Public pools aren’t just places to cool off on hot summer days. Some have become destinations in their own right, drawing visitors from around the world with their stunning architecture, natural beauty, or fascinating history. These aquatic attractions offer something far beyond your typical neighborhood swimming facility.
Here is a list of 20 public pools that have earned their status as must-see tourist destinations.
McCarren Park Pool (Brooklyn, New York)
This massive Art Deco pool opened in 1936 and quickly became the crown jewel of New York’s public pool system. The WPA-era facility can hold over 6,800 swimmers and features beautiful tile work and classic 1930s architecture.
After years of closure, it reopened in 2012 and now hosts both swimmers and concerts during the summer months.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths (Budapest, Hungary)
Built in 1913, these thermal baths offer a surreal experience of soaking in naturally heated water while snow falls around you. The neo-baroque complex features 18 pools filled with mineral-rich water that stays warm year-round thanks to underground hot springs.
Locals play chess while floating in the outdoor pools, creating one of Europe’s most unique cultural experiences.
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Astoria Pool (Queens, New York)
When this pool opened in 1936, it was the largest in the world, and it still ranks among the biggest public pools anywhere. The massive facility spans nearly an acre and can accommodate 3,000 swimmers at once.
Its Art Deco design and sheer scale make it feel more like an aquatic stadium than a neighborhood pool.
Blue Lagoon (Grindavík, Iceland)
This geothermal spa sits in the middle of a black lava field, creating an otherworldly landscape that doesn’t seem quite real. The milky blue water maintains a perfect temperature between 98-102°F year-round, heated by underground volcanic activity.
While technically a geothermal facility rather than a traditional pool, its man-made lagoons and public access earn it a spot on any aquatic attraction list.
Kitsilano Pool (Vancouver, Canada)
Stretching 450 feet along the shores of English Bay, this saltwater pool claims the title of longest pool in North America. Built in 1979, it offers swimmers stunning views of the North Shore mountains while they do their laps.
The pool uses filtered seawater and provides a unique swimming experience right next to one of Canada’s most beautiful beaches.
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Gellért Thermal Baths (Budapest, Hungary)
This Art Nouveau masterpiece opened in 1918 and looks more like a palace than a public bathhouse. The indoor pools feature stunning mosaics, marble columns, and ornate ceiling details that transport visitors to a more elegant era.
The outdoor pools offer a perfect contrast, with simpler designs that let the natural thermal waters take center stage.
Piscine Molitor (Paris, France)
This iconic pool complex gained fame as the birthplace of the modern bikini in 1946, but its Art Deco architecture had been turning heads since 1929. After decades of abandonment, it reopened in 2014 as both a public pool and a luxury hotel.
The facility’s two pools maintain their original 1920s glamour while offering thoroughly modern amenities.
Bondi Icebergs Pool (Sydney, Australia)
Carved into the rocks at the southern end of Bondi Beach, this ocean pool offers a swimming experience unlike anywhere else in the world. Waves crash over the pool’s edges during high tide, mixing fresh ocean water with the chlorinated pool water.
The contrast between the bright blue pool and the golden beach creates one of Australia’s most photographed scenes.
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Thermae Bath Spa (Bath, England)
Built over natural hot springs that have been used for over 2,000 years, this modern spa connects visitors to ancient Roman bathing traditions. The rooftop pool offers panoramic views of the historic city of Bath while you soak in naturally heated mineral water.
It’s the only place in Britain where you can bathe in naturally occurring hot springs.
Pamukkale Thermal Pools (Denizli, Turkey)
These terraced pools formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich water cascaded down white limestone cliffs. The result looks like frozen waterfalls or cotton fields, giving the site its name, which means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish.
Visitors can wade through the shallow thermal pools while enjoying one of nature’s most spectacular geological formations.
Hearst Castle Neptune Pool (San Simeon, California)
This outdoor masterpiece represents the pinnacle of 1920s luxury, built for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The pool features a classical Roman temple facade and is surrounded by ancient artifacts that Hearst collected from around the Mediterranean.
Though swimming is no longer permitted, the Neptune Pool remains one of California’s most photographed architectural marvels.
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Badeschiff (Berlin, Germany)
This floating pool sits in the Spree River, housed inside a converted cargo barge that was transformed into an aquatic playground. The concept brings swimming back to Berlin’s urban waterways in a completely safe environment.
During winter, the pool gets covered and heated, becoming a unique floating spa experience.
Serpentine Lido (London, England)
Located in the heart of Hyde Park, this swimming area in the Serpentine Lake offers a wild swimming experience in central London. The facility has been operating since 1930 and attracts hardy swimmers year-round, including the famous Christmas Day swimmers who brave near-freezing temperatures.
It provides an escape to nature without leaving one of the world’s busiest cities.
Prince Alfred Park Pool (Sydney, Australia)
This heated saltwater pool in the inner city provides a perfect year-round swimming destination with views of the Sydney skyline. The 50-meter pool sits alongside a children’s area and offers a more relaxed alternative to the busy harbor beaches.
Its location makes it a favorite among both locals and tourists exploring Sydney’s neighborhoods.
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Hamilton Pool (Austin, Texas)
This natural swimming hole formed when an underground river’s dome collapsed thousands of years ago, creating a stunning grotto complete with a 50-foot waterfall. The jade-green water stays cool even during Texas summers, offering relief from the heat in a setting that feels like a secret garden.
Access requires reservations due to its popularity and environmental sensitivity.
Cottesloe Beach Pool (Perth, Australia)
This ocean pool sits right on one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, offering protected swimming with unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean. The pool fills with fresh seawater daily and provides a safe swimming environment away from currents and marine life.
Sunsets from this pool rank among the most spectacular in Australia.
Bronte Pool (Sydney, Australia)
Wedged between dramatic sandstone cliffs, this ocean pool offers a more intimate swimming experience than its famous neighbor at Bondi. The pool’s location in a natural amphitheater creates a sense of swimming in a private lagoon while still being part of the ocean environment.
Morning swimmers often share the space with local wildlife, including colorful fish and, occasionally, dolphins in the distance.
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Leidseplein Pool (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
This downtown pool brings tropical vibes to the Netherlands with its wave machine, water slides, and beach-like atmosphere. The facility transforms a typical city pool into an indoor beach experience complete with palm trees and sandy areas.
It offers a perfect escape during Amsterdam’s long winter months.
Josephine Pool (Berkeley Springs, West Virginia)
These natural warm springs have been attracting visitors since Native American times, later becoming a favorite retreat for George Washington. The historic bathhouse maintains its old-world charm while offering modern amenities in naturally heated mineral water.
The springs maintain a constant temperature of 74.3°F year-round, earning them the nickname “The Town That Warm Springs Built.”
Victoria Pool (London, England)
This beautifully restored Victorian swimming baths reopened in 2010 after extensive renovation, bringing 1930s glamour back to East London. The pool features original Art Deco tiles, elegant changing rooms, and a gallery where spectators once watched swimming competitions.
It represents the golden age of public swimming facilities while serving modern swimmers.
From Ancient Springs to Modern Marvels
These remarkable pools demonstrate how water has always drawn people together, whether in ancient Roman baths or cutting-edge modern facilities. Each location tells a story about its community, from the democratic ideals behind New York’s massive public pools to the timeless appeal of natural hot springs that have soothed visitors for millennia.
Today’s pool tourists follow in the footsteps of everyone from Roman emperors to 1920s movie stars, proving that the simple pleasure of swimming in beautiful surroundings never goes out of style. These aquatic destinations remind us that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences happen when we simply take the plunge.
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