Madrid’s swimming pools reaffirm themselves, once again, as that oasis in the concrete jungle that residents desperately seek as soon as the temperatures begin to rise. To the relief of Madrid residents, the options are divided between exclusive private terraces with swimming areas and the extensive public network, which has already officially announced its schedule for the summer of 2026.
The summer season officially begins on May 15. The municipal facilities operated by the Madrid City Council will remain open until September 6, while the facilities managed by the Community of Madrid will extend their season by one more day, ending on September 8.
No list of the best swimming pools in the Community of Madrid would be complete without the wave pool in Torrejón de Ardoz, the only one of its kind in Spain. It is located at the Juan Antonio Samarach complex and features a wave pool, a children’s pool, and an indoor pool.
The pools have been open since mid-June, though no specific date has been set yet; however, in previous years, hours were from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through September 4. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the pool, with discounts available for users with a municipal sports card (ADM). Additionally, there is a 50% discount for those who enter after 6:00 p.m. and 5-swim passes for 25 euros for guests of ADM users.
Puerta de Hierro Sports Park
The former Parque Sindical, colloquially known as the Charca del Obrero, has been a true summer haven in Madrid since 1955 and remains one of the region’s main sports venues. Its summer pool is seven times larger than an Olympic-sized pool and was inaugurated as the largest outdoor pool in Europe—at the time. Today, the sports complex is home to eight Madrid-based sports federations (golf, padel, pelota, taekwondo, rowing, canoeing, rugby, and archery).
If you want to swim with a view of the Madrid skyline, the pool at the Hotel Emperador is not only one of the most luxurious but also the largest rooftop pool in the city. On the hotel’s tenth floor, you’ll also find the Beach Club, an 800-meter space designed by interior designer Nacho García Vinuesa, which includes a restaurant, cocktail bar, solarium, and, of course, the majestic pool. Admission also includes a towel, a Balinese bed, and a glass of champagne.
Swimming in saltwater just 16 km from Madrid is possible at Parla Beach. This municipal pool will make you forget about the sea for a moment; you can even lie down on the grass or the fine sand and enjoy the sun. With 3,000 cubic meters of crystal-clear water and three separate pools, this facility is one of the best-kept summer secrets on the outskirts of the capital.
They are usually open from mid-June to mid-September.
Casa de Campo Municipal Sports Center
The Casa de Campo sports center was renovated in 2021, including a complete remodel of three of the five pools and the creation of a new beginner’s pool. It is one of Madrid’s most appealing municipal pools thanks to its privileged setting, surrounded by holm oaks and very close to the Casa de Campo lake. The facility offers all kinds of aquatic sports classes for all ages, including swimming lessons for people with disabilities.
Riosequillo Pool
The Riosequillo swimming pool is one of the largest in Spain, with a maximum capacity of 2,000 people. It is located in Buitrago de Lozoya, near the reservoir of the same name and just 70 kilometers from Madrid. The pool will be open from June 20 to September 1, and the general admission price is €9 on weekdays and €13 on weekends.
Aluche Municipal Sports Center
The Aluche municipal pool, among many other activities and family outings, has on several occasions hosted “El Día sin Bañador” (No Swimsuit Day), an event promoting nudism that has earned it regular media coverage.
In addition, its pool—featuring two separate pools—is surrounded by a wooded area and picnic-style tables, making it one of the most pleasant pools on the outskirts of Madrid to spend the entire day sheltered from the summer heat.
World Swimming Center 86
The Mundial 86 Swimming Center was built to host the World Swimming Championships held in Spain in 1986. At the time, it became the largest swimming center in the world, featuring two indoor Olympic-size pools and one outdoor pool. In total, it has eight different swimming pools. The creation of this center also helped address the lack of quality training facilities for professional swimmers in the Community of Madrid.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and both single-entry tickets and 10-visit passes are available.
One of the oldest swimming pools in the Community of Madrid is the one at Canal de Isabel II. It originally began as a project by a group of workers who, in 1930, founded the Agrupación Deportiva Canal and built a swimming pool and a soccer field. Although the current pool basin was added later, that was the seed of what this neighborhood sports complex has become today. There is also a children’s pool.
The facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and they sell single-entry tickets or annual passes.
The summer pools at the Vicente del Bosque Municipal Sports Center, in the La Paz neighborhood (Fuencarral-El Pardo), have reopened after being closed for three years due to a comprehensive renovation that has improved its two Olympic-size pools, the water treatment system, locker rooms, and accessibility. The investment of nearly 5 million euros has resolved structural and waterproofing issues, restoring a much-needed facility to the community.