Plunging into a coldwater pool is both invigorating and nerve-jangling—an exercise in self-motivation that pays dividends as soon as you come up for air. Imagine experiencing that same thrill while surrounded by some of the planet’s most iconic skylines…
Nestled among the high-rises, historical landmarks, and hipster cafes of the world’s cities is a wealth of lidos, river pools, and swimming lakes, offering all the benefits of outdoor swimming while immersed in urban surrounds. Keen to front crawl through the sprawl or wild swim the concrete jungle? From soaking in London’s Serpentine to breaststroke in The Bronx, NYC, here’s a rundown of swimming experiences that truly make a splash.
Islands Brygge Harbour Baths – Copenhagen, Denmark
From the nation that gave us hygge, Copenhagen’s feel-good outdoor swimming offerings are unsurprisingly numerous and perennially popular. Top of the list are the Islands Brygge Harbour Baths, adorning the city’s picturesque waterfront and boasting uninterrupted skyline views for the locals, families, and visiting swimmers taking a dip in their chilly depths. Opened in 2003 in the quaint Islands Brygge neighborhood, this collection of pools provides cold water thrills throughout the summer months, complete with a springboard-studded diving pool for those so inclined.
Kitsilano Pool – Vancouver, Canada
Originally the longest saltwater pool in North America, Vancouver’s spectacular Kitsilano Pool has had to surrender this title since its opening but has retained its acclaim nonetheless—thanks in no small part to renovations in late 2018. Located along the shoreline of English Bay, the pool combines panoramic views across to the city’s West End with expansive lanes and sun-soaked shallows that are open to all from May to September.
Bains de Paquis – Geneva, Switzerland
Encircled by a wooden jetty jutting out from the shore of Lake Geneva, this chic city pool captures visitors at hello. Locals and tourists alike flock to Bains de Paquis as the temperatures rise, but you needn’t fear the summertime crowds; facilities, which include a heavenly sauna and hammam as well as a towering diving platform, are open all year round.
Serpentine Lido – London, UK
London has no shortage of outdoor bathing options, boasting a collection of renowned lidos and the famous Hampstead Heath Ponds—a magnet for fanatical wild swimmers worldwide. If it’s urban surrounds you’re after, however, no pool fits the bill better than the city’s Serpentine Lido, located in one of London’s most central green spaces, Hyde Park. Home to the oldest swimming club in Britain, this lido comprises a portion of the Serpentine River and sees swimmers of all ages and abilities plunging into its bracing depths throughout the summer months.
Bronx Floating Pool – New York City, USA
Floating serenely on NYC’s East River and open from June to September, this public pool is surrounded by skyline views of the world’s most famous city. A seven-lane lido built into a barge alongside the Bronx’s Barretto Point Park, the annual opening of this innovative freshwater swimming solution is a welcome retreat for the neighborhood locals and a lesser-known alternative to Queens’ Astoria Pool, which can become overcrowded in the summer.
Piscine Josephine Baker – Paris, France
Swimming on the Seine has a romantic ring to it, non? Paris’ innovative Piscine Josephine Baker floats atop the famous river, and despite being slightly tucked away from the bustle of the city center, it makes up for it with tranquil suburban surroundings. Open throughout the year, the 25m pool complex also features a sauna, small gym, and sun deck for thawing out after a refreshing dip.
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach – Reykjavik, Iceland
Wild swimming in Icelandic waters may sound suited only to the most dedicated, but Reykjavik’s Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach has just the right amount of natural beauty (and hot tubs) to tempt you in. This innovative municipal project, completed in 2001, consists of a man-made lagoon where icy sea and hot geothermal water fuse to create pleasant swimming conditions, all with the multi-hued houses of the city within view. The beach features a lagoon pool and sea shallows, plus a steam bath for the true Scandi hot-and-cold experience.
If a dip in the hot tub doesn’t quite cut it, give Reykjavik’s ever-eccentric Cafe Babalú a whirl. With cozy, well-worn sofas, shelves of books, board games, and roasteries, it creates a warming atmosphere that’ll take the chill off in no time.
