Swimming pools in Krakow - the complete guide 2025: where to swim, train and relax

With increasing health awareness and the fashion for active leisure, Cracovians are increasingly swapping the treadmill or gym for a swimming circuit. By 2025, the city will boast more than twenty facilities of varying scales - from intimate academic swimming pools to expansive water parks with all-day attractions. 

This ensures that anyone who types "where to go to the swimming pool in Cracow", he finds a proposal tailored to his needs: sports training, family splashing or regeneration in the jacuzzi. The article looks at six key themes: types of facilities, the most interesting indoor swimming poolsThe city has a wide range of facilities, such as open-air venues, water parks and areas suitable for children.

Map and typology of Kraków's swimming pools

Although the city's sports geography is highly varied, a few regularities are readily apparent. The inner city is dominated by small but well-maintained university swimming pools (AGH, Polytechnic, AWF). On the outskirts - especially in the north-east - large recreational complexes with slides and spa areas are springing up. In addition, a seasonal bathing map of Bagry and Przylasek Rusiecki appears in summer. 

In what follows, the names of the venues will be linked to the official price list and track schedule pages to make it easier to plan an evening out on the swimming pool in Cracow.

Krakow's best indoor pools - top 3 for 2025.

AGH swimming pool - solid sport in the centre

The university's swimming pool at the AGH University of Science and Technology is not just a place for students to train. The four-lane swimming pool (25 m) impresses with its cleanliness and a transparent online booking system that publishes free times a week in advance (AGH swimming pool). The water temperature (approx. 27.5 °C) is conducive to intense swimming, and illuminated interval timers were added after the 2023 renovation. With its proximity to the AGH campus and trams, the 'Dolphin' is ideal when you need a short but effective workout before classes or work.

Pedagogical University swimming pool

The Pedagogical University swimming pool at 4 Roman Ingarden Street is an intimate, well-maintained sports swimming pool measuring 25 × 12.5 m, divided into six lanes with a depth of 1.2 to 1.85 m and water heated to 28 °C, so both ambitious lap-swimmers and families with children feel comfortable here. The facility operates daily from 6:30am to 10pm and the 'pool hour' lasts 45 minutes; a normal ticket costs £27 (reduced £23), with the option of purchasing a 10-entry pass or using FitProfit and Medicover Sport cards. After your workout, you can regenerate in the sauna or the small fitness area on the mezzanine floor, and the location right next to Jordan Park and the National Museum tram stop makes it a great place for a quick morning workout before visiting the centre of Krakow.

KS Korona - facility 'on hold'

Unfortunately, the legendary swimming pool at Kalwaryjska Street, where "half of Krakow learned to swim", remains closed. A technical inspection in August 2024 revealed that the steel structure requires a major overhaul; the city announces a modernisation worth around 40 million zlotys, with a return to use no sooner than 2027. 

Swimming section athletes have been relocated to substitute facilities, and the residents of Duchacki Podgórze have to use the closer hotel pools or the Water Park for the time being.

Section summary: If you care about regular training in a 25-metre pool, AGH and Cracovia remain the surest addresses in 2025. There will be a new municipal swimming pool on Powisle within a few years, but this is still a melody of the future.

Outdoor and seasonal swimming pools

When the thermometers in July exceed 30 °C, the ideal idea is to find an open-air bathing area. An example of such a place is artificial lake Bagry, equipped with a sandy beach and SUP rental, is the city's most popular bathing area. 

Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the water quality is monitored by the State Sanitary Inspectorate - reports are published weekly in the EPJ system. On the eastern side of Krakow, the popularity of the Przylasek Rusiecki, where a wide promenade, beach volleyball nets and a food-truck zone have been created.

Although open-air swimming pools with classic lanes are becoming increasingly rare in Poland (the climate shortens the season to a maximum of three months), Kraków is saving itself with natural swimming pools. 

Water parks in Krakow - not only for children

Park Wodny Kraków - aquapark 2.0

After a year's refurbishment in the winter of 2024/25, Poland's oldest aquapark gained four outdoor slides more than 14 m high, including the extremely fast "Twin Twister" and the family "Congo" pontoon slide (Water Park). For the active, there is an 8-lane sports pool (25 m) with electronic timing, making the facility a great combination of recreation and competitive training. The spa area features a saunarium with aufguss rituals and an outdoor thermal pool, and a multi-level playground on a pirate ship makes the Water Park a top choice for families with children.

