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

The post London: Where to go swimming in the city appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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.

Thankfully, a large city like Berlin offers ample opportunities for both types of escapes. If you’re in the mood for the latter, here are three of Berlin’s best summer oases.

Strandbad Wannsee

A 30-minute S-Bahn ride from the center transports you out to the green edges of the city, where you’ll find numerous small lakes offering reprieve on hot days. The Strandbad offers nearly 1.3 km of well-managed (and popular) sandy beach on the lovely, clean Wannsee.

After hours of fabulous people- or sailboat-watching, listening to the sounds of the waves, or alternately swimming in the lake then drying in the sunshine, your mind should be clear enough to choose between the many, many types of popsicles and ice cream bars available at the snack bar. (Read more about the Wannsee and other fabulous lakes and parks in Berlin.)

S1-/S7-Nikolassee
Admission: €4.50
Open everyday, check website for hours

Stadtbad Neukölln

By far the most beautiful of Berlin’s public pools, the Stadtbad Neukölln, built in 1914 in classical style, retains its original character despite modern renovations, with tall marble columns leading upwards past mosaics to an arched ceiling. The experience rivals the famous baths of cities such as Budapest.

With both lane swimming in its 25m pool and a relaxing space for bathing in a separate 19m pool, the Stadtbad attracts young and old alike for a regal dip.

(And if you’re heading to Neukölln, check out these suggestions for delicious cheap eats.)

U7-Rathaus Neukölln
Admission: €4.50; sauna entrance extra (€10)
Open everyday, check website for hours

Liquidrom

Modern and upscale, Berlin’s Liquidrom offers a spa-like experience right in the center of the city. Spend a relaxing afternoon and evening floating in the saltwater pool, known for its underwater sound system. If that isn’t special enough in itself, check the schedule of regular live music performances on their website.

And 30° C will seem downright refreshing after a 80° C turn through the Liquidrom’s four saunas, running the gamut from salt to steam. Infusions and basic skin treatments are scheduled throughout the day and are included in your entry.

S1-Anhalter Bahnhof
Admission: between €19.50 and €29.50, depending on length of stay
Open everyday from 10 a.m. till midnight, Fridays and Saturdays till 1 a.m.

The post Swimming in Berlin: Our Favorite Pools and Beaches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.