Cooling off desired: Outdoor pools brace for heatwaves - what guests can look forward to

German outdoor pools are gearing up for the summer heat, with many facilities now fully open and anticipating a surge in visitors as temperatures rise across the country. After a start to the season marked by unpredictable weather, operators are hopeful that the forecast for 30-degree Celsius days will finally bring the expected crowds.

The impact of the weather has been stark. Rainy days saw visitor numbers plummet to as low as 550 at Fulda's Rosenau outdoor pool, a dramatic drop from the usual 4,000 on sunny days. Similar patterns were reported in Frankfurt and Kassel, where indoor pools saw increased use during cooler periods. However, operators remain optimistic, noting that a few hot weeks often compensate for a wet start to the season.

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It has often been shown that a few hot weeks more than compensate for rainy weeks at the beginning of the season.

Early signs are promising, with May's warm weather already boosting attendance. Fulda reported visitor numbers more than doubling compared to the previous year, and Frankfurt's pools have already matched their total visitor count from the entire previous year. The Seedammbad in Bad Homburg, which faced a delayed opening due to a parking garage fire, is also expecting a busy season.

While the promise of a cool dip is welcome, the cost of entry varies. Many pools have kept prices steady despite rising operational costs. For instance, an adult day ticket in Bad Hersfeld costs 4.50 euros, while Fulda charges 4.70 euros. Frankfurt and Dieburg offer entry for 5 euros, a price unchanged for years. The Auebad in Kassel, featuring large slides, costs 7.50 euros, with two other pools in the city charging 3 euros.

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After the rather mixed weeks so far, we are looking forward to finally experiencing regular outdoor pool operations again with corresponding visitor numbers.