Europe’s most beautiful outdoor pools

Europe’s outdoor pools have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, fuelled by a growing appetite for wellness experiences on the road. A new wave of lidos, harbour baths and historic complexes are giving urban hubs an appeal that once belonged exclusively to fly and flop holidays – pairing cooling waters with sun-drenched terraces and architecture that invites you to linger long after your towel has dried. 

As temperatures rise across the Northern Hemisphere and city breaks continue to dominate travel plans, taking a dip has become as much a cultural experience as a refreshing one. These pools offer a chance to mix with locals, slow down and explore a neighbourhood through a new lens. From an Olympic pool with sweeping views across Barcelona to a seawater complex that has reinvented Oslo’s waterfront, read on to discover the continent’s most compelling spots to take a dip.

Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain

Enjoying a prime position on Barcelona’s Montjuïc, Piscina Municipal was refurbished to host the 1992 Summer Olympic Games and remains one of Europe’s most sought-after outdoor swimming spots. Two pools sit side by side – a 25m one and a smaller diving pool with a 10m platform – offering undisturbed views of the Sagrada Família and the city stretching towards the sea. It’s easy to spend the whole afternoon here, with poolside loungers and sun-bleached parasols, but we recommend arriving in the evening for a golden hour splash before dinner (it stays open until 7pm on weekdays and 8.30pm at weekends). Dry off and head to Bar del Pla for fresh tapas before ducking into Bestiari for a cocktail. picornell.forus.en

Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, Copenhagen, Denmark 

You’ll find most of Copenhagen paddling, diving and sprawling across the sun-warmed decking of Islands Brygge Harbour Bath in summer. Designed by celebrated architects Bjarke Ingels and Julien De Smedt, the former industrial waterfront has been transformed into a slick aquatic playground – picture floating wooden pontoons, a 75m pool, two shallow children’s pools and striking diving platforms shaped like ship bows. The harbour water uses filtered seawater and is tested each morning, so you can swim (or practise your handstands) with confidence. For something wilder, head 20 minutes to Kastrup Søbad, a showstopping circular sea bath that shelters swimmers from the wind, complete with ladders and jump platforms for those who like to make an entrance. islandsbryggeharbourbath

Piscina das Marés, Porto, Portugal

It’s hard to believe that just a short drive from Porto’s bustling centre lies a landscape as serene as Piscina das Marés. Sandwiched between the Atlantic and the dramatic rocks of Leça da Palmeira beach, this spectacular swimming spot was created in 1966 by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira as a safe place to swim right on the coast. The beauty of this National Monument lies in its simplicity – picture two concrete pools that fill naturally with seawater while seamlessly blending into the coastline. Expect a feel-good crowd including families, well-heeled couples and day-trippers here throughout summer, with red-and-white parasols lining the shore. Cool off and make tracks to The Largo for rooftop views and a seasonal menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Nuno Mendes. visitportugal.com/piscina-das-mares

Tooting Bec Lido, London, UK

Pick up an ice cream from Jefferson’s on Balham High Road – the brookies and cream is our favourite – then trot through Tooting Bec Common until you reach the gates of Tooting Bec Lido. The south London pool ranks as the largest freshwater swimming pool in the UK at an impressive 91m, but it’s also one of the oldest, welcoming swimmers since 1906. A mishmash of colourful changing huts lines the pool, while surrounding oak trees provide a cool breeze and shade on sweltering days. Claim a spot on the grassy banks and enjoy an afternoon cooling off from the city’s humid heat. If you’re in search of some entertainment between lengths, nearby bookshop Backstory offers a great lineup of poolside page-turners. tootingbeclido

Bagni Misteriosi, Milan, Italy

If you’re wondering where to find Milan’s locals on a balmy afternoon, skip straight to Bagni Misteriosi. Named after a painting by Italian surrealist artist Giorgio de Chirico, this spectacularly restored 1930s pool – reimagined by the Pier Lombardo Foundation and Laboratorio Permanente in 2013 – operates less like a lido and more like a cultural institution. Two stylish pools sit alongside a wooden solarium, a bistro and a bar perfectly timed for the city’s aperitivo hour. Forget plush sun loungers, here, concrete steps are covered with a colourful spread of towels, with grassy surrounds covered in blankets too. Come winter, the water is drained and the space is transformed into a festive ice rink. teatrofrancoparenti.it/bagni-misteriosi/

Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen, Zürich, Switzerland

One of Zürich’s oldest badis – the city’s outdoor bathing spots, originally developed in the 1830s to provide locals with a hygienic place to wash – Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen remains a summer favourite for locals. Resting on the shores of Lake Zürich, it’s best known for its circular pool built into the lake’s edge, making it better suited to cooling off and soaking up the community vibe than swimming serious lengths. Reached by a wooden footbridge, the lido features a winding waterslide and multi-level diving platform that invite hours of carefree fun. Stretch out on the lawns and watch paddleboarders, kayakers and sailboats glide across the water, framed by forested hills and lakeside chalets, before heading into Zürich’s Old Town for Mediterranean plates served alfresco at Markethalle Restaurant. stadt-zuerich.ch/de/stadtleben

Sørenga Sjøbad, Oslo, Norway

Sørenga Sjøbad marked the moment Oslo embraced its fjord when it opened in 2015. Floating off the modern harbour pier on a timber jetty, the free, accessible bathing complex is one of the capital’s cultural highlights. There’s a 50m lap pool, diving tower, children’s pool and a small sandy beach – all set against the cool waters of the Oslofjord. It’s neighboured by the cutting-edge Opera House, designed to resemble a glacier emerging from the fjord and complete with a walkable roof, as well as the Munch Museum and the buzzy food hall Vippa Oslo. Don’t miss the floating wood-fired saunas, specifically KOK Oslo – solar-powered sauna boats that take you out onto the fjord. oslo.kommune.en/natur-kultur-og-fritid/tur-og-friluftsliv/badeplasser/sorenga-sjobad/

Lukács Baths, Budapest, Hungary

While Budapest's photogenic Gellért Thermal Bath is closed for restoration, swerve the crowds of Széchenyi and head instead to Lukács Baths near the Margaret Bridge. Framed by buttercup-yellow facades on the Buda side of the Danube, these geothermal waters – rich in calcium, magnesium and sulphur – have been drawing bathers since the 12th century, when they were first recognised for their healing properties. Three indoor thermal pools sit alongside two outdoor pools, perfect for lingering on a summer afternoon. Be sure to seek out the drinking fountain, where mineralised water is said to aid digestion, and look out for the marble testimonials from those who came here to heal. Round off your visit in the thermal area, where you can hop between a Finnish sauna, ice hut, infrared sauna, and a Himalayan salt wall. lukacsfurdo.en/

Centre Nautique Tony Bertrand, Lyon, France

A goggles’ throw from Place Bellecour, hugging the west bank of the River Rhône, this pool has been attracting swimmers since 1965. Built at the request of mayor Louis Pradel and his sports deputy Tony Bertrand in a bid to host the Olympics (which never quite materialised), Centre Nautique Tony Bertrand is a spacious 50m pool open year-round and heated in winter. It’s the perfect place to cool off and enjoy views of the city’s shimmering rooftops, but it’s worth noting that a strict dress code requires men to wear Speedo-style briefs and women to paddle in a one-piece. For a more relaxed setting, a family pool is open in summer with a water slide, hot tubs, and a garden area with beach volleyball. lyon.en/lieu/piscines-dete-et-dhiver/centre-nautique-tony-bertrand-ex-piscine-du-rhone

Badeschiff, Berlin, Germany

Only in Berlin would an old cargo barge fitted with a pool and anchored on the River Spree become one of the city’s coolest hangouts. Badeschiff, which translates as “bathing ship”, was created as a solution to the Spree’s poor water quality, providing locals and tourists with a place to enjoy the romance of open-air swimming. Located in Alt-Treptow – a stretch of the river that once formed part of the fortified border between East and West Berlin – the summer setup features hammocks, deckchairs and a soundtrack guaranteed to put a groove into your backstroke. It’s the sort of place where you plan to stay for an hour and end up lingering all evening thanks to the flavour-packed drinks and a regular rotation of DJs. In winter, the pool is enclosed in a heated dome, with saunas on standby to warm you up. visitberlin.de/badeschiff-der-arena