Hotel mini-aquaparks

Going to a conference does not have to mean giving up on water attractions. Many of Kraków's 4- and 5-star hotels (e.g. Galaxy, DoubleTree by Hilton) have expanded their swimming pools to include winding slides, paddling pools with water hedgehogs and Finnish saunas. This is an excellent alternative if you don't have a whole day to spend at the water park but want to provide a 'wow effect' for the children. However, it is worth bearing in mind that outdoor passes are sometimes limited - it is best to book by phone.

Swimming pools for children in Krakow - where to teach your little one to swim?

Parents looking for a children's swimming pool in Krakow usually opt for a water temperature (min. 31 °C) and a shallow pool with sensory attractions. In the ranking of the Fast-Swim portal, the AGH swimming pool with its colourful waterfalls and whirlpool, which allows you to have fun and learn basic kraulic movements at the same time (fast swim). 

Rounding off the offerings are the Saturday "Bobas Swim" classes, where instructors work with babies as young as three months (special diving sleeves and nappies).

Another hit in recent years is the toddler zone at the Aqua Park: a paddling pool with safe, non-slip lining and a mini slide called "Elephant Leon". Families also appreciate the intimate Planty Aqua Swimming Pool on Karmelicka Street - it has just four lanes, but the water is 32 °C, and there is a play corner with blocks on the shore so siblings can take turns "dry".

Pro tip: Wherever you go, remember to book - after the COVID-19 pandemic, health regulations still limit the density of people per square metre, and infant groups have rigid limits of up to 12 parent-child pairs.

What next?

In the second part of the guide we will describe:

• swimming clubs for adults,
  
• wellness, spa and wellness areas,
  
• price list comparison 2025,
  
• transport accessibility and future investment.
  

So you can already decide whether you prefer a quiet circuit at AGH, all-day madness at the Water Park in Krakowor a family splash in the Bagpipes. 

Where to train swimming in Krakow? - clubs, sections and free lanes

If you type into the search engine "where to go to the swimming pool in Krakow", it means you're looking for a sports venue rather than a leisure/entertainment venue. In 2025, there are already more than a dozen licensed swimming sections in the city: from children's nurseries to a strong Masters scene. The biggest clubs - KS Korona, TS Wisła Kraków Masters i AZS AGH - are licensed by the Polish Swimming Federation, which guarantees professional coaching supervision and regular participation in competitions (polswim.pl).

• Group training (3-5 times a week) cost an average of £450-550 per month and include video technique analysis.
  
• Masters swimmers (25+ years) usually train at AGH or Cracovia. An open-water pass to Bagry is coming from June - the organiser is installing a 50m floating platform with buoys every 10m, which triathletes will appreciate.
  
• Track reservations: most swimming pools publish weekly schedules online; if you want to make sure you don't miss a lesson for school, check the calendar min. 48 h before your visit.
  

Wellness, spa and regeneration areas

Swimming is not just about miles in the water. After a session, more and more Cracovians are looking to relax in the sauna or jacuzzi:

• Water Park in Krakow launched an expanded Saunarium in 2025 with aufguss rituals every full hour and an outdoor 38 °C thermal ball (Krakow Portal). You can combine entry to the spa area with a swimming pool ticket (surcharge of PLN 12 with a MultiSport card - see price list).
• Krakowskie Błonia Thermal Baths is a new 750-square-metre spa complex located in the south stand of the City Stadium (entrance from al. 3 Maja 17), which has instantly become the number one choice for sauna lovers in Krakow. 

Guests can choose from a panoramic dry sauna (85-95 °C), a huge 'Arena' with a capacity of about 70 people, a gentler biosauna (55-65 °C) and a Turkish hammam; for cooling down, there are showers, a bareboat, an ice water barrel and a salt grotto with mineral spray. The water zone is complemented by a 13 × 5m pool with 28 °C water (textile 12:00-17:00, non-textile 17:00-23:00) and a four-person 38 °C jacuzzi. The ticket price (PLN 55/1 h, PLN 75/2 h, PLN 90/3 h, PLN 105 no limit; MultiSport, FitProfit, Medicover Sport and PZU Sport - 60 min + 15 min) includes sessions led by experienced sauna masters, from the relaxing "Calm Sleep" to the hot ritual "Phoenix in Flames", as well as scrubs and themed evenings (Ladies' Night, Men's Heating, film sessions). 

The facility operates daily from 15:00 to 23:00, offers free parking along the Blonia and is easily accessible by trams 6 or 20 (stop "Reymana"); note that the full zone applies Textile-free - outside the two-hour textile window at the pool - so bring a large towel or pareo instead of a swimsuit.

