofia Museum
Wanting to enjoy every moment, Aleks and I were the last of our tour to leave the stadium. Our delay was of course helped by the fact I bought 10 commemorative coins from the single-dispense machine and got involved in some friendly banter with some Manchester City fans at the stadium. We found ourselves rushing to make it back to the hotel to freshen up before our group outing to the Reina Sofia museum, one of Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art,” along with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (which I visited a day earlier) and the Prado Museum. The highlight of the Reina Sofia was Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, inspired by the bombing of the Basque Country, a testament to the brutality of war. I remember thinking I had fully analyzed it after stopping at different angles for several minutes, then I spoke Russell, another friend I made on the trip, and our discussion reminded me of even more details I had missed. After visiting a majority of the exhibits, it was time to get ready for the climax of the day!
Pre-Game Rush!
In all my excitement for the day, I was reminded that I forgot to eat… In Madrid, many places close for a few hours in the afternoon for lunch/siesta time before reopening again for the night; in other words, this would not be an authentic tapas kind of day for me. So, after a quick Popeyes meal (sorry Julian and Fran!), I walked out to find the Manchester City team bus loading players from the Four Seasons across from our hotel After some more friendly banter and chants at the players, the bus left and I set back on my way to the hotel for yet another wardrobe change, this time putting on my white Real Madrid jersey and my recently purchased scarf.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City – UCLR Round of 16
The five other guys going to the game and I met in the hotel lobby and we set out for what would be an unforgettable night. When I arrived at the Bernabeu for the second time this trip, the atmosphere was electric. Madridistas were jumping up and down, chanting in Espanol while we did our best to fit in. I walked in to find my section, ready to participate in the deafening chants. Following the Champions League anthem and the Real Madrid anthem (during which I lost my voice), the game was underway. Every touch of the ball was followed by ooh’s and aah’s from a crowd that was almost as involved as the players. The game did not disappoint as Fede Valverde, Madrid’s #8, scored a hattrick of goals and Vini Jr. gestures amped up an already excited crowd. By the end of the game, I had perfected my scarf spinning technique.
The Night is Young
After meeting up with the rest of the group outside the stadium, it was time to find food. The food scene matched our luck with the rest of the day as places had closed and we had to resort to yet another fast food place, this time the McDonald’s across the street from the Regina Hotel. We placed our orders, unaware that we would not receive them for another hour and a half. When we walked in, we were met with a McDonald’s packed with other fans who had also made the trek back. Surprisingly, this wait allowed us to meet people from all over the Europe, including Sweden, Russia, England, and, of course, Madrid. It became evident very quickly that the Bernabeu’s atmosphere would be hard to shake off as we broke out into chants in the McDonald’s. Ole‘s were chanted with every late order, with the workers joining in. Finally, at 1:30 AM, I got my order. I realized I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the Bernabeu, and ended up returning to the Bernabeu the following day, this time in my Arsenal jersey. Aleks, Bishoy, and I enjoyed hot choocolate at a Starbucks overlooking the stadium as a way to say goodbye to the place that I had once only dreamed of visiting.
Reflection
From the historic streets of Salamanca to the pervasive energy of Madrid, this was an experience that blended culture and history with personal connection in a way that made this week unforgettable. Each day offered something different – from quiet wandering in the streets of Salamanca, to awe-filled visits to the Royal Palace and Collections Galleries, to high-energy moments like the Champions League night. These experiences shaped the spontaneity of the trip and allowed to me build friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.