The legendary Estadio Sarría no longer exists. Nowadays, RCD Espanyol plays at a hypermodern stadium in the west end of Barcelona. However, you will the soul of this club in more spots in Barcelona than you would probably expect.
When you approach Barcelona on the Autovia del Nord-Est, from the side of Cornellà de Llobregat, you will notice a stadium on your left hand. From the outside, it looks a bit like a crossover between a spaceship and a shopping mall, but from the inside, it's quite decent. On the facade, you can read RCDE, an abbreviation of the club's name RCD Espanyol.
Espanyol is the most 'Spanish' club of Barcelona (unlike the bigger FC Barcelona, Espanyol has nothing to do with the Catalan culture) and plays in a hypermodern stadium, opened in 2009. Not a stadium for football romantics, but quite comfortable and atmospheric when it's fully packed.
Next to the stadium, you'll find one of the largest shopping malls in Barcelona: Splau. You can find any kind of shop here, so relatives who aren't into football can spend plenty of time here before or during a game. Inside there is also the Spanish football chain store Fútbol Emotion. They have an extensive range of replica's and retro shirts of brands like COPA Football.
Another small ground is located on the other side of the stadium, the Camp Municipal de Cornellà. This is the home ground of UE Cornellà. A brand new stadium, with an artificial turf and a surprisingly cool main stand.
For football romantics, there's nothing more left than just a little sign that refers to the famous Estadio Sarrià, lovingly called Ca Rábia or La Bombonera. The place where the great stadium of Espanyol once stood is now a garden (Jardines del Campo Sarrià at the Passatge Ricard Zamora 5), between some luxurious tower blocks. Not a tourist highlight in itself, but nearby you can still find the restaurant Sarria 82, which refers to the stadium and the 1982 World Cup. In Sarrià, one of the most beautiful football matches ever took place, between Brazil and Italy. For some fans this is the reason to visit the original place and to be fair, the tower blocks that used to surround the stadium and witnessed it all, are still there.
Espanyol had to leave Sarrià in 1997 and found shelter on the famous hill of Montjuïc. The fans never felt at home here and they couldn't even fill half of the stadium, but the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc from 1927 is still worth a visit. The monumental facade and square of the stadium (that was used for Barcelona's Olympics in 1992) are beautiful, and it offers an amazing view of the entire city. If you're not afraid of heights, you'll find enjoyment in taking the funicular to the top.
The Stage Front Stadium might be very far from the city centre, but the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque is surprisingly close. The training complex of Espanyol, named after their former player who died - aged 26 - suffering a cardiac arrest, is close to the beaches of Badalona and the harbour Port Fórum. Next to the gates, there's a beautiful statue of Dani Jarque.
In the lovely coastal town of Sitges, you'll find the best Espanyol bar there probably is. In the Penya Espanyolista de Sitges (Carretera de les Costes 26) you can eat good tapas or drink a cold beer. The murals are beautiful and the place is drowning in football memorabilia. The fan community is close-knit, but tourists are welcome too.
On Carrer Joan Maragall 8 in Sant Feliu de Llobregat is a nice small Espanyol bar too: Cosal Penya Blanc Blava.
It's not hard to buy tickets for Espanyol. You can easily buy them on their official website. You can even buy tickets for home matches that are still months away, including tickets for the derby against FC Barcelona.
Given its location next to the motorway, the Stage Front Stadium is easily accessible by car, but public transport is a good alternative. From the central Plaça d'Espanya, there are several trains and metros (including metro line 8) to Cornellà Riera, which is close to the stadium.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
