Piscinas Municipais de Alenquer

Alenquer’s pools are at the Complexo Municipal Victor Santos, run by the council (Município de Alenquer). There are two sides to the complex. Indoors, a 25-metre pool hosts the council’s swimming school and free swimming (natação livre) all through the school year. Outdoors, a summer pool opens for about two months, with low ticket prices for children.

In 2026 the outdoor pool (piscina exterior) opened on 15 July and closed on 15 September. It opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 19:00, and is closed on Mondays and on 15 August. Swimmers must be out of the water by 18:40 and out of the complex by 19:00. If you want to leave for lunch, ask for an exit pass (senha de saída), available between 13:00 and 15:00.

The council’s rules refer to “both tanks” and forbid using the pool meant for another age group, which points to a separate pool for younger children. Ask on arrival which pool is for which age. You can’t book: entry depends on space, with a maximum of 250 people in the complex at any time. On hot weekends, arriving early is the safest plan.

Outdoor ticket prices

• Up to 2 years: free.
• 3 to 6 years: €1.50, or €0.75 after 16:00.
• 7 to 14 years: €3.80, or €1.90 after 16:00.
• 15 and over: €5, or €2.50 after 16:00.
• 65 and over: €4, or €2 after 16:00.

A book of ten tickets costs €13.50 for ages 3 to 6, €34.20 for 7 to 14 and €45 for 15 and over. A family of two adults with a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old pays €15.30 for a full day, or half that after 16:00.

Outdoor pool rules

The council’s rules are detailed. The ones parents need to know:

• Children under 15 must be with an adult who is responsible for watching them. Teenagers of 15 to 17 need a parental responsibility form, valid only for that day.
• Babies must wear disposable swim nappies in both pools.
• Armbands (braçadeiras) are the only swimming toy allowed; no lilos, balls, rackets or other toys on the pool edge or in the water, and no ball games unless run by instructors.
• Shower before swimming and walk through the footbath to reach the pool.
• Flip-flops in the barefoot area and swimwear in the water; sun-protective clothing is allowed.
• No eating, drinking or smoking near the pools, no glass and no animals except guide dogs.
• No running, jumping in or pushing.
• Sun cream is allowed, but tanning oils and other products that affect the water are not.
• Everyone wears the wristband that shows they paid, all day.
• You may bring a small bag or cool box of up to 20 litres.

There’s no refund if the weather turns.

Families can use the indoor 25-metre pool for free swimming without joining a class. Children under 10 must be with an adult who stays with them and watches them the whole time. Each visit lasts an hour, and the council says to check at the desk how many lanes are free for the time you want.

On the 2025/26 winter timetable (1 October to 30 June), free swimming ran on weekdays from 09:00 until about 16:00 or 17:00, usually in six lanes but fewer at some times, with a single lane on some evenings from 20:00 and a few temporary Saturday slots.

Free swimming prices are low: €1 for under-7s, €2.50 for ages 7 to 17, €3 for 18 to 64 and €2.50 for over-65s. A book of ten costs €9, €22.50, €27 and €22.50 respectively.

Alenquer’s swimming school groups children by age and level:

• Babies: 6 to 24 months and 25 to 48 months.
• AMA 1 (first year) and AMA 2, ages 4 to 5: getting used to the water, breathing, balance, going under, rolls, jumps and basic survival skills such as floating.
• AMA 3 and Level 1, ages 6 to 14: the start of front crawl and backstroke, a rough breaststroke, water rescue skills and an introduction to water polo.
• Level 2, ages 7 to 15: better crawl and backstroke, and the start of breaststroke and butterfly.
• Level 3, ages 7 to 16: all four strokes, starts and turns, longer distances, lifesaving and water polo.

Monthly fees for a class once a week are €15 for ages 0 to 3, €11 for 4 to 6 and €16 for 7 to 17. Twice a week costs €20 (4 to 6) or €28 (7 to 17). Registration is €10 (€6 to re-enrol), and a single class costs €3 to €5 for children. From the third member of a household, the family pays 25% less.

For 2026/27, returning pupils re-enrolled in July and August and new pupils can sign up from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, at the pool desk or by email to piscinas.inscricoes@cm-alenquer.pt. You need the enrolment form, a consent form and an assessment sheet showing your child’s level, so ask the office which level your child has been given.

How much does the Alenquer outdoor pool cost for children?

Under-3s are free, ages 3 to 6 pay €1.50 and ages 7 to 14 pay €3.80, with half price after 16:00.

Can children wear armbands?

Yes. Armbands are the one swimming aid the outdoor pool rules allow.

Is there a baby pool outside?

The rules mention two pools and ask swimmers to use the one meant for their age, which points to a separate pool for younger children. Babies must wear disposable swim nappies.

Can a 12-year-old go to the pool alone?

Not outdoors, where under-15s need an adult with them. Indoors, the rules only require an adult for under-10s.

When does the outdoor pool open?

In 2026 it ran from 15 July to 15 September, Tuesday to Sunday.