Five cities to swim in

Published: 22/01/2010 - Filed under: Archive » 2010 » February 2010 » Lifestyle » Features » Features » Lifestyle » Fit to Fly / Wellness » Features » Lifestyle »

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Hitting the pool is a great way to wind down after work. Business Traveller suggests five places to make a splash in

1. REYKJAVIK

The abundant geothermal springs around Iceland’s capital mean there is no shortage of places to take a dip, and the most famous, the Blue Lagoon, is pretty hard to beat. Situated 40 minutes from the city and 20 minutes from the airport, it’s a good way to start or end a trip, with many tour operators providing transfers en route to your flight.

Holding six million litres of soothing seawater heated to 37-39 degrees, the lagoon is a popular spot for people simply to bathe and soak up its supposedly healing properties, but is large enough to have a proper swim in. Your experience will differ depending on the time of year – visit in summer and you’ll enjoy never-ending daylight, but for a really magical session go on a winter’s evening, when the steam rising off the water in the pitch dark creates a dream-like atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the Northern Lights.

Open 10am-8pm Sept-May, 9am-9pm June-Aug. Entry is e23. Visit bluelagoon.com. See visitreykjavik.is for details of geothermal pools in the city.

2. LAS VEGAS

Sin City’s hotels are bigger and brasher than those almost anywhere else, so it’s no surprise that its pools follow suit. Many properties along the Strip allow non-guests to use their pool facilities, but as they often charge guests for the privilege, expect to pay a premium (men can be charged as much as US$50 on a weekend). Still, you’ll certainly get bang for your buck.

Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand is an all-singing, all-dancing 5,000 sqm venue with two saltwater pools, eight dipping pools, waterfalls, DJs pumping out tunes through underwater speakers, a lounge, pool deck and VIP area. Meanwhile, Mandalay Bay trucked in more than 2,500 tonnes of sand from California for its 4.5-hectare tropical-style venue, which features a six million-litre wave pool, three swimming pools and a “lazy river”.

At Caesars Palace, the Garden of the Gods pool recreates a Roman bath with marble statues and fountains, while if you head downtown to the Golden Nugget, you can swim inches away from sharks at the Tank, a US$30 million water complex complete with a 750,000-litre shark habitat. Note that outdoor venues are open seasonally so check opening times before you visit.

Go to visitlasvegas.com

3. BARCELONA

With all the talk of the 2012 Games providing a legacy for East London, it’s encouraging to see the impact of the 1992 Olympics on Barcelona’s coastline. The location of Port Olympic, just north of the Barceloneta district, along with the removal of industrial buildings that had blighted the landscape, has resulted in a bustling seaside area that continues to thrive 18 years after the Spanish city staged the games.

A combination of easy access, gently sloping sandy beaches and a daily average of nine hours of sunshine during the summer months make Barcelona an ideal place to go for an outdoor swim. The Port Olympic area is full of bars and restaurants for after your dip, while several hotels are located on or near the beachfront. It is best reached via the Ciutadella Vila Olimpica metro station, from where it is a five-minute walk to the beach.

Swimming is also possible further up the coastline past Port Olympic, where the crowds start to thin out, although the modest among you should be aware that there is a popular nudist area about ten minutes’ walk from the marina.

Visit barcelonaturisme.com

4. SYDNEY

While the Olympic Pool at the Homebush Aquatic Centre (aquaticcentre.com.au) was one of the venues for the famous Games of 2000, for visitors, the North Sydney Olympic pool, open since 1936 and the scene of 86 world records, is the original and best. The location of this outdoor pool – by the harbour and within full view of Harbour Bridge – means you get double value for money as you sightsee and exercise at the same time (although there is a temporary roof in winter).

The facility was built on the old Dorman and Long site where much of the construction work for the bridge was carried out, and as well as the 50-metre heated pool, there is a 25-metre indoor pool, a sauna and spa. You can pay-per-visit and the pool has recently been renovated. North Sydney Olympic Pool, 4 Alfred Street South, Milsons Point 2061. Open Mon-Fri 5.30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-7pm. Tel +61 299 552 309; northsydney.nsw.gov.au

5. BUDAPEST

In summer, there are several outdoor pools to choose from in Budapest, but really, this city of spas comes into its own from autumn through winter and into spring, when the fabulous choice of indoor pools (some with outdoor heated options) comes into its own.

These are the thermal baths, famous since Roman times, and several date back hundreds of years in their current form. One of the oldest is the octagonal Rudas Gyogyfurdo, under a 400-year old dome – although this is for men only and you don’t really swim; it’s mainly for floating (there’s a unisex 19th-century swimming pool next door).

If you prefer a few more creature comforts, go for the popular, though more touristy, Gellert, which has indoor (33-metre) and outdoor pools, steam rooms, and even a wave machine outside. Both pools open daily from 6am until early evening. Rudas Gyogyfurdo: I Dobrentei Ter 9, tel +36 1356 1322. Gellert: Kelenhegyi Ut 4, tel +36 1466 6166. Visit spasbudapest.com