Air conditioning is virtually unheard of (including in hotels in Berlin), and the subways and buses start feeling more like saunas. When the thermometer starts rising, try these popular ways to cool down, local style.

1. Bathing: Au naturel

When summer rolls around, half the city heads to the lakes that dot Berlin and its surrounding area. Consult this Berlin swimming map and head out to nature.

And by “nature,” I mean that clothing is optional.

2. Bathing: To see and be seen

But if you’re more the type to lounge than lunge into the water, a quiet lake in a rustic forest just won’t do. Slip into something sexy and head to Badeschiff (pictured, top), a small bathing platform floating in the river smack in the middle of the city.

This is where “scenesters” come to strut their stuff and check out one another. Evening concerts and parties are especially popular. A ticket is only €8, but you have to reserve your time slot online in advance.

Look out for ice cream trucks. “Ice cream makes you happy.” Photo: Scottog

3. Ice cream

You can’t seem to walk a few blocks without walking past an ice cream parlor in the German capital. Homemade, all-natural ice cream is the norm, not the exception — there are countless independent shops that serve frozen treats in all shades and flavors. Here’s a list of some of the best.

Also, keep an eye out for ice cream trucks. On a hot day, you might just come across one for a quick and cheap cool down!

4. Fight fire with fire: Hot Currywurst

Sometimes you need to warm up to cool down. Case in point: currywurst. But where can you find currywurst in Berlin that really turns up the heat?

A glaring omission in my past post about currywurst was Curry & Chili, which has the hottest wieners in the city.

5. When all else fails: Street water pumps

Berlin sits on a huge underground water reserve, and until the 1930s Berliners used hand-operated pumps on the streets to clean, put out fires and even drink. Some 2,000 pumps remain functional today, and though they deliver untreated water straight from the ground underneath, 2/3 of them deliver drinkable quality water. (Berlin’s tap water, by the way, is excellent.)

So pump out some water, splash it on yourself and go on your merry way. It won’t cost you a thing.

The post Berlin in summer: 5 easy ways to cool down appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So why not consider one of the city’s great outdoor pools or even swimming ponds? It’s where you’ll find the locals cooling down and soaking up the sun.

Park Road Leisure Centre

Park Road, Hornsey N8 8JN
Getting there: Finsbury Park Underground Station to the W7 bus which stops right outside.
Website

While this north London pool does get busy, at 50 metres it’s big enough to ensure you can still claim your patch of grass for the afternoon. To avoid the crowds head down early in the morning when the water is cooler and those who dare to brave it reap the rewards (my mother is a regular 8 AM swimmer!). The whole leisure center has been undergoing refurbishment this year, meaning the outdoor pool is not yet open for the summer, but it is due to open its doors in late July with a spangly new cafe, kiosk and changing rooms. Prices will be kept around the same as last year at £5.60 a swim.

Brockwell Lido makes a fine place to take a dip amid Art Deco architecture. Photo: stevecadman

Brockwell Lido

Dulwich Road, SE24 0AP
Tube: Herne Hill Overground Station
Website

Located within Brockwell Park, this Olympic sized lido is surrounded by Grade II listed Art Deco buildings and a real favorite with South Londoners. As has been the fate of many London lidos, it was closed in 1990, but heavy campaigning from locals led to it being reopened in 1994, and it is now a regular fixture on the summertime agenda and is often referred to as Brixton Beach. The pool is open from 6:30 AM until 8 PM for lane swimming or a general splash about. Entry prices are £3.10 for a pre-10am swim, £5.90 between 10 AM and 5 PM and £3.30 after 5 PM.

Related: Best views in London…for free!

Hampstead Ponds

Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR
Tube: Hampstead Heath Overground Station
Website

Hampstead Heath offers some of London’s loveliest outdoor swimming and a truly unique experience. Nestled amongst the trees, you can choose from a women’s, men’s or mixed swimming pond, which you’ll be sharing with the ducks. All the pools are life guarded and open to the public every single day—the icy Christmas Day swim is a bit of an institution, but we’d recommend starting with a summertime dip. The pools aren’t heated, so even in summer it can be chilly, but the beautiful setting makes this a London day out to remember. What’s more, entry costs just £2 a person!

