The temperatures are getting warmer, and that also means that the “Gartenbäder” (outdoor swimming pools) in the region will be opening. The first one to open is always the heated St. Jakob sports pool, which this year opens on Saturday, April 26. The family pool at St. Jakob and the Bachgraben pool will open on May 10, and for the Eglisee pool you will have to wait until May 17. Operating hours vary among the pools and also with the month, with longer opening hours being implemented in the summer. Thus, opening hours are as follows:

• Gartenbad St. Jakob: The Sportbad (sports pool) is open from April 25 to October 4 from 06:00-18:00 on weekdays and from 9:00-20:0 on weekends. The teaching pool is open from 06:00-20:00 daily in the off-season (April 25 to June 5 and August 10 to October 4) and 6:00-21:00 in the summer (June 6 to August 9). The entire Gartenbad complex, including the family pool, is open 9:00-20:00 daily from May 9 to June 5 and August 10 to September 13, and until 21:00 on all days during the summer months from June 6 to August 9.
• Gartenbad Bachgraben: The pool is open from May 9 to September 27. From May 9 to June 5 and from August 10 to September 13, opening hours are 9:00-20:00 daily. For the summer months from June 6 to August 9, opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00-21:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-21:00. From September 14 to 27, the pool is open from 11:00-19:00 daily.
• Gartenbad Eglisee: The pool is open from May 16 to September 13. From May 16 to June 5 and from August 10 to September 13, opening hours are 9:00-20:00 daily. For the summer months from June 6 to August 9, opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00-21:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-20:00.

For all pools, entrance costs CHF 8.00 for adults, CHF 5.00 for adolescents and students up to age 25, CHF 3.00 for kids, and CHF 2.00 for holders of the Colourkey. For each of these pools, you can also buy a 10-entrance booklet or a season pass; for more information check https://www.bs.ch/themen/kultur-sport-und-freizeit/baeder-kunsteisbahnen-sportanlagen-und-raeume/gartenbaeder-basel

In addition to Basel’s three main outdoor pools, there are a host of others in the surrounding areas. For a detailed description of the outdoor pools in and around Basel and the facilities they offer, including those just over the border in neighboring France and Germany, download the PDF. Note that prices and other information may have changed since the last update of this table; please check their websites for up-to-date details.

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