In Brussels, several municipal swimming pools allow you to enjoy the water with children all year round. Some have a paddling pool or learning pool, while others are more suitable for children who already know how to swim.
Here are five family-friendly swimming pools in Brussels, with their facilities, prices and practical information to know before you go.
Are you looking for a free outing or an outdoor swim? Also discover our free water games in Brussels and our swimming spots around Brussels with children.
The most family-friendly swimming pools in Brussels
The Laeken swimming pool: the most complete with young children
The swimming pool in Laeken is probably one of the most practical communal swimming pools with young children. It includes a large pool, a shallow pool, a paddling pool, a learning pool and two slides.
The paddling pool and the small pool allow children who do not yet know how to swim to enjoy the water in a more suitable space than the large pool. It is a good option for a simple pool outing, without leaving Brussels.
📍 Address: rue du Champ de l’Église 73-89, 1020 Laeken
🕒 Usual opening hours during school periods: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
🎟️ Rate: municipal rate varies according to age and municipality of residence. Free for children under 3 years old
👨 👦 👩 👧 Who is it for: Babies, young children, children learning to swim and families
💦 Equipment: paddling pool, learning pool, small slide and large slide
🚇 Access: metro line 6, Bockstael stop; buses 49 and 53; tram 62, stop Princess Clementine
⚠️ Good to know: check the schedule before your visit, as some pools or corridors may be reserved for schools and clubs.
The Longchamp swimming pool in Uccle: a small, very shallow pool
The Longchamp swimming pool includes a large 33-metre pool and a small 15-by-15-metre pool. The latter starts at a depth of zero and does not exceed 90 centimeters, which makes it particularly interesting with young children.
The water in the small basin is also slightly warmer than that in the large basin. A cafeteria allows you to extend the outing or plan a break after swimming.
📍 Address: square De Fré 1, 1180 Uccl
🕒 Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 am to 7 pm; Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 7:30 am to 2 pm
🎟️ Price: free under 3 years old; €3.60 for under-18s living in Uccle; €5 for under 18s who are not resident in Uccle
👨 👦 👩 👧 Who is it for: Babies, young children, children learning to swim and families
💦 Facilities: large pool, small shallow pool, cafeteria and solarium accessible in summer with extra charge
🚇 Access: buses 37, 38, 41 and 124, Statuaires stop; buses 43 and 75, Héros stop; tram 4 or 92, Héros stop
⚠️ Good to know: the swimming pool is closed on certain public holidays, including July 21 and August 15.
The Centre’s swimming pool: practical in the heart of Brussels
Located in the Marolles, the Centre’s swimming pool has a 25-metre main pool and an 18-metre learning pool.
It is less fun than the swimming pool in Laeken, but its central location makes it a practical option to combine swimming with a walk in the Marolles, the Sablon or the historic centre.
📍 Address: rue du Chevreuil 28, 1000 Brussels
🕒 Usual opening hours during school periods: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
🎟️ Price: municipal rate varies according to age and municipality of residence
👨 👦 👩 👧 For whom: children who are starting to swim, swimmers and families staying in the centre
💦 Equipment: 25-metre main pool and learning pool
🚇 Access: metro lines 2 and 6, Porte de Hal stop; tram 3, 4, 51 or 56, Lemonnier stop; bus 27 or 48, Jeu de Balle stop
⚠️ Good to know: check the public swimming times before your trip, as some slots are reserved for schools or clubs.
The Neder-Over-Heembeek swimming pool: for a more leisurely swim
The Neder-Over-Heembeek swimming pool has a 25-metre main pool and a smaller learning pool. It also includes a solarium, a cafeteria and various relaxation areas.
It is designed more to learn to swim or do a few lengths than to play in the water, but its learning pool remains interesting with children who are already relatively comfortable.
📍 Address: rue de Lombartzyde 120, 1120 Neder-Over-Heembeek
🕒 Usual opening hours during school periods: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
🎟️ Price: municipal rate varies according to age and municipality of residence
👨 👦 👩 👧 For whom: children learning to swim, swimmers and families
💦 Equipment: main pool, learning pool and outdoor solarium accessible in good weather in summer
🚇 Access: bus 53 or 56; Val Maria or Ancre stop depending on the route chosen
⚠️ Good to know: the last ticket is usually sold one hour before closing and the exit from the water is requested 30 minutes before.
The Ixelles municipal swimming pool: to swim in a historic setting
Built in 1904, the Ixelles swimming pool is the oldest indoor swimming pool in the Brussels-Capital Region. Its old cabins arranged around the basin give it a lot of charm.
It has a unique pool of 29.20 meters and is therefore especially suitable for children who already know how to swim. It is not the most suitable pool for a baby or a very young child, as it does not have a separate paddling pool.
📍 Address: rue de la Natation 10, 1050 Ixelles
🎟️ Price: free under 3 years old; €2 for young people from Ixello; €3.50 for young people not domiciled in Ixelles
👨 👦 👩 👧 For whom: children who already know how to swim, teenagers and lovers of historic swimming pools
💦 Equipment: single large pool
🚇 Access: bus 59, Natation stop; bus 71, Flagey stop; bus 95, stop at Place Blyckaert; tram 81, stop Germoir
⚠️ Good to know: check the updated opening hours before your visit, especially during school holidays.
Know Before You Go
General opening hours do not always correspond to the slots accessible to the public. Some pools may be reserved for schools, clubs, swimming lessons or other activities.
Before your trip, check the official website of the chosen pool to check the public swimming times, prices, possible closures and rules concerning swimwear.
With young children, remember to bring a towel, clothes that are easy to change and, if necessary, suitable swimming accessories. Children should remain under the constant supervision of an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Laeken swimming pool is the most complete for young children thanks to its paddling pool, learning pool and shallow areas. The Longchamp pool is also a good option thanks to its small pool whose depth varies from zero to 90 centimeters.
The swimming pool in Laeken has a paddling pool and a learning pool. It is one of the most suitable pools for children who do not yet know how to swim.
The municipal swimming pool in Ixelles, the Centre swimming pool and the Neder-Over-Heembeek swimming pool are more suitable for children who are already comfortable in the water. The Ixelles swimming pool has only one large pool and is therefore not the most practical with a baby.
No. Public swimming times and pool occupancy may be changed during school holidays, public holidays or work periods. It is essential to check the official website before leaving.
Some swimming pools offer free access for children under 3 years old. However, the rates vary according to the municipality, age and sometimes place of residence. You have to check the conditions of each pool.
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