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 A stylish gym |
Pradillo, 44 Madrid, Madrid 28002 Spain +34 91 519 3450 |
You can play just about any sport that exists and keep fit in a myriad of ways in this huge sports centre. It's fashionable to be fit and this place offers some of the best facilities available. It has four racquetball courts, four squash courts, and an enormous multi-purpose arena for aerobics, yoga, keep-fit and posture classes amongst other activities. There's also a Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna and heated swimming-pool. In summer, the terrace becomes a solarium. The beauty centre and the sports shop are popular and you'll be lucky to find a spare seat in the café-restaurant as it has a good reputation for serving tasty food. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Sub-Saharan traditions |
Calle De Madrid 101 Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 415 2412 http://www.combonianos.com/museo/ museoafricano@combonianos.com |
You can get a glimpse of what life is like in Sub-Saharan African countries such as Zaire, Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Cameroon through this museum's displays of everyday objects, including clothing, jewellery, musical instruments, wooden and ivory carvings, masks, weapons, charms and tools. The objects were collected over the years by missionaries led by Daniel Comboni, who was beatified in 1996. Documentary evidence like political and economical statistics, maps, photographs and scale-models are also exhibited in order to put the the collected objects in context. Admission: free (guided visit included) Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Snow and slopes information |
Padre Damián, 43, 2, puerta 26 Madrid 28036 Spain +34 91 3502020 http://www.ski-spain.com skispain@cenoclap.es |
This is the Tourism and Mountaineering Association, which groups together all of the mountaineering associations in Spain, and offers up-to-date information every skiing season about the state of the slopes and the quality of the snow. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Great choice of fitness centres |
Santa Rita, 10 Clara Del Rey Madrid, Madrid 28002 Spain +34 91 416 1886 http://www.bodyfactory.es/ claradelrey@bodyfactory.es |
With over 1000m2-worth of space available and numerous organized sports activities, you're sure to find a way of keeping fit to suit you. The most popular method is a group class in either aerobics, step aerobics, back streches, abdominal sessions or 'bodypump', a new style that involves a work-out with weights. There's a weights room with cardiovascular machines, sauna, Turkish bath, towels and lockers too. You can choose how often to come and how much to pay from a range of options: every day, mornings-only, two or three days a week, weekends-only or a daily pass. The company has more fitness centres across Madrid. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Different ways to get fit |
Ricardo Ortiz, 27 Madrid, Madrid 28017 Spain +34 91 726 5415 / +34 91 356 4631 http://www.clubloscedros.com/ info@clubloscedros.com |
This recently refurbished sports centre offers a wide range of popular and up-and-coming physical activities to keep you fit and healthy, including swimming, tennis, squash and pelota. Martial arts like judo, karate, taekwondo and tai-chi are all the rage and for the less energetic there's ballroom dancing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Swimming lessons for all ages |
Calle Martín Machío 46 Madrid, Madrid 28002 Spain +34 91 519 9369 http://www.nataciondelfin.com/ natacion@nataciondelfin.com |
It's never too early or too late to learn how to swim. This sports centre has been in the business of teaching people how to swim for many years with great success. It offers courses for all ages and all abilities. Children from six months old to four years old can be enrolled in a course of 20 classes after which they're guaranteed to be able to float. From four years old onwards children are taught how to swim properly in courses of 15 classes. There are special courses for children with physical disabilities led by professionally qualified instructors. Physiotherapy sessions for back pain are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Climb up the walls |
Calle Marcelino Álvarez nº 6 Madrid, Madrid 28017 Spain +34 91 326 7292 http://www.espacioaccion.com informacion@espacioaccion.com |
This organisation offers a wide range of courses in mountain pursuits run by qualified instructors. You can learn how to climb on ice and rocks, learn how to ski on all surfaces, predict the weather and acclimatise to different outdoor weather conditions. Courses can be as short as a few hours, a weekend or even a trip to the Alps. You can sign up for organised tours to mountainous areas all over the world to take part in adventure sports. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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An elite sports centre |
Pilar de Zaragoza, 93 Madrid, Madrid 28028 Spain +34 91 355 3201 |
