Catalonia sees surge in private pool builds and public pool visits amid heatwave

In the Camp de Tarragona area, the official college of technical architects reports that 77 private swimming pools were started between January and May 2026 – a rise of more than 70 % compared with the same period last year and the highest level since 2021. The typical pool is about 25 m², with an average construction cost of €12,940. The surge is linked to a forecast of an exceptionally hot summer, prompting homeowners to view pools as a comfort and wellbeing upgrade.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Creueta del Coll municipal pool attracted over 600 visitors on the first hot weekend of summer. The pool, shallow and covering more than 2,000 m², offers the city’s cheapest entry fee at €2.75. Eleven of the city’s fifteen outdoor pools are already open, and officials are reminding users to stay hydrated, seek shade and use sunscreen. The college also warned that portable or inflatable pools can overload building structures, urging proper technical assessment before installation.