Ten Pools In Riyadh To Cool Off In This Summer!

Filed in: diplomatic quarter | expats | guide | heat | pools | Riyadh with Kids | things to do in Riyadh | Top Ten | tourism32 comments

There’s no doubt that summer is here to stay. It’s getting hotter by the day with recorded temperatures reaching almost 50C! Lots of women are looking for swimming pools in Riyadh that could be used by females only. There aren’t many olympic sized public swimming pools out there, but a few great options are available for those looking for a refreshing and cooling day out at the pool. Whether you’re searching for an indoor or outdoor pool for women in Riyadh look no further!

 

top best swimming pools riyadh

Top Ten Swimming Pools In Riyadh-UPDATED 2017 version! 

 

  1. Outdoor wave pool at Diplomatic Quarters Sport Club. The DQ Sports club outdoor and indoor pool have alternating days for women and men. The huge outdoor wave pool area is more like a water park. It’s located in a beautiful garden and has water slides, kids pools and of course the wave pool. A small restaurant/snack bar inside. Membership required!

2. ESPA at Faisaliyah hotel. Women’s only spa inside the Rosewood hotel has a beautiful  indoor pool with mosaic design. There’s also a steam room and jacuzzi adjacent to the pool area. Access to pool for spa customers and hotel guests.

3. Riyadh Golf Club Sports Gardens pools. A green oasis in the middle of the desert, the Golf club has plenty of outdoor activities for families including the outdoor pool, children’s pool, mini-golf, basketball and others. Membership required.

4. Al Manahil ladies spa in the Diplomatic Quarter has a large indoor pool accessible for non members and by single payment. Modest swimwear required. Swimming classes for children and adults.

5. Al Luthan women’s only Hotel and Spa has a beautiful indoor pool and also offers aqua fitness classes.

top ten pools in riyadh

6. Al Aghar Equestrian Club inside the Diplomatic Quarters has a private pool area that can be rented by the hour for private occasions. UPDATE: Unfortunately the Equestrian club pool has been closed until further notice but might open again 2017.

7. Dirab Golf & Country Club located 44km outside Riyadh is a wonderful haven outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Two outdoor pools and also horseback riding available for ladies, abaya free zone.

8. Al Multaka Ladies Center. In addition to an indoor pool,  AlMultaka offers a spa and beauty salon, library, shops and a restaurant.

9. Many of the private hospitals in Riyadh have women only pools and offer classes with female instructors. Check out Obaid, Hammadi and Specialized Medical Center pools.
10. Private chalet/ villa/ isteraha, For family pool time or pool parties, the area around exit 8 and 9 is lined with isteraha’s (small private chalets/resort). The chalet can be rented per day basis for the whole family to enjoy swimming together or many families can rent one (some have two pools one on men’s and one on women’s side) and share the costs. There are also many new pool chalets around the airport road. 
Yamama Resort and Splash Waterpark near Thumamah have Aqua park open to children only but they also offer private villas and isteraha with small pools. Inside the city luxury villas with private pools can be rented, check booking.com for options, Viviendas Hotel Villas is amazing but also pricey.
2017 EDIT
11. Kempinski hotel outdoor pool on rooftop for women and Al Faisaliah resort women’s pool are the latest additions to hotel pools females can use in Riyadh.
12. Compound hotels. Many western compounds have hotels inside them and staying there will give you access to the pools. Check Bustan Village, Ishbilia, Kingdom City.
13. Aquatots has swimming classes for women and children in their indoor pool.
14. Women’s gyms. Check KORE
15. Swim in nature pools. Some people go to Heet cave to swim (expect crowds, graffiti and garbage) or the Hidden Canyon, granted it still has water in it. Swimming at natural rainwater lakes such as Hidden Lake, Secret Lake or Shoiab Luha pools is NOT recommended!

16. Nofa Resort in Tebrak outside Riyadh. Amazing pools to choose from. Corporate or large groups bookings only.

For men I would recommend the Intercontinental hotel outdoor pools (men and children only), Four Seasons hotel at Kingdom Tower outdoor pool, Al Faisaliah resort pool and Ritz Carlton indoor pool (all men and children only).

Intercontinental Riyadh outdoor pool area.

 

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  • bootleg539June 5, 2013 - 6:29 pm

    wow, it sounds lovely. Do you know the fee’s and price range for the places mentioned?
    ReplyCancel

  • Denise BomfimJune 5, 2013 - 6:32 pm

    Salam, Laylah!

    Wow, ii is really hot in Ryadh. Here in Rio, Brazil, is also very hot but the temperatures in Summer are about 45 Degrees in the western part of the city.
    But, anyway, I love the sun.
    And you?

    kisses,
    Denise.ReplyCancel

  • dobbinswaldropJune 5, 2013 - 7:06 pm

    oh I wish there were pictures of all the pools!ReplyCancel

  • dobbinswaldropJune 5, 2013 - 7:07 pm

    Oh I wish there were pictures of all the pools!ReplyCancel

  • LaylaJune 5, 2013 - 9:14 pm

    I don’t have pics because it’s strictly forbidden to take pics of the female only pools and the ones I have of private istiraha I’m sure the people in the pics would not be very happy about :)ReplyCancel

  • LaylaJune 5, 2013 - 9:16 pm

    Hi Denise, thanks for the comment and yes I do also love the sun!
    Btw, did you know that Riyadh’s nickname is actually “rio” :)ReplyCancel

  • LaylaJune 5, 2013 - 9:18 pm

    Bootleg, the price ranges vary so much depending on the place, some places require a membeship which can vary from 2000-15,000sar a year. Hourly rates are usually form 50-150sar and the daily rates for istiraha etc are 500-4000 really depends on location and size!

