Page 611 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

ENTER T AINMENT IN SP AIN  609

View of the stage area at the beautifully preserved Roman theatre in Mérida, Extremadura
Bullfighting
near Alicante. Sacred music can The open-air summer cinemas
still be heard in some of Spain’s in some coastal resorts are Although controversial, bull-
monas teries. Montserrat (see an experience in themselves, fighting is one of Spain’s most
p222–3) is famous for its all-boy but do remember to carry a recognized sporting events (see
choir. In Leyre monastery (see mosquito repellent. pp40–41). Visitors can watch a
p139), the Gregorian plainchant bullfight in one of the large, tradi-
is performed during Mass. tional arenas in Madrid (see p310)
Nightlife and Seville (see p436), or in
Spain’s prodigious nightlife Valencia, Bilbao and Zaragoza.
Theatre starts later than in most other All bull fights start at around 5pm.
Spain has a great repertoire of countries, with 11pm consid- Tickets should be bought directly
classical theatre and, although ered an early start for most at the venue. Bullfighting is
most performances are in revellers. The idea is to spend banned in Catalonia.
Spanish, it may be worth going the first part of the evening in
to a show for the venue alone. pubs or bares de copas: sparsely Entertainment for
Corral de Comedias in decorated drinking dens, usually
Almagro (see p403) is a per fectly with loud music blaring. Then Children
preserved 17th-century Golden people move on to the night- Spain’s big theme parks are Port
Age theatre. Mérida’s stunning clubs, often locat ed out of Aventura, on the Costa Daurada
Roman theatre (see pp58–9 and town, where the noise will not (see p228), Terra Mítica, outside
pp414–5) serves as the splendid bother anyone. Benidorm (see p264), and Parque
backdrop for an annual summer You can enjoy a floorshow Warner, in Madrid. Other amuse-
festival of classical theatre. while dining out at coastal ments suitable for kids include
package-holiday resorts such as the cowboys of Mini-Hollywood
Lloret del Mar on the Costa Brava, (see p504) and the dancing
Cinema Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, horses of Jerez (see p472).
Spain’s thriving film scene Torremolinos on the Costa
has certainly gained inter- del Sol and Benidorm on the
national exposure. The country Costa Blanca.
makes around 100 feature films
a year with directors such as Spectator Sports
Pedro Almodóvar and Alejandro
Amenábar. Football is Spain’s favourite
Most foreign-language films are sport and is centred on the
dubbed in Spanish, but select battle between the two top
cinemas in university cities and teams, Real Madrid and
areas with a number of foreign Barcelona. Other teams with
residents show films in their large followings include
original language. San Sebastián Real Betis from Seville, Deportivo
hosts an acclaimed international La Coruña, FC Valencia and
film festival (see p127) in Atlético de Madrid. Cycling,
September, and the Sitges Film tennis, basketball and golf are Rollercoaster ride at Port Aventura on the
Festival takes place in October. also popular. Costa Daurada

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