< Previous80 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM Sports & Outdoors Abu Dhabi has no shortage of pretty swimming pools. But, as you’ve probably noticed already, not all of them are suited to swimming laps and working out. After all, every swimmer knows the pain of having to dodge those who are just in the pool to chat and lounge (the audacity), while you desperately try to hit your target distance or a PB. Fortunately, we’ve scoured all the pools in the city that give ‘serious’ swimmer-only vibes. Spanning everything from Olympic- sized training pools to outdoor lanes, your swimming era officially starts here. Are you ready to jump in? 321 Sports Located in the centre of Hudayriyat Island, where there’s also Surf Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-be-open Velodrome, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that 321 Sports has an amazing outdoor lap pool. Semi- Olympic sized and fitted with 25-metre-long lanes, day passes start from Dhs90. O From Dhs90. Daily 6am-11pm. Hudayriyat Island, @321sports_hudayriyat (02 691 0256). Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub We challenge you to find a prettier place for a swim than the Olympic (50 metres) outdoor pool at Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub. The lane set-up alternates between 50 and 25 metres throughout the week. Top tip: visiting in the early evening treats you to wonderful sunset views as you tick off those laps. If you finish hungry, head to the neighbouring The Boundary. O Dhs30 (drop in). Open Mon, Wed-Fri 9am-9pm, Tue 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-7pm. Khalifa City, @abudhabisportshub (02 558 8331). In the deep end Since running isn’t a summer-friendly form of cardio, here’s where to get your lengths in instead. By Harriet Shephard VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf ResortTIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM SUMMER 2025 81 Etizan Fitness Offering one of the only indoor Olympic pools in the city, Etizan is many swimmers’ favourite place to train. Inviting you to perfect your techniques sheltered from the sun’s rays, ladies-only sessions are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and all the facilities are modern, sleek and of the best possible quality. If you have time and leftover energy after your dip, the enormous Etizan gym is next-level epic. If you want to relax in the sun post-swim, Erth’s lagoon-shaped pool and private beach are absolutely stunning, and you can grab a bite from Asrah – the flatbreads are the perfect post-workout meal. O From Dhs151 (day pool pass). Daily 6am-11pm. Erth Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road, @etizanfitness (02 497 5229). Al Jazeera swimming pool Part of Abu Dhabi’s iconic Al Jazeera sporting campus, the indoor, Olympic- sized Al Jazeera swimming pool comes with professional starting blocks and 10 spacious lanes. Measuring as deep as four metres in parts, it’s ideal for advanced and super keen swimmers, while Cleopatra Sports Services (the pool’s operators) provide swimming programmes and private and group lessons as well. This place offers eight swimming sessions for as little as Dhs189 (to be used within one month), so swim sessions and wide 50-metre lanes, it’s also fully wheelchair accessible, and the swim coaches are renowned for being some of the best in the country. O Prices vary. Open daily 6am-10pm. Mohamed Bin Zayed City, @mbzsportscenter (50 665 1899). Rosewood Abu Dhabi Allowing you to combine a relaxing pool day at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels with a proper swim workout, the palm- tree-lined, elevated pool at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi is open to outside guests seven days a week. The two 25-metre lanes let you let loose and knock off some distance uninterrupted, while the shaded cabanas are ideal for a well-deserved, after-swim snooze. Inviting you to make a whole day of it, the weekend day passes include Dhs100 in F&B credit. O Dhs180 (weekday), Dhs300 (weekends). Open daily 6am-11pm. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, @rosewoodabudhabi (02 813 5550). VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort Family-friendly VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort caters to every kind of swimmer. While the huge recreation pool keeps the leisure swimmers at bay, you’re free to enjoy the 25-metre laned lap pool in peace. Allowing you to storm up and down to your heart’s content, there’s no fancy membership required to use it either. Instead, you can simply drop in and buy an hour’s lap pool pass for Dhs50, or treat yourself to the equally reasonable ‘Splash and Dine’ day pass for Dhs100, including the full amount back to spend at the pool bar. O From Dhs50. Open Mon-Thu 7am-7pm, Fri-Sun 8am-8pm. Sas Al Nakhl, @vogoabudhabigolfresort (02 616 9999). Rosewood Abu Dhabi we don’t hate that it’s one of the cheapest places to swim in the city either. O From Dhs189. Sun-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am- 7pm. Al Jiwa Street, Al Nahyan, cleopatrasport.com (052 114 2222). MBZ City Sports Center Set out in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, right on the outskirts of the capital, MBZ City Sports Center is a bit of a trek for the Downtown and Reem Island crowd. However, it’s absolutely worth the drive. The official training centre for Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club, the temperature-controlled, indoor Olympic pool will host the prestigious Finswimming World Championship 2025 this winter, and it’s kitted out with the best facilities that money can buy. Offering swimming lesson programmes for kids and adults, ladies-only Etizan Fitness82 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Treat yourself to a meal When I want to treat myself, I usually go to Hunter & Barrel and order a steak. They cook it just right every time – it’s consistent, good quality, and always tastes the way I expect. It’s not overly fancy, but it feels like a proper meal out, and the food never disappoints. Find out more at @adhousemovement, @decembr.12. the last word Every issue, we let someone else have the final say. For summer, it’s over to Tom Worton, co-owner of Abu Dhabi House Movement Pho tograph y: Aasiy a Jagadeesh. Illustrations: Crisel Cutinho Treat yourself First thing you do in the morning The first thing I do every morning is have a cup of coffee. It’s a routine – I like to start the day slowly and just take a moment before jumping into anything else. It helps me wake up and get into the right mindset for the day ahead. Favourite budget restaurant I usually go to Artmarket because I think it’s the best breakfast spot in Abu Dhabi. The food is always good, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s my go-to place when I want something simple but well done. You can’t go wrong. Hot take on food I’m not a fan of mushrooms. I know a lot of people like them, but for me, they don’t work in any dish – whether they’re on pizza, pasta, or served on their own. It’s just a personal thing. Three words for Abu Dhabi Hot, thriving, clean. It’s always warm here, the city’s growing and developing quickly , and everything is well-maintained and organised. Favourite spot for a drink I like going to the Keg Room in Al Zeina. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and it’s not too loud or crowded. It’s just a comfortable place to relax. Outdoor sy day If I’m planning to spend time outdoor s, I’d head to a beach club – especially Saadiy at Beach Club. I like it because it has a calm, relaxing vibe. Next >