    ReplyCancel

  • Iftikhar SaeedJune 6, 2013 - 9:22 am

    Hi, please suggest any economical place for kids swimming lessonsReplyCancel

  • Iftikhar SaeedJune 6, 2013 - 9:23 am

    Also can you please suggest some economical gym for ladies?ReplyCancel

  • Tina maryamJune 7, 2013 - 5:09 am

    jazak Allahu khayran Laylah. Wish i could go:)

    tinaReplyCancel

  • drtaherJune 13, 2013 - 10:33 pm

    Dear Layla,

    As usual, your posts are so entertaining and informative. I am based 600 km from Riyadh as a Pediatrician from India and have visited Riyadh only once since I came here to the Kingdom to work. Keep up the work.

    If you have the time, do take a look at my blog http://drtaherofarabia.blogspot.com and especially my newest entry posted on 13th June, viz. http://drtaherofarabia.blogspot.com/2013/06/two-months-down-seven-to-go.htmlReplyCancel

  • LaylaJune 17, 2013 - 8:25 am

    Thank you dr Taher! Always a pleasure to read comments from you! Sorry for not getting back to you in a more timely manner!ReplyCancel

  • SirehJune 17, 2013 - 12:20 pm

    Hi layla, great post as always. I have not visited your images of saudi blog for a long time, I only regularly check for new posts in your blue abaya blog. I seem to just found out that images of saudi blog is no longer open for the public. (: Auwww. Why is that Layla? How long has it been anyway since the blog been made private? I hope you will continue to share your beautiful photographs with your avid readers.

    SirehReplyCancel

  • JeetuSeptember 29, 2013 - 1:24 pm

    Do you know/suggest a place for teaching kids swimming in Riyadh? I’ve a daughter who is 3.5 years old and we live in City center.
    Thanks in advance.ReplyCancel

    • LaylaSeptember 30, 2013 - 12:07 am

      Al Manahil has an indoor pool and they have swimming lessons year round!ReplyCancel

      • JeetuSeptember 30, 2013 - 9:23 am

        Thank You Layla for the quick response.ReplyCancel

  • Summer Is Here, What To Do? | Blue AbayaMay 24, 2014 - 10:44 pm

    […] For a complete list of pools in Riyadh go here. […]ReplyCancel

  • Syed Zeeshan AliJuly 23, 2014 - 10:55 am

    nice swimming poolsReplyCancel

  • zarine khanJuly 25, 2014 - 11:33 pm

    What is the charges for the private villa with swimming pool in splash , fantasy land etcReplyCancel

  • Marla LaddaouiJuly 31, 2014 - 4:28 pm

    What is the place in al worood that is for women only? ReplyCancel

  • Jayne DookAugust 21, 2014 - 7:54 pm

    The equestrian centre in the DQ doesn’t have a pool. :(ReplyCancel

    • LaylaAugust 22, 2014 - 10:39 pm

      but they do, last I looked at least :) It’s not on the open, females can swim there so it need to be a closed off area.ReplyCancel

  • ZahedOctober 10, 2014 - 1:26 am

    Hi Laylah, where is manahil swimming pool.

    Appreciate for your great efforts.

    Thanks.ReplyCancel

    • LaylaOctober 13, 2014 - 11:55 am

      hello there, it’s inside theAl Manahil ladies center in diplomatic quarters!ReplyCancel

  • 185 Things to Do in Saudi ArabiaDecember 5, 2014 - 4:08 am

    […]  6. TEN POOLS IN RIYADH TO COOL OFF IN THIS SUMMER! […]ReplyCancel

  • ADFebruary 10, 2015 - 6:03 pm

    Please let me know exactly where private/family pool is located???

    ThanksReplyCancel

  • Enaj Ybab ObutAugust 18, 2015 - 6:38 am

    May I know the price of esteraha for family only?ReplyCancel

  • QuadriSeptember 14, 2015 - 9:30 am

    Thanks to provide me some information on women swimming classes. For beginners. Also for girls aged between 8-15. I need the name, telephone numbers of the sports club/facility.

    Thanks,
    QuadriReplyCancel

    • Laura of ArabiaSeptember 18, 2015 - 8:44 am

      You need to go visit the DQ sports facilities in person, they will not pick up the phone or answer your questions via telephone, sadly.ReplyCancel

  • EdSeptember 12, 2016 - 11:34 am

    How much is the membership fee in DQ sports club? are single expats allowed here?ReplyCancel

  • Riyadh To Do Guide » Blue AbayaNovember 25, 2017 - 10:25 pm

    […] on instagram and you’ll find them. For more Riyadh swimming pools check out this post: Top Ten Swimming Pools in Riyadh  The summer heats are a good time to visit The King Abdul Aziz Historical Center and the National […]ReplyCancel

  • nassarJuly 24, 2018 - 7:28 am

    Interesting article which helps users to know better about Riyadh place. I’ve been in Riyadh since ever, I visited 2, 3 places in the list. Still Riyadh is a fun-filled and wonderful place to visit..On my next vacation, i don wana miss these places. I am bookmarking this page. Ofcourse these are really some cool places to checkin in summer.ReplyCancel

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