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TRAVEL NEWS

Ten incredible natural swimming spots in Spain

The Local has rounded up ten amazing natural pools in Spain where you can take a dip without having to risk the crowds at the pool or secure a socially distanced spot on the beach.

natural swimming pools spain
Chorreras del Cabriel in Cuenca province (central-eastern Spain) isn't in the list below but is just as impressive as some of the other natural swimming pools in the country. Photo: Antonio López/Pixabay
Spain has a vast array of beautiful piscinas naturales and charcas spread over its territory and islands, some tucked away in mountain ranges, others just a stone’s throw away from the jam-packed playas

Here’s our top ten favourites swimming spots in Spain.

Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park, Castilla–La Mancha.

A collection of fifteen lakes set within a natural park in the plains of La Mancha. Natural waterfalls, crisp, clear turquoise waters in an area rich in flora and fauna. 

Cool down in Spain’s inland Castilla-La Manca region by having a dip in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. Photo: Marcos Molina/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Charco Azul. El Hierro, Canary Islands

Created naturally by flowing lava, these fresh water turquoise pools offer protection from the crashing waves of the open sea just beyond the rocks. Charco Azul is one of dozens if not hundreds of natural pools dotted along the volcanic coastline of the eight Canary Islands.

natural swimming pools spain

Want to know what it feels like to swim inside a cave? Photo: Sreuland/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

La Pedriza, Madrid

Just one hour’s drive from Madrid near the town of Manzanares El Real, this is where madrileños in the know go to escape the heat and cool off with a dip in the cool fresh waters of Madrid’s river.  A series of natural rock pools just perfect for jumping into. 
 
Photo: Nicolas Vigier/Flickr
 
 
 
 
Less than an hour’s drive north-west of Malaga and a world away from the bustling Costa del Sol is this reservoir. With it’s soft sandy banks this is a great place for swimming, kayaking and enjoying nature.
 
Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce

You don’t have to go to the coast to find turquoise waters in Spain. Photo: Malopez21/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Garganta de los Infiernos, Extremadura

These rock pools are at the far western end of the Sierra de Gredos mountain range in Spain’s Cáceres province. Just the right spot to cool down after a hike. 

natural swimming pools spain

Garganta de los Infiernos is the perfect place to cool down in during summer in Extremadura. Photo: Jesusccastillo/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Vía Verde de la Terra Alta, Catalonia 

A 24 km stretch of cycling track south of Tarragona in Catalonia, this forms part of Spain’s network of Vias Verdes (green ways), disused railway lines which have been revamped as natural trails. 

On the Vía Verde de la Terra Alta you can take a break from cycling for a refreshing dip in the Canaleta River, which runs alongside the route.

Photo: Calafellvalo/Flickr

Fuentes del Algar, Alicante

When you get fed up of fighting for a space on the beach in Benidorm, head inland for the tranquility of these natural springs. Undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Alicante province.

natural swimming pool spain

Do go chasing waterfalls at this beautiful spot in Alicante province. Photo: MarthaReLi/Pixabay

Termas A Chavasqueira, Galicia

These free thermal baths are in the city of Ourense. A series of natural hot pools on the banks of the River Miño. 

natural swimming pools galicia

Ourense may not be on the Galician coastline but you can still enjoy a relaxing warm dip in the city. Photo: Zarateman/Wikipedia (public domain)

Zahara de la Sierra, Cádiz province, Andalusia

A reservoir beneath the beautiful Andalusian town of Zahara de la Sierra. Swimming in its cool waters while staring up at the white washed houses clinging to the hilltop crowned by a Moorish castle would be unforgettable.

Incredible views of the Zahara de la Sierra lake. Photo: laurentgraphiste/Pixabay

Pantano de San Juan, Madrid

The Madrid region was awarded a blue flag for its stunning Virgen de la Nueva beach on the San Juan reservoir.

Whether it’s sailing or swimming, the Pantano de San Juan is a fantastic summer getaway for people in the Spanish capital. Photo: Lematraductores/Pixabay

Member comments

  1. I’m confused….aren’t some of these places closed or “prohibited” because of Covid restrictions on freshwater swimming?

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TRAVEL NEWS

Which flights will be affected by Spain’s airport strikes over Easter?

If you've got a flight booked to or from Valencia or Madrid-Barajas airport over Easter, industrial action by staff could delay your journey or even lead to it being cancelled.

