The 7 best stadiums you can visit in Europe

The Munich Olympic Stadium with its iconic tent roof was built for the 1972 Olympics. — FABIAN STOFFERS/Olympiapark MUnchen GmbH/dpa

A stroll on the pitch, a peek into the changing rooms and a seat in the press room: Modern stadiums are far more than just places to watch football or concerts, and many offer fans in-depth tours taking them behind the scenes.

But some stadiums go even further, offering special activities like climbing tours, ziplining and even fine dining. Here are seven of the most stand-out stadiums to visit in Europe right now.

Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany

This one is for adrenaline junkies. At Munich’s Olympiastadion, visitors can not only go under the roof but also climb onto it during the roof climb tour.

During this walk at dizzying heights, brave participants are treated to views of the city, with the peaks of the Alps visible in the distance.

For those seeking even more thrills, the tour ends with the “Flying Fox” zipline, allowing participants to glide across the stadium.

Wembley Stadium in London, England

Wembley Stadium is an icon, especially for football fans. It has been the stage for sporting dramas, including the legendary 1966 World Cup final, where England beat West Germany.

The old Wembley was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a new stadium on the same site, which opened in 2007, featuring a 133m-high steel arch as its signature feature.

The Royal Box remains part of the stadium tour. This is the VIP stand where members of the royal family and celebrities sit, and where trophies, such as the FA Cup, are traditionally presented.

In the new stadium, the winning team must climb 107 steps to reach the box, compar- ed to 39 steps in the old Wembley.

Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain

The home stadium of FC Barcelona is not only the largest football stadium in Europe but also the largest football-only stadium in the world, with a capacity of 99,354 spectators. Although it is currently undergoing renovation, it still has much to offer visitors.

The “Barca Immersive Tour” allows visitors to use virtual reality to get a glimpse of the new Spotify Camp Nou after renovation.

The interactive FC Barcelona Museum provides football fans with insights into the club’s history and aspirations. Those looking for some action can try their hand at the “Robokeeper Challenge”, testing their goal-scoring skills.

From the tent roof of Munich’s Olympic Stadium, the view extends far beyond the city. — Olympiapark Munchen GmbH/dpa

Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany

Berlin’s Olympiastadion was built by the Nazis for the 1936 Summer Olympics, as a large-scale propaganda project. Visitors can explore the stadium on a history tour, but tours focusing on sports and architecture are also available.

In the home stadium of Berlin’s Hertha BSC, there are additional special tours, such as a light experience and music shows, as well as one where visitors can climb under the roof wearing helmets.

Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany

The “temple”, as Borussia Dortmund fans call it, is the largest football stadium in Germany, with a capacity of 81,365. Various tours allow visitors to take a behind-the-scenes look.

Highlights include the world-famous South Stand, known as the “Yellow Wall”, which is highly sought after by fans, as well as the players’ changing rooms, the players’ tunnel and even the stadium prison (reserved for those who cause trouble during matches).

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London

London boasts another stadium with a unique tour. At the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur, “The Dare Skywalk” takes visitors to new heights. Participants can climb onto the roof and enjoy views of the London skyline from a viewing platform.

The experience can be topped off with “The Edge”, where the most daring visitors can abseil from the edge of the roof.

Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland

Celtic Glasgow has called this stadium home since 1892. While fans affectionately refer to Celtic Park as “paradise”, its intense and intimidating atmosphere has earned it a reputation as “hell” for visiting teams.

For those interested in both football and fine dining, the “Tour & Dine” package is the perfect choice. After a stadium tour, visitors can enjoy a gourmet three-course meal with wine.

Of course, there are plenty more stadiums in Europe worth touring, among them Milan’s San Siro in Itay, Liverpool’s Anfield (England), Manchester’s “Theatre of Dreams” Old Trafford (England) and Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu (Spain) with its famed trophy room. – HILDE KRAATZ/dpa