To enjoy the best views of Barcelona, you have to head to the top of Montjuïc Hill. And during the summer at Montjuïc swimming pool, you can swim in the sunshine whilst enjoying the same amazing views.
Montjuïc swimming pool – Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc
When Barcelona hosted the games in 1992, if you were watching the diving, you’ll remember it. The sight of divers and swimmers doing incredible things against the backdrop of a sky high view of Barcelona would be difficult to forget. Views from the pool face the city and beyond to the surrounding mountains. It includes a view of the Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia peering above the rooftops.
Montjuïc swimming pool (officially called the ‘Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc) was also the location for Kylie Minogue’s ‘Slow’ video…
And in July and August, you can swim at this very same spot! In addition to the fab views, what’s nice about the pool is that it’s not that well known so is often far less busier than the beaches down below.
Swimming is just one of many things you can do on Montjuïc Hill. As you can see from the picture above, there are two pools here: a diving pool and a 25-metre length pool. However, only the 25-metre length pool is open to the public. It is quite deep so, if you’re bringing children, do make sure you bring appropriate armbands and floats for them.
Pool facilities
Aside from the two pools, facilities are fairly basic. There are changing rooms and showers but no lockers. There also isn’t a kiosk or café on site although there is a fine dining restaurant next door to it. If you’re planning to spend the day here, it’s a good idea to bring some snacks. They didn’t also seem to be accepting payments by card so remember to bring some cash too. You can, however, usually rent a sunbed for a Euro.
The other swimming pools on Montjuïc Hill…
There is actually another outdoor swimming pool on Montjuïc Hill, which was used for the Olympic swimming events. Located close to the Olympic Stadium, this other pool is part of Piscines Bernat Picornell, which is a centre with a gym and three swimming pools. You don’t get the spectacular views like you do at Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc but you can swim at the centre all year-round. More details of this pool is at the bottom of this post.
Where to find Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc
The swimming pools are located on the north side of the hill. Next door to the pool is a fine dining restaurant called El Xalet de Montjuïc. Funicular de Montjuïc station is also just a short walk away.
Opening hours
Montjuïc swimming pool is only open during the summer during July and August. During this period, it’s open daily from 11.00am to 6.30pm.
Ticket prices
General admission tickets cost €6.50. Tickets for children aged between 6 and 14 years old cost €4.50. And children aged 5 years old or younger are free.
Piscines Bernat Picornell
The centre’s pools include two outdoor swimming pools, one of which is 50-metres in length. The indoor pool is also 50-metres in length. There are also better facilities here including lockers (but best to bring your own padlock in case the centre runs out), jacuzzis and saunas. The centre is open to the public with standard day tickets costing €12.15. Tickets for children and senior citizens range from €7.45 to €8.15.
The centre is open all year round. However the outdoor pool is only open from 1 February to 30 November. Opening hours change depending on the season. For more information about the centre and full opening hours, visit: picornell.cat.
Piscines Bernat Picornell is located Avinguda de l’Estadi near Place de Europa and the Olympic Stadium.