"One of the best stadiums in the world"

I've been to many top class stadiums including Old Trafford, the Millenium Stadium and Croke Park.

But Berlin's Olympiastadion was different.

The famous location for Jesse Owens' two gold medals in the 1936 Olympics had a remake in time for the World Cup in 2006, and boy did they do a good job. This spectacular arena combines the old and the new to create a very classy piece of architecture.

As you arrive from the tram station the first things you see are the Olympic Rings hanging between two enormous brick pillars in front of the traditional German fanpark.

Once inside the turnstiles the fanpark is a great place to get a drink or something to eat, or visit the petting zoo. These fanparks are part of what makes Bundesliga games so enjoyable.

Entering the stands is so easy. To get to the second tier there's no need to climb several flights of stairs, just a few steps to the open concourse.

The basic frame of the stadium is the old Olympic stadium. It seems the only changes made are the modern circular roof and the seating. When standing on the impressive stone concourse you actually feel as though you're back in 1930s Germany, but instead of swastikas there are hot dog outlets. This stadium really has maintained its historical aspect despite the enormous renovation.

The historical theme continues in the bowl of the arena. One can still clearly see the podium where once sat Adolf Hitler, directly above the modern players' tunnel. And behind the goals at one end of the stadium there's a seatless strip, leading to a gap in the upper tier, where the 1936 Olympic flame used to burn. I was truly struck by the exceptional style of this stadium, considering it was built nearly 80 years ago.

The seating is comfortable, and alcohol is permitted in the stands, though so is smoking. The big screen is great and helps generate a decent atmosphere. Due to the running track that surrounds the pitch, the on-field action can seem distant at times, particularly if you're sat behind the goals.

Fans are very friendly and the experience is the most enjoyable I've ever had at a football stadium.

Location

The ground's located very far from the city centre, and you'll probably need to take the tram to get to the Olympiastadion.

From the tram stop it's a relatively short walk down a tree-laden path, dotted with bars and souvenir vendors.

Be aware that after the match there can be a squeeze on the platform, due to the large number of fans that use the tram service. But trams come regularly, so don't worry if you miss the first one.

View

Comfort is impeccable, however the view of the playing surface isn't the best if you're sat behind the goal.

A running track stretches around the pitch, meaning the action can sometimes feel distant. Make sure you get an upper tier seat, because I'm guessing the view from the lower tier is pretty poor.

Facilities

Like most Bundesliga stadia you have a fanpark, which is great for fans of all ages. They provide food, drink and souvenirs as well as a funfair and a petting zoo.

On the upper tier there are vendors selling hot dogs and drinks, and remember that in Germany alcohol is permitted in the stands!

It can be a bit of a trek to find the toilets, but it's unlikely there'll be a queue due to their size. These are German toilets, so obviously they're clean.

Food & Drink

As mentioned, there's a fan park selling hot dogs and drinks.

As far as football grounds go the food is delicious and not badly priced. There's never much of a queue.

Police & Stewards

Bundesliga fans are the most well behaved in Europe. There was limited segregation, with away fans sat in the home end.

Apart from at the turnstiles there were no police in sight, and there was no need for any.

Stewards were friendly and easy to spot. The rest of Europe could learn a lot from Germany when it comes to policing.

Atmosphere

There was good singing and energetic jumping on the lower tier, but in the upper tier it was more relaxed.

Very friendly fans.

Be aware that smoking is permitted in the stadium, and German fans tend to take advantage of this. If you don't enjoy being surrounded by smoke, then you may find this a big issue.

Some supporters looked a bit scary, but they were all very friendly.

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