Serpentine Lido

Hyde Park, W2 2UH
Tube: Hyde Park Corner Underground Station
Website

For a truly central London swim that will likely fit in nicely with your sightseeing plans, head to Hyde Park and the Serpentine Lido. The pool forms part of the main Hyde Park lake and is open daily from 1 June to 12 September. It’s a good option for families too as, away from the unheated Lido, there is also a chlorinated paddling pool and play area for children. Entry is priced at £4.50 for adults and £1.50 for children.

Related: Five central hotels for under £100 per night in London

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A Word About A.C.

A movie in a dark room can be a lifesaver on a scorching afternoon, and you have the best chance of decent a.c. at one of the bigger multiplexes, but keep in mind that the temperature will never be as chilly as it would be in the U.S. Same goes for large department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché or the B.H.V., where you can cool down a bit, but possibly not as much as you would like.

Browsing frozen treats–and cooling off–at Picard. Photo: asirap

Browse the Aisles of Picard

You can always duck into a supermarket and hover in the frozen food section or vast dairy aisle of a Monoprix or a G20. Even better? Picard, Paris’ popular frozen food chain, which is a great place to escape for a breather from the hot sun while browsing the aisles full of gourmet French TV dinners.

Go Underground

When Paris gets hot, those seeking cooler temps head for the Paris Catacombs, where the temperature is a cool 57.2 degrees F and you can chill your soul by looking at the bones of six million people that line the walls. The catacombs are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and the tour lasts 45 minutes. But keep in mind if you’re feeling worn out from the heat that it’s 130 steps down and 83 steps back up to street level.

Another underground tour where you can escape the heat for an hour or so are the city’s elaborate 19th-century sewers (though be warned that the ambient odor might make this a less desirable place to revive). Closed Thursdays and Fridays.

Take a Swim

You can’t jump into the Seine on a hot day, but Paris has 38 municipal swimming pools if you feel like taking the plunge. Remember that pools are crowded, bathing caps are required and shorts are not allowed.

The city of Paris has created a new free app (available in English) to help you locate the pool nearest you and find out everything you need to know about pool hours and other information.

The post Paris Heat Wave Survival Strategies appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Many travelers don’t associate Dublin with water. There’s the River Liffey that runs through the center of Dublin (I wouldn’t recommend swimming here) but there’s also a stunning coastline with plenty of swimming holes. It’s perfect if you’re adventurous enough to dip your toes in or dive right in.

Here are three of my favorite places to swim in Dublin. They all offer gorgeous scenery along with the chance to splash around – if you dare.

The South Wall – Ringsend
Web site

Rent a bike for the afternoon (check out the affordable Dublin Bikes rental program) and pedal outside the city center to the South Wall in Ringsend. Here you will find a pier that juts out into Dublin Bay with a charming little red lighthouse at the end. It is one of my favorite places in the city to go for an evening stroll, when boats are out for a sunset sail and kiteboarders are showing off their skills.

It is also a great place to swim. About half way up the pier there is a designated swimming spot. You can’t miss it – stairs lead right off the pier and into Dublin Bay. Currents change here often, so during your walk take the time to observe the currents before diving in.

The Forty Foot – Sandycove
Web site

One of the most legendary places for a swim in Dublin is called the Forty Foot. Locals have been diving into the water here for over 250 years. This is an example of a swimming hole that attracts sporty types all year long, regardless of the weather. On a sunny day it is a popular place to swim, and many local children will launch themselves off the rocks right into the water.

If you would rather soak up the sun, there are areas here for watching everyone else take the leap into the Irish Sea. Although it’s summer, the temperature of the water here never rises too high – be prepared for a chilly dip.

Killiney Beach – Killiney
Web site

Cheapos might be looking for a proper beach during their trip to Dublin. One of the best is Killiney Beach, easily accessed by taking the DART train south of Dublin City Center to Killiney. Once you arrive at this sandy and pebbly beach, you will hardly believe you are still in Ireland.

This beach is a great place for afternoon picnics, a refreshing swim, or simply admiring the surrounding scenery. And the best part? It’s all free – no entrance fee required.

Ready to dive in?

Sometimes our favorite destinations can surprise us. No matter what you’ve read about Dublin before, be sure to pack your bathing suit if you’re planning a summer trip to the Irish capital. Have you gone swimming in Dublin? Tell us about your experience in our comments section.

The post Dublin: Three scenic spots to go swimming appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a list of some of the city’s top outdoor spots to take a dip.

