Piscinas Municipais de Lagoa

Lagoa council runs two swimming pools. The main one, the Piscinas Municipais de Lagoa, is on Rua Jacinto Correia in Lagoa town. The second, the Piscina Municipal da Mexilhoeira da Carregação, is in the village of that name, and the council publishes its details on the same pages. The Mexilhoeira pool is 17 metres long and 12 metres wide, and between 80 cm and 1.30 metres deep, so an adult can stand throughout.

The council describes its municipal pools as covered (cobertas), so they work in any weather. Both are working community pools with a busy swimming school. What makes them useful for families is the price of a public swim and the range of classes, from babies through to water polo.

Public swimming here is called regime de utilização livre. When checked in September 2026, one entry (for one hour, no registration needed) cost:

• Ages 6 to 11, and over-65s: €1.50. A 10-swim pack was €9 and a 20-swim pack €15.
• Ages 12 to 17: €2. Packs of 10 and 20 were €12 and €18.
• Adults 18 to 64: €3. Packs of 10 and 20 were €23 and €35.
• Pensioners with Lagoa’s social card: free.

Packs are valid for a year from purchase. There’s a 20% discount for holders of the youth card (Cartão Jovem) and from the second registration in the same household.

The pool’s rules for public swimming are short and firm:

• Only people who can swim can use public swimming.
• Children aged 12 and under must be with an adult.
• Public swimming is only available at the times shown on the table at reception, because lessons and clubs take most of the water. The council’s website doesn’t publish those times, so phone before you go.

The older 2002 regulations also say children under 6 can’t be in the pool area without someone over 18, and that one adult can bring no more than three under-6s.

The pool’s rules (normas) include:

• A swim cap and lycra swimwear (shorts or swimsuit) are compulsory. Reception sells Lagoa-branded caps in lycra or silicone for €5.
• Shower and walk through the footbath before swimming.
• No watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, hair clips or earrings in the water.
• No food or chewing gum.
• Only children up to age 6 can be taken into the changing room by an adult, and only by one adult.
• Lockers take a €0.50 or €1 coin, which you get back. Belongings left outside a locked locker are your own risk.
• No photos or filming, except at events.

Lagoa’s swimming school starts very young. Baby classes (for babies from 9 months) have animal names by age:

• Cavalo Marinho (Seahorse): 9 to 12 months.
• Caranguejo (Crab): 13 to 24 months.
• Polvo (Octopus): 25 to 35 months.
• Foca (Seal): 36 to 48 months.

At Lagoa most baby classes are on Saturday mornings, with some on weekday late afternoons; at Mexilhoeira da Carregação they’re on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Children’s classes then go up through numbered levels, and older children can join youth swimming, artistic swimming, water polo and adapted swimming. There are also adult classes and aquatic rehabilitation.

When checked in September 2026, baby classes cost €15 a month (one a week) and children’s classes €12.50 a month for one a week, €20 for two and €22 for three. Competition classes were €20. Registration with a user card was €8, and the annual renewal €5.

For 2026/27, enrolment happened in two phases:

• Phase 1 was for Lagoa residents only, who had to show proof of their tax address. Online bookings for level tests (children aged 4 to 12) opened on 1 September and for baby classes on 2 September, with in-person enrolment for other classes from 7 September.
• Phase 2, for the remaining places, was open to everyone: test bookings on 14 September, baby classes on 15 September, and other classes from 17 September.

Children aged 4 to 12 take a short test so they’re placed at the right level. Existing pupils renew online in July, level by level. Places at popular times fill quickly, and both pools keep waiting lists, so if you’re new to the area it’s worth being ready on the first day.

These are practical sports pools without slides or play equipment. The class timetables take most of the water on weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings. If you only want a family splash, a weekday school-hours slot is likely to be quieter, but check the public-swim times with reception first. Note that the rules only allow children who can swim in public-swim sessions.

Lagoa has two of the Algarve’s big family days out close by: Slide & Splash water park at Estômbar (summer) and the sand sculptures of Sand City. For a café stop in nearby Carvoeiro, see Boneca Bar.

How much is a swim at Lagoa pool?

In September 2026 a one-hour swim without registering cost €1.50 for ages 6 to 11, €2 for 12 to 17 and €3 for adults.

Do you need to be able to swim?

Yes, for public swimming. The rules only admit swimmers, and children 12 and under must be with an adult.

Do children need a swim cap?

Yes. A cap and lycra swimwear are compulsory, and reception sells caps for €5.

From what age are swimming lessons?

Baby classes start at 9 months. Children aged 4 to 12 take a level test before joining a class.

Can non-residents join classes?

Yes, in the second enrolment phase, for places left after Lagoa residents have enrolled.