Recently updated on July 12th, 2023 at 10:35 am
Whether you prefer a plunge, natural, infinity or classic swimming pool, nothing beats a refreshing (or warming) dip to make you feel reenergised and ready to take on whatever the day has to throw at you. We’d love to say we’ve road tested each and every one of these pools personally, but our lives are not quite as glamorous as that. But through the power of the internet (and alot of wistful thinking), these are the 8 pools we’re touting as the best swimming pools in the world…
San Alfonso Del Mar Resort, Chile
Filled with a staggering 66 million gallons of sea water and stretching over a space equivalent to the size of nine football fields, the San Alfonso resort pool in Chile, claims to be the largest in the world. Water sports including kayaking and windsurfing are possible on this vast expanse of water, but simply swimming from one side to the other would be more than enough exercise for most!
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The Cambrian Hotel Pool, Adelboden
Forming part of the Cambrian Hotel, one of the top 20 Swiss wellness hotel and spas, this heated infinity pool offers utterly jaw dropping views of the Alps. Open all year round, in the winter months you’ll get to enjoy the sensation of cold air and warm water as you swim your laps, whilst in the summer there’s no better place from which to drink in the clean mountain air.
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Bondi Icebergs, Sydney
A part of the ocean, but not quite, the Olympic sized pool at the Bondi Icebergs club in south Bondi is almost as famous as the beach itself. Filled with water from the sea, this public pool is open in the summer months for leisurely dips, but closed in the winter to all, other than the hardcore ‘icebergs’ – people who have logged 75 swims or more in the off season.
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Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
57 levels up and offering unbeatable views of the city, the rooftop infinity pool of the legendary Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore takes some beating. Not only is this the highest infinity pool in the world, it’s also the largest, giving you that real on top of the world feeling.
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The Library, Koh Samui
A red swimming pool takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do you’ll realise just how beautiful this beachside pool is. Decorated with crimson mosaics, this pool has earned its stripes in the social media world for its imaginative use of colour, which can be best appreciated at dusk as the blood red water fades into a molten gold colour.
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Chongwe River House Pool, Zambia
What do you get when you combine wild animal spotting with total relaxation? Answer – one of the best swimming pools in the world, at the Chongwe River House hotel in Zambia. Overlooking the Chongwe River, this beautifully designed boutique hotel has made the most of their prime location by creating a wide decking area around the pool, from which guests can sip cocktails whilst watching native wildlife.
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Havasu Falls Natural Pool, Arizona
If you prefer your swimming pools a little more secluded, look no further than the naturally created pool at Havasu Falls. Formed on land belonging to the Havasupai tribe, the pool has special cultural significance and is a wonderful place to visit to appreciate Mother Nature at her very best. To visit, guests must obtain an entry permit from the Havasupai people, but if you do you’ll almost be guaranteed the place to yourself.
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Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
Travel to Pamukkale, a city in the Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey, and you’ll be rewarded with a sight that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. Over a hundred natural pools make up this natural phenomenon, of all shapes and sizes. The turquoise pools are formed of a sparkling white sedimentary rock called travertine, and filled with water from the nearby hot springs.Â
Have we missed something particularly incredible off our best swimming pools of the world list? Let us know by sharing your tips in the comments below…