For those who love wild swimming, connecting with nature, and avoiding man-made pools full of chemicals, this one’s for you! Natural swimming pools have many benefits, primarily for their eco-friendly offering and chemical-free swimming experience.
How do natural swimming pools work?
Natural swimming pools exist without chemicals; instead, they combine filtration systems and plants to clean the water naturally. Plants in the water remove nutrients and microorganisms to keep out bacteria, whilst a filtration system will remove any debris that finds its way into the pool.
The aesthetic of the pool is similar to a natural watering hole or pond, but due to the systems in place, it’ll have a cleaner appearance than your average garden pond.
A natural pool is the perfect swimming environment for people, and it’s good for nature too.
So, why aren’t more people building naturally filtered pools?
Pros and cons of a natural pool
One of the biggest pros of natural pools is of course the lack of chemicals. By always choosing to swim in a naturally filtered pool, you’ll never again experience the eye-stinging pain of pool chemicals. In terms of maintenance, this also keeps costs low as once the pool is installed you won’t need to spend a small fortune on getting the chemical balance right each year.
On the flip side, natural pools come with hefty installation costs. To get it just right, you’ll need to invest in the correct plants to keep your pool balanced and harmonious, and an excellent filtration system which will be a big financial setback. It’s worth taking the initial hit, though, as once you’ve got it right it’s plain sailing weather ahead.
Naturally filtered pools also offer an environmentally friendly haven for nature, both by avoiding pollutant chemicals, and by creating a habitat for frogs, newts, and other fresh-water wildlife. It does, however, mean you might be swimming alongside some amphibious friends—a pro or a con, depending on your individual take!
Finally, a natural pool will require its own separate area for a fairly hefty water filtration system; for this reason, it’s not ideal if you’ve only got a small area to build your pool, and is therefore much more suited to those with a grander design in mind.
If the pros are singing to you, here’s our list of some naturally filtered pools in Europe. Let’s dive in!
Il Paluffo, Italy
A harmonious blend of historic charm and nature.
This Tuscan villa set in the countryside outside of Florence, Italy offers a delightful 15th-century stay, with its own natural pool on site. Self-described as an ‘ecological lake’, the swimming area is awash with wildlife, with views over the Siena hills and nearby towns.
Le Camp, France
Luxury camping and natural swimming.
If you’re keen to get a little closer to nature, Le Camp in the South of France is a one-of-a-kind outdoor holiday space, with 6 luxury bell tents available for your stay. Sit on your veranda overlooking the natural swimming pool, and take an outdoor shower after your refreshing, chemical-free dip.
Muxima, Portugal
A Portuguese retreat for your soul.
Muxima (translated locally as ‘heart’) is a guesthouse in Southern Portugal offering a stay that will warm your heart. Surrounded by nature, the location offers serene poolside yoga in the mornings, and wine tasting by night. The stunning bio pool is ideal for a dip, or you can treat yourself to a poolside massage.
The Scarlett Hotel, Cornwall
An adult-only beachfront haven.
Boasting cliff-top hot tubs, a sauna overlooking the beach, and its own natural swimming pool, this English coastal hotel is the epitome of a serene break location. The hotel itself offers rooms with sea and cliff views, a stone’s throw from Magwan Porth Beach on Cornwall’s rugged north coast.
Can Marti, Ibiza
An organic island eco-resort.
Can Marti is a remote, peaceful resort on the Spanish Balearic island of Ibiza. Located on an organic working farm in the northern hills of the island, Can Marti has its own natural fresh-water pool surrounded by olive trees and a hilly landscape. Sustainable delicacies are served, and every Monday the resort offers a dinner under the stars with ingredients sourced directly from the farm.
Orion BnB, France
A treehouse break on the French Riviera.
The Orion BnB is a treehouse resort in the French medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence. With treehouses surrounded by green gardens, the star of the show is the eco-pool, overlooked by the barrel saunas. The treehouses are sustainable, offer terraces with stunning nature views, and—best of all—furry friends are welcome along for the adventure!
Long Story Short…
A natural pool offers a kind of serenity that can’t be found in its chemical-filled counterpart, and oftentimes with an eco-pool comes an eco mindset. That’s why you’ll find so many harmonious resorts across Europe offering a sustainable, relaxing stay with nature at its very heart.
Written by Alex Callahan