• Hotel mini-spa (Hilton, Galaxy) tempt with hourly passes, but places are limited; book by phone at least a day in advance.
  

Pro tip: Take two towels - one under your body and one to wipe away sweat.

Price lists and tickets 2025

The range of prices in the city is considerable, so below are indicative ranges - all include 10 mins for changing:

Object	1 hour concession	1 h normal	2 hr concession	Unlimited	Sports cards
Water Park	37 zł	41 zł	63 zł	90 zł	MultiSport/ FitProfit surcharge 0 - 12 zł (Krakow Portal)
AGH swimming pool	25 zł	£29	46 zł	-	honours Medicover Sport (Krakow Portal)
Cracovia Aqua	PLN 32	35 zł	PLN 58	85 zł	MultiSport at no extra cost
OSR Kurdwanów	18 zł	22 zł	38 zł	-	Free for seniors 65+ from District XI (Sunday) (Krakow)

Family tickets (2 + 1) are usually a discount of 10-15 %. Pupils and students with valid ID receive a discount of ~20 %.

Accessibility, access and occupancy

• Public transport: you can reach the Aquapark by trams 9 and 14 (stop "Dobrego Pasterza") or buses 129/429; the AGH and Cracovia swimming pools are on tram line 4, so from a tourist point of view they are "15 min from the Market".
  
• Parking: Aquatic Park - 3 h free, then 5 zl/h; AGH has 120 spaces (payable 4 zl/h); Cracovia - city parking meter (zone C).
  
• Peak hours: 17:00-20:00 on weekdays the sports track can have 6-8 people; ideally aim for the 6:30-8:00 slot or around 21:00.
  
• Facilities for people with disabilities: the newer swimming pools (Mistrzejowice, Bohaterów Września) have a movable bottom and pool lifts; the older facilities - most ramps, but ask about a shower carrier.
  
• District bonuses: residents of Duchacki Podgórze 65+ swim for free at OSR Kurdwanów every Sunday (programme financed from the district budget) (Krakow).

Practical tips

1. Equipment: compression cap (silicone), pull-kick 2-in-1 board, anti-fog coated goggles, flaps and 7 mm padlock.
   
2. Hygiene: showering with soap before entry is a requirement of the regulations for all floats (not only in Krakow); the lifeguard may refuse to let you in if he assesses that your hair is dry.
   
3. Water test: GIS reports are published online weekly; look for the 'Water quality' tab on the swimming pool pages - for example, AGH publishes pH and chlorine parameters in real time.
   
4. Online booking: by 2025, most pools have introduced QR-codes; a ticket on your phone cuts the queue by ~5 min.
   
5. Track label: swim right side, overtake in the middle, foot touch signal = let the faster one pass behind the turnaround.
   

Investment in Krakow's swimming pools until 2030

The city is continuing with its 'We Influence Health' programme, which aims to have a swimming pool in every neighbourhood. The latest opening (February 2024) is a swimming pool with a moving bottom in Mistrzejowice (Gazeta Krakowska). It does not stop there:

Location	Status 2025	Parameters	Planned year of commissioning
Clepardia, Mackiewicza Street	contract signed, ground breaking Q3 2025	25 × 16 m + training pool 16 × 8 m, saunas, jacuzzi	2027
Prądnik Biały - sports complex	project under tender	2 swimming pools (25 m and 12 m), gym, squash court	2026
Podgórze Duchackie - Bareja roundabout	location analysis	25 m indoor + spa area	2028 estimate.

In addition, the Sports Infrastructure Authority announces the upgrade of the historic KS Korona swimming pool (opening assumed for 2027, cost PLN 40 million).

Summary - which Krakow swimming pool is best for you?

• Athletes: choose AGH or Pedagogical University pool - 6 lanes, interval timers, easy access by tram.
  
• Families: nothing beats Water Park in Krakow - rushing river, pirate ship and saunarium in one ticket.
  
• Relax: the hotel's wellness areas, sauna rituals in the Krakow Thermal Baths on the outdoor swimming pool or evening happy hours in the Aqua Park (PLN 37 per 1 h).
  
• Summer season: Bagry for open-water, Przylasek Rusiecki for beachcombing.
  

If you are in Krakow and are looking for water entertainment, you will easily find the perfect place for you using our article, 

Train, play and recover, and if you discover a new gem, be sure to let us know!