In the summer, there’s nothing more enjoyable (and refreshing!) than paying a visit to Parc de la Creueta del Coll in Barcelona, because atop a hill, you’ll find a fantastic outdoor pool surrounded by nature. Last summer, we went swimming there once, and you can read about our experience below!
A visit to Parc de la Creueta del Coll
Parc de la Creueta del Coll is located on a hill in the neighborhood of El Coll. Because this place used to be a quarry, the park now resembles a sort of crater surrounded by nature. In the middle of the park, there’s a lake that is transformed into an outdoor swimming pool during the summer.
To get there, we took the bus, but you can also reach the park by metro. From the main entrance at Passeig de la Mare de Déu del Coll, it was just a short walk until we reached the pool. Then we bought the tickets for entry to the pool.
A refreshing dip
Tickets for this pool are very cheap: only €2.49 per person and even free for children under 1 year old. While you can rent a sunbed, it’s also possible to lay your towel on the grass or the ground.
There are also showers, umbrellas, and toilets, and a lifeguard is on duty.
The pool itself is divided into two sections, with a lovely grove of palm trees in the middle and the imposing concrete sculpture by Eduardo Chillida on the other side. The sculpture is called “Elogio al agua” (In Praise of Water) and is a 50-ton piece of concrete that hangs above the pool.
It’s not a deep pool, making it perfect for going with children.
Although the pool could use some maintenance, we thoroughly enjoyed this outing with our little one. First, we splashed around in the water, and when we were somewhat dry, we had some food at the nearby bar.
A bite to eat
The bar at Parc de la Creueta del Coll, called La Tapeta Del Coll, was a pleasant surprise for us because although it looks quite simple from the outside, we enjoyed a delicious assortment of croquetas (Spanish croquettes) with some fries.
The bar also has a shaded terrace where you can sit and enjoy the view of the playground and the pool.
Playgrounds and nature
When the meal was over, it was time to play. In addition to the pool, Parc de la Creueta del Coll also offers plenty of opportunities to entertain the kids. There’s a playground with slides and swings, as well as ping-pong tables and gymnastic equipment.
Visitors can also take a walk through the park and enjoy the view over the lake.
If you’re looking for a more challenging trail, there are hiking paths that will take you to the top of the hill. However, you should skip these on a summer day, as it gets too hot.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll is a relatively peaceful place, even on a summer day, mainly visited by locals. So if you’re looking for a nice off-the-beaten-path spot, this is the place to be!
Have you ever been to Parc de la Creueta del Coll, and what did you (or your children) think of it? I’d love to hear in the comments!
