Lorraine Williamson
As Spain battles yet another punishing heatwave, the simple act of cooling off in a swimming pool has become a luxury reserved for the few. Despite the country boasting more than 1.3 million pools, over 90% are privately owned—locked behind gates, accessed only by the affluent, or restricted to exclusive communities.
In a summer marked by relentless 40°C days and sleepless nights, the inequality around who gets to cool off is no longer just a question of comfort—it’s about public health, dignity, and climate justice.
One city, thousands of pools—but only for some
The disparity is most visible in major urban centres, where public access is shockingly scarce.
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Madrid tops the list with nearly 15,000 swimming pools, but just 25 are public and outdoors. In neighbourhoods like Chamberí or Retiro, you could walk for miles without finding a single municipal pool.
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Córdoba, enduring some of the hottest summers in Europe, has over 12,000 private pools—and only nine public.
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Seville, frequently topping national temperature charts, has four municipal pools. All are on the outskirts, poorly connected to central areas, and often overrun.
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Granada, with over 230,000 residents, currently has just one public pool in operation.
In stark contrast, Zaragoza has adopted a more inclusive approach, with pool fees reduced during extreme heat and public facilities more evenly spread across the city—an exception that proves the rule.
Barriers of price, distance—and policy
Even when public pools exist, they’re often out of financial or logistical reach. Entry fees typically range from €6.80 to €27, with family visits becoming prohibitively expensive. In some towns, public pools restrict access to local residents only, further limiting availability.
And when they are open, they fill quickly. In Córdoba, fewer than 1% of residents can access a public pool at once. In Madrid, seasonal delays due to maintenance meant many municipal pools didn’t open until well into summer. Some still lack shade, drinking fountains, or proper seating.
As Ana Baena, a community advocate from Córdoba, puts it: “Surviving the heat isn’t just personal—it’s political.”
Private pool rentals: A pricey plan B
Faced with a lack of options, many Spaniards are turning to pool rental apps like Cocopool, Swimmy, and Alkipicinas. These platforms allow homeowners to rent out their backyard pools by the hour—turning personal amenities into profit.
In Barcelona, Málaga, and Madrid, pool sessions are available for €15 to €130, often bundled with sunbeds, garden furniture, or barbecues. What started as a side hustle has evolved into a booming business.
But critics warn that this trend commodifies basic relief from heat. “If you can pay, you swim. If not, you suffer,” one Seville resident remarked. For many, the emergence of pool rentals symbolises the collapse of public infrastructure in the face of rising temperatures.
Climate crisis meets social inequality
With Spain’s summers becoming longer, hotter, and more dangerous, experts warn that unequal access to cooling is now a serious health risk—especially for children, elderly residents, and low-income households. Many live in poorly insulated homes without air conditioning or even trees to provide shade.
Despite €57 million invested in pool infrastructure in Madrid since 2019, the pace of improvement has been slow. A new pool announced in Seville for 2026 has already drawn criticism—it will be publicly funded but privately run.
A pool shouldn’t be a privilege
Organisations and residents across Spain are demanding action:
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More public pools
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Lower fees during heat alerts
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Better distribution in urban neighbourhoods
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And long-term investment in green and blue spaces
Zaragoza has shown what’s possible when public need is prioritised over profit. Now, campaigners want that model expanded nationwide.
Not just pools: Other ways to stay cool
While structural change is essential, there are alternatives. Natural river pools, shaded public parks, and mountain reservoirs offer free or low-cost options to escape the heat. From the inland lakes of Extremadura to the cool forest springs of Asturias, these sites provide vital relief for families without access to pools.
Still, they’re not always within reach for city dwellers—nor do they replace the urgent need for better urban planning, equitable infrastructure, and climate-responsive policies.
When cooling down becomes a human right
As temperatures soar across southern Europe, Spain’s cities must ask tough questions. When access to basic cooling becomes a class issue, the long-term consequences go far beyond sweaty commutes or sleepless nights.
Extreme heat is here to stay. Whether relief from it remains a luxury—or becomes a right—will depend on the decisions made now.
Source: El País