Outdoor Pools in Russia for Winter Swimming
PolinaWhen we hear the phrase “outdoor pools,” our imagination usually conjures up azure water, sun loungers, and scorching sun. Many eagerly await the opening of outdoor pools for the summer season. But what if we told you that the most magical time for outdoor swimming is winter?
Just imagine: snowdrifts all around, snowflakes slowly falling from the sky, the air frosty and crisp, and you immerse yourself in scorching warm water (+35°C... +40°C). Thick steam envelops everything, turning reality into a fairy tale. This is an incomparable pleasure that recharges both body and mind. In Russia, there are two types of such places: natural hot pools (thermal springs) and heated year-round pools in cities and hotels. We have collected the best of them.
Luzhniki Aquacomplex, Moscow
The legendary Luzhniki, after a global reconstruction, has transformed into one of the most modern aquacomplexes in the country. Its main pride is two year-round outdoor pools. The first is a 50-meter sports pool, where you can swim seriously while snow falls overhead. The second is a 25-meter beach pool, with warmer water and hydromassage. The water is heated to a comfortable +28°C…+29°C. A huge plus is the warm transitions from the main building, so you won't have to freeze on your way to the water. This is an ideal option for those who want to catch 'that' winter vibe without leaving the capital's center.
- Water temperature: +28...+29°C
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00
- Address: г. Москва, ул. Лужники, 24, стр. 4
- Approximate cost: from 2,000 to 3,500 rubles per session (depends on the day of the week and duration)
- Website: aqua.luzhniki.ru
Grand Hotel Polyana, Sochi
Swimming surrounded by the snow-capped Caucasus mountains is an experience that lasts a lifetime. Grand Hotel Polyana at Gazprom Resort in Krasnaya Polyana offers one of Russia's most photogenic outdoor pools. The huge 50-meter pool is heated year-round to +29°C. You swim along the lane, and around you are majestic mountain peaks. This is the ideal après-ski format: after a full day of skiing or snowboarding, immerse yourself in warm water and relax tired muscles. To experience this, it's enough to buy tickets to Sochi on Kupi.com and get to the mountain cluster.
- Water temperature: +29°C
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:00 (usually for hotel guests)
- Address: г. Сочи, Красная Поляна, с. Эсто-Садок, ул. Ачипсинская, 12
- Approximate cost: Included in accommodation. Guest visits (if available) may cost around 2,000-5,000 rubles.
- Website: polyanaski.ru
Chayka Pool, Moscow
Chayka is a true legend of Moscow, one of the oldest outdoor pools, operating since 1957. It has a special, incomparable atmosphere: you swim in the very center of the metropolis, and above the water, especially in severe frost, there is a thick fog. The complex has two outdoor pools (50 and 25 meters), with water heated to +28°C. This is not so much a SPA-relax as a place for full-fledged training, but the very fact of swimming outdoors in winter energizes you. The question of which pools are open in Moscow in winter almost always implies Chayka as the first answer.
- Water temperature: +28°C
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:45 (weekdays), 08:00 – 20:45 (weekends)
- Address: г. Москва, Турчанинов пер., 3, стр. 1 (м. Парк Культуры)
- Approximate cost: Single visit 1,500-2,700 rubles.
- Website: chayka-sport.ru
Country Hotel LES Art Resort, Moscow Region
For those looking for a full-fledged country getaway near the capital, this hotel on Minsk Highway is a real find. Its year-round pool, covering 350 sq. m, is one of the largest in the Moscow region. The water in it is heated to +30°C…+32°C. The pool is equipped with hydromassage installations, and there's a bar nearby, so you can enjoy the warm water and the winter forest while sipping a cocktail. This is an ideal option for a family weekend when you want a change of scenery without spending a long time on the road.
- Water temperature: +30...+32°C
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 23:00 (for hotel guests)
- Address: Московская обл., Рузский р-н, пос. Дорохово
- Approximate cost: included in accommodation (the hotel operates on an All Inclusive system). Guest visits are usually not provided.
- Website: lesresort.ru
Wellness SPA Complex 'Termy', Ryazan
In recent years, Ryazan has become a magnet for thermal recreation enthusiasts. The new wellness complex 'Termy' in Ecopark 'Polyany' offers guests a large outdoor pool with water at +36°C, making it one of the truly hot pools in Central Russia. The complex is styled like a European resort, featuring a hydromassage area, waterfalls, and a separate children's zone. Ryazan is easily accessible from the capital by high-speed express train, making it an excellent route for a day trip.
