Florence’s Pavoniere & FLOG Swimming Pools

As temperatures in Florence hover near 100 degrees, all everyone wants is to flee to the beach. If work is keeping you in the city, four public pools provide the option for all to cool off and swim. Whether you choose Piscina Costoli, Bellariva, Pavoniere, or Flog, residents and visitors can visit any of the following pools at a daily cost of €10 or less.

All pools require swim caps, serve food and beverages, and are accessible by bus. There are, however, key differences:  Costoli boasts three pools, Bellariva is open all year, Le Pavoniere serves aperitivo, and Flog offers movie screenings, pool parties, and weekly night swims.

Be aware that Costoli and Le Pavoniere require passports as a form of identification, and that these two locations are the only ones where it is possible to buy swim caps on site. The information below is the first of a two part series to allow the reader to select the perfect pool for family and friends to enjoy.  Click here to see Part II of the Magenta pool series featuring Bellariva.

For those would rather experience the local culture of Italian life, away from the tourist bubble of the city center, Le Pavoniere and FLOG locations are locations to try. On a hot summer’s day, the Le Pavoniere pool is buzzing with activity. Italian families relax on the chairs, teenagers play cards by the restaurant-bar, and young girls tan by the pool. Situated in the midst of a large public park, Le Cascine, the pool is part of a larger dialogue of the community’s exercise and leisure time activities.

Be sure to bring your passport, and perhaps extra money for a deck chair (€4). Also keep in mind that Le Pavoniere contains only one pool. However, it is large, clean, and not overcrowded.

People gently dip in and out of the water, enjoying the refreshing contrast. Though the park is full of people taking part in their daily exercise routines, the pool is a sanctuary for relaxation. Le Pavoniere is open until September 15, though its restaurant is in operation year-round.

In addition, Le Pavoniere is also a beautiful spot for an afternoon aperitivo. The café offers fairly-priced drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. The menu includes beers, wine, coffee, cocktails, and softer beverages such as soda, water, and juice. There are some snacks available behind the bar as well: small sandwiches, ice cream, candies, and assorted pastries.

Guests can bring food and drinks from outside and enjoy them while enjoying the view. Be aware that the food and drinks cannot go past the designated area, and must be finished before reentering the pool.

For those interested in a sit-down meal instead, the complex also has a restaurant, located conveniently adjacent to the bar and pool. Dinner is available starting at  8 pm, and prices range from €9 to €22, but the options are limited. The menu offers five appetizers, four first courses, and two main dishes. There is not a large selection, but it can satisfy given that it is a restaurant inside a pool complex, and not one in Florence’s center.

Important Information: Le Pavoniere

Address: Via della Catena 2, Cascine Park (Bus 17C or Tram Stop Cascine)

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 pm to 11 pm.  The pool is open until mid-September.

Admission: A regular entrance ticket is available from 10 am until 7 pm: €8 from Monday until Thursday, €10 Saturday, Sunday, and on holidays, and free admission for children three years old and younger.

Finally, if your schedule is full until the end of the day, the Piscina Poggetto-Flog offers a wide range of nighttime events. At Flog, it is possible to enjoy movies, night swims, and even parties after hours.

Though it contains only a single pool, Flog is a conveniently located place to cool off for those who live in the north of Florence, primarily in the Piazza Leopoldo-Rifredi neighborhoods.

The complex offers special events throughout the week. Most nights starting at 9:30, a movie screening is scheduled on the pool’s giant screen. English-language films include La La Land, which will play on Sunday, July 2, A United Kingdom, which will be screened on Thursday, July 15, and Sully, which will be shown on Sunday, July 16.

A complete schedule of films may be found on the pool’s Facebook page, Piscina FLOG Poggetto, which has also posted news of a pool party on Wednesday, July 19.

Food is served around mealtimes. Lunch is available from Monday to Sunday and dinner is on Sunday. Every day a new menu of fresh fish is served at lunch. There is also a pasta and pizza service with a takeout option.

An additional feature that is specific to Flog is the fact that there is a fence separating a graveled lounge area from the pool. There are some lounge chairs situated near the changing rooms on the far side of the pool, but seating is limited.

Lastly, please note that it is mandatory to wear a swim cap, which must be brought from home. If you are planning to visit the pool frequently, it is possible to buy a pass that is valid for 10 visits at a cost of €65 for general admission and €50 for reduced admission.

Important Information: Flog

Address: Via Michele Mercati 24/B (Bus #4 stop Mercati)

Hours: 10 am to 7 pm from Monday to Sunday. Every Wednesday during the months of June and July, there is a night swim from 8 pm to 11 pm. The pool is open until September 3.

Admission: The price of general admission is €8 from Monday to Friday, and € 9 on Saturdays and Sundays. There is a reduced price of €6 for students, and those from 3 to 16 years of age, and over 65 from Monday to Friday. Entrance to the pool costs €7 for this select group on Saturdays and Sundays.

Those who want to visit the pool in the late afternoon will enjoy the option of paying a discounted price. Starting from 3 pm, general admission is €6 from Monday to Friday and reduced admission is €5.  (margaux glovier)