Which flights will be affected by Spain's airport strikes over Easter?

Airport staff in Valencia and Madrid are going on strike over key Easter dates, meaning that as many as a thousand flights could be delayed or cancelled during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Semana Santa celebrations have already been disrupted by rain this year, causing the cancellation of processions across the country, but travel during the busy Easter period is also set to be affected by strike action at two of Spain’s major airports.

At Valencia Manises airport, one of the busiest airports in Spain which welcomed almost 10 million passengers in 2023, flights could be affected over the entire Easter weekend (Thursday March 28th-Monday April 1st inclusive) because workers will walk out between 11am-13am on each day.

At Madrid-Barajas airport, the UGT union has called a strike for Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th March between 7am-12pm.

READ ALSO: Spain’s Valencia set for airport strike over Easter holidays

The walkout at Valencia begins today, March 28th. According to the live departures board provided by Aena, Spain’s national airport operator, which you can follow here, as of 9.30am flights are leaving the airport with minor delays of up to 40 minutes, though this is before the strike officially begins at 11am.

Aena live departures for Madrid-Barajas show that some flights have left with delays of up to 45 minutes this morning, though it is worth noting that staff are not officially on strike there today (walkouts in Madrid are Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th March between 7am-12pm) which could suggest a knock-on effect from yesterday’s strike action.

The industrial action comes during not only during Easter celebrations but operación salida, an intensely busy travel period during which millions of Spaniards travel home or go on holiday for Semana Santa.

READ ALSO: Strike action at Spanish airports set to disrupt Easter travel

Staff at Madrid-Barajas are striking for better pay and a new collective bargaining agreement, arguing their salaries have declined in real terms due to inflation, and employees at Valencia Manises are protesting against long working hours and a lack of staff, plus a dispute with regards to overtime pay.

Spanish media reports suggest that up to 1000 flights could be cancelled as a result of the walkouts. On Wednesday 27th, there was also ‘chaos’ at Palma de Mallorca airport, according to Spanish media, with long queues at security controls meaning it took many passengers an hour to get to their departure gate.

Which flights will be affected by Spain’s airport strikes over Easter?

Knowing exactly which flights could be affected, however, isn’t entirely clear. There seems to be certain airlines and routes more likely to be affected than others.

Madrid-Barajas

It is still unclear exactly which flights could be affected at Madrid-Barajas, so it is advisable to check with your airline. You can check the airport schedule on the Aena website here.

On Wednesday 27th March, the day the strike began in Madrid, both short and long-haul flights were delayed or cancelled.

Departure records from Flight Stats show that long-haul flights to the United States were cancelled throughout the day, and short-haul flights around Europe and to other Spanish cities were running with delays of up to 2 hours. Many also arrived on schedule, however.

Valencia Manises

As the strike action begins in Valencia on Thursday morning, reports suggest that several dozen flights could be cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. If you are uncertain about your flight, check with your airline.

On Thursday 28th, flights that could be affected by the stoppage include:

  • Ryanair flights connecting Valencia with Rome, Milan Bologna, Breslavia and Sofia 
  • United and Lufthansa flights connecting Valencia with Frankfurt and Munich
  • Easyjet and British Airways flights between Valencia and London
  • Turkish Airlines flights between Valencia and Istanbul
  • Air Europa flights between Valencia and Palma de Mallorca
  • Swiss flights connecting Valencia to Zurich
  • Volotea flights between Valencia and A Coruña
  • Eurowings’ Valencia-Stuttgart flights

On Friday 29th, flights that could be cancelled are:

  • Ryanair to Milan, Treviso, Trieste, Dublin, Marrakech and Palma de Mallorca
  • SAP and Tap Portugal flights between Valencia and Lisbon
  • United to Frankfurt
  • Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Munich
  • Austrian to Vienna
  • Air Nostrum to Ibiza
  • Delta to París Charles de Gaulle
  • Air France to París Charles de Gaulle
  • Air Europa to Palma de Mallorca
  • Easyjet to London
  • British Airways to London
  • Brussels Airlines to Brussels
  • Iberia to Tenerife North
  • Tap Portugal to Lisbon
  • Turkish Airlines to Istanbul
  • Swiss to Zúrich
  • Volotea to A Coruña, San Sebastián
  • Vueling to Tenerife North
  • Eurowings to Stuttgart

There is no further information yet about which flights could be affected on Saturday 30th, Sunday 31st and Monday April 1st.

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