With the first heat wave of the summer relentlessly driving up temperatures in Madrid, the best plans are those that invite you to take a dip or escape the heat in the heart of nature. And in the case of the Las Berceas Natural Pool in Cercedilla —which has already opened its doors to swimmers in 2026— both of these conditions come together.
The complex, located in the spectacular Fuenfría Valley within the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, not only offers two large pools surrounded by wild pine trees, but also guarantees that visitors will find temperatures a few degrees cooler than in the capital.
It spans 30 hectares with facilities that have everything you need for a day at the pool: picnic areas, changing rooms, showers, restrooms, a bar, a first-aid station, a grassy area for sunbathing, and the two large pools mentioned above.
Hours and how to get tickets for Las Berceas
The Las Berceas Natural Pool is open daily until August 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
It’s important to note that on weekends and holidays, you must purchase tickets online—tickets are not sold at the box office. On the Cercedilla City Council website, you can buy tickets for the pools and reserve a parking spot in the Las Dehesas area if you’re driving; this is a mandatory step if you plan to use the parking lot.
The parking lot has a capacity for 240 vehicles and fills up quickly on weekends, so it’s advisable to reserve a spot as soon as possible. Keep in mind that purchasing pool tickets does not guarantee a parking spot, so it’s essential to reserve one separately.
Prices
Non-members
- Adults (ages 14–64): €9 on weekdays and €12 on weekends.
- Children ages 5 and up, seniors over 65, and people with a disability between 33% and 65%: €5 on weekdays and €7 on weekends.
- 10-visit passes: €65 for adults and €45 for children and seniors over 65 (valid only on weekdays).
- Afternoon discount: On weekdays starting at 5:00 p.m., a 50% discount will be applied to tickets purchased at the ticket office.
Season pass holders (residents registered in Cercedilla or property owners in Cercedilla)
- Adults (ages 14–64): €2.50
- Other visitors: €1.50
Children between the ages of 0 and 4 (both ages included) and people with a disability rating of 65% or higher (including their companion) will not have to pay admission.
How to get to the Las Berceas Natural Pool
The pools are located within the Dehesas Recreational Area, on the Fuenfría Road (M-966), at kilometer 3.9. To get there from Madrid, take the A-6 or the Colmenar Road (M-607).
Between June 27 and August 30, its free shuttle bus service will run once again from downtown Cercedilla —where there is a free park-and-ride lot for more than 400 vehicles—with stops 500 meters from the commuter train station and at the recreational park. To use the shuttle, you simply need to show your pool admission ticket.
Another public transportation option is the Cercedilla city bus line (Instituto–Hospital de la Fuenfría), which stops at the Fuenfría Valley Visitor Center in the National Park (about a 10-minute walk from Las Berceas).
A river beach where swimming is permitted
In a similar vein of refreshing getaways set in natural surroundings, just 50 km from Madrid, lies the Alberche river beach, one of the few locations in the Community of Madrid where swimming is permitted. It’s an ideal day trip, featuring amenities such as picnic areas and beach bars.
