Piscinas Municipais das Caldas da Rainha

In Caldas da Rainha, swimming lessons at the municipal pools (Piscinas Municipais) are run by the Pimpões, a local sports and recreation society that has taught swimming for more than 30 years. The club had its own pool too, but its website now lists that one as closed, so its aquatic programme runs at the municipal pools.

According to the club’s leaflet, the municipal pools are open to Pimpões members, to organisations with an agreement with Caldas da Rainha council, and to the general public for free swimming.

The two pools

The leaflet gives the sizes and depths:

• The 20-metre pool is 1.10 m to 1.30 m deep. Baby classes, children’s first levels and adult beginners use it.
• The 25-metre pool is 1.80 m to 2 m deep, for more advanced classes, squads and free swimming.

The water is kept at 29.5 to 31 °C in the small pool and 26.5 to 28 °C in the 25-metre pool. That warmth matters for babies and small children, who get cold quickly in lessons.

Pimpões teaches babies from 6 months. Its website describes the baby classes as sessions with specialist teachers in a specially warmed pool, aimed at coordination, balance and confidence in the water. On the 2024/25 leaflet, baby classes were split into 6 to 18 months and 18 to 36 months, with slots on Wednesday and Thursday evenings (18:20 and 18:50) and several on Saturday morning between 09:30 and 11:30.

The club’s swimming school uses cap colours for its levels:

• Adaptation I (ages 3 to 4), yellow cap: getting used to the water, breathing, floating, going under and falling in.
• Adaptation II (ages 4 to 6), grey cap: adds gliding, propulsion and jumping in.
• Beginners’ strokes (from 6), orange cap.
• Improving strokes (ages 7 to 8), green cap.
• Pre-training (8 to 15), blue cap: basic training sessions for children who might join the competition squad later.

Classes last 40 minutes and, from the stroke levels up, the teacher alone is with the children, in groups of up to 16 depending on age and level. The 2024/25 timetable had children’s classes at 16:20, 17:00, 17:40, 18:20 and 19:00 on weekdays and through Saturday morning.

The leaflet says a parent or guardian can only accompany their child up to the age of 6. Changing rooms open 5 minutes before class, with the reception’s permission, and you must leave within 15 minutes of the end.

Everyone who takes part in a Pimpões activity must be a member (sócio). Joining costs €8.50 (a €2.50 joining fee plus six months’ membership at €6), then €1 a month. On top of that come a €10 registration fee and €8 insurance for the season.

Monthly fees on the October 2025 price list for swimming classes, which cover babies, adaptation and children’s levels, were €21 for once a week, €27 for twice and €32 for three times, or €6 for a single class. Fees are due by the 10th of the month, and €2 is added after that.

Discounts can’t be combined: 5% for a second family member, 7% for a third and 10% for four or more; 5% for paying six months ahead and 10% for the whole season.

Free swimming (natação livre) is for swimmers over 15 who can swim at least two strokes. It takes place only in the 25-metre pool, with up to five people per lane; there’s no free swimming in the 20-metre pool. On the October 2025 list it cost €2.75 a visit (up to two hours), €25 for ten or €40 for twenty. The 2024/25 timetable showed free swimming on weekday mornings from 08:00 and some afternoons, and on Saturday mornings.

From the club’s leaflet, for classes and free swimming:

• Wear a Lycra swimsuit, flip-flops and the Pimpões cap for your level.
• Shower before getting in.
• No creams, make-up or oils.
• No eating on the pool deck or in the changing rooms.
• Don’t swim with a wound or infection.

Parque D. Carlos I, the town park with its boating lake, is a good place to let off steam after a class, and Cais do Parque is there for lunch. The walled town of Óbidos is a short drive south.

Is the water warm enough for babies?

The small pool is kept at 29.5 to 31 °C, according to the Pimpões leaflet.

Can a toddler stand in the pool?

The 20-metre learner pool is 1.10 to 1.30 m deep, which is too deep for most toddlers to stand in, so under-3s swim in the baby classes.

Do parents stay with their children?

Parents can go with children up to age 6. In stroke classes the teacher is alone with the group.

Can we just go for a family swim?

Free swimming is for over-15s only, in the 25-metre pool.

How much are swimming lessons in Caldas da Rainha?

From €21 a month for one class a week on the Pimpões October 2025 price list, plus club membership, registration and insurance.