Published April 10, 2026 at 12:36 pm
If endless laps of your gym’s indoor pool are leaving you feeling a little exhausted, pack your bags for one of these amazing pool destinations, all of which are open to visitors.
From the famous Bondi Icebergs in Australia to the frozen Allas Sea Pool in Finland and the luxurious Szechenyi Thermal Baths in Hungary, these unique and beautiful pools will fuel your wanderlust.
These fantastic swimming venues include freshwater, filtered seawater, and saltwater pools, as well as ocean and geothermal pools, ranging in size from 25 meters to 100 yards – and more. And with water temperatures from 33.8 to 86 degrees F and amenities that include Masters swimming, clinics, races, hot tubs and more, there’s something for every swimmer. Even though you may not be getting the best workout – because “Cool, check out the group of killer whales!” Or “Can you believe this architecture?” -It will definitely be an unforgettable memory.
Bondi Glacier Pond
Sydney, Australia
Fee: $10 per day for adults
It is located on the cliffs at the southern end of Bondi Beach Bondi Glacier Pond It is a historical landmark. Open to the public all year round, Bondi Icebergs has a 50-metre saltwater pool with eight lanes as well as a five-lane children’s pool. The water is taken directly from the ocean, so expect the temperature to be quite similar, but you can warm up in the sauna after swimming.
As the ocean waves crash against the edge of the pool, it provides athletes with a great opportunity to practice their open water swimming skills.
This pool is home to the Bondi Icebergs winter swimming club, which dates back to 1920. Membership is open to new swimmers once a year. There is an orientation day with a swim time trial, and disabled races for all abilities.
But this is not the only amazing pool in Sydney. there Bronte Bathsanother ocean pool carved into a sandstone cliff and Andrew Boy Charlton Paula 50-metre outdoor saltwater pool with views of Sydney Harbour.
Coleman pond
Seattle, Washington
Fee: $8 per day for adults
Coleman pond A hidden gem in the Northwest. Located in the woods of Lincoln Park, many residents don’t even know it exists. Located at the point, a 10 minute walk (run or bike) from the car park. The Olympic-sized saltwater pool is heated. In fact, it draws 500,000 gallons of water directly from Puget Sound. It is so close to the water that killer whales have been seen from the pool decks.
The 50-meter pool has swimming lanes, as well as a diving board and a spiral slide. It is open in summer (May to September).
While swimming, the pool is divided into lanes depending on swimming speed, and there is an early morning option. also, GLAD (Green Lake Aqua Ducks) Swimming Masters The group hosts Saturday morning workouts there.
Sea pool for everyone
Helsinki, Finland
Fee: €19-24 ($22-28) per ticket
Unique Bottom half It is located on the sidewalk next to Helsinki Market Square, where the city meets the sea. There are three swimming pools – one heated, one with sea water and one for children in summer.
The warm water pool is 25 meters long and the temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The seawater pool has a temperature of 37 degrees, so it is more suitable for a cold dip. You may even have to swim your way across cracked ice!
This beachfront bathhouse also has five saunas, two restaurants, a bar and a beach. After your swim, refuel with a visit to the Porridge Bar every weekday morning at Allas Café. Members get access to free classes, including yoga, Pilates, swim clinics, bodywork, and HIIT.
Sea Point Suite
Cape Town, South Africa
Fee: R39 ($2.28) for a one-day ticket, free for ages 60 and over
Sea Point Suite Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town, South Africa. The seawater filtered pool is not heated, but is open all year round. The water temperature in summer (October to April) is 64-75°F, and the water temperature in winter (from May to September) is 5,359°F.
Sea Point has a 50 meter pool, a 20 meter diving pool, a 20 meter fun pool and a children’s pool. With Table Mountain on one side and Robben Island on the other, the stunning views are what make this pool special. It’s also very affordable: a day pass costs 39 rand ($2.28), and guests aged 60 and over get in for free.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Budapest, Hungary
Fee: 13,200-14,800 HUF (about $39-$44) for a basic ticket
this Extravagant complex In the heart of Budapest, Hungary has a 50-meter outdoor pool for swimming with a water temperature of 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. It is surrounded by a large leisure pool and a thermal pool. The entire courtyard is surrounded by stately yellow architecture dating back to 1913. And that’s just from the outside.
There are 18 swimming pools on the property, as well as saunas, steam rooms, a rooftop spa, a restaurant and a bar. After your swim training session, you can swim in the thermal pool, which draws water from a natural spring with healing properties of magnesium, bicarbonate and calcium sulphate.
LugardSlug
Reykjavik, Iceland
Fees: 1,430 Icelandic króna (about $12) for an adult ticket
LugardSlug It is the largest swimming complex in Iceland. The centerpiece is a 50-metre geothermal outdoor pool for swimming, plus an indoor Olympic-sized pool, children’s pool, steam room, hot tubs, slide, mini golf and more. Make sure to bring your running shoes, as the complex is surrounded by a fitness track with running paths.
