World's Best Public Swimming Pools: Iconic Spots for Swimmers and Sightseers
Whether seeking exercise, relief from soaring temperatures, or the joy of splashing around, these world-renowned public pools offer stunning settings and prime locations near top tourist attractions, seamlessly blending swimming with sightseeing.
North Sydney Olympic Pool, Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Prince Alfred Park Pool, and Bondi Icebergs, Sydney
Pacific waves frequently crash over the wall, topping up the pool at Bondi Icebergs swimming club. Image by Kristina D.C. Hoeppner / CC BY-SA 2.0
Sydney's outdoor swimmers have endless options. Start beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge at North Sydney Olympic Pool (northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Recreation_Facilities), cross to Andrew Boy Charlton Pool (abcpool.org), visit the revamped Prince Alfred Park Pool (princealfred.org), and end with a dip at Bondi Icebergs (icebergs.com.au).
Nearby: Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge (bridgeclimb.com) for thrills; enjoy the Royal Botanic Garden & Domain (rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au) near Boy Charlton; explore Surry Hills' trendy bars and eateries from Prince Alfred; and access Bondi Beach plus the cliff walk to Coogee from Icebergs.
Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's 50m 'Commie Pool' (edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/royal-commonwealth-pool), built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, will host diving for the Glasgow games. It's also among Scotland's top 100 modern architectural gems.
Nearby: Hike Arthur’s Seat (scottishsport.co.uk/walking/arthurseat.htm), a 251m volcanic remnant in Holyrood Park (historic-scotland.gov.uk)—a wild oasis of crags, moorland, and loch amid the city.
Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Inside Zaha Hadid's dazzling Aquatics Centre. Image by Atos / CC BY-SA 2.0
Zaha Hadid's architectural masterpiece from London's 2012 Olympics (queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk) is now public. Book a swim in the 50m competition pool or 25m training pools under its iconic wave-like roof.
Nearby: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park features the 114.5m ArcelorMittal Orbit (queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk), the UK's tallest sculpture, with panoramic views and mirrored effects.
Bains des Pâquis, Geneva
The open-air Bains des Pâquis (bains-des-paquis.ch) offer sunbathing, Lake Geneva swims, drinks, massages, and hammam. Catch free 6am summer concerts (July 19–Sept 1) with complimentary coffee.
Nearby: View the 140m Jet d’Eau and Jardin Anglais' flower clock lakeside.
Gellért Thermal Baths, Budapest
Warm waters beckon amid splendid architecture at Hungary's Gellért Baths. Image by alcuin lai / CC BY-SA 2.0
Centuries-old thermal springs feed Gellért Baths (gellertbath.hu), opened in 1918. Enjoy indoor/outdoor pools in secessionist style.
Nearby: Citadella Fortress (citadella.hu) offers exhibitions, dining, and Budapest vistas.
Sunway Lagoon, Petaling Jaya
Beat Kuala Lumpur's heat at this quarry-turned waterpark (sunwaylagoon.com) with slides and the world's largest artificial surf beach.
Nearby: Air-conditioned Sunway Pyramid mall (sunwaypyramid.com) features Egyptian themes, giant lions, and an ice rink.
Astoria Park, Queens & Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, New York City
New York's largest open-air pool is in Astoria Park. Image by Barry Winiker / Photolibrary / Getty Images
NYC parks pools run late June–Sept 1. Astoria Park's (nycgovparks.org) is oldest/largest; Brooklyn Bridge Park's pop-up (brooklynbridgepark.org/events) suits families near Manhattan.
Nearby: Queens: Noguchi Museum (noguchi.org), Museum of the Moving Image (movingimage.us). Brooklyn: Walk Brooklyn Bridge, ride Jane's Carousel (janescarousel.com).
Barton Springs Pool, Austin, Texas, USA
This 1.2-hectare, spring-fed pool (austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool) in Zilker Park stays ~21°C year-round. Legend says young Robert Redford swam here.
Nearby: Zilker's Japanese Garden (zilkergarden.org/gardens/japanese.html) by Isamu Taniguchi offers serene bridges, lanterns, and Austin views.
Watercube Waterpark, Beijing
The former 2008 Olympics venue reinvented as a waterpark. Image by Eric Gregory Powell / Photolibrary / Getty Images
The bubble-like Watercube (waterpark-watercube.com/English), Asia's largest indoor waterpark, features Tornado slides, Bulletbowl, waves, and Lazy River.
Nearby: Bird's Nest stadium (n-s.cn), world's largest steel structure.
Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town
Sea Point Pavilion (capetown.gov.za/en/SportRecreation/Pages/SeaPointSwimmingPool.aspx) art deco complex is warmer than the Atlantic. Try False Bay tidal pools at St James/Kalk Bay for seawater.
Nearby: Table Mountain: Hike or cable car for iconic summit views.
