World’s best outdoor swimming pools – in pictures

Our feature on 10 of the world's best swimming pools, as chosen by our readers, prompted lots more suggestions for other amazing places to take a dip. Here's a selection of outdoor pools readers wanted to see added to the list of world's best
  
  


Swimming pools: Kitsilano swimming pool, Vancouver
Several readers recommended the 137m pool in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver. The only saltwater pool in the city, it is set right on the waterfront and, according to reader @nicka7, is 'truly spectacular, with views of the city and mountains'. Open in summer only. Photograph: David Nunuk/Corbis
Swimming pools: San Alfonso del Mar seaside resort, Chile
Readers @kimaamot and @newdecade felt no 'best of' list would be complete without the world's biggest, the extraordinary saltwater lagoon at the San Alfonso del Mar resort, 100km west of Santiago in Chile. It's more than 1km long and its waters are a balmy 26C (nine degrees more than the sea temperature, according to the official site). Despite being on a real beach, it has its own man-made sands, plus sailing, kayaking and swimming schools. Photograph: HO/AFP/Getty Images
swimming pools: Andrew 'Boy' Charlton pool, Sydney
Everyone agrees that Sydney is spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor swimming. As well as the 50m North Sydney Olympic Pool, which won our readers' tips competition, several readers also recommend the Andrew Boy Charlton pool in the Royal Botanical Gardens, pictured, (closed in winter) and the iconic Icebergs at Bondi. Photograph: www.alamy.com
swimming pools: Jubilee swimming pool, Penzance
The UK's outdoor pools, some of which are sadly struggling to survive, have had a bumper few weeks thanks to the July heatwave, with long queues forming outside the most popular spots. There were several UK suggestions in response to our 10-best list, including this, the Jubilee swimming pool on the seafront at Penzance in Cornwall, recommended by @HamishPK and @ID556936. Photograph: www.alamy.com
Swimming pools: Tinside lido, Plymouth
Another lovely UK recommendation is the Tinside pool, a 1935 art deco lido in Plymouth, Devon, from @ElizabethAnnCheeseright Photograph: Steve Vidler/Corbis
swimming pools: Saltdean Lido pool, East Sussex
And @standardnpoor suggests Saltdean Lido in East Sussex. Sadly it is currently closed, its future hanging in the balance. A campaign to save the lido was set up by local residents after plans were announced to fill in the pool and redevelop the site into luxury flats. Campaigners hope to secure the lease of the site for the community. For more information visit: saltdeanlidocampaign.org Photograph: Corbis
swimming pools: Leca pool, Porto
@Jpsilva83 and @hmcneil recommend the Piscina das Mares, an architectural classic in Leça da Palmeira, a fishing town near Porto in Portugal. Designed by Alvaro Siza Viera and completed in 1966, the two swimming pools (one for children, the other for adults) are set into the rock. Photograph: www.alamy.com
Swimming pools: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
@skipperden and @Raaaabert both recommend Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, a luxury hotel with an infinity pool three times as long as an Olympic pool running along the length of its Skypark, a rooftop recreation area that sits atop three 55-story towers. Swimmers can paddle up to what looks like the edge of a stomach-churning sheer drop, while admiring the city's skyline. Unfortunately, it's only open to hotel guests.
Photograph: Wong Kin Leong/yoursingapore.com Photograph: Wong Kin Leong/PR
swimming pools: Tidal pool St James beach, Cape Town
@CaptainDarling picks the tidal pool at St James Beach, one of the smaller beaches along the False Bay coastline in Cape Town, South Africa. Calmer and warmer than the Atlantic, the sea makes this sandy strand, with its jaunty beach huts, a popular choice among families. Photograph: Alamy
swimming pools: Palatinus Strand swimming pool, Budapest
@epidavros recommends the Palatinus Strand on Margit island on the banks of the Danube in Budapest and says the city is 'full of astonishing pools'. The 'strand' is actually a collection of nine pools, with waters supplied by the thermal springs on the island. They include a wave pool where you can boogie board, and an adventure pool, as well as children's and thermal pools. Open in summer only. Photograph: PR
swimming pools: Hotel Unique, Sao Paulo
Despite looking like the setting of a horror movie, the rooftop pool at the Hotel Unique in São Paulo is a popular destination for cocktails in the city. Non-guests are not allowed to use the pool, which appears blood red thanks to its tiles, but the rooftop terrace is open to everyone after 5pm. This tip comes from reader @rabbitohs, an Aussie living in Brazil, who says it's incredible – quite a compliment from someone whose own country is awash with fantastic outdoor pools. Photograph: PR
 

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