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 27. The family pool at St. Jakob and the Bachgraben pool will open on May 11, and for the Eglisee pool you will have to wait until May 18. 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:

• Sportbad St. Jakob: The pool is open from April 27 to October 6; hours are Monday to Friday from 6:00-20:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-20:00 (after 18:00, the pool is used by swim clubs). For the summer months from June 17 to August 18, opening hours are extended to 21:00 on all days.
• Familienbad St. Jakob: The pool is open from May 11 to September 15. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 6:00-20:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-20:00. For the summer months from June 17 to August 18, opening hours are extended to 21:00 on all days.
• Gartenbad Bachgraben: The pool is open from May 11 to September 29. From May 11 to June 16 and from August 19 to September 15, opening hours are 9:00-20:00 daily. For the summer months from June 17 to August 18, opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00-21:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-21:00. From September 16 to 29, the pool is open from 11:00-19:00 daily.
• Gartenbad Eglisee: The pool is open from May 18 to September 29. From May 18 to June 16 and from August 19 to September 15, opening hours are 9:00-20:00 daily. For the summer months from June 17 to August 18, opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00-21:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00-21:00. From September 16 to 29, the pool is open from 11:00-19:00 daily.

For all pools, entrance costs CHF 7.50 for adults, CHF 4.50 for adolescents and students up to age 25, CHF 3.00 for kids, and CHF 1.50 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.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen-und-sportler/sportanlagen/gartenbaeder.html.

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 (originally published in the July/August 2017 issue of Basel Life Magazine). Note that prices may have changed since the original publication of this table.

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