Museo de los Equipos del Astillero - Barcelona & Emelec

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of sporting excitement by visiting the Astillero Teams Museum — a unique cultural complex located in the heart of Guayaquil. This venue consists of two separate museums dedicated to the most decorated and popular football clubs that Ecuador has given the world: Barcelona Sporting Club and Club Sport Emelec. The exhibitions are located opposite each other in the Edificio Astillero building within the picturesque Puerto Santa Ana district.

Astillero Teams Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

This museum project has become a true monument to an eternal rivalry born back in the late 1920s in the old port district of Astillero. Visitors can see a rich collection of trophies, rare historical photographs, and the kits of legendary players. Each hall is permeated with fan passion: the "Yellows" on the Barcelona side and the "Blues" on the Emelec side.

The museum's highlight lies in its interactivity and accessibility: here, history comes to life thanks to modern screens showing videos of the best matches and realistic wax figures. It is a must-see on the map for any sports fan wishing to understand why football is much more than just a game for the people of Guayaquil.

To check current information before your visit, you can use the contact details provided below. The Astillero Teams Museum is located in one of the most scenic and modern areas of the city, making it easy to find while strolling along the waterfront. Please note that an official website is rarely available, so phone remains the most reliable way to get in touch.

Inside the complex, an exciting journey through the history of great victories awaits you. In the Barcelona SC section, be sure to check out the detailed model of the Monumental stadium and the trophy halls. Fans will love the interactive zones where you can see star players' autographs on boots and jerseys, as well as take photos with life-size replicas of idols like Matías Oyola and Damián Díaz.

Moving to the Emelec section, pay attention to the modern touchscreen displays. They allow you to instantly find information about key matches or browse archive videos. One of the main attractions here is the realistic wax figure of George Capwell, the club's founder. Historical artifacts like leather balls and the rugged footwear of the team's first lineups also draw great interest.

Besides browsing the exhibits, you can listen to recordings of emotional commentary from famous goals, creating the effect of being right there in the stadium. The visit will also be interesting for families with children thanks to the abundance of visual content. Additionally, the building is fully equipped for people with reduced mobility, and admission to the museums remains free, making the visit as accessible as possible.

Getting to this cultural and sports center is very easy, as it is located in Puerto Santa Ana — one of the city's most popular and well-developed areas. If you are already walking in the center, the path from the famous Malecón 2000 promenade or the foot of Cerro Santa Ana hill will take only a few minutes on foot. The area is pedestrian-friendly and very safe for tourists.

For those who prefer public transport, bus routes heading to stops in the Puerto Santa Ana area are suitable. You can also always use taxi services or popular ride-sharing apps. If you are coming from José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport, the drive will take approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic density.

For drivers, paid parking zones are available near the Edificio Astillero 3 building. Use your GPS and Place ID: ChIJR7iFKS1sLZARp_sV6tqqyWQ to accurately navigate to the museum complex entrance.

The history of this place is inextricably linked with the birth of football passion in Ecuador. Both legendary clubs — Barcelona Sporting Club (founded in 1925) and Club Sport Emelec (founded in 1929) — emerged right here in the Astillero district, which was once a shipbuilding hub. Over time, their rivalry, known as the "Clásico del Astillero", grew into the country's main sporting event, and the creation of museums in a single building became a symbol of their shared contribution to the city's culture.

The section dedicated to Barcelona SC was officially opened in July 2013. This was made possible through the initiative of former club presidents and the support of the city mayor's office. The exhibition was designed to emphasize the team's status as the "Idol of the Astillero" (Ídolo del Astillero), gathering priceless trophies and evidence of triumphs accumulated over decades under one roof.

The Emelec club museum opened its doors a bit later, in April 2015, marking the 86th anniversary of the team's founding. Special attention is given here to George Capwell, the club's founder, after whom the "Blues'" home stadium is named. Housing two rival museums opposite each other highlights that despite the fierce competition on the field, both clubs are an integral part of Guayaquil's single historical heritage.

To explore both exhibitions at a leisurely pace, visitors usually need about 2 to 3 hours. This is quite enough time to examine the trophy halls, watch archive videos of the best goals, and take commemorative photos with the wax figures or stadium models.

If you are a die-hard fan of one of the teams or, conversely, are short on time, visiting just one part of the complex (for example, only the Barcelona SC museum) will take about 1 hour. However, we recommend not separating these sites, as it is their contrast that creates a complete picture of the city's football soul.

The museum complex welcomes guests from Wednesday to Sunday. The doors are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, making it easy to plan a visit for either the morning or afternoon. It is important to remember that Monday and Tuesday are days off when the exhibitions are closed to the public.

Admission to the museum is free for all visitors, making it one of the most attractive cultural sites in the Puerto Santa Ana area. Nevertheless, it is recommended to check the clubs' official social media pages or the city tourism portal before your trip to ensure there are no changes to the schedule due to holiday events.

The museum's location in a vibrant district allows tourists to easily complement their itinerary with visits to other interesting locations. The surrounding area is rich in both historical landmarks and modern entertainment centers for the whole family.