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Sport
| The 1992 Olympics turned the sporting spotlight of the world onto Barcelona. Most of the action took place on Montjuďc, which gained a new sports stadium, a marina and several swimming pools. Major annual sporting events in the city include the Barcelona marathon, which takes place in March, the Conde de Godó Trophy tennis tournament in April, and the Formula One Grand Prix, held in Montmeló every May.
Football is ever popular. The local football team, Fútbol Club Barcelona (Barça), Avenida Arístides Maillol 12–18 (tel: (93) 496 3600; fax: (93) 411 2219; website: www.fcbarcelona.com), is one of the most successful teams in Europe. The club plays in the massive Camp Nou stadium, Avenguda de Joan XXII (tel: (93) 496 3702, for tickets), which also houses a football museum.
For visitors who want to break into a sweat themselves, the city authorities have a sports information service (tel: (93) 402 3000) with details of city-run sports centres and facilities. The office is located at Avenida de L’Estadi 30–40 and is open Monday to Friday 0800–1430 and Monday to Thursday 1600–1815.
Bullfighting: Bullfights are held on Sundays between April and September at the Monumental bullring, Gran Via Corts Catalanes 749. There is also a museum about the sport at the ring. The official ticket office is at Carrer Muntaner 24 (tel: (93) 453 3821) and fights cost from €15 to €75.
Fitness centres: There is a fitness centre, which is open to the public, at the Piscinas Bernat Picornell, Avenida de L’Estadi 30–40, on Montjuďc (tel: (93) 423 4041), open Monday to Friday 0700–2400, Saturday 0700–2100 and Sunday 0730–1430.
Golf: There are several golf clubs in the Barcelona area, which are open to non-members. Real Club de Golf ‘El Prat’, Apartado de Correos 10, El Prat de Llobregat (tel: (93) 379 0278; fax: (93) 370 5102), is a first-rate 36-hole course located near the airport, open to members of a federated club only. The course has hosted the Spanish Open on numerous occasions and is only open to members of a federated club. Club de Golf Sant Cugat, in the suburb of Sant Cugat del Valles (tel: (93) 674 3908; fax: (93) 675 5152), some 20km (12 miles) northwest of Barcelona, is a 21-hole course. Visiting players must provide all their own equipment but are entitled to use of all the clubs leisure facilities on payment of the green fee of €65.
Sailing: There are numerous sailing clubs based in Barcelona and several regattas take place during the spring and summer. Further information is available from the Centre Municipal de Vela, Moll de Gregal, Port Olímpic (tel: (93) 222 1499).
Swimming: There are seven beaches in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona. Water quality is tested regularly but it is still advisable for bathers to look before taking a leap into the waves. Platja de Sant Sebastiŕ is a nudist beach. At the other beaches, topless bathing is common.
If the beaches do not appeal, the Club de Natació Atlčtic Barceloneta, Plaça del Mar (tel: (93) 221 0010), has three indoor pools. Alternatively, visitors can relive the Olympic Games in the Piscinas Bernat Picornell, Avenida de L’Estadi 30–40, on Montjuďc (tel: (93) 423 4041), open daily 0700–2400. There are also numerous city-run swimming pools; the sports information service (see above) can provide details.
Tennis: Built for the Olympics, the Centre Municipal de Tennis Vall d’Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 178 (tel: (93) 427 6500), has several clay courts, which are now open to the public. However, racquets and balls are not provided.
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General
