10 natural places to swim with children (if you don't have the beach nearby) 2026

In general, there is no child who does not like the beach and, also with some exceptions, there is no adult who does not want to cool off with a swim in some natural space, the amenities of the pool are phenomenal but the risk of falling into monotony is enormous when there is no other way to cope with the summer heat in the interior of the country. Fortunately, we live in a country full of extraordinary places, and we not only say this because of the beaches that bathe a good part of our territory, but also because of those unique freshwater places where you can spend an idyllic day with your family and bathe with the little ones in the house if you do not live near the sea.

Reservoirs, swamps, lagoons, natural pools... There are varied options in all the inland Spanish provinces, and in many cases they are easily accessible spaces, something essential when one proposes an excursion with children of this type. It is essential, however, to make sure that bathing is allowed, and in any case all the precautions in the world must be taken with children since there are no waves does not mean that the aquatic environment is not always an environment for which respect should never be lost. Even when it looks like a raft from the outside. After all, it is an environment foreign to human beings, and the ease of a child in it is not that of an adult in most cases.

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That said, we have made a selection of “inland beaches” that are perfect for going swimming with children without having to travel hundreds of kilometers to see the sea. They are all natural spaces a stone's throw from big cities that can boast many things, but not having a beach.  We cannot change this by magic, but we can prevent its inhabitants from singing less of that anthem from The Refrescos in the late 80s and early 90s: “Wow, wow, there is no beach here!”

It is true that there is no beach, but there are other natural gems with spaces for bathing that anyone who lives by the sea would not say no to spending a summer day.

Ruidera Lagoons

The Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park, located in the upper valley of the Guadiana River, Albacete, is made up of sixteen lagoons connected to each other by waterfalls and waterfalls. Idyllic place for a family outing, there are areas where swimming is allowed, although with limited capacity due to current restrictions.

Pita Beach

You can spend the summer in Soria and spend a day at the beach. This is possible thanks to Pita beach, located in the Cuerda del Pozo reservoir, also known as La Muerda reservoir, in the town of Abejar. A place of peace surrounded by nature less than 50 kilometers from the capital of the province.

Sands of the Ullibarri-Gamboa reservoir

In Spain, few people know that there are some inland beaches that have the blue flag distinction. Well, three of them are in the province of Álava: they are the sands of the Ullibarri-Gamboa reservoir, which offers three spectacular beach spaces: Garaio Sur, Garaio Norte, and Landa.

River beach A road

We close the list with the only inland beach located in a province that has access to the sea such as Pontevedra. But the A Calzada river beach, in Ponte Caldelas, is so wonderful, with a blue flag included, that we could not leave it out of the top, since it is also quite unknown among tourists who plan to visit the area. An orchard of birch, oak and chestnut trees, the bathing area in the bed of the Verdugo River is surrounded by a stone dam.

Alardos Gorge in Madrigal de la Vera

It is very likely that in the tourist guides of Extremadura you have seen the idyllic image of people bathing at the foot of what looks like a very old bridge. This place exists; It is the Alardos gorge, located in Madrigal de la Vera, on the way to Ávila. Ideal for taking a bath, even small ones, in the puddles that give rise to spectacular natural pools with the Alardos bridge, from the 18th century, as an exceptional witness.

San Juan Swamp

The one known as “the beach of Madrid” can also boast a blue flag. Its real name is Virgen de la Nueva beach, and it is located next to the town of San Martín de Valdeiglesias, in the San Juan reservoir, created in 1955 to supply water and electricity to the southwest of the Community of Madrid. Today, among other things, it is the best option for Madrid residents to spend a day at the beach.

La Dehesa de Cheles Beach

Along with Álava, Badajoz is the other province of Spain that can boast of having more than one blue flag on inland beaches. One of them is La Dehesa de Cheles beach, in the Alqueva reservoir, in the south of the province, almost on the border with Portugal. That it has a blue flag is a guarantee that it is a perfect choice with children.

The natural pools of Las Presillas, in Rascafría

Also on the outskirts of Madrid, in Rascafría, specifically in the El Paular valley, is the Las Presillas recreational area, which has enormous meadows and three natural ponds in the bed of the Lozoya River enabled for bathing. The only but is that it is a private space; That is, there is an entrance fee, but the visit is very worth it, especially on weekdays.

Beaches of Lake Sanabria

Famous lake of glacial origin, not everyone knows that spaces suitable for bathing have also been enabled in different sections of its shore. Small beaches such as Los Enanos, Custa Llago, Viquiella and El Folgoso that have signposted access and even parking, in addition to other services that are appreciated when visiting with children, such as toilets.

Valdearenas beach in Iznájar

One hour south of Córdoba, this beach is located on the shores of the Iznájar reservoir, a natural spot to combat the suffocating heat that usually reigns in summer in the interior of Andalusia. The ecosystem of the area also shows a rich variety of birds and fish, and it is also a space suitable for hiking and where different water sports are allowed.