Step out into summer - swimming outdoors

A brief guide to urban outdoor activities and festivities.

My neighbour's air conditioner now goes off in the day, not at night – a sure sign it is in cooling, not heating, mode. Cherries are finally abundant. The cosmetician is booked for three-days-worth of wax jobs. Cuba Libres, Mojitos, and the smell of fish and chips are abundant in Sofia. So let not the occasional three-day spells of showers fool you: summer's here to stay for the next few months. That's why we're offering you a brief guide to outdoor fun to carry you over until your summer holiday.

Swimming outdoors

Here is a list of places in major Bulgarian cities that have public-access outdoor pools. Because many clubs hinted at a certain flexibility in their working hours so early in the season, we suggest you call in advance to double-check when they open and close. Also, it's no secret that some public pools are better than others, so investigate a few before you settle on one. I've heard good things about Viktoria and Maxi Water World, and based on previous experience feel duty-bound to issue a word of caution about Maria Luiza.

Spartak
4 Arsenalski Blvd, Lozenets, Sofia
02/866 59 73
www.spartabg.com
Outdoor facilities will open in early June; prices will become available at the time.
Facilities: Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, massage centre, fitness centre and tennis courts.

Tsarsko Selo
Ring Road - Dragalevtsi
02/816 01-01; 02/816 02 02
www.tsarskoselo.com
9.30am-9.30pm, indoor pool
9.30am-6pm, outdoor pool
Price: 25 leva (includes access to all facilities)
Facilities: Two swimming pools, fitness, sauna, steam room and Turkish bath. The outdoor pool is not open yet. Please check before going.

R5 Club
60 Dobrinova Skala Str, Lyulin 6, across from Zapaden Park, Sofia
088 500 50 15,
8am – 12am
Price: TBA
Facilities: Fitness centre, group exercise rooms, tennis courts, soccer field, tanning salon and massage centre.

Viktoria
12-14 Pencho Slaveikov Blvd, Sofia
02/951 53 93
8am – 10.30pm
Price:10 leva on weekdays, 13 leva during the weekend – includes chaise longue, table, umbrella and beach mat.
Facilities: outdoor pool, squash club, sauna, massage centre.

Diana
1 N Gabrovski Str, Dianabad, Sofia
02/ 962 01 01
8am – 7pm
Opened June 1
Price: four leva on weekdays, five leva on weekends. Chaise longues, umbrellas, etc. paid separately. Discount for kids under 12.
Facilities: Three outdoor pools, diving board, beach volleyball, bar and kids' area

Cherveno Zname (Red Flag)
1 Asen Yordanov Str
02/ 872 01 78
10am-5pm (extended hours will come into effect starting mid-June)
Price: five leva, three leva for students, one lev for people doing military service
Facilities: Two outdoor pools, diving board, trampolines, fitness centre, sauna, massage centre

Varadero
Levski G, last stop of bus line 120
02/ 946 77 00, 088 823 67 51,
9am – 12am
Price: TBA
Facilities: Two water slides, three outdoor pools (including a baby-size one), beach volleyball, kids' area.

Maxi Water World
11 Simeonovsko Chausse Blvd
02/962 05 80, 962 05 81
9am-9pm
Price: TBA
Facilities: Six outdoor pools, tennis court, SPA centre, tennis club.

Maria Luiza
Borisova Gradina
02/963 00 54 ; 963 00 56
9am-7pm
Price:
Facilities: Three outdoor pools, diving board, kids' pool, two water slides, fitness centre, tanning salon, sauna, massage centre, beach volleyball.

Hawaii
Hrankov Hotel, Dragalevtsi, Sofia
02/932 72 00
9am-7pm
Price: TBA
Facilities: Outdoor pools, two outdoor bars.

Source: Month2Come