Piscina Municipal de São Jacinto

São Jacinto is the village at the tip of the long, sandy peninsula that closes off the Ria de Aveiro lagoon from the Atlantic. It’s part of the municipality of Aveiro. Its council-run outdoor pool gives small children calm water to swim in during the summer.

The pool had a full renovation that cost €730,000, according to the local press, and reopened on 30 August 2025. The council replaced the floor of the main pool, strengthened the structure and put in a new plant room and water treatment. The two old small pools were replaced by a single children’s pool designed, in the council’s words, for babies aged 1 to 3 and for children aged 3 to 12 or up to 1.20 m tall. The enlarged grounds now include a beach volleyball court, new loungers and sunshades, and space for a playground whose equipment, built to stand up to water and salt air, the council said would be installed later.

The summer of 2026 was the first full season after the works. The pool opened on 24 July and closed on 13 September, and the council counted 5,200 visits, with the busiest month being August at 3,247 entries. The peak day was 17 August with 244 visits, so it’s popular without being overwhelming.

According to the Região de Aveiro announcement for the 2026 season:

• Adult pool: 1.25 m to 1.60 m deep, too deep for young children to stand in.
• Children’s pool, split into two areas: a splash area 46 cm deep for babies and toddlers, and a second section 95 cm to 1.01 m deep for children who are starting to swim.

The 46 cm area is the main reason to bring young children here. It’s shallow enough for toddlers to play in with a parent beside them, and the deeper section gives older children somewhere to practise before the main pool.

In 2026 the pool was open every day from 10:00 to 19:00, the same hours as in 2025.

Prices for the 2026 season:

• São Jacinto residents: free
• Children under 6: free
• Children aged 6 to 12: €2
• Over-12s: €4
• Family ticket: €6

The council hasn’t published the details of what the family ticket covers, so ask at the entrance. Even so, a day here costs very little compared with a private pool.

The season is short. In 2025 the renovated pool was open for only about two weeks, from 30 August to 14 September, and free. In 2026 it ran from late July to mid-September. Dates for 2027 hadn’t been announced when checked, so look at the council’s page before you plan a trip.

The pool is on Avenida Riamar, next to the Surf High Performance Centre (Centro de Alto Rendimento de Surf). The Diário de Aveiro describes the quickest route from Aveiro as driving to Gafanha da Nazaré and then crossing the São Jacinto channel. The council says parking isn’t a problem.

The council hadn’t published regulations for this pool online when checked, so check the pool’s rules at the entrance, including whether swim caps or swim nappies are required.

This is an outdoor summer pool, so it depends on the weather. On grey or windy days by the sea, the water and the air can feel cold. There’s no information about lifeguards, a café or lockers on the official pages, so bring water, snacks and sun protection, and keep valuables in the car.

It’s a simple council pool, not a leisure park. There are no slides, but the splash area, sunshades and volleyball court make it an easy few hours for families staying on the peninsula.

Across the channel, the Farol da Barra, Portugal’s tallest lighthouse, opens for guided climbs on Wednesday afternoons, and the Museu Marítimo de Ílhavo has an aquarium of cod. In Aveiro, children can see how salt is made at the salt pans or make ovos moles at the Oficina do Doce.

How much does the São Jacinto pool cost?

In 2026 visitors paid €2 for children aged 6 to 12, €4 for over-12s, or €6 for a family ticket. Under-6s and São Jacinto residents went in free.

Is there a baby pool?

Yes. The children’s pool has a 46 cm splash area for babies and toddlers and a second section about a metre deep.

When is it open?

Only in summer. In 2026 it ran from 24 July to 13 September, daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Is it heated?

The council doesn’t say. It’s an outdoor pool by the sea, so expect it to feel cool early and late in the season.

Is there parking?

The council says there’s no problem parking near the pool.