Freshwater beaches and natural pools in Catalonia to visit this summer

The postcard-worthy coves of the Costa Brava, the vast sandy beaches of the Costa Daurada, the dunes of the Ebro Delta, the urban beaches of Barcelona... The charm of the Catalan coast, from south to north, has always overshadowed the strong appeal that all kinds of rivers, reservoirs, pools, and river beaches have for the bathing season, which can be found throughout the region, in mountain areas where you can enjoy a cooler summer. Heritage and gastronomy blend perfectly with a dip, in this case, in magnificent freshwater beaches.

The first thing to consider is that no matter how many rivers and marshes we may want to explore, we cannot just jump into the water anywhere. Swimming is regulated in about fifty inland natural areas in order to ensure safety and water quality. Therefore, the first warning to take into account is to find out if swimming is allowed where we want to dive in. We can find around forty river beaches or bathing areas in ponds or reservoirs, and about twenty natural pools, pools, and puddles nearby.

The bathroom is regulated in fifty natural interior spaces throughout Catalonia

We start with a classic, Lake Banyoles, which has three bathing areas: the Caseta de Fusta in the northern area, where you can reach on foot or by bike after leaving your car in a parking lot in the Draga park; the Club Natació Banyoles, with a private bathing area that everyone can access by paying a day entrance fee - members have free access - and the bar at Banys Vells, with a terrace and bathing area for customers.

At the Darnius-Boadella reservoir, the experience of swimming or soaking your feet amidst a dense forest is truly amazing. The water temperature is very similar to what you would find at a typical cove, not as cold as the water in rivers and streams. The best place to access it is the Club Nàutic Darnius, although there are different points along the shore where you can also comfortably reach the water.

Talking about marshes, in Pallars Jussà we find three freshwater beaches, two in the Sant Antoni reservoir - the first in Salàs de Pallars and the other in La Pobla d'Aramunt - and another in Celles, the Pins beach, in this case in the Terradets reservoir, all with waters from the Noguera Pallaresa River. It is an ideal place for family tourism, as swimming can be combined with an easy walk, on foot or by bike, along simple and well-signposted routes that run through a forest environment and several viewpoints where you can enjoy the landscape and observe various animals, mainly green-necked ducks. The path through the tunnels excavated on the living rock is another attraction of this privileged space.

Smaller and lesser-known spaces with a unique charm, the natural pools of Santa Pau (La Garrotxa) are highlighted by the Salt de Can Batlle, providing a picture-perfect landscape. This waterfall creates two bathing areas, one at the top of the cascades and another at the bottom. However, in this case, the water tends to be cold. In Sant Joan de les Abadesses, there is a pool with a spectacular waterfall as well. Before taking a dip, it is recommended to explore a section of the Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó, a twelve-kilometer greenway between Ripoll, Sant Joan de les Abadesses, and Ogassa that follows the route of the former railway line used to transport coal from the mines.

Smaller, lesser-known spaces with charm are the natural pools of Santa Pau

Heading south, you can find the waterfalls and pools of Febró, in Baix Camp, a whim of the Siurana river. It is a curious route of different natural pools – Gorg, Gorguet, and Gorguina – also ideal for a family visit to the impressive historical and scenic ensemble of Siurana and, if time allows, the abandoned villages of Gallicant and la Mussara. In the area, you can also find other bathing areas such as Fonts de Glorieta and the lesser-known Toll del Drac, in Alcover (Alt Camp), very close to the legendary Niu de l’Àliga in the Prades mountains, which complete a highly recommended excursion.