The 50-meter outdoor pool has eight lanes and is regulated by swimming speed. It’s Iceland, so this pool is definitely heated, to about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. A unique feature is the eight “hot pots” located at the edge of the pool with gradually increasing water temperatures. You can swim laps and jump from hot pot to hot pot. The indoor pool has 10 lanes and maintains the water temperature at 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Le Ballet Megève
Ate, France
Fee: €7.10 (about $8) for an adult day ticket
Le Ballet Megève It is the largest sports complex in France. With an aquatic centre, ice rink, gym, climbing centre, spa, restaurant, and more, this is an impressive destination. For swimmers, there is an indoor pool and an outdoor Olympic-sized pool that are brilliantly heated by refrigeration units in the ice rink. The outdoor pool is open from June to September.
The views of the French Alps and surrounding countryside are simply stunning. If you’re a triathlete, this is a one-stop shop for all your needs. There’s a wide range of classes including yoga, Pilates, cycling, cross-training, stretching, and a so-called aqua bike – it turns out it’s a bike you can move underwater.
Freebad Tivoli
Innsbruck, Austria
Fee: €6.60 ($7.64) for an adult day ticket
Freebad Tivoli It is an outdoor pool located in a huge garden and enjoys stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of Tyrol in Austria. There’s a 300,000-square-foot sunbathing park and five different pools to choose from, plus a diving tower, slides, beach volleyball, bocce ball, and more.
If you come to swim, you will find yourself in the 50-meter heated pool. It’s a city pool, so prices are very reasonable considering the amenities: a day pass costs €6.60 ($7.64 USD) for adults, and an early swim costs €2.70 ($3.12 USD) on odd days of the month from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m.
Tooting Bec Lido
London, England
expenses: £9.40 ($12.50) for a general day ticket
Tooting Bec Lido It is the largest freshwater pool in the UK at 100 x 33 yards. The huge pool is surrounded by brightly changing Lido cabanas.
The swimming pool is open all year round, but only to the public from May to September. In winter, it is closed for the exclusive use of South London Swimming Club (SLSC), founded in 1906. It hosts swimming races every Sunday morning and training sessions during the week. Tooting Bec is unheated, so while the summer temperature is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, in the winter it can drop to 34 degrees! So it is very popular with long-distance swimmers who train for channel swimming.
A general day pass costs £9.40 ($12.50), while an SLSC annual membership (ages 26-65) costs £72 plus a discounted pool fee of £113, or $247. Membership offers benefits such as reduced fees when joining the British Triathlon Federation and its Aquathons.
Arribas Sintra Hotel swimming pool
Sintra, Portugal
Fees: Starting from €8 ($9.22) per day
the Arribas Sintra Hotel The pool is one of the largest saltwater pools in Europe, measuring 100 meters in length. Located on the slopes of Praia Grande, this pool is fed directly from the sea below. The water temperature ranges between 71 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Open between April, May and October, the swimming pool is free for hotel guests and available to the public for a fee. You can book a 90-minute session for €8 ($9.22) before 10am, or pay €15-20 ($17.30-$23) for the day. You can bring your mountain or gravel bike with you and you can ride the trails in the nearby Sintra National Forest.
Bönigen Lido
Bönigen, Switzerland
Fee: CHF 6.00 ($7.58) per day ticket
the Bönigen Lido In Switzerland it is the perfect combination between swimming pools and open water. The complex is located on the shores of Lake Brienz, which has emerald waters and mountain views that extend for miles.
You can swim in the 25-meter heated pool (about 75°F) or practice your open water skills in the clear alpine lake. There is also a children’s pool, two water trampolines, a bocce ball court and a sunbathing lawn. Open from mid-May to mid-September, a day ticket costs 6.00 CHF ($7.58).
London Water Sports Centre
Stratford, London
expenses: £7.90 – £7.30 ($9.15 – $9.30) for an adult day ticket
It was originally designed for the 2012 London Olympics London Water Sports Centre It now operates as a public facility located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There are two 50-meter pools, a diving pool with platforms, a unique dry diving training area, as well as a fitness studio and gym.
The competition pool is 50 meters long and includes 10 lanes. It is surrounded by stadium stands and huge windows that match the modern architecture. The water temperature is 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The training pool is also 50 meters long and is divided into two 25-meter pools and eight lanes. The water temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to improve your swimming technique, there are lessons available for children and adults.
There are a few swimming clubs associated with the London Aquatics Centre, including Hackney Aquatics Club (Age Group, Masters, Open Water), NUEL Swimming Club, Greenwich Royals Swimming Club, and London Fields Triathlon Club.
