Temperatures have been well below freezing for a while now, and we still have several solid weeks of real winter ahead. As soon as the cold intensifies and the ponds start to freeze, it’s the perfect time to pull your ice skates out of storage and hit the ice. There’s nothing better in winter than playing pond hockey with family or friends. Do you know more skating spots than just your regular one? Let’s explore which ponds and water areas in Prague are great for ice skating during winter.
Hostivař Reservoir
The Hostivař Reservoir is one of the most beautiful places to go ice skating in winter. It’s also the largest surface of water mentioned here where skating is possible, covering an impressive 42 hectares. It’s a favorite thanks to the variety of activities available. In summer, it’s popular for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking/boating, and fishing. You can also rent pedal boats or even go sailing. In winter, the main attractions are skating and cold water plunges.
You can get here by metro, bus, or car. Either way, you’ll need to walk a bit. If you're using only the metro, get off at the last stop Háje on the red C line. From there, it’s about a 30-minute walk (2 km) to the reservoir. You can shorten the walk slightly by taking a connecting bus, depending on which part of the reservoir you’re heading to. The closest bus stops are Selská, Jižní Město, and the nearest of all — Newtonova — on the opposite side. If you're driving, there are several parking options nearby: Hostivařská Přehrada Parking, Gaussova Parking, and Výstavní Parking.
See on the map here.
Džbán
The Džbán Reservoir is located in the heart of Divoká Šárka. It’s a dam reservoir in the Vokovice district of Prague 6 and is the second-largest natural swimming area in Prague after Hostivař. It’s about 29 hectares smaller than Hostivař. Once winter fully sets in and the surface freezes over, a skating track forms around the edges of Džbán and a hockey field appears in the middle. If you get tired of skating, take a walk through the stunning snowy landscape of Divoká Šárka, which is beautiful year-round.
Džbán is easily accessible. Get off at the tram stops Vozovna Vokovice or Divoká Šárka. You can also take the metro (green line A) to Nádraží Veleslavín, which also connects to train services. If you're coming by car, you can park near the McDonald’s — full-day parking costs just 100 CZK.
See on the map here.
Šeberák
The Šeberov Pond, also known as Šeberák, is located in Kunratice on the edge of Prague 4. It’s the sixth largest pond in the city and a popular choice for ice skating due to its size. Every year (if weather permits), a skating trail is created along the edge, and the middle is used for multiple hockey games. In summer, it’s a great place to swim — with both a regular beach and a nudist one. After a recent renovation, the pond is now fully suitable for swimming again.
You can get here by combining metro and bus or by car. The Šeberák bus stop is only about 5 minutes on foot from the pond — depending on which part you want to reach.
See on the map here.
Kyjský Pond
Kyjský Pond is located in the Kyje neighborhood of Prague 9. It spans nearly 15 hectares, and during cold winters, a skating track and several hockey rinks are formed. Kyjský Pond has a long-standing tradition of skating — speed skating races were held here as far back as the 1930s. While races are no longer held, you can still enjoy some fast laps on the ice. Fun fact: the local mayor Radek Vondra himself helps maintain the skating trail. In summer, the pond is popular for fishing and relaxation.
This is one of the most accessible spots on the list. The Rajská zahrada metro station is just a 5-minute walk away. You can also take a train to Praha–Kyje station, only 2 minutes on foot. Buses 110, 171, 181, and 259 stop directly at Kyje.
See on the map here.
Hamerský Pond
Hamerský Pond (also called Hamr or Hamerák) is located in Záběhlice, Prague 10. Compared to other ponds listed here, it’s smaller — only 4 hectares — but it has a special charm. When frozen and covered in snow, it feels very romantic. In summer, it’s not suitable for swimming but is popular for fishing. Each spring, 200,000–400,000 young carp or pike are stocked here. The pond is also home to two islands. One is named after Emperor Charles IV, who once had a fortress here before it was destroyed during the Hussite Wars. The pond itself was created in 1770 when a copper mill flooded the area. The second island, known as Bird Island, was added in 2009 during revitalization and serves as a nesting ground for gulls. In summer, the area around the pond is used for recreation — especially tennis and volleyball.
You can get here by bus or tram. Buses 101 and 188 stop at Pod Vinicí or V Korytech, and bus 138 goes to Měchenická. For trams, get off at Spořilov. No matter how you arrive, it’s only about a 10-minute walk from the stop.
See on the map here.
We hope you're as excited about ice skating on natural surfaces as we are! Once the ice is safe and ready, we might even meet out there. And don’t forget to let us know in the comments where you love to skate — whether it’s a pond or a rink. Let’s hope for a real winter this year!
