Living in Bucharest may be more than a bit suffocating and unpleasant during hot summer days, when temperatures can go up to 37 degrees Celsius. That is why most Bucharesters choose to go out of the capital during summer holidays, or just for a few days during weekends.

The seaside and the mountains may be the perfect places to refresh during summer months. However, if you only have a day or two to relax and want to spend less than an hour on the road, we’ve made a list of pools and touristic complexes located near Bucharest.

Blueberry Pool by Ambasad’Or Events is a luxury alternative to the public pool complexes in Bucharest. Located in Otopeni, near Bucharest, the pool offers several facilities such as Jacuzzi, sun beds, leather sofas, hammocks, and cold drinks. The pool also hosts parties and other events. It stays open daily between 10:00 and 22:00.

Ambasad’Or Events also offers a wide range of locations for private and business events, such as the New York, Monte Carlo, and Broadway ballrooms, the Ambasad’Or Garden and the Little Paris Restaurant. The complex also hosts weddings.

Snagov Club is some 40-km from Romania’s capital, a 25-minute drive from the city. It might be a great choice for hot summer days due to its pool bar with palm trees, its Spa center, and the garden near the Snagov lake. If you plan to stay an entire weekend outside Bucharest, you can book a room at the club’s hotel. , don’t worry about the food as the complex has no less than three restaurants.

During your stay at Snagov Club, you can stay inside and play rummy, bridge, and checkers with your friends in the Game Lounge, or go outside for a fun game of mini golf. You can also ride a boat on Snagov Lake, or rent a kayak or a bike.

You can reach Snagov Club from Bucuresti- Ploiesti road (DN1 – E60). At km 33, take the road to Snagov Sat (DC2) for another 10 km, and follow the road signs saying Snagov Club.

Greaca Domain is a 40-minute drive from Bucharest. Located in Giurgiu county, in a quiet area near Greaca village, the resort stretches over 32 hectares. It has a pool with two bars, Jacuzzi and outdoor fitness, two tennis courts, restaurants, and accommodation facilities. You can also ride an ATV, fish and hunt, or make a trip to the touristic objectives near the domain. If you plan to spend a weekend there with your family, don’t worry about the kids as the domain also has a special playground arranged for them.

Saftica Resort is located just 5 km north of the Otopeni Airport, in Saftica village. Its Aqua del Mar pool, made of three circles with different facilities, might be a great choice for hot days. The pool’s first circle, with a depth of 80 cm, has a sofa in the water, while the second circle, with a depth of 150 cm, hosts the bar. The third circle is perfect for those who want to swim. The pool is open between 10:00 and 21:00 from Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 and 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost RON 20 per person Monday to Friday, and RON 40 in weekends. The resort also includes a hotel, a restaurant, and a wedding saloon.

Hanul Calugarenilor Guesthouse also offers an outdoor pool where you can refresh and relax during hot summer days. The pool covers 250 sqm and has a constant depth of 1.6 m. It stays open until September and a ticket costs RON 40. If you want to spend an entire weekend there, you should also know that the guesthouse has eight double rooms and two apartments, a conference room, and two restaurants. Its offer also includes a game room, covered terraces, tennis courts and playgrounds for children. Hanul Calugarenilor is located in Calugareni commune, Girugiu county, some 32 km south of Bucharest. To reach it, take the DN5/E85 road to Giurgiu.

Valea Iazurilor Touristic Complex is located some 30 km east of Bucharest, in Belciugatele village, Calarasi county. The complex hosts a modern pool with sand, which stays open daily. Entry costs RON 30 per person on weekdays and RON 40 per person on Saturdays and Sundays. Kids benefit from a 50% discount. Besides the pool, the complex also offers accommodation facilities, restaurant, conference room, fitness room, sauna, and Jacuzzi. You can also play tennis or rent an ATV.

Visitors can also fish in one of its three basins. Fishing in the 0 and 1 basins cost RON 60-100 per person for 12 hours (06:00-18:00), depending on how much fish you keep. In the basin 2, fishing costs RON 30 per person for 12 hours (06:00-18:00), but the fish has to be thrown back into the water.

Another touristic complex in Belciugatele commune is Elisa Complex. You can either enjoy a refreshing day at the pool, or stay a weekend or more in one of the complex’s 11 cottages.  Access to the pool costs RON 30 from Monday to Friday and RON 50 in weekends. Children benefit from a 50% discount. Elisa Complex also includes a large restaurant with a capacity of some over 300 seats inside and 150 seats on the terrace.

However, summer is not just about lying in the sun while trying to refresh in the pools. If you want to combine fun and relaxation with sports, then the Acvamania complex in Mogosoaia might be an interesting choice. Acvamania has the first Aquaglidepark in Romania, which includes several inflatable individual modules: waterslides, running lanes, water trampoline and catapult, loved by children. Acvamania also has facilities for kayaking, stand-up-paddling and sailing. It’s a good place for a teambuilding or for private parties.

If you are into more extreme sports, in Mogosoaia you can also find the Zumbala Wake Park, the first cable wake park din Romania. It is probably one of the few places around Bucharest where you can do wakeboarding. Zumbala Wake Park is located on the Mogosoaia lake shore and has a lounge area that's usually open from 10:00 to 24:00. It also offers wakeboarding equipment and initiation for those who have never done this sport.

If you like adventure, then Phoenix Extreme Park would also be a good choice. Located near Cernica forest, 15 km away from Bucharest, the location combines nature with sports activities. Its offer includes nine tracks through the trees, an 800-meter long tyrolean traverse across Cernica lake, paintball, archery and fishing activities. Visitors can also spend some relaxing time in the picnic space, which includes barbeque, benches and tables, waste collection points and toilets. The park is open between 09:00 and 20:00 from Monday to Friday, and between 09:00 and 21:00 in weekends. Adventure parks near Bucharest: where to go to test your limits

If you know other cool places near Bucharest, please drop a line in the comment box below.

Chill out! Pools and waterparks in Bucharest that beat the summer heat.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo: Snagov Club)