⛸️ Ice rinks in Finnish cities: what's open, rentals, prices

If you want to experience Finland in one evening, get out on the ice. In this article, you will learn how city ice rinks are organised, where to go with children and where to rent skates, how much it costs to rent skates, when the rinks are open and how to choose the right equipment. I'll tell you like I would a friend: without rushing, with practical advice and little "local secrets".

People often write to me: "We've never skated before, where should we start in Helsinki?" My answer is almost always the same: choose a central rink with skate hire, have a plan in mind for where to warm up, and make sure your first Finnish ice experience is a gentle one.

Reader's voice

"We flew in from Prague in January and happened to come across evening skating at the cultural centre in Espoo. We rented skates right in the café, helmets for the children, and then had some cocoa. For the first time, I understood the expression 'cosiness in the open air'." — Anna Kovářová, Prague

Ice in Finnish: how it all works

There are many artificial outdoor ice rinks (tekojää) and natural rinks in parks in Finnish cities. Most municipal rinks are free during "public skating" hours, while central seasonal arenas may charge an entrance fee and/or rental fee. In Helsinki, look for district sports parks (Kallio/Brahe, Käpylä, Jätkäsaari, Lauttasaari, etc.), and check the schedules on the city service and tourist portal. Important detail for the 2025–2026 season: Oulunkylä in the capital is undergoing reconstruction until the end of 2025, and the unusual ice track at Malmi Airport only appears during sustained frosts.

Helsinki: where to skate and where to get skates

Brahenkenttä (Kallio) is a great place to take your first steps. There are separate areas for those with and without sticks, and the Braku café rents out skates, helmets, sticks (and even ice picks). This is a rare case where rentals are available right at the municipal arena.

Other convenient locations in the capital include Johanneksenkenttä (next to the neo-Gothic church), Jätkäsaari (a large field by the sea), Lauttasaari (island vibes and calmer winds), Käpylä (convenient for children — there are "sledge assistants"), Eläintarha near the stadium. Brahe usually stays open until mid-March, while most of the others close by the end of February (depending on the weather).

Espoo: Tapiola Ice Garden – a classic candlelit evening

Tapiola Ice Garden has a 330-metre circular track and a heated arena in the heart of the cultural centre. Skating is free, and skates can be rented at the nearby Café Hile (open during the season, convenient hours). It is very cosy in the evening: lights, music, warm changing rooms and toilets nearby.

For pricing, please refer to Café Hile's seasonal announcements: skate rental is approximately €5/60 minutes. Please check the current hours on the Espoo markets page and at the café itself, as the schedule changes on holidays.

Tampere: Sorsapuisto — long circles and good logistics

Sorsapuisto (Kaleva Sports Park) has a large 150×70 m rink and a separate hockey rink. There are warm changing rooms, a clear system of public sessions and even designated speed skating windows. The city takes safety seriously: helmets are required during public sessions, and walking on the ice in shoes is prohibited. Hours may be reduced before holidays (closed on 24 December; shortened day on 31 December).

Turku: Kupittaa — a 500-metre "track"

Kupittaan luistelumato is a 500-metre artificial track in the park, which is used for skating in one direction (convenient for children and beginners — less chaos). The address is Tahkonkuja 5; there are clear rules and seasonal windows at the facility. Turku's ice complexes offer free public skating sessions (without sticks), with the schedule changing depending on the weather; for touring skating in the region, there are also "ice roads" on lakes during sustained frosts.

Oulu: Raksila and Pateniemi — northern rhythm and invigorating cold

There are two main artificial ice rinks in Oulu: Raksila and Pateniemi. Pateniemi often has a permanently open area for general skating and a separate side court; you can use it freely during non-reservation hours. Raksila is a large complex in a sports park not far from the centre; the rink is scheduled to be open for the 2025–2026 season. The city keeps a map and monitors the condition of the rinks online.

Rental and prices: guidelines by city

Prices vary from rink to rink and from season to season, but according to official websites and operators, the following ranges are typical in winter:

● Skate rental in Helsinki (Brahenkenttä, Cafe Braku) — ~€6 per pair; helmet — ~€2; sharpening available.

● Rental in Espoo (Café Hile, Tapiola Ice Garden) — ~€5/60 min; helmets available. The arena itself is free.

● Helsinki's municipal arenas are usually free during public skating hours; exceptions are commercial seasonal rinks, if they open in a given year.

● Tampere — emphasis on free public slots, but check the city website for schedules and rules (helmets, zone separation).

● Turku/Oulu/Espoo — free public skating slots in municipal ice rinks and outdoor arenas; skate hire is available on site, most often at private cafés near the rink.

A mini-tip on budgeting. If you plan to go skating 2-3 times, it is sometimes cheaper to buy a pair of second-hand skates at recycling centres (Kierrätyskeskus) or charity shops — this is a standard Finnish life hack.

Taking children to the ice: size, helmet, warm break

● A helmet is not just a recommendation: in Tampere, it is mandatory on public rinks, and in Helsinki and Espoo, it is strongly advised. Wear a ski balaclava under your helmet.

● Sledges for the little ones are available at large venues (for example, in Käpylä or at some sports parks in Helsinki).

● Warm rooms/changing rooms — look for them on the playground pages: in Tampere, they are available in Sorsapuisto, and in Espoo — at the "garden" skating rink in Tapiola.

Logistics: getting there, keeping warm, cloakroom

● Brahenkenttä is easily accessible by tram/bus via Helsinginkatu 25a — this is effectively the centre of

● Tapiola Ice Garden — right next to Tapionaukio; there is a shopping centre and cultural cluster (cafés, toilets, warm lobbies) nearby.

● Sorsapuisto is easy to reach on foot from Tampere railway station; look for Tampere‑talo at the edge of the park.

● In Raksila (Oulu) — a sports centre 2 km from the city centre; address: Urheilukatu 3.

● In Kupittaa (Turku) — a park area, close to sports complexes and a swimming pool; address: Tahkonkuja 5

Beginner mistakes — remember these stickers

A short afterword

When you leave the ice and your hand automatically reaches for a mug of hot chocolate, you will understand why winter rituals are so cherished in Finland. Here, skating is not about speed, but about the atmosphere: soft light, a short break in a café and the feeling that winter is cosy and homely.

If you found this material useful, share it with your friends, save it for the season, and write in the comments which rinks you liked the most. We will add your tips to the map and widgets to make it even easier for the next reader to choose the ice rink they like best.