For football fans visiting Rio, making a trip to the enormous Maracana stadium is as vital as seeing the Christ statue or taking the cable car up Sugar Loaf mountain.

But even if you're not interested in 'futebol', you should really make time in your itinerary to take in a game at the world famous stadium.

We were sitting in the 'cheap seats', and I was blown away by the energy of the fans - my adopted Brazilian team, Flamengo, lost against visitors from the South of Brazil, but the atmosphere was still electric. Samba drums, huge flags, dancing, singing and fireworks were all part of the experience, and we didn't have to miss a second of the action as everything we might want to buy – from beer to soft drinks and snacks - was on hand thanks to the plentiful vendors who wind their way through the seats offering their wares.

I first went to a match as part of a tourist trip organised by the hostel where I was working, but it's easy enough to get there by yourself on the metro. Tickets are usually available on the gate – although if it’s a big match such as a cup final, you may have to pay extra to buy from a tout. Games are usually held on Wednesdays and at weekends, but you should check local press or websites for fixtures.