There is a strong tradition of public pools in Amsterdam. Unfortunately some of them are very old school leaving you with little elbow room and not much else to do while going for whatever swim you can get.

However some places are being remodelled or completely reconstructed. When I say some places, Im thinking of the Het Marnix.

Opened in 2006, Het Marnix is a huge modern indoor pool, spa, café-restaurant, and who knows what else. The pool itself is fantastic and on the canal side there is all glass so as you swim in the pool you feel as though you're swimming in the canal.

But this is not a recommendation to just go swimming there, the building has a very lovely café overlooking the canal known as "Grande Café". It is cozy, it is well thought out, and it features a health conscious fresh-out-the-pool kind of crowd.

The pool is just on the outskirts of the Jordaan so we're talking walking distance if you're exploring that area. There is also tram and bus access, that info you'll find on their site.