June 15, 2018
The seasons in Ljubljana run through the extremes, from the frozen winters to the scorching summers, and now the latter is upon us it’s time to consider one of the most pleasant ways to heat up, cool off, and chill out – sunbathing then swimming in the open air, an alternating cycle of pleasures best enjoyed in the next month or two.
We thus present a quick guide to five of the open air pools and pool complexes to enjoy at this time of year, starting those best suited to swimming and tanning, and ending with two more for splashing and sliding. Just be sure to pay attention to the opening and closing dates, as, to our mind, they open a few weeks too late and close a little too early, making it all the more important to get out there and enjoy things while you can.
KODELJEVO
Ulica Carla Benza 11, 1000 Ljubljana. Website.
This is a city-run complex with three pools, including a children’s pool and Olympic-size pool.
The preseason starts May 13, open from 06:30 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 20:00 weekdays, and 11:00 to 20:00 weekends and holidays. After this it’s open every day from June 11 to September 16 between 06:30 and 22:00. The times then change until the place closes at the end of September, with the pools being open from 06:30 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, and from 11:00 to 20:00 at the weekends.
In the main season expect to pay 9 euros for adults, 7 euros for those aged 14-18, and 6 euros for those younger than this Monday to Friday, while at weekends and holidays add 2 euros to these prices. Season tickets and bulk discounts can also be had.
KOLEZIJA
Gundulićeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana. Website.
A big pool and a kids’ pool, but no slides.
As with Kodeljevo, the preseason starts May 13, open from 06:30 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 20:00 weekdays, and 11:00 to 20:00 weekends and holidays. The main season begins on June 11. The hours for the latter are from 06:30 to 22:00 every day until September 16, at which point they switch to 06:30 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, and from 11:00 to 20:00 at the weekends up until the end of the month.
Again like Kodeljevo, in the main season expect to pay 9 euros for adults, 7 euros for those aged 14-18, and 6 euros for those younger than this Monday to Friday, while at weekends and holidays add 2 euros to these prices. Season tickets and bulk discounts can also be obtained if you think you’ll be coming here a lot.
ILIRIJIA
Celovška cesta 3, 1000 Ljubljana. Website.
Perhaps the best pool for serious swimmers, with a very active swimming club. This place has an Olympic pool, a kids’ pool, and a slide. It’s open from 12:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 to 20:00 at weekends and on holidays.
Entrance for adults is 8 euros while for children up to 14, students and the retired its 6 euros. At weekends and holidays these prices go up to 9 and 6 euros, respectively. A family ticket, for up to five people, can be had for 20 euros (25 at weekends and on holidays). Reduced prices operate from 15:00 on, and season tickets are available. Night swimming runs until August 15, and costs 4 euros, open from 21:00 to 23:00.
The next two pools are further out of town, and are more for having fun than swimming.
ATLANTIS
Šmartinska cesta 152, 1533 Ljubljana. Website.
In addition to various pools, the Atlantis complex, part of the huge BTC shopping centre, also has saunas, massage and hot springs – for which you’ll need to pay extra – but we’ll just focus on the watery part, known as Adventure World. This offers, per the website: “an indoor pool with its waves and central atoll; outdoor INOX pool; two slides with a total length of about 135 metres; adventure pool where the slow river will take you through an underground cave; and two whirlpools, geysers, water cascades and other water attractions.”
Mondays there are discounts, at 10.50 euros for adults and 9 for children, students and seniors for all day tickets. Regular prices, including other weekdays, weekends and holidays, range from 9.90 euros for adults and 8.10 for children, students and seniors for two hours, rising to 16.10 and 13.60 for all day.
It’s open from 09:00 to 21:00 from Sunday to Thursday, while on Friday, Saturday and national holidays it closes an hour later.
LAGUNA
Dunajska cesta 270, 1000 Ljubljana. Website.
Laguna is perhaps the most obviously fun pool for kids, boasting a 10,000 m² park with a “beach” and a playground, both wet and dry. The wet part of the complex includes hot tubs, waterfalls, a “river”, water cannons, lots of water slides and so on. It’s a lot of fun, but not the best place to practice your backstroke.
Laguna is open for the season from June 16 to August 31, with the hours running from 09:00 to 20:00. Monday to Friday adults pay 14 euros (11 if after 15:00), students and seniors 12 (9), those under 14 100 (8), while children under 1m tall are free. At the weekends and holidays the prices are 2 euros higher for all ages. Swimming in the evening, after 18:00, is 7.50 for everyone. Season and family tickets are also available. For details of various events held at night, check out the Facebook page.
