Piscina Municipal do Cadaval

The Piscina Municipal do Cadaval belongs to Cadaval council, which runs it directly. The council’s user leaflet describes its purpose as sports and school swimming, recreation and leisure time in the water. For families this means weekly lessons for babies and children, some booked free swimming, and a programme of themed events through the school year.

The pool is open on weekdays from 09:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00. It closes on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays, and shuts for the whole of August.

The 2026/27 leaflet lists these classes:

• Baby swimming (natação para bebés). A baby must always be with an adult in these classes, and the accompanying adult also pays the accident insurance.
• AMA (adaptação ao meio aquático): water-confidence classes for children who are not yet swimming.
• AATN (aprendizagem e aperfeiçoamento das técnicas de nado): learning and improving the swimming strokes.
• Adult swimming, aqua-gym and advanced aqua-gym.

Children are placed in a class after an assessment of how they swim and when they’re free. Teachers reassess everyone twice more during the year, in January and May, so parents can follow their progress. The council’s page doesn’t give age limits for each class, so ask at the office which group suits your child.

From age 7, children go into the changing room without a parent. Pupils can enter the pool area 10 minutes before their class.

Themed weeks through the year

The pool plans a set of events for its pupils through the year. For 2026/27 the leaflet lists:

• 26 to 31 October: an internal competition for the stroke classes.
• 23 to 28 November: Christmas trees, for everyone.
• 16 and 19 December: “Natal Encantado” (enchanted Christmas) for the babies.
• 3 to 6 February: “Touca Louca!”, crazy swim cap week.
• 20, 22, 23 and 24 March: an Easter egg hunt.
• 12 to 17 April: another internal competition.
• 13 to 16 May: family week.
• 19 June: the summer festival.

You enrol in person at the pool office, bringing the completed user form, a citizen card or ID and a tax number (NIF). Lessons are paid monthly by the 10th of each month, and late payment may carry a fine. The compulsory accident insurance costs €7.50 a year and is paid with the first month. July’s fee is split in two and paid in advance with May and June.

If a child misses a whole month without a reason or medical note, they may lose their place to someone on the waiting list. To stop classes, tell the office before the end of your last month.

Free swimming (natação de utilização livre) is open to registered users who have paid the €7.50 insurance. Book at the office, or you may be turned away if the lanes are full. Each visit lasts up to 90 minutes from the moment you enter the changing room until you leave, with up to six people per lane. Children and teenagers under 14 must be with a responsible adult. Tickets are sold singly or in books of 10 or 20. The leaflet said the 2026/27 free-swim timetable would be published soon, so check with the office.

The leaflet’s rules for classes and free swimming:

• A swim cap, clean rubber flip-flops and a suitable swimsuit or trunks are compulsory.
• Rinse off before getting in.
• No food or drink in the pool hall or changing rooms except water in a suitable bottle.
• No running, no soap, oils or make-up in the pool.
• No swimming with open wounds, skin infections or contagious illnesses.
• If you lose or damage a locker key, you pay for it.

Can I go in the water with my baby?

Yes. In baby classes an adult must always be with the baby.

Can we just turn up for a family swim?

Free swimming needs registration and a booking at the office. Under-14s must be with an adult.

Is the pool open in summer?

It is closed for the whole of August.

Do children need a swim cap?

Yes. A cap, flip-flops and proper swimwear are compulsory.