Spain's Natural Swimming Pools Draw Summer Visitors

Across Spain, a network of natural swimming pools is becoming a popular refuge from the summer heat. In Catalonia, sites such as the Gorg de la Malatosca near Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the warm‑water Fontcalda near Gandesa, and the travertine‑lined Bores del Borró in the Garrotxa Natural Interest Area offer crystal‑clear water, shaded forest settings and limited facilities, drawing weekend visitors seeking cooler alternatives to the crowded coast.

In Extremadura’s Cáceres province, the Los Pilones pools in the Garganta de los Infiernos Reserve feature thirteen granite‑rock basins formed by millennia of erosion, surrounded by oak and chestnut woods. Granada province showcases several river‑created pools—including the high‑altitude Poza del Río Grande in Trevélez, the accessible Río Dílar and Río Maitena sites, the mineral‑rich Raja de Alicún thermal pools, and the Fuencaliente spring—each providing fresh or warm water amid scenic mountain terrain.

Near Madrid, the river Alberche at Escalona (Toledo) offers a family‑friendly “fluvial beach” with shallow, cool waters and shaded banks, making a day‑trip option for city dwellers. All locations are situated within protected natural areas, emphasizing conservation while catering to growing domestic tourism during the hottest months.