Introduction
By around mid-May, Graz starts to experience more and more days that feel almost like summer.
Temperatures can rise to nearly 30°C, and you start to think,
“It’s completely summer already.”
As the weather warms up, outdoor swimming pools (Freibäder) across Graz also open for the season.
In Japan, outdoor pools are usually associated with:
- Summer vacation
- The middle of summer
- July and August
In Austria, however, the outdoor pool season starts surprisingly early.
This time, I’ll introduce Augartenbad, one of Graz’s larger outdoor swimming pools and a convenient option that is relatively easy to access from the city center.
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But the Water Is REALLY Cold
First, there is one very important thing you should know.
The water at Austrian outdoor pools can be extremely cold at this time of year.
Seriously cold.
Even when daytime temperatures in Graz approach 30°C, nighttime temperatures can easily drop below 10°C.
In other words, the situation is something like:
“It feels like summer in the air, but the ground and water still feel like spring.”
So even if the sun has made the air feel hot during the day, the pool water can still be very cold.
Augartenbad did not display the water temperature when I visited, but from a Japanese perspective, it was definitely at the level of:
“Whoa, that’s cold!!”
I had to mentally prepare myself before getting in.
Austrians Are Swimming Like It’s Nothing
The funny thing is that Austrians seem completely unfazed by the cold water.
Even in May, you can see people:
- Swimming in rivers
- Sunbathing
- Kids happily playing in the water
They seem remarkably energetic.
Maybe Europeans simply have a higher tolerance for cold water.
In Graz, it is also quite normal for people to swim in the Mur River or in lakes during summer, so the attitude toward cold water seems quite different from what I’m used to in Japan.
If you visit expecting something like a heated indoor pool or a typical Japanese school swimming pool, you may be surprised at first.
That is simply part of the experience of visiting an outdoor pool here.
What Is Augartenbad?
Augartenbad is a large outdoor swimming pool located on the eastern bank of the Mur River, just south of Jakominiplatz in central Graz.
It is right next to Augarten Park.
Because it is close to the city center and easy to reach, it becomes quite popular during the summer.
Pool Facilities: You Don’t Have to Swim to Enjoy It
Augartenbad is much more than just a place where you go swimming.
It feels more like a complete outdoor leisure facility.
A Proper Swimming Pool
First, there is a large pool for people who actually want to swim seriously.
There are quite a few people swimming laps, giving it a similar atmosphere to a public swimming pool in Japan.
Pools for Children
The children’s areas are also quite well equipped.
In particular, there are:
- A pool with depths of around 0.6–1.4 meters
- A pool for toddlers and younger children
These areas make it easy for younger children to play safely and comfortably.
Once summer arrives, there are plenty of families visiting.
A Small Lazy River
There is also a small lazy river.
It is nowhere near the scale of a large Japanese leisure pool, but it was clearly popular with the kids.
Diving Boards: Probably the Most Exciting Area
Augartenbad also has a dedicated diving board area.
And this is not just a small diving platform. The pool underneath is around 4 meters deep, making it a surprisingly serious diving area.
Personally, this was probably the most exciting part of the facility.
Many public swimming pools in Japan no longer allow diving for safety reasons, so simply seeing a proper diving board was enough to get me excited.
In fact, local children and teenagers were having a great time jumping into the pool.
However, It Is Not Open All the Time
There is one important thing to keep in mind.
The diving board area is not open continuously throughout the day.
It operates according to specific time slots.
When I checked, the schedule was:
- 11:00–12:00
- 13:00–14:00
- 15:00–15:30
- 17:00–18:00
So if you think,
“I’ll do it later,”
you may find that it is already closed.
That actually happened to me. I completely missed the timing and never got to try it…
Very disappointing.
If you want to try the diving boards, I recommend checking the schedule as soon as you enter the facility.
For Some Reason, There Is Also Table Tennis
One thing I personally found amusing was the presence of table tennis tables.
And people actually use them quite normally.
Outdoor table tennis is fairly common in Europe, but as a Japanese person, I still found it a little unusual to see it as part of a swimming pool facility.
There Are Outdoor Fitness Machines Too
There are even outdoor fitness machines.
Some people are swimming while others are working out.
It is a surprisingly relaxed and flexible space.
Beach Volleyball and a Sandpit
There are also:
- A beach volleyball court
- A sandpit for children
So this is definitely not a place where you need to swim in order to have fun.
It feels more like a combination of a park, swimming pool, and sports facility.
The Atmosphere: A European Summer
On a sunny day, Augartenbad feels like the very definition of:
“European summer!!”
People lie down on the grass and enjoy:
- Sunbathing
- Reading
- Chatting with friends
- Having snacks
Rather than the Japanese idea of simply going somewhere “to swim,” it felt more like a place where people come to enjoy the sun and spend time outdoors.
It gave me a strong sense of a different summer culture.
Prices: Surprisingly Affordable
The entrance fees are standardized across Graz’s municipal outdoor swimming pools.
Regular Admission
- Adults: €8.90
- Children: €4.60
Family Rate
With the family discount, the prices are approximately:
- Adults: €8.20
- Children: €3.80
There are also discounted admission prices for entry:
- After 12:00
- After 17:00
This is particularly convenient if you only want to spend a few hours there in the afternoon or evening.
Things to Watch Out For: The Sun Is Strong
The summer sun in Austria can be surprisingly strong.
Because the humidity is relatively low, you can get sunburned before you even realize it.
So the following are very important:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A hat
Especially at Augartenbad, where there are many open areas, you can easily get sunburned if you stay for several hours.
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Conclusion: A European Outdoor Pool That Tests Your Cold-Water Tolerance
Augartenbad is a great outdoor swimming pool with:
- A convenient location close to the city center
- Lots of facilities
- Family-friendly areas
- A strong summer atmosphere
However, the biggest thing to remember is definitely:
“The water is cold.”
For Japanese visitors, this can genuinely come as quite a shock.
But at the same time, it can become part of the cultural experience of visiting Austria.
Relaxing on the grass under the sun, then occasionally jumping into a cold pool to cool down.
That is one of the very European ways to enjoy early summer in Austria, and Augartenbad is a great place to experience it.
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