Playing Sports in Madrid

Here in Madrid, you will find that Spaniards are big aficionados of all kinds of sports. Below you will find information about where you can get in on the action.

Running

One of the best ways to get to know a city is via running. Luckily, Madrid is  blessed with many great running parks, and if you’re into races (5k, 10k, half & full marathons), there are events all year round.

One great way to start hitting the pavement is by joining a running group. In the past, students have run with Deportistas Solidarios, a Madrid-based non-profit foundation whose mission is to get people involved in sports and to raise money for charitable causes. Monday through Friday, the group meets in Retiro Park for a group run (ranging from a light jog to more serious training, depending on what members are looking for). If you’re interested, click on the link above, register (it’s free) and join the group “International Runners“.

Where to Run in Madrid

Retiro Park

Known as los pulmones de la ciudad (“the city’s lungs”), Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s most frequented running hotspots located in the heart of city. Runners frequent the park at all hours of the day. Moreover, if you like to people-watch while you run, this is the place to do it. You’ll see everything from families out on an afternoon stroll to book fairs to clowns and street performers. And it’s not just for tourists. Madrileños are very fond of the park as well and make good use of its well-kept grounds.
How to get there: Metro: Retiro, Príncipe de Vergara. Bus: Bus: 1 , 2 , 15 , 19 , 20 , 26 , 28 , 51 , 52 , 61 , 63 , 68 , 74 , 146.
Official webpage

Casa de Campo

More than five times the size of Central Park, Casa de Campo is more than just big—it’s enormous! In fact, it’s so big that you could spend hours running around it and never see the zoo, lake, amusement park or cable cars that are inside. With literally endless paths to choose from (and lots of challenging hills to throw in at your disgression), Casa de Campo is the ideal place to run if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
How to get there: Metro: Lago, Batán, Casa de Campo. Bus

Madrid Río

The recently renovaded esplanade of the Manzanares River is another great place for running. In addition to over ten kilometers of running path, the esplanade also offers beautiful views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and other famous landmarks. If you’re also into biking, there are cyclying paths as well. For more information, visit http://www.esmadrid.com/es/madridriof
For a map of the esplanade with descriptions of different sports areas (paths, courts, etc.), click Madrid Río. Please note that not all of the sports areas are finished yet as the Madrid Río Project is still underway.

Metro: Príncipe Pío (when you come above ground, you’ll see a roundabout. Go straight through it and you’ll see the esplanade of the river.)

Parque de la Bombilla/Parque del Oeste/Parque de la Montaña

Three parks rolled into one, this area is another great place for a short jog. It’s 5 km around and inside you will find the famous Templo de Debod. Metro: Moncloa or Plaza de España.

Track at Canal Isabel II

 

If you prefer running on a track, there’s a 1200 meter one open to the public at the Canal de Isabel II. Open everyday from 8 AM to 10 PM.  Metro: Canal or Ríos Rosas. Buses: 3, 12, 45, 149 & 202.

Running Races

In the past, students have participated in the following races:

-Medio Maratón y 5k de Madrid (April)

-Maratón y 10k de Madrid (April)

-La Carrera de la Mujer (May)

For more races to sign up for, click here.

Swimming

Public swimming pools

(Click map to enlarge)

From the end of May until the beginning of September, 22 public pools and 5 community pools located around the city are open from 11 AM until 9 PM. It costs 4,35 € for a day pass. Monthly passes are also available.

Click here for a list of all the pools. You might also be able to locate the one closest to you by looking at the map above.

If you’re looking for an indoor pool, there are 37 around the city. Click here for a list.

Canal Isabel II

There are also pools at the Instalación Deportivo Canal Isabel II. Click here for their webpage or call them to find out hours and prices.

Soccer

Canal Isabel II

If you and your friends want to organize a soccer game, at the Instalación Deportista Canal Isabel II you can rent a soccer field by the hour. Click here to see the 2011 rates.

Retiro Park

Inside Retiro Park, there are soccer fields that you can rent. For more information, click here.

Other places to play soccer…

You can also search for other sports centers with soccer fields  here. It is organized by neighborhood. If you’re looking to play soccer, then after clicking on a center, you’ll want to look under the section “Equipamento/Servicios” to see if there is a “pista polideportiva” (where you could play soccer along with other field sports), a “campo de fútbol” (outdoor soccer field) or a “fútbol sala” (an indoor soccer field).

Basketball

Throughout the city, there are many public basketball courts. Click  here to search for courts by neighborhood. After clicking on a particular sports center, you’ll want to look under the section “Equipamento/Servicios” to see if there is a “cancha de baloncesto”.

Tennis

There are many many public tennis courts throughout the city. Click  here to search for courts by neighborhood. After clicking on a particular sports center, you’ll want to look under the section “Equipamento/Servicios” to see if there is a “cancha de tenis”.

Other places you’ll find tennis courts:

-Casa de Campo. Take the metro to Lago (Line 10) and walk toward the lake. There are tennis courts very close by. (In the photo below, they are in the upper left-hand corner. About a 5 minute walk from the metro stop, in the lower left-hand corner.)

- Madrid Río. See the “Running” section for more information.

-Retiro. Inside Retiro Park, there are tennis courts that you can rent. For more information, click here.

Golf

There is a great driving range and pitch & putt at Green Canal, located inside the Instalación Deportiva Canal Isabel II. Click here for their website.  At the driving range, a bucket of 60 balls costs 3,30 € or 5,30 € for 100 balls. To rent a club, it’s 3,20 € or 4,20 for a wood. And you can use the putting green for 1 hour for 3,20 €.

Yoga

If yoga is your thing, check out these studios:

City Yoga is one of the bigger (and posher) studios in the city, and offers everything from a variety of styles of yoga to pilates, as well as various massages and therapies. Schedules are very accommodating, as there are classes available all day during the week and Saturday mornings. Yoga class size can reach a maximum of 20 students.
Metro: Cuatro Caminos Address: C/ Artistas, 43 Phone: 91 553 4751.
Yoga Flow is a small studio where the experienced instructor, Oscar Montero, teaches Iyengar Yoga. Schedules are more limited than a place like City Yoga, but classes are smaller (eight tends to be the maximum), prices are slightly less expensive, and the attention is very personalized.
Metro: Islas Filipinas Address: C/ Cea Bermudez, 66 5A3 Phone: 91 442 3288.

A few other places worth mentioning are:

Centro Solar, a good, small studio where prices are about 50 euros a month. Metro: Tirso de Molina Address: C/ Cabeza, 15 2 izq Phone: 91 539 9860; 91 527 3561.
Yoga Center, a bigger center reminiscent of City Yoga. Metro: Retiro Address: C/ Serrano, 6 bajo 4 Phone: 91 575 1913.
Bikram Yoga Madrid specializes in “hot” yoga. Metro: Bilbao, San Bernardo Address: C/ Divino Pastor 25 Phone: 91 523 1141.
Shadak is run by one of the big names in Spanish yoga, Ramiro Calle. Metro: Serrano Address: C/ Ayala, 10 Phone: 914 352 328.
Bindu Escuela de Yoga offers “physical” and “mental” yoga classes. Metro: Prosperidad, Concha Espina Address: C/ Pérez Ayuso, 11 Phone: 91 413 8238.

Source

Gyms

If you’re just looking for a gym to work out at, past students have suggested the gyms that are listed in the “Useful Information” section.