Looking for the best outdoor pools in the Algarve for a relaxing swim, family fun, or an affordable day pass? With well-maintained facilities, extended opening hours and budget-friendly entry fees, these outdoor pools across the Algarve are increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike.
As the summer heat intensifies, there are plenty of reasons to swap sandy beaches for a refreshing dip in a pool under the Algarve sun. In the south of Portugal, with its warm climate and stunning scenery, these outdoor pools offer the perfect blend of leisure, comfort, and coolness – whether you’re in an urban setting or surrounded by nature.
Faro Public Pools
The Faro Public Pools on Avenida Cidade de Hayward are part of a modern sports complex with five pools – two indoor and three outdoor – along with a fitness gym, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, café/bar and on-site restaurant.
The complex is open all year, with extended weekday hours for indoor pools (07:00–21:00). The outdoor pools operate from 1 July to 15 September (Tuesday to Saturday 14:00–19:30, Sundays 10:00–18:00).
Monchique Public Pools
Located at Travessa da Portela, nº 2, the Monchique Public Pools are a true summer escape, offering beautiful mountain views. The complex features two pools – one for adults and one for children – surrounded by lawns and shaded areas with parasols, as well as a kiosk where you can relax with a book or enjoy a snack.
Open Wednesday to Sunday (10:00–19:00), with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays for maintenance, entry costs just €2 per day or €3 at weekends, with free access for children up to five years old.
Loulé Public Pools
Situated on Avenida Engenheiro Laginha Sarafim, next to the Municipal Park, the Loulé Public Pools form part of a modern sports complex offering both indoor and outdoor facilities. Outdoors, you will find a 50-metre Olympic pool, a diving pool, a children’s pool, and a splash pool – perfect for sports training or family leisure.
Opening hours are extensive: Monday to Friday (08:00–20:00), Saturday (08:00–19:00), and Sunday/bank holidays (08:00–13:00).
São Brás de Alportel Public Pools
The São Brás de Alportel Public Pools, located within the town’s Sports and Leisure Park, are a popular summer meeting point. The complex includes two outdoor pools – one for adults and one for children – featuring a diving board, lifeguard supervision, green areas, and shaded spots, with an on-site bar and restaurant for convenience.
The pools are open daily (usually 10:30–19:00), with seasonal schedule adjustments, and provide a safe, family-friendly environment.
- Property for sale in São Brás de Alportel
- Property for rent in São Brás de Alportel
- Holiday rentals in São Brás de Alportel
Frequently Asked Questions
Are outdoor pools in the Algarve open in winter?
Most public outdoor pools operate during the summer months, while indoor pools remain open year-round.
How much does it cost to enter outdoor pools in the Algarve?
Entry fees are affordable, typically ranging from €2–€5 per day depending on the location, with some offering free entry for young children.
Plan your Algarve pool day
Whether you’re seeking a calm swim, a family day out, or an alternative to the beach, these outdoor pools in the Algarve are excellent choices for enjoying the sunshine while staying cool this summer.
Where Portugal’s football stars live: from Cascais to London and beyond
Following their victory in the 2024/25 Nations League, all eyes are on the players of the Portuguese national team. Beyond their performances on the pitch, there is growing curiosity about their lives off the field – in particular, where the stars representing the country at the highest level of international football have chosen to call home.
Living in Funchal: Madeira’s gentle capital
Located between Atlantic waves and green hills, Funchal is Madeira’s easy-going capital with a distinctly local flavour. Life unfolds at a comfortable pace, with daily routines shaped by the sea, mountain air, and a city centre full of markets and friendly faces. Living in Funchal means enjoying mild weather, great food, and a welcoming community that makes it easy to slip right in.
Best places in Portugal for digital nomads
Thinking about life as a digital nomad in Portugal? While Lisbon and Porto often top lists of the best places in Portugal for digital nomads—with all the perks and some rapidly rising rents—they’re far from your only options. Across the country, smaller towns and rural regions offer affordable living, great scenery, and a slower pace that many remote workers now prefer. Don’t overlook Portugal’s lesser-known spots, where you can enjoy authentic local life and still stay connected.
Sustainable living in Portugal: off-grid homes and eco-villages
What’s happening with sustainable living in Portugal is more than just a passing phase. It's genuinely becoming part of the culture now, popping up in the cities as much as it is in rural communities. Some people are going fully off-grid in quiet eco-villages, while others are designing clever, energy-efficient casas sustentáveis. It shows a fascinating part of the country's character, where a deep respect for the land meets forward-thinking ways to protect it.
Working remotely in Portugal: joining the nomad scene
Remote work in Portugal has truly taken off in recent years, and it’s easy to see why so many people are choosing the country as their base. Since Portugal brought in the digital nomad and remote work visas, it’s become a bit of a hotspot for freelancers, tech folks, and anyone keen for a coastal change of scene.
Living in Caminha: Portugal’s green border town
Right up in the green corner of Northern Portugal, where the wide Minho River meets the Atlantic, sits the market town of Caminha. With one foot on the coast and the other practically in Spain, this scenic spot offers a unique slice of Portuguese life. It’s a place defined by its olde worlde charm, with a beautifully preserved medieval centre and a tranquil atmosphere governed by the tides.
