Summer in the city: outdoor swimming pools in Warsaw for cooling off in hot weather
July 12, 2025
When the summer heat turns Warsaw's streets into hot pans, outdoor swimming pools become a real savior for locals and tourists. The capital offers a surprisingly wide range of places where one can take a dip in the refreshing open-air water. From intimate neighborhood swimming pools to elaborate recreational complexes with numerous water attractions, there is something for everyone. Outdoor swimming pools are not only a way to cool down the body, but also a great opportunity for active recreation, swimming training or relaxation with the family. We present a guide to the best outdoor swimming pools in Warsaw that will help you survive even the hottest days this summer.
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Classic outdoor swimming pools in the city center
Warsaw, despite its metropolitan character, offers a surprisingly large number of open-air swimming opportunities. Among them, the most noteworthy are the facilities located in central districts, which combine a convenient location with a rich infrastructure.
One of the best-known sites of this type is the swimming pool complex at the Inflancka Center. This modern facility, located near the Dworzec Gdanski subway station, offers not only an indoor swimming pool, but also a seasonal outdoor pool. In the summer, the facility turns into a true water recreation center. The main Olympic-size pool (50 m) allows both recreational swimming and professional training. For the youngest there is a paddling pool with water attractions, and sun lovers will appreciate the spacious sunbathing terraces equipped with deck chairs. The Inflancka center is distinguished from other Warsaw outdoor pools by its excellent technical condition and the purity of its water, which is regularly tested and filtered.
An additional advantage of the place is its extensive facilities - locker rooms with lockers, showers, as well as a refreshment stand where drinks and snacks can be purchased. The facility is adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, making it accessible to all. Ticket prices are kept at an average level, and the facility offers discounts for children, students and seniors. However, it's worth remembering that the pool can sometimes be crowded on weekends and hot days, so it's best to plan your visit in the early morning hours.
Slightly further north, in Zoliborz, there is another noteworthy facility - the Zoliborz Sports and Recreation Center on Potocka Street. This sports complex offers a 25 x 12.5-meter outdoor swimming pool, which operates during the summer season. The place has a long history and tradition - the pool has been in existence for several decades, and over that time it has become a favorite place for recreation for residents of the northern districts of Warsaw.
The center in Zoliborz is distinguished by its intimate, almost family-like atmosphere. Surrounded by greenery, it gives the impression of an oasis of calm in the urban jungle. The pool is divided into a shallower and deeper section, allowing both children and adults to enjoy it. There is also a paddling pool for the little ones and a playground. An additional feature is a beach volleyball court to add variety to the water activities. Admission prices are affordable, which, combined with the location in the green part of the city, makes this place attractive for families with children.
Returning to the center, it's impossible to miss the now legendary Namyslowska Pools, which, after years of neglect, have undergone extensive modernization and are once again serving the residents of the capital. This historic facility, located in Praga-North, offers a 50 x 20 meter outdoor swimming pool and a wading pool for children. The Namysłowska pools have a rich history dating back to the 1950s and for many Varsovians are a place full of childhood memories.
After the renovation, the facility gained a modern look while retaining its characteristic atmosphere. The water in the pool is heated, allowing for comfortable use even on colder days. The area around the pool has been landscaped - deck chairs, umbrellas and a catering area have appeared. The Namysłowska pools are well connected to the rest of the city, making them easily accessible to residents of both Prague and other districts. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of day and week, but generally remain at an affordable level.
Comparing the three facilities, one can see that each has its own unique character and strengths. The Inflancka center offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and the largest pool, but also tends to be the most crowded. The center in Zoliborz attracts with its intimate atmosphere and green surroundings, but is somewhat smaller. Namyslowska Pools combines tradition with modernity and offers a spacious pool at an affordable price. All three places are well-maintained, with clean water and professional staff, making them worthy of recommendation for anyone looking to cool off on hot days.
Recreational complexes with outdoor pools
Warsaw offers not only classic outdoor swimming pools, but also elaborate recreational complexes that combine the functions of swimming pools with additional attractions. These facilities are ideal for those looking for various forms of active recreation and water entertainment.
The Warszawianka Water Park is undoubtedly one of the most impressive recreational complexes in the capital. Located in Mokotow on Merliniego Street, it offers both indoor and outdoor pools that operate all year round. In the summer season, the outdoor pool complex, which includes a large recreational pool with separate lanes for swimming, a paddling pool for children and an extensive relaxation area with loungers and umbrellas, is particularly popular.
Warszawianka is distinguished from other facilities by its wealth of water attractions. There are slides of varying difficulty, a rushing river, water geysers and an open-air Jacuzzi. For lovers of active recreation, aqua aerobics classes are organized, which are very popular among people of all ages. The complex is surrounded by an extensive green area, which creates ideal conditions for relaxation and sunbathing between baths.
The infrastructure of the facility stands at a high level - spacious locker rooms, modern showers, catering outlets offering a variety of snacks and drinks. There is also a swimming accessories store on the Warszawianka premises, where you can buy forgotten goggles or swimming caps. Ticket prices are higher than at standard city pools, but this is compensated for by the wealth of attractions available and the high standard of service.
Another noteworthy complex is the Park of Culture in Powsin, located on the southern outskirts of Warsaw. It is a unique place, combining the functions of a recreational park, sports center and swimming pool. In the summer season, there is an outdoor 50 x 20 meter swimming pool and a paddling pool for children. The facility is distinguished primarily by its location - surrounded by the Kabaty Forest, it offers contact with nature and clean air, which is rare for urban swimming pools.