- Water temperature: +36°C
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 21:45 (on weekdays), 09:00 – 22:45 (on weekends)
- Address: Рязанская область, посёлок Варские, ул. Экопарковая, д. 5
- Approximate cost: 690–4,500 rubles (weekdays/weekends)
- Website: ecotermy.ru
Resort 'LetoLeto', Tyumen
Tyumen is the true thermal capital of Russia. If you are looking for outdoor pools with the hottest and most healing water, this is the place for you. The 'LetoLeto' Resort, with its eponymous hotel and water park, is the quintessence of Siberian SPA. The huge outdoor pool, covering 400 sq. m, is filled with real mineral water from a natural spring. Its temperature ranges from +38°C…+43°C. The contrast between the scorching water and the frosty Siberian air provides incredible sensations. A trip here is worth searching for tickets Saint Petersburg – Tyumen in advance.
- Water temperature: +38...+43°C
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:30
- Address: г. Тюмень, ул. Щербакова, 87
- Approximate cost: 2,000–3,500 rubles
- Website: leto-leto.com
Sanatorium 'Mashuk Aqua-Term', Zheleznovodsk
Caucasian Mineral Waters is not just about drinking pump rooms, but also about swimming. Sanatorium 'Mashuk Aqua-Term' in Zheleznovodsk offers guests a unique experience – swimming in the 'Italian Therms'. This is a complex of outdoor pools with mineral water heated to +36°C. The main feature is the stunning panoramic view of Mount Mashuk and the surrounding forests. This is an ideal combination of relaxation and wellness. To get there, it's most convenient to buy tickets to Mineralnye Vody on Kupi.com, and from there take a taxi to the sanatorium.
- Water temperature: +36°C
- Opening hours: 12:00 – 21:00
- Address: г. Железноводск, пос. Иноземцево, ул. Родниковая, 22
- Approximate cost: 4,700–5,200 rubles for 4 hours. Guest visits are temporarily unavailable.
- Website: ital-term.ru
'Okhta Park', Saint Petersburg
Residents of the Northern Capital also have a place to catch winter zen. 'Okhta Park' Resort is not only about ski slopes but also a stylish spa complex with a heated outdoor pool. The water here is +36°C, surrounded by a beautiful pine forest. The pool is beautifully designed, featuring hydromassage zones and attractive evening lighting. This is one of the most Instagrammable places in the vicinity of St. Petersburg for winter swimming and a great way to recharge after walks through the frosty city.
- Water temperature: +36°C
- Opening hours: ~09:00 – 22:30 (operates in sessions)
- Address: Ленинградская обл., Всеволожский р-н, дер. Мистолово, ул. Людмилы Кедриной
- Approximate cost: 9,000–15,000 rubles for unlimited access (weekdays/weekends).
- Website: ohtakai.ru
Ramada by Wyndham Spa Hotel, Yekaterinburg
The Ural winter is known for its severe frosts, making it even more pleasant to plunge into the hot pools of the Ramada spa complex. The hotel features a large (300 sq. m) outdoor thermal pool with mineralized water at +35°C. You can swim in clouds of steam, admiring the snow-covered forest. This is a popular leisure spot for residents of Yekaterinburg and city guests who want to combine a business trip with quality relaxation. You can get there by direct flight, for example, by buying tickets Saint Petersburg – Yekaterinburg.
- Water temperature: +35°C
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 23:00
- Address: г. Екатеринбург, 10-й км. автодороги Екатеринбург-Кольцово, 15
- Approximate cost: 2,000–3,400 rubles for a guest visit (weekdays/weekends).
- Website: ramada-spa.ru
Arkhyz Royal Resort & SPA, Arkhyz
This new and luxurious resort in Karachay-Cherkessia quickly became known for its infinity pool. It is possibly the highest-altitude year-round pool in Russia. It is located on the hotel's terrace, offering a simply breathtaking view of the mountain peaks of Arkhyz. The water is heated to a comfortable +30°C. The feeling of swimming on the edge of a cliff, with only snow and mountains around you, is indescribable. This is the perfect end to a day after skiing.
- Water temperature: +30°C
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:00 (for hotel guests)
- Address: Карачаево-Черкесская Респ., с. Архыз, ул. Горная Долина, 1
- Approximate cost: included in accommodation. Guest visits are generally not provided.
- Website: royalresort.ru