The facilities offered by this sports centre are up to date and have quite a history. It has two heated indoor swimming-pools (where you can take swimming lessons) and there's an indoor sports arena with two tennis and racquetball courts. Some of Spain's best athletes have trained here, including Olympic medal-winning gymnast Eva Rueda and tennis star Manolo Santana. It's a unique facility in Madrid's most upmarket residential and commercial district. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Dive to the depths |
Avenida de Daroca 58 Madrid, Madrid 28017 Spain +34 91 326 6291 |
This store offers a complete range of services for scuba-divers. It stocks a wide selection of diving equipment for sale and hire, as well as organises diving trips and courses for all levels. Courses take place year-round (except December) and lead to an internationally recognised certificate. The cost of accommodation, food, and travel is extra. The store's interior is decorated like a veritable museum of artefacts discovered on previous expeditions and photos of the underwater world. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Laura Arribas |
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Gym with many branches |
Plaza Carlos Trías Beltrán, 4 Madrid, Madrid 28020 Spain +34 91 555 9624 |
This well-known chain of gyms has five different branches spread throughout the city, so you've no excuse for being unfit anymore. This particularly large branch (3000m2) has excellent facilities that include an open-air swimming-pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. The main sports hall is used for a variety of activities, such as aerobics, step-aerobics, body-building, self-defence, kick-boxing, Tai Chi, sevillanas and ballroom dancing. You'll find the others at: Plaza de la República Dominicana, 8 (+34 91 457 8000); Princesa, 40 (+34 91 547 4033); Condado de Treviño (+34 91 383 9962), 33 and José Ortega y Gasset, 56 (+34 91 402 4491). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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For some fun in summer |
Acceso Parque de La Elipa Madrid, Madrid 28030 Spain +34 91 430 3511 |
A large proportion of the sports facilities here are given over to summertime activities. There are five different swimming-pools (one with a huge water-slide) surrounded by attractive grassy areas, an enclosed nudist sunbathing area and a restaurant. It's Madrid's only public sports centre with a covered pelota court. There's a baseball diamond, an area set aside for radio-controlled machines, a football pitch, four racquetball courts, ten tennis courts, beach volleyball courts and a gymnasium with weight-lifting equipment. The prices are reasonable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Plan your holiday |
Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I Ifema Madrid, Madrid 28067 Spain +34 91 722 5074 http://www.fitur.ifema.es fitur@ifema.es |
The world's second most important trade fair in tourism attracts thousands of companies (travel agents, hotel and tour operators, government bodies) from over 170 different countries who show off their best holiday ideas. The event is split into three sections: Fitur-Activo (active tourism) focuses on wilflife, adventure and cultural tourism; Know-how provides information to professionals in the sector, and Congresos is a forum for business discussions and public relations. The first three days are reserved for professionals only. The following two days are open to the public and feature a folklore festival in the concert hall with performances in the morning and afternoon. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Largest mosque in Europe |
Salvador de Madariaga, 4 Madrid 28027 Spain +34 91 326 2610 http://www.ccislamico.org/ informacion@ccislamico.org |
The so-called "M-30 mosque" (because it stands beside the motorway) is the largest in Europe. It's a beautiful white marble building that contains a college, ritual bath house, gymnasium, cafe and an Arabic restaurant called Zahara. The complex was designed by three Polish architects and is financed by Saudi Arabia. King Juan Carlos I and Prince Salman ben Abdelaziz attended the opening ceremony in 1992. Religious services: Muslims pray five times a day. Consult the mosque´s prayer timetable for exact times. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Musicals, comedies, puppet shows & dance |
Plaza de Colón, 4 Madrid, Madrid 28046 Spain +34 91 480 0300 (Centralita) http://www.munimadrid.es/Princ... ccvillademadrid@munimadrid.es |
The main stage is used for a wide variety of shows including drama (especially contemporary Spanish), ballet, zarzuela (Spanish opera) and live flamenco and folk concerts. One of the other stages is used for the Children's Puppet Theatre season that runs from autumn to spring with shows every Sunday at 4:45p. It also has a prestigious exhibition space and is considered one of the city's major cultural centres. It's surrounded by impressive fountains, monuments and gardens opposite the Wax Museum. Advance sales: at the box office and by telephone. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marco Di Gregorio  |