The Park of Culture in Powsin is not just a swimming pool - it is a comprehensive recreational offer. On the vast grounds you will find beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, ping-pong tables, children's playgrounds and barbecue areas. For lovers of active recreation, bicycle and sports equipment rentals are available. The property also offers dining facilities - bars and restaurants serving dinner and snacks.
Admission prices to the Powsin Culture Park are affordable, which, combined with the wide range of recreational activities on offer, makes this place attractive to families with children and groups of friends planning to spend a day outdoors. The downside may be the distance from the city center, but the facility is well connected by public transportation, and spacious parking is available for motorists.
On the opposite end of Warsaw, on the right bank of the Vistula River, are the Kora Pools, a recreational complex on Wał Miedzeszyński. This facility offers two outdoor swimming pools: a sports pool measuring 25 x 12.5 meters and a recreational pool with water attractions for children and adults. The Kora swimming pools have a long tradition - they have been in operation for several decades and during this time have gained a group of regular visitors, mainly among the residents of right-bank Warsaw.
The complex has undergone modernization in recent years, so that it now offers modern infrastructure while maintaining its characteristic, somewhat retro atmosphere. There is an extensive green area with sunbathing spots, a children's playground and beach volleyball courts. For the thirsty and hungry, there are food and beverage outlets offering drinks, ice cream and snacks.
Kora pools are distinguished by their affordable ticket prices and family atmosphere. The facility is less crowded than the pools in the city center, allowing more comfortable enjoyment of the attractions. An additional advantage is its proximity to the Vistula River and green areas, making it possible to combine swimming in the pool with a picnic or a walk by the river.
Comparing the three recreational complexes, one can see significant differences in offer and character. The Warszawianka Water Park is the most elaborate facility, offering the widest range of water attractions, but it is also the most expensive and often crowded. The Park of Culture in Powsin is distinguished by its location in a natural setting and rich recreational offerings beyond swimming, but is the farthest from the center. The Kora pools offer an intimate atmosphere and affordable prices, but have fewer water attractions than the other facilities. So the choice depends on individual preference - whether the priority is a wealth of attractions, contact with nature, or perhaps affordability and less crowding.
Outdoor swimming pools in outlying districts
In addition to the city center and popular recreational complexes, Warsaw also offers interesting open-air swimming options in neighborhoods farther from the city center. These facilities, although less well-known to tourists, are often favorite recreation spots for local communities and can be real gems for those looking for less crowded alternatives.
The OSiR Ochota outdoor swimming pool on Usypiskowa Street is one such facility. Located in a green part of the Ochota district, somewhat off the main traffic routes, it offers an intimate atmosphere and pleasant surroundings. The complex consists of a 25 x 12.5 meter sports pool and a paddling pool for children. The area around the pools is landscaped - there are deck chairs, umbrellas and a small playground for the little ones.
The swimming pool in Ochota is distinguished by its calm, almost idyllic atmosphere. Surrounded by trees, it gives the impression of an oasis in the urban jungle. The pool water is regularly tested and kept impeccably clean, and the infrastructure, though not the latest, is well-maintained and functional. There is a food and beverage outlet offering basic snacks and drinks, as well as a lounger rental service.
Ticket prices are affordable, which, combined with less crowding than at the central pools, makes this an attractive destination for families with children and those seeking quiet relaxation. The downside may be the slightly inferior transportation to the city center, but for residents of Ochota and surrounding neighborhoods, this is an ideal option for hot days.
Another noteworthy facility is the Sports and Recreation Center of the Warsaw District of Ochota, which manages a swimming pool on Rokosowska Street. This smaller facility offers a 25 x 10 meter outdoor swimming pool that operates during the summer season. The pool has a more intimate character and is popular mainly with local residents.
The facility on Rokosowska Street has undergone modernization in recent years, so it now offers a refreshed infrastructure. The pool is divided into a shallower and deeper section, allowing both children and adults to use it. There is also a small playground and areas for lounging and sunbathing. A vending machine with drinks is available for the thirsty.
The advantage of this place is its intimate character - the pool is rarely crowded, which allows for comfortable swimming and relaxation. Ticket prices are low, and the facility offers attractive passes for regular visitors. The center also organizes swimming lessons for children and adults, which are very popular with the local community.
Comparing these two facilities with the previously described complexes, one can see that they offer fewer water activities, but compensate for this with an intimate atmosphere and lower prices. These places are ideal for people who appreciate peace and quiet and the ability to swim freely without the crowds characteristic of more popular pools.
It is also worth mentioning some practical aspects of using outdoor swimming pools in Warsaw. Most facilities operate during the summer season, usually from early June to late August or mid-September, depending on weather conditions. Opening hours vary, but most pools are open from morning to evening, often with a technical break in the midday hours.
Ticket prices range from cheap for smaller neighborhood venues to medium or high for elaborate recreational complexes. Most venues offer discounts for children, students and seniors, as well as multiple-entry passes, which are a cost-effective option for regulars. It's a good idea to check current price lists on the websites of individual facilities before planning a visit.
In terms of facilities, locker rooms with lockers for clothes, showers and toilets are standard. Hair dryers, baby changing rooms and lockers for valuables are also available in larger complexes. Most facilities require the use of swimming caps, which can be purchased on site or you can bring your own.
When choosing an outdoor swimming pool in Warsaw, you should be guided not only by the location, but also by the nature of the facility and the attractions offered. For families with children, the best will be complexes with paddling pools and playgrounds, for those focused on sports swimming - pools with separate lanes, and for those looking for relaxation - places with loungers and green areas.
Regardless of your choice, outdoor swimming pools in Warsaw are an excellent alternative to crowded city beaches and air-conditioned shopping malls on hot days. They offer not only cooling off, but also the opportunity for active outdoor recreation, which is invaluable for the physical and mental health of big city residents.
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