Inland natural beaches have the charm of a summer oasis so necessary in Madrid’s summer. Our region has solutions for everything if you know where to look. From the municipal pools to the ones that occupy the rooftops of some buildings in the heart of the capital, passing through the options that occupy us here: marshes, rivers and pools that make the summer more bearable for the people of Madrid thanks to the inland beaches and natural pools.
This is a refreshing selection of places to take a dip, with special attention to las bathing zones in the region permitted by the Community of Madrid. Also, keep in mind that the official swimming season for CAM is from May 15 to September 15. The quality of the water and its suitability for bathing can be checked in this web.
1. Las Presillas
Las Presillas are natural pools located in Rascafría, 80 km from Madrid, in the Valley of El Paular. This enclave in the Sierra de Guadarrama, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views, is home to three pools surrounded by pine trees. It has a lawn area where you can sunbathe or making picnics and has toilets, kiosk and picnic tables.
Access is free and free on foot, and if you travel by private vehicle, the parking fee is 9 €. You can visit the pools every day from 10 am to 9 pm. In the surroundings it is also worthwhile to visit the Recreational Area La Isla and the Monastery of El Paular.
📍 Rascafría, Community of Madrid. To get there from Madrid, take the A-1, turning off towards Lozoyuela, and then take the M-604.
2. Virgin of the New
Only 50 km from the capital is the San Juan reservoir, one of the four areas declared suitable for bathing by the Community of Madrid. Its 14 km of “beaches” are one of the favorite destinations of the Madrileños in summer, so it is necessary to get up early to find a place. Its best known beach is the Virgen de la Nueva, which maintains its blue flag for another year.
The reservoir also has a recreational area, the Lancha del Yelmo, where water sportscan be practiced and is equipped with tables and a kiosk.
📍 San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It is accessed through the M-501, popularly known as the “road of the marshes”.
3. The Wall
Without leaving the San Juan reservoir, the other beach where bathing is allowed is El Muro. The other permitted Zone in the same area does not have the recognition and fame of Virgen de la Nueva, but it may be less crowded for that reason. In addition, the Community of Madrid rates the water quality as excellent in its annual sampling tests.
Dog bathing is also allowed here, in case you don’t want to go to one special pool for them.
📍 San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It is accessed through the M-501, popularly known as the “road of the marshes”.
4. Alberche Beach
This sandy area formed by the confluence of the Alberche and Perales rivers is one of those “beaches” in the closest sense of the term that Madrid allows.
The shallow water depth of makes it a zone of ideal to go with children and the setting, surrounded by forest, is spectacular. It also allows the ticket with dogs, as long as they are not loose. It is another Zone considered by the Community of Madrid as suitable for bathing.
📍 Aldea del Fresno. It is reached first by taking the A-5 and then the M-507. It can also be reached by public transportation from Príncipe Pío with buses 541, 545, 547 and 548.
5. Natural Pools of Cercedilla
The Natural Pools of Cercedilla are another of the essential stops of the summer season for the people of Madrid. Although they were originally completely natural, their waters are less “wild” because they are treated with chlorine.
It has services such as infirmary, bar, picnic areas if you bring your own food or toilets. It is located about 60 km from the capital and the rates are 6 € on weekdays, 7 € on holidays and 4 € for children under 14 and over 65. Their hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and they are open from June 14 through the end of August.
📍 Cercedilla. To get there, take the A-6 towards Guadarrama, from there take the road to Cercedilla and then to Las Dehesas
6. Estremera Beach
In the municipality of Estremera, 60 km from Madrid, is the beach of Estremera or Los Villares river beach. Recognized as a suitable bathing area by the Community of Madrid, Zone also has various services and is prepared to host various water activities. And an extra point in favor of those who have four-legged friends in the family: it allows access with animals.
📍 Estremera. It is reached by the A-3, taking exit 68 towards the M-241.
7. Riosequillo natural pool
It is located in Buitrago de Lozoya and receives water from the Riosequillo reservoir. The Zone is equipped with all kinds of services (beach bar, sports courts, children’s area, recreation and rest areas, changing rooms…), making it ideal for spending the whole day without worrying about anything but enjoying the bathing and the views of the surroundings. Admission costs €4 on weekdays and €5 on weekends for adults, a price that is reduced to €3 and €3.50 respectively for children and seniors over 65.
This pool is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 14 through September 1.
📍 Buitrago de Lozoya. To get there by car: A1 until exit 74, towards Buitrago de Lozoya. By public transport: Bus 191.
8. Hoya Encavera de Lozoya
It is located in a place of abundant vegetation with pools and rocky areas, a few meters from the Pinilla dam. The Zone has a small parking lot that costs 5€ next to the recreation area. Once there, you can cross the red bridge that crosses the river and follow the signs to reach the dam of the reservoir or, taking the opposite direction, reach the Congosto bridge, an impressive construction whose origin is uncertain: it is thought to be Roman or medieval.
📍 Lozoya. To get there, take the M-604 and at kilometer 12 take the Embalse de la Pinilla turnoff.
9. Mouth of the donkey
La Boca del Asno is located between Madrid and Segovia, in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Specifically, it is located in the forests of Valsaín where the meadows of the Eresma River form these natural pools where bathing was traditionally allowed.
Since 2019 these Zones have been delineated to two. In any case, it is a hiking route ideal to leave the heat of the capital and, in addition, it is very close to the Granja de San Ildefonso. It also has a recreation area and parking.
📍 Sierra de Guadarrama. How to get there from Madrid, on the CL-601, which connects the navacerrada pass with La Granja de San Ildefonso, at km 13.4.
10. Bolarque Beach
An hour and a half from Madrid is the Bolarque reservoir, in Guadalajara. In addition to swimming, at this inland beach you can do the following activities canoe routes and other water sports. Although it has an important difference with respect to the rest: it is paid. It costs 10 € any day of the week.
There is a beach bar and there is the possibility of renting kayaks on site with which to tour the area and visit places such as the turtle cave. A rounded weekend plan to 100 kilometers from Madrid.
📍 Guadalajara. 130 kilometers from the center of Madrid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO8qtin10Tc
As summer sets in and the temperature rises, weekends in the capital are better in the suburbs. You don’t have to go far for the temperatures to drop and the water to run, the marshes and rivers of Madrid are a must every summer.