Cool spots to chill out by the water

Another historic and unpretentious beach cafe serving seafood and American fare. The food here is second to the atmosphere – patrons at the cafe gain access to a gorgeous private beach, so plan to make an afternoon out of it. There are beds and lounges for rent, ideal for siesta or watching the sunset.

Want to go where the locals go? Then go to Playa del Prat. You may recognise the name: your plane landed on Airport El Prat. The airport is close to the beach, but that doesn’t bother anyone. The beach consists of 5,5 kilometres of clean blonde sand, with a very mixed crowd. The train-ride from Barcelona to El Prat de Llobregat takes 11 minutes.

This small island, between the archipelago’s two main islands of Malta and Gozo, is well-known for its clear blue seas. The famous Blue Lagoon is always teeming with boats and swimmers. However, there are several other smaller bays around Comino where you can swim in the same clear and clean blue seas, that are less crowded. Also an excellent location for a hike during the cooler months.

Located in the very heart of Copenhagen, Islands Brygge is an essential swimming spot for locals. With views of the city, a grassy lawn for lounging and barbecues, and the best diving platform in town, Harbour Bath is the best of summer in the city. The baths are open in June, July, and August.

The Amsterdam North city council held a competition to find a new use for an old, polluted shipyard. A group of young entrepreneurs came up with a plan to build an entirely self-supporting and sustainable cafe including a waterless urinal, soil-cleaning vegetation and solar panels on the roof.

The Cais do Ginjal is located on the other side of the river and it’s accessible by taking the ferry that departs from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas. The trip across the river is a great experience in itself but the cherry on the cake is walking along the river with Lisbon as scenery. There are a few restaurants on the boardwalk with stunning views.

After a long run, walk or ride on the Seawall, Second Beach Pool is always a good idea. The heated outdoor freshwater pool is open May to September. With lifeguards on duty and two waterslides, it’s a great spot for families. Additionally, there is a section for 50-metre lanes for those looking to get in some aquatic exercise.

It’s hardly a secret that there are wild swimming spots on London’s Hampstead Heath, but that doesn’t stop it feeling like one every time you slip into the deep water here. The natural bathing ponds are concealed by the trees, giving swimmers a sense that they’ve uncovered something incredibly special even on busy summer days. If you’d prefer not to share your swim, then opt for the Kenwood Ladies’ or Highgate Men’s ponds instead of the Mixed Pond, and consider taking the plunge out of season.