I'm headed to Europe this summer for a few weeks of vacation and research. I'll be all over, but I'm curious if anyone has any leads on where I might find pool access in London, Paris, Italy and Germany. I've found this site for open water events, but I'm looking for places to practice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Former Member
In Germany almost every city of any size has Hallenbad (indoor pools) or Freibad (outdoor pools). You can google it.
If you are in the Franfurt area, there are two lakes on the south side near Langen both are great for open water swimming.
While in Munich a couple years ago I swam at a couple of city owned pools. Not expensive but no lane lines. I think they have public swimming at the olympic pool too. It looks like a great venue. There's a tribute to Mark Spitz there too.
While in London, check outOtter Masters Swimming. I've swum with them every time I've been in London, they're always been super friendly, and they've never charged me. I've also heard the Serpentine Swim Club is good, if you want some open water (and they have various races around town through much of summer).
In Munich, you HAVE to swim in the pool used in the 1972 Olympic games (it is quite nice and yes it does indeed have lanelines!) It is open from about 6 or 7am to 11pm Mon-Fri, and I think it cost about E4-5.
In Barcelona, the 1996 Olympic Pool at Montjuic is awesome; if for some reason the main pool isn't open (it is outside), the warm-up pool (inside) is a good substitute. The pools also have very liberal times, but are a bit more expensive, close to E10.
Otherwise, if you give details on where specifically you'll be going, that would help.
While in London, check outOtter Masters Swimming. I've swum with them every time I've been in London, they're always been super friendly, and they've never charged me. I've also heard the Serpentine Swim Club is good, if you want some open water (and they have various races around town through much of summer).
Otter, Spencer and Barnet are probably the 3 main London clubs depending on whereabouts you are visiting. If you're out west near Windsor check out http://www.bwsc.org.uk/bwsc masters.php
If you are near Stuttgart try the Sindlefingen pool just south of the city.
Very nice 8 lane indoor 50 meter hallenbad with 3-4 roped off lanes for lap swimming--rare in Germany.
3 euros.
Noodlers are in an adjacent pool or in the diving well--also rare.
This is great information! Thanks for the help. My plans aren't finalized yet, so I can't say for sure where I'll be when. I will be in and around London for two weeks, in Paris for a week or so, northern Italy for a week or so, then in Germany.
swimmersguide.com is amazing! This will be a great tool, since I have no idea where I'll be at this point. Thanks, qbrain!
I agree. When in Der Vaterland, watch out in the changing rooms, pay for the whole day, and check if there are any nudist accomodattions in the pool schedule. I must say I have not been to any pools which have them.
Ditto to the Otter Masters in London. I worked in London from 77-80 and 87-90 and was a member of the club both times. Very nice group of people, with a history dating to 1869.