1. Podolí
Podolská 74, 147 50, Prague 4
Tel: 241 433 952

Plavecký Stadion Podolí, or just “Podolí” as it’s most often referred to, is located just off a main tramline street running alongside the river in Prague 4. Comprised of an indoor pool and two outdoor pools, Podolí was built over 50 years ago as one of Czechoslovakia’s preeminent grounds for swim competitions.

Today visitors sunbathe on towels on the metal bleachers bordering the pools, directly on the concrete or in a large grassy area, which is bordered by the base of a rocky hill. As with many of the public pools, it does get crowded during the summer, but Podolí is one place where you can actually get in a few laps.

Open daily 6 a.m – 9:45 p.m. A full day ticket costs 150 Kc for adults. Head there after 3 p.m. and the price is reduced to 110 Kc.

2. Pražacka
Sportovní a rekreacní areál Pražacka
Za Žižkovskou vozovnou 19/2716
CZ-130 00, Prague 3 – Žižkov
Web site

For a truly neighborhood feel, head to Prague 3’s Pražacka in the Žižkov neighborhood. Open from June through September, Pražacka’s outdoor pool measures 25 x 12.5 meters and is heated. Hang out on the newly built terrace, or lay on the grounds bordering the pool or the grassy lot. After a dip, enjoy a cold beer and klobasa.

During the week, the pool is open from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., but then closes for two hours before opening back up at 10 a.m. until 6:45 p.m. The cost for the full day is 100 Kc. Reduced admissions (60 Kc) applies after 5 p.m. (You can get in an additional 90 minutes in from 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.).

3. Slavia
Vladivostocká 1460/10, Praha 10
Tel: (+420) 267 311 062
Web site

Located in a residential area of Prague’s Vršovice district, Plavecký Stadion Slavia has one of the city’s largest outdoor pools at 50 meters long. As with Podolí, the center features metal bleachers and lots of Communist-era concrete architecture. Grab an ice cream or beer at one of several kiosks. Find a spot on the grounds surrounding the pool or in the grassy areas.

For those who wish to fully catch some rays, Slavia features an area for nudists (as does Podolí).

4. Divoká Šárka
Šárka Nature Reserve, Praha 6
Tram 20, 26 to the “Divoká Šárka” stop

An exceptional forest location makes this Prague pool the most enchanting. Follow a path through the trees to this swimming area, which features two large pools, including an exceptional invigorating one (due to its very cold temperatures) that is stream fed. Play ping-pong, grab a snack at the obcerstvení (snack/refreshment seller) or just dream away the day on the large grassy area while looking into the forest surrounding you.

The price is 60 kc before 4 p.m. when the price drops to 40 kc.

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The Art Deco pool, dating from 1932, was closed for 18 years before being renovated and re-opened in 2006. The water here, set in an Olympic-sized 50-meter-long pool, is heated to a balmy 26º Celsius (78.8º Fahrenheit) all year round. The vast rectangle of blue is bordered by a broad concrete lounging area, in turn bounded by a series of lockers and changing booths in cheerful primary colors.

A relaxing open-air swim

The water is really clean, and as you bob along you’re overlooked by a block of flats, a few neighboring houses and a couple of the taller trees from London Fields itself. But the rest is open sky, and it’s strangely liberating to paddle about in the early evening and see a pale moon appear above you. Sessions range from public swimming to exercise in lanes according to speed (slow, medium or fast), and there are lessons on offer for various levels of proficiency.

The pool in winter. Photo by sarflondondunc.

Although winter is approaching, there are a select few who won’t be easing off on their outdoor exploits. Taking the plunge in December is just a bit too terrifying for the likes of me, but for proof that such brave people exist check out the excellent poolside photography series by Madeleine Waller, featuring winter portraits of the heartiest local swimmers.

Sartorial tip

Here’s a tip for the fashionistas out there: If you’re struggling to find a swimsuit that doesn’t make you cringe with dread, and you’re willing to pay a bit more, try the wonderful Samantha Sage. Her designs are about as flattering you can get, and they inject a bit of vintage-inspired fun into your exercise routine. If only you could find goggles this attractive.

London Fields Lido
Hackney
London
E8 3EU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7254 9038

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Prices for non-members: £4.10 (adults 16 and over), £2.45 (children)
Web site

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