Las Berceas Natural Pool in Cercedilla has reopened for the summer, offering a cool mountain refuge as temperatures rise across Madrid. Set in the heart of the Fuenfría Valley, the facility welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 to 20:00 until August 30, information from the Cercedilla Town Hall.
Las Berceas spans 30 hectares, with two large pools surrounded by wild pine trees. Visitors will find picnic areas and changing rooms, as well as showers and restrooms. The complex also has a bar and a first aid station, while expansive lawns offer room to relax. Its location in a protected natural area makes it a popular destination for families and groups escaping the city heat.
Entry and Ticketing
Access to Las Berceas is regulated to manage crowds and protect the environment. Visitors need a ticket, but parking is not included. On weekends and public holidays, tickets must be bought online in advance because on-site sales are unavailable during peak periods. The policy is intended to prevent overcrowding and make visits safer and more enjoyable.
General admission for non-members costs 9 euros for adults aged 14 to 64 on weekdays and 12 euros on weekends and holidays. Children aged 5 to 13 and seniors over 65 pay 5 euros on weekdays and 7 euros on weekends. The same rates apply to people with certified disabilities of 33% to 64%. After 17:00 on weekdays, non-members get a 50% discount. Ten-entry passes cost 65 euros for adults and 45 euros for children and seniors; they are valid only on weekdays.
Children under 5 and people with disabilities of 65% or more enter free. Their companions are also exempt from payment when required. Members pay reduced rates: 2.50 euros for adults and 1.50 euros for children and seniors.
Getting There and Parking
Las Berceas is in the Las Dehesas Recreational Area, at kilometer 3.9 on the M-966 Fuenfría road. The basic parking lot has 240 spaces, but anyone arriving by car must reserve in advance. A pool ticket does not guarantee a parking spot, so visitors should plan ahead, especially on busy days.
To make access easier, the Cercedilla Town Hall runs free shuttle buses on weekends and holidays throughout June, July and August. The buses leave from the town center, where more than 400 free parking spaces are available, and stop along the Las Dehesas road, just 500 meters from the Cercanías train station. The local urban bus line also drops passengers at the Fuenfría Valley Visitor Center, about a ten-minute walk from the pools.
Water Quality and Environment
Although often called “natural pools,” Las Berceas draws water from local streams and treats it with chlorine, the Town Hall confirms. The site’s protected status means officials tightly control visitor numbers and vehicle access to preserve the surrounding field.
Las Berceas remains one of Madrid’s most popular summer escapes, with its mountain air and cold water set among forested surroundings. Strict entry and parking rules are in place, so visitors are advised to book tickets and parking well in advance to avoid disappointment.
