If you’re looking for liquid refreshment that’s not pivo and are eager to give your cardiovascular system a run for its money, your best bet is one of Prague’s pools. Of course in the summertime, locals flock to the dam reservoirs like there’s no tomorrow – difficult to understand, once you see how murky the water is.
The pools aren’t much nicer, to tell you the truth, unless you enjoy excessive amounts of chlorine and large crowds. Particularly in the summertime, it can seem like the whole of Prague shows up at the public swimming pool for a bath. Ugh…
If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, many fitness centers and hotels offer the public use of their facilities for a sturdy fee. Stratos Health & Fitness Center at the Corinthia Towers Hotel, for example, gives you access to its gym, pool, and sauna for 250 CZK an hour – but if you’re from the US, you’re technically prohibited from spending money there, as the Corinthia Towers are Libyan-owned. Instead, try the fitness club at the Inter-continental – an equally swanky work-out place that allows you use of the pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi for two hours at a rate of 300 CZK.
POOLS
Podoli
Probably Prague’s most popular pool, with an Olympic-sized indoor and two outdoor pools. Nude sundeck for cultivating that summertime tan. If you’re a guy, beware of the dirty old men wanking in the men’s showers.
YMCA
Tiny and oftentimes crowded, the YMCA pool boasts strange hours that seem to change all the time, so check the website before you go down there. Apparently it’s less crowded early in the mornings, if you feel like waking up that early for a swim…
www.ymca.cz
Hotel Axa
The pool in the basement of this hotel, located on the same street as the YMCA, is a good length. It is often populated with families with shrieking children, but if you come in the morning, you might be fortunate enough to miss this frequent occurrence.
Areal Strahov Stadion
If you’re looking to practice your doggie paddle, you might want to go somewhere else – this large indoor pool is the place where Czech competitive swimmers train.
SK Slavia
This swimming complex in the Vrsovice residential area features indoor and outdoor pools. In the summertime, the outdoor pool often gets far too crowded to do any real swimming, however.
RESERVOIRS
Divoka Sarka
Wade through the murky blackish water of this pond and try not to think about what you’re about to step on…Alternately, sun yourself on the grassy banks (there’s a naturist area, in case you forgot your bathing suit.) Follow the striped trail further up the valley to find an outdoor pool.
Dzban Reservoir
The Dzban is quite popular in the summertime and very large. It boasts an attractive naturist beach and is situated close to the tram stop. Volleyball and table tennis are two of the activities on offer here.
Hostivar Reservoir
Larger and deeper than Dzban, the Hostivar Reservoir also offers a lot more activities, such as rowing, windsurfing, and tennis.
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