Venetian Pool

A 1923 public pool carved out of a coral rock quarry in Coral Gables — waterfalls, grottos, a bridge, and spring-fed water. It's the most beautiful public pool in America and locals know it. Closed Mondays most of the year, capped capacity in summer, and no kids under 3 allowed, ever. Plan ahead.

Key facts

What locals actually do here

• Pre-buy tickets online in summer

  Walk-ups get shut out once the pool hits capacity, but online pre-purchases are honored. On any hot weekend, buying the night before is the difference between swimming in a grotto and driving home.

  Verified Jul 2026

• Go at opening on a weekday and get photos before the crowd

  The bridge, waterfall, and cave shots that fill Instagram are only clean in the first hour. Cool spring water plus morning light plus no crowd is the definitive Venetian Pool experience.

  Verified Jul 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my toddler to the Venetian Pool?

Children under 3 are not admitted, period — no exceptions, and diapers (including swim diapers) are banned for water-quality reasons since the pool is spring-fed. Kids must be at least 3 and meet the height/proof-of-age rules. Bring a birth certificate or you may get turned away.

Is the water cold at the Venetian Pool?

It's fed by spring water from an underground aquifer, so it runs refreshingly cool — brilliant in July, bracing in January. In spring and summer the pool is drained and refilled with fresh water regularly, which is why it stays so clear.

Why is the Venetian Pool famous?

It was carved from the coral rock quarry that built Coral Gables in the 1920s, then dressed up like a Venetian lagoon with waterfalls, caves, a bridge, and porticos. It's on the National Register of Historic Places — the only swimming pool listed for a long time — and it genuinely doesn't look like anywhere else.

Is there food at the Venetian Pool?

There's a small café on-site doing casual poolside food, and outside coolers are restricted. It's fine for a snack-and-swim day, but plan a proper meal on nearby Miracle Mile afterward — you're a five-minute drive from some of Coral Gables' best restaurants.

Is the Venetian Pool open year-round?

Mostly, but with a big asterisk: it's closed Mondays outside of the Memorial Day-Labor Day stretch, hours shift seasonally, and it periodically closes for maintenance since the pool is drained and refilled regularly. Always check the City of Coral Gables site the day before.

Does the Venetian Pool sell out?

Yes — entry is first-come, first-served, and once it hits capacity you're not getting in unless you pre-purchased online. On hot summer weekends that can happen before lunch. Buy tickets online ahead or show up at opening.

How much does the Venetian Pool cost?

In peak season non-residents pay about $21 for adults and $16 for kids 3-12; Coral Gables residents pay a fraction of that with proof of residency. Prices dip somewhat off-season. For a landmark this pretty, it's fair — but it's a pool-day price, not a quick-look price.

How do I get to the Venetian Pool without a car?

It's the one weak spot — no Metrorail nearby. The Coral Gables trolley gets you within walking distance from Miracle Mile, or a rideshare from Douglas Road station is quick. If you drive, there's free parking right by the entrance, which by Miami standards is a small miracle.

Nearby in Ask Miami

• Coral GablesNeighborhood1.42 km · 18 min walk
• Zitz SumRestaurant1.46 km · 18 min walk
• Threefold CafeCafé1.77 km · 22 min walk
• La CarretaRestaurant2.96 km · 37 min walk
• El Palacio de los JugosRestaurant2.99 km · 37 min walk