Cluj swimming pools

Hello to all!

I love swimming, and anywhere I go in the world with Erasmus, if I have the opportunity, I visit a swimming complex. I believe that, by gaining inside of a nation 'sculpture for swimming', I can get closer to the whole society-image.

Cluj-Napoca is a big city, and in my opinion it doesn’t have proportionally enough swimming facilities as many citizens seeking for it. Therefore I think that there are not enough bathing opportunities in the city.

In my following post I will write a bit about spas and baths, wellness-fitness complexes and recreation centres in Cluj, but first I’d like to present basically the swimming pools. All you have to know is that you’re entitled to get student discount at certain pools if you’re student of Babes-Bolyai University or Technical University. So have always your student card with you!

Let’s start the journey towards Cluj-Napoca’s open-air and indoor swimming pools.

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1st ‘Universitas’ Swimming Complex. It is Babeş-Bolyai University's swimming pool. ‘Universitas’ Swimming Complex is located in Babeş Park, close to Cluj Arena and Central Park. Babeş park is in fact a centre of sport arts, a big sport field, where other sport facilities near the swimming area can be found. There’s a big territory for basketball-players, tennis courts, football pitch, beach volleyball field and athletics track (ideal for running, long-jumping, pole vaulting, hurdling, high-jumping, hammer throwing, javelin-throwing and rugby). Swimming is just the cherry from the top of the cake.

I used to jog at Babeş Park and swim afterwards. Everybody finds swimming the best sport for him/herself. Babeş Park is also a quiet and chill place, where people can relax, walk, do yoga and meditate. Sometimes the park is crowded by students, because actually the Faculty of Kinetotherapy and Sports is situated right in the middle of the park, but during summer for example the atmosphere is absolutely peaceful.

‘Universitas’ Swimming Complex consists of a 50 meter long Olympic pool, two Finnish saunas and a tiny pool for kids. Bathing cap is obligatory. I consider that this complex boasts the best water quality in Cluj. The temperature and the amount of chlorine is simply perfect. During summer, there are deck chairs outside the pool area and people can sunbath. In winter, heat-lovers can choose sauna. The pool area is in fact located in a glass building, so while swimming or taking a break the view from the pool is gorgeous. Furthermore, sunshine and light can be let in. Many times I’ve swam in the company of sunshine reflection in the water. When it’s snowing outside in winter, swimming is definitely another priceless moment. Even if I swim 1500 metres, I always go home from swimming with 110% energy!

A single-ticket for students (in general) costs 15 RON (3, 2 EUR), but for Babeş-Bolyai University students and workers there is a 50% discount. I consider the price more than fair. I would recommend warmly this place for swimming, because it’s maximally hygienic, clean, friendly and harmonic. There are vending machines at the exit, so, in case you got tired after long hours spent in the water, you can grab a snickers bar or some hot-chocolate.

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The only disadvantage of this pool is that there are swimming courses held every day even on Saturdays mostly from 10:00 a. m. till 4-5:00 p. m. This means that one, two or even sometimes three lanes are reserved for the swimmers and there are fewer public lanes available. Furthermore, sometimes charity donations/charity swimming events and even swimming competitions are held at this complex. But you can be up-to-date about the schedule of the pool by visiting the official webpage of ‘Universitas’ Swimming Complex.

Next, on the 2nd place there is Technical University’s Swimming Pool. Ironic, or not, but this swimming complex is right near the entrance of Babeş Park. So the rules are the same. If you want to practice any other kind of sport before or after swimming, you can choose between the above listed facilities at Babeş park. Technical Uni swimming complex contains a 50 m outdoor pool (opened only in summer) and a 50 m indoor pool. There’s a 10 m long kids pool as well inside. The part with the competitions and swimming courses is true in the case of this pool as well. As a bonus, at Technical University’s swimming complex you can attend scuba-diving lessons as well. One end of the pool is 4 m deep, perfect for diving. There are also trampolines for diving from 5 metres and 10 metres altitude. Being afraid of altitudes, I never had enough courage to try diving from those heights, but maybe one day I will. In the indoor pools bathing caps are compulsory.

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To be honest, I consider the indoor pool a bit dark and somber. Comparing with Babeş-Bolyai’s indoor pool with glass windows and lot of luminescence, Technical Uni’s pool is a bit shadier. The outdoor Olympic pool is also deep, so it is recommended only for swimmers, but outside there’s another atmosphere. The outdoor area is like a beach. People dive into the water, play with gonflable balls, eat ice-creams and mici with fries, a Romanian traditional sausage specialty (see more about "mici").

This pool is cheaper than ‘Universitas’ Complex, because a single entry for students costs only 12 RON, and for Technical Uni students 9 RON (2-2, 2 EUR). This swimming complex has its own beach volleyball court so, when you are taking a break from swimming, you can attend a volleyball game.

3rd and 4th stations are outdoor swimming pools available only in summer season. Clujana swimming pool is quite close to the main railway station and to Marasti, Iris and central districts of Cluj. Sun swimming complex is closer to people living in Grigorescu and Manastur district. Both swimming complexes are more expensive than the above mentioned two. These complexes are in fact leisure-time complexes for entertaining, relaxing and vacations, not really for swimming. We can forget about bathing cap. Fun comes first. These two resorts are not my taste, because I prefer swimming more and silence places. But for slide-lovers, jumpers and generally for younger generations they are perfect.

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Entrance fees vary between 15-20 RON (4-5 EUR) and if you want to rent a deck chair, drink a beer and eat some French fries with mici, you’ll be paying 5-6 EUR more. These summer resorts are in general overcrowded and full of high-school or college students. Music is loud but good. The temperature of the water is colder than the University pools’ waters. I would recommend these two resorts for fun and entertainment and refreshment, not really for relaxing.

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Aquinas is next. Aquinas is a wellness-fitness centre located in the city-centre. It has only a 25 meter long pool, thus I won’t say it’s probably the best place to swim at, but it has wellness facilities: steam rooms, Finnish and infrared saunas, Jacuzzi, a fitness room, massage facilities. It offers treatments for body and soul but its price is definitely not adequate for a student-budget. A general pass on weekdays costs 16 EUR and there’s no discount for students. I would recommend Aquinas for students only occasionally, few times a year when a special event or celebration is coming.

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Last, but not least, located at Iulius Mall is the World Class Health Academy Cluj complex. Its pool is 25 meter long, but there are a big fitness room, a Finnish sauna, Kangoo jumps, Yoga, Kick Box, Step Aerobic and Spinning classes that compensate the length of the pool. World Class Health Academy is a very well-equipped and modern centre and more than satisfactory. Nevertheless, I would recommend it because of its facilities and not only for swimming.

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Thanks for reading, Dora

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