Facing summer in São Paulo, where temperatures can reach 35ºC, is a Herculean task. Luckily, there are several free swimming pools in São Paulo that provide the necessary relief for those looking to have fun and cool off in an affordable way.
You can take advantage of various options, from sports centers to spas with free access to the population. There are facilities in all areas of the capital, making it easy for those looking for where to swim for free in São Paulo. Check out the access rules for each location and enjoy!
Find out where to find the best free swimming pools in SP
Balneário do Ipiranga (Carlos Joel Nelli)
The Ipiranga Sports Center has a free, covered and heated pool, perfect for swimming in summer or winter. To use it, you need to get your card at the EC’s administration office or online.
If you choose to do it in person, all you have to do is show up at the Balneário office with the following documents:
- 3×4 photo,
- Copy of ID and CPF
- Copy of proof of address.
Online applications are available via SP 156, at this link.
📅 Tuesday to Sunday, from 09h to 11h45 and from 13h to 16h45
📍 Praça Nami Jafet, 45 – Ipiranga
Other Sports Centers
In addition to the famous Balneário do Ipiranga, there are many other ECs in São Paulo with adult and children’s swimming pools. For example: Tatuapé, Náutico Guarapiranga, Jaguaré, Lapa, Cambuci, Casa Verde etc.
The procedure for access is the same: just get your card from the administration of your preferred unit or from the website. The advantage is that the same card is valid for all the ECs in the capital, allowing you to visit different aquatic complexes!
📍 Check out the full list of ECs with swimming pools on the City Hall website.
Unified Educational Centers (CEUs)
SP’s CEUs are also excellent alternatives for cooling off in the summer, with dozens of units offering free swimming pools. As with the sports centers, you need to get your card in person at the CEU of your choice. All you need to bring is a 3×4 photo, proof of residence and ID.
📅 Monday to Friday, from 8am to 10pm; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 8am to 8pm.
📍 Check out all the CEUs on the city’s website
Pacaembu Stadium
After the renovation of the stadium, the Pacaembu swimming pool was given a new look and will be open to the public again in 2025. However, the aquatic complex is currently only available for swimming training, with recreational use restricted.
The Olympic-sized pool is 50 meters long, 2 meters deep and has signposted lanes. To access it, you need to book an appointment on the official Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu app and go there wearing a swimsuit, cap and goggles. There is no longer any need to present physical documents at the entrance.
Check out the appointment step-by-step at this link.
📅 Every day, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Space may be closed for events
📍 Rua Capivari, s/n – Pacaembu
Sesc
The Sesc units are excellent options for those looking for a free swimming pool in SP, but with restricted access. Only workers in the commerce, services and tourism sector (and their dependents) who have a Full Credential can use the pools.
Sesc Pompeia, Itaquera, Belenzinho and 24 de Maio are some of the units that have swimming pools in São Paulo.
📍 Find out which Sesc units in Greater São Paulo have swimming pools here
