A pool can be a neighbourhood institution, an architectural showpiece or part of a landscape that makes you stop and look twice. The experience of using it, however, depends on much more than the photograph.
These ten places include public facilities, hotel pools and a historic bath undergoing renovation. Check the operator’s current access arrangements before booking around a swim. Guest facilities, sightseeing access and permission to enter the water are three different things.
Bondi Icebergs, Sydney, Australia
An ocean-side setting gives the Bondi Icebergs pool its unmistakable character. The lane pool sits beside Bondi Beach, with sea and sky filling the view. It operates as a managed swimming facility, with conditions and maintenance affecting access. Use the operator’s current information for admission and opening rather than an old fixed-price quote, and follow staff instructions when the sea is active.
Neptune Pool, Hearst Castle, United States
The colonnades and pale stone of the Neptune Pool belong to the grand setting of Hearst Castle in California. California State Parks’ visitor site explains the estate and available tours. Seeing the pool on a tour does not give permission to swim in it. Any special swimming event has its own arrangements; ordinary sightseeing should be planned as a visit to a historic property.
The Joule, Dallas, United States
The cantilevered pool at The Joule projects beyond the edge of the building, turning a hotel amenity into an unusual urban viewpoint. Its appeal is the relationship between water, architecture and the street below. Confirm the current pool arrangements directly with the hotel, including who may use it. A room photograph or restaurant reservation should not be taken as evidence of pool access.
Alila Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The pool at Alila Ubud is closely associated with its hillside setting and the greenery around the Ayung River valley. The hotel’s official page provides current property information. The visual effect comes from the pool’s edge appearing to meet the landscape beyond. As with any resort facility, check access and any works or restrictions directly before making it the centre of a trip.
Laugardalslaug, Reykjavík, Iceland
For a different experience, Reykjavík’s Laugardalslaug is a municipal swimming complex with published visitor information. It offers a way to understand swimming as part of everyday city life, with facilities for exercise and relaxation. Follow its hygiene and bathing rules, and check current notices for maintenance or partial closures. The pool’s place in the city’s routine is as interesting as its setting.
San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile
The long artificial lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar is part of a residential holiday complex beside the Pacific. Its scale makes a striking aerial image, but the lagoon should not be confused with a public municipal swimming pool. Confirm permitted activities and access with the property. Record claims about the “world’s largest pool” also depend on definitions and date, so size alone is a poor basis for planning a swim.
Gellért Baths, Budapest, Hungary
Gellért’s decorative interiors make it a notable piece of Budapest’s bathing architecture. It is currently a place to research for a future visit: the official bath website states that it closed on 1 October 2025 for renovation, with reopening planned for 2028. That plan was checked on 20 October 2026 and may change. Do not build a present Budapest itinerary around swimming here.
Harbour Grand Kowloon, Hong Kong
The rooftop pool with panoramic harbour views belongs to Harbour Grand Kowloon. This is distinct from the similarly named Harbour Grand Hong Kong property. The setting puts the water high above the city, with the harbour as its backdrop. Check guest eligibility and any weather-related restrictions with the hotel; the familiar photograph does not establish public access.
Badeschiff, Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Badeschiff places a pool on the Spree beside a riverside gathering space. It is a managed facility, rather than an invitation to swim in the river itself. On 20 October 2026, the operator’s site announces its winter break. Consult it for the next season’s sessions and admission, and do not assume an old winter enclosure or sauna programme will return.
Pimalai, Ko Lanta, Thailand
At Pimalai Resort & Spa, elevated infinity pools draw attention to the landscape and sea beyond. The view is a large part of the attraction, but different parts of a resort can have different access conditions. Confirm the facilities associated with the accommodation you are considering. A thoughtful choice depends on the experience you can actually book, as well as the view that first caught your eye.
