The swimming pools of Madrid are that oasis of the Madrid asphalt that we desperately look for as soon as the heat begins. Luckily, many of the terraces in Madrid have one. In addition, many of the public pools are open from May 15 until September 7, the municipal ones, and until September 8, those of the Community of Madrid.
This year, in addition, the works of four swimming pools will be finished before the end of June: the one of the sports centers Luis Aragonés (Hortaleza), Peñuelas (Arganzuela), Moscardó (Usera) and Vicente del Bosque (Fuencarral-El Pardo).
1. The wave pool of Torrejón
In the top of the best pools in the Community of Madrid can not miss the wave pool in Torrejón de Ardoz, unique in its category in Spain. It is located in the Juan Antonio Samarach enclosure and has a wave generator pool, a children’s pool and an indoor pool.
The pools have been open since mid-June, but the schedule for other years was from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm until September 1. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the pool, with discounts available for users with a municipal sports card (ADM). In addition, there is a 50% discount for those entering after 18:00 and vouchers for 5 baths for 25 euros for guests of ADM users.
Location: calle de San Fernando, s/n (Torrejón de Ardoz)
2. Puerta de Hierro Sports Park
The former Parque Sindical, colloquially known as the Charca del Obrero, has been a real relief of Madrid’s summer since 1955 and continues to be one of the main sports areas of the Community. Its summer swimming 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 federations (golf, paddle tennis, pelota, taekwondo, rowing, canoeing, rugby and archery).
Location: road to La Coruña, Km 7
2. Swimming pool of the Hotel Emperador
If you want to swim over 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 tenth floor of the hotel you will 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. The entrance fee also includes a towel, Balinese bed and a glass of champagne.
Location: Gran Vía street, 53 (Downtown)
3. Parla Beach
Swimming in salt water just 16 km from Madrid is possible at the Parla Beach. This municipal swimming pool will make you forget the sea for a moment, you can even lie on the grass or on the fine sand and enjoy the sun. With 3000 cubic meters of crystal clear water and three independent pools, this enclosure is one of the best kept secrets of the summer on the outskirts of the capital.
It is usually open from mid-June to mid-September.
Location: Avenidade América, s/n (Parla)
4. Casa de Campo Municipal Sports Center
The Casa de Campo sports center was renovated in 2021, including the complete remodeling of three of the five pools and the creation of a new initiation pool. It is one of the most attractive municipal swimming pools in Madrid thanks to the privileged environment in which it is located, surrounded by oak trees and very close to the Casa de Campo lake. All kinds of water sports classes are organized in its facilities, for all ages, including swimming lessons for people with disabilities.
Location: Paseo Puerta del Ángel, 7 (Casa de Campo)
5. Riosequillo Swimming Pool
The Riosequillo pool is one of the largest in Spain, with a maximum capacity of 2000 people. It is in Buitrago de Lozoya, near the homonymous reservoir and just 70 kilometers from Madrid. The pool will be open from June 20 to September 1 and the general admission price during the week is 9 € and 13 € on weekends.
Location: A1, Km. 74 (Buitrago de Lozoya)
6. Aluche Municipal Sports Center
The municipal swimming pool of Aluche, among many other activities and family plans, has hosted on several occasions “The Day Without Swimwear” an event in favor of nudism that has made it appear in the media with assiduity.
In addition, its pool with two bathtubs is surrounded by a wooded area with picnic tables that make it one of the most pleasant pools on the outskirts of Madrid to spend the whole day in the shelter of the summer heat.
Location: Avenida de Las Águilas, 14 (Aluche).
7. World Swimming Center 86
The Centro de Natación Mundial 86 was created to host the World Swimming Championships held in Spain in 1986. At the time, it became the largest swimming center in the world, housing two Olympic-size indoor pools and one outdoor pool. It has a total of eight different pools. The creation of this center also mitigated the lack of quality training facilities for professional swimmers in the Community of Madrid.
The opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and there are both individual tickets and vouchers of 10.
Location: Calle de José Martínez de Velasco, 3 (Retiro)
8. Canal de Isabel II Swimming Pool
One of the oldest swimming pools in the Community of Madrid is that of the Canal de Isabel II. It was originally the project of a group of workers who in 1930 founded the Canal Sports Association and built a swimming pool and a soccer field. Although the current pool is later, that was the germ of what is now this sports center for the neighborhood. There is also a children’s pool.
The opening hours of the facilities are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and they sell individual tickets or year-round passes.
Location: Avenida de Filipinas, 54 (Chamberí)
9. Vicente del Bosque Swimming Pools
The summer swimming pools of the Vicente del Bosque Municipal Sports Center, in the neighborhood of La Paz (Fuencarral-El Pardo), have reopened after three years closed for a comprehensive reform that has improved its two Olympic pools, purification, changing rooms and accessibility. The investment of almost 5 million euros has made it possible to solve structural and watertightness problems, giving back to the neighbors a much-demanded space.
Location: avenida de Monforte de Lemos, 13 (Fuencarral-El Pardo)
The days with the smell of chlorine and grass are one of the memories that we keep to resist during the winter, so, although we do not have a sea breeze, it is time to enjoy the urban alternatives. Whether with its municipal swimming pools or in the heights, soothing the heat and relaxing in the sun is almost more of a necessity than a whim.