Piscinas Municipais de Serpa

Serpa is a walled town in the Baixo Alentejo, east of Beja and close to the Guadiana river. The Câmara Municipal de Serpa runs two pools in the town: an outdoor pool (Piscina Descoberta) that opens for the summer, and an indoor pool (Piscina Municipal Coberta) used through the school year.

The headline for families is the price. In summer 2026 the outdoor pool was free for everyone up to 18. The indoor pool’s price table also lets children and teenagers swim free. In both cases the council’s tables tie free entry to showing an official document with the child’s date of birth, so pack their ID cards.

The outdoor pool is at Eira de S. Pedro. The main pool is a full 50 by 22 metres, between 1.30 m and 2 m deep, so it is too deep for children who can’t swim. Next to it is a separate children’s pool (piscina infantil) for younger ones. The site has four changing rooms.

In 2026 the outdoor pool opened on 16 June. It ran from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 19:45, until 31 August, and from 1 September 10:00 to 19:30 until the end of the season. It closes on Mondays. The council’s 2026 notice says entry is free for everyone up to 18.

For adults, the latest price table the council has published (2024) charged €1.80 for ages 25 to 64 with an ID showing their date of birth, €1 for ages 19 to 24 and €1 for over-64s. Without ID, a single ticket cost €1.50 to €2. Monthly passes were also available.

The indoor pool at Loteamento da Hortinha is 16 by 11 metres and only 0.95 m to 1.40 m deep all over. That suits a child who is still getting confident, because in much of it a school-age child can stand. There are four changing rooms and a small gallery with 30 seats where parents can watch.

The 2025–26 timetable mixes public sessions (Público) with classes. Public swimming runs from 08:00 most weekdays, around midday, and again from about 16:00 to 18:00 and after 19:00 on several days, with some slots limited to two lanes. On Saturdays there is public swimming in the morning, with three lanes from late morning. The pool is closed on Sundays. Other slots go to the council’s senior and adapted swimming, school groups and the AquaSerpa programme. Check the current timetable PDF on the council site before you go, as times shift each season.

The indoor price table follows the same idea as the outdoor one: free for children and teenagers with ID, and low prices for adults (€1.80 for most adults with ID).

The council lists swimming and water aerobics (hidroginástica) as the activities at the indoor pool. The timetable shows school groups, a seniors’ swim and an adapted swimming class, alongside the AquaSerpa sessions. The council pages don’t give details of children’s lessons, so ask at the pool about ages and places.

The council pages we found don’t publish a full set of rules. Take swim caps and flip-flops, shower before you swim, and check the rules at the desk. The one rule that matters most for your wallet is the ID: without it, children pay.

The big outdoor pool is at least 1.30 m deep everywhere, so small children are limited to the children’s pool. Outdoor opening hours stop before 20:00, and the pool closes on Mondays. Indoor public sessions share the pool with classes, and some have only two lanes. We found no information on shade, food or parking at either site.

The Serpa council also opened the outdoor pool at Pias, a village in the municipality, on the same day in 2026, on the same free-entry terms for under-18s.

Serpa has the Museu do Relógio, a clock museum in the old town, which works well for a morning before an afternoon swim. The Alqueva dam visitor centre has models, machinery and a viewing platform over the reservoir, and the abandoned copper mine at Mina de São Domingos is further south near Mértola.

Is the pool in Serpa free for children?

Yes. In summer 2026 the outdoor pool was free for everyone up to 18. Bring an ID showing your child’s date of birth, because the council’s price tables tie free entry to it.

Is there a baby or children’s pool?

The outdoor complex has a separate children’s pool. The main pool is 1.30 m to 2 m deep, so it is for swimmers only.

Is there an indoor pool in Serpa?

Yes. The Piscina Municipal Coberta is 16 by 11 metres and 0.95 m to 1.40 m deep, with public sessions on weekdays and Saturday mornings.

When is the outdoor pool open?

From mid June to the end of the summer season, Tuesday to Sunday. In 2026 it opened on 16 June, from 10:00 to 19:45.

Do I need to bring ID?

Yes, for children to get in free, and for adults to get the lower price.