Other sports
Nothing moves the madrileños as much as sports, and football ( fútbol) is particularly popular.
Madrid has two huge stadiums that fill up on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings during the season from September to June. The Club Atlético Madrid (Internet: www.clubatleticodemadrid.com) plays in the Estadio Vicente Calderón, Paseo de los Melancólicos (Tel: (91) 366 47 07), and Real Madrid (Internet: www.realmadrid.com) in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu , Calle Concha Espina or Paseo de la Castellana (Tel: (91) 398 43 00).
Also basketball ( baloncesto) has a permanent place in the heart of the Madrileños, right after football. The season runs from September to May, the peak takes place in April. Madrid has two good teams, the Estudiantes, who play in the Palacio de los Deportes, Avenida de Felipe II (Tel: (91) 401 91 00) (Internet: www.clubestudiantes.com) and the Pavilion de Real Madrid, Paseo de la Castellana 259 (Tel: (93) 417 24 04) is based in Real Madrid (Internet: www.realmadrid.com).
The Vuelta de España, the Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France, takes place in September. This bike race runs through the Spanish province before it comes to Madrid, where five laps around the Castellana determine the winner.
The highlight of golf is the Open de España (Spanish Open), which takes place from April to June at Club de Campo, Carretera de Castilla (Tel: (91) 555 20 10).
The annual Maratón Popular de Madrid (Tel: (91) 366 97 01) takes place on the last Sunday in April and ends in the Retiro Park or in the Plaza de Cibeles.
Another important sports venue is the first-class Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid, Avenida de Arcentales (Tel: (91) 580 51 80).
Tickets for sporting events and bullfights are available from Localidades Galicia, Plaza del Carmen (tel: (91) 531 27 32).
Gyms
Most gyms ( gymnasios) can only be used by members, but many hotels have their own gyms or use agreements with private studios.
The city of Madrid operates around 45 polideportivos (sports centers), which offer a wide range (fitness rooms, swimming pools and tennis courts). The Polideportivo La Ermita, Calle Sepulvedo 3/5 (Tel: (91) 470 01 11), is one of them.
Golf
The golf clubs are i. General expensive. A well-known golf club is the Golf Olivar de la Hinojosa, Avenida de Dublin, on Campo de las Naciones (Tel: (91) 721 18 89. Internet: www.golfolivar.com) ,. Beginners and experienced golfers are also welcome. Tennis courts are also available.
Swim
Outdoor swimming pools ( piscinas) are essential because of the great summer heat in Madrid; the bathing season lasts from early June to mid-September.
The swimming pool on the roof of the Hotel Emperador, Gran Vía 53 (Tel: (91) 547 28 00) is not only available to hotel guests and offers a wonderful view of the city.
One of the best public outdoor pools is the Instalación deportiva del Canal de Isabel II, Avenida Islas Filipinas 54 (Tel: (91) 533 17 91), open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., near the Canal subway station. Information on the other public swimming pools in Madrid is available at (Tel: (91) 540 39 39).
Tennis
There are many tennis clubs in Madrid, but most of them are private. Many sports centers have tennis courts that can also be used by non-members.