 Photo: dan pope |
 Photo: dan pope |
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A good dive |
Zurbano, 83, 2A Madrid, Madrid 28003 Spain +34 91 442 2169 http://www.fmdas.com informacion@fmdas.com |
It's worth consulting this organisation for information before signing up for any scuba-diving course in Spain. Make sure to ask about all the club's pertinent details, their facilities, expertise, accreditation and safety record. There's little legislation governing this sport and many unsuitable clubs and training facilities, so be especially careful. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Fascinating collection of animals and minerals |
José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2 Madrid, Madrid 28006 Spain +34 91 411 1328 http://www.mncn.csic.es mcni121@mncn.csicc.es |
The main exhibition space displays close to four million different types of preserved animal life, including mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish and molluscs. Some of the stuffed large predatory animals are spectacular specimens. You'll be impressed by the 1.8 million-year-old Megatherium americanum skeleton found in Argentina in 1788, the reproduction dinosaurs and the fossil and mineral collections. The museum tells the story of the evolution of life on earth with the aid of audio-visual shows and organizes free educational workshops for adults and children on weekends. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Madrid's most famous avenue |
Paseo de la Castellana Madrid, Madrid 28046 Spain |
Madrid's greatest and grandest avenue runs between Plaza de Colón and Plaza de Castilla. During the 1950s and 1960s this became an exclusive residential district when the aristocracy and wealthy upper-middle classes decided to move in. Today, their lovely palaces and mansions stand side by side with the headquarters of foreign and national banks. These skyscrapers - Europa, Windsor, Torre Picasso and Puerta de Europa - offer an overview of styles in contemporary architecture since the 1960s. Look out for the ABC building, which is decorated in fabulous ceramic tiles, and the Palacio de Congresos, with its murals designed by Miró. Come on October 12 and you'll see Spanish army's spectacular military parade pass by. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stewin |
 Photo: Pedro Palmero |
 Photo: Ireth Tinúviel (spain) |
 Photo: Migraña |
 Photo: isdulcinea Turin, Italy |
 Photo: Rolando Carrillo |
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Varied activities and convenient times |
Príncipe de Vergara, 227 Madrid, Madrid 28016 Spain +34 91 457 9874 |
Don't worry if you have to wait for your partner because you can relax in style in the comfortable lounge that has daily newspapers, television and videos. This sports centre offers a wide range of facilities including four racquetball courts, three squash courts, two aerobics studios, a body-building gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam bath. There's also a sports medicine department, sports shop, cafe, beauty salon, hairdresser's, sun-beds and a parking area for members. Its location and its timetable make it popular with local business people. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Application of high technology |
Serrano, ABC Serrano Centro Comercial 61 Serrano, 61 Madrid 28006 Spain +34 91 4260507 info@reebokclub.com |
This club is born with a concrete philosophy of offering services and differential sports activities. In fact, with a 4000 square meter area, they make room for one of the most complete sports facilities of Europe, with more than 100 workstations to work out on muscular resistance and 90 for the cardiovascular training. Activities include aerobics, relaxation, posture education, and gymnastics with a personal trainer, preparation of sportsmen of high level or therapeutic swimming. The prices vary according to the service on an hourly basis (from some EUR60 a month). Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Famous people and events immortalized in wax |
Recoletos, 41 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 319 2649 http://www.museoceramadrid.com/ info@museoceramadrid.com |
The most famous people and events in Spanish history are displayed in remarkably life-like wax models. The crime section shows gory scenes representing the Expreso de Andalucía train murders. The section devoted to monarchs and heads of state also contain a frightening reproduction of a torture chamber and all the methods of inflicting pain used during the Spanish Inquisition. You'll see scenes from life during the Roman, Visigoth and Arab periods of settlement on the peninsula. And of course, no waxworks would be complete without famous figures from the worlds of art, literature, sports and science. Bullfighters make a special appearance here, because of their importance for Spanish culture. Admission: EUR12; under-10s & over-60s: EUR8. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gavin Byrne |
 Photo: Gavin Byrne |