A wide range of leisure activities is one of Madrid's greatest attractions. As well as the cultural attractions, such as the theatres, cinemas and exhibition centres, the city has a number of other possibilities: planetarium, zoo, theme park, IMAX cinemas, etc.The region as a whole has various places for outdoor activities, while traditional fiestas are celebrated in all of the local villages. Casino Gran Madrid. Madrid-A Coruña A-6 highway, km. 29. Offers all of the typical casino games (American and French roulette, blackjack, baccarat and fruit machines) and there are also restaurants and shows. Closes at 5 in the morning. Planetarium. 16, Avenida del Planetario. Enrique Tierno Galván Park. Offers a simulation of a journey through the Milky Way and rooms with audiovisual projections and shows of what the universe will look like in the future. It also has an IMAX cinema showing spectacular three dimensional documentaries. Nature and adventure. There are many outdoor activities on offer in the Community of Madrid. There are companies specialised in organising excursions on horseback through the mountains, hiking, hot-air ballooning, mountaineering, orienteering, canoeing, sailing (on the various reservoirs in the region), etc. The Sierra Norte Tourism centre "Villa San Roque" de La Cabrera offers an accommodation booking service in the region and has an eco-museum and botanical garden with local flora. The Mancomunidad Sierra del Rincón organization (Montejo de la Sierra) organises and controls visits to the Montejo de la Sierra Forest, one of the most spectacular in Spain. It's advisable to find out opening times and make bookings in advance, since the number of daily visitors is restricted. Other companies concentrate on nautical activities. There are various reservoirs in the Community of Madrid and there are sailing, diving and water skiing courses on offer. Estación Náutica Alto Tajo is one of the specialist companies in canoeing operating from Madrid. THEATRES, CONCERT HALLS AND EXHIBITION CENTRES Music Auditorio Nacional de Música 146, Calle Príncipe de Vergara. This is the headquarters of the Spanish National Orchestra. There are few places in Europe that enjoy the same acoustic quality. Classical music concerts are held here, as well as many other events, some of which are the most important in the international calendar. Teatro Real Plaza de Isabel II. One of the most emblematic theatres in Madrid today and the stage for opera premières. Its programme also includes other types of events, such as dance and ballet. Teatro Calderón 18, Calle Atocha. As well as being a stage for theatre performances, it also offers a good opera programme every year. Teatro de la Zarzuela 4, Calle Jovellanos. As its name suggests, this theatre offers the best programme of zarzuelas in the city, as well as ballet and theatre throughout the year. La Riviera Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. This was previously an open-air venue, but is now a covered discotheque and concert hall. There are various bars attracting people of all ages and styles. Exhibition Centres Centro Cultural de la Villa Plaza de Colón. As well as having two theatres, this exhibition hall hosts some of the most interesting exhibitions in the city. Centro Cultural Conde Duque 11, Calle Conde Duque. It is part of the old military quarters. Dependent on the Madrid City Hall, it specialises in contemporary art exhibitions. Círculo de Bellas Artes 2, Calle Marqués de la Casa Riera. The Círculo de Bellas Artes is a well-respected institution in Madrid. Housed in a building designed by the architect Antonio Palacios, it has a theatre and a charming café, as well as various exhibition rooms for painting, sculpture and photography. It is one of most important points of reference for art in the city. Theatres Teatro de La Abadía 42, Calle Fernández de los Ríos. This old religious building now houses two halls specialising in works in the vanguard of modern theatre. La Abadía is also the focus for new theatre in Madrid and is home to a workshop with all the latest trends. Teatro de Madrid Avenida de la Ilustración. One of the latest venues to be added to the city's cultural offer. It is located in a recently-built building (in the neighbourhood of El Pilar) and offers a mixed programme of theatre, ballet and dance. Teatro María Guerrero 4, Calle Tamayo y Baus. Headquarters of the National Drama Centre and located in a beautiful Neo-mudejar building. COFFES Café Comercial 7, Glorieta de Bilbao. A hundred years of history can be seen on the walls and the rotating door of the most emblematic café in the city. An ideal meeting place or to simply watch and enjoy the hullabaloo of the Bilbao intersection from one of its window tables. Café La Palma 62, Calle La Palma. Café offering various distinct atmospheres, from a coffee whilst listening to a debate, or a concert, or listening to a story or just enjoying a drink at night. Café de Oriente 2, Plaza de Oriente. Café-restaurant located in one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid, opposite the Royal Palace and next to the Teatro Real. Classical décor and ancient corner seats to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine from its excellent wine list. Café del Espejo 31, Paseo de Recoletos. Modern decor for a café which also has a restaurant (there is a reasonably priced daily menu). There is also the so-called "glass pavilion", a rather strange construction in the heart of the Paseo de Recoletos which in the summer also has terrace seats. Perfect place for a coffee or a snack (it serves some elaborately made hors-d'oeuvres). The Geografic Club 141, Calle Alcalá. This café-restaurant is located very near the Retiro Park. Its decor is based on travel and discovery. On the middle floor there is a large bar, perfect for a coffee or a drink. On the second floor is the restaurant. On the lower floor there is an Irish pub. Drinks are a little expensive. Viva Madrid 7, Calle Manuel Fernández y González. In a small alley to the side of the Teatro Español, next to the Plaza de Santa Ana. It has a tiled façade and inside has wooden decor. Ideal for coffee or the first drink of the evening. It's been open for 20 years. SPORT AND LEISURE There are many places in Madrid for sports. If you like golf, head for the Olivar de la Hinojosa public golf course (next to the Campo de las Naciones). For swimming fans, there are numerous municipal swimming pools, some of them open air (open during the summer months). Madrid is not an ideal city for riding around on bicycles. There are few bike lanes and the amount of traffic in the city makes cycling quite dangerous. There are some bike hire companies. One of them is Bicicletas Chapinal, at 242, Calle Alcalá.