Sports are a great way not only to stay fit but also to keep yourself busy during your stay in Budapest. Whether you are alone or have a group of friends in the city, there are many group sports and individual sports activities you can indulge in.
Football in Budapest
The most popular sport in Hungary, as in many other countries, is football, so much so that the country is sometimes referred to as a nation of ten million football coaches. Hungary has a successful history in the game. Pusk谩s Ferenc and his team, the legendary Mighty Magyars, are world-famous, and while today's teams can't live up to that sterling legacy, everyone follows the national team and has an opinion about the players, the coach and their performances.
Budapest features many teams in the national premier league, and regular domestic league matches are generally quite affordable, with tickets ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 HUF. International matches like Europa League fixtures or international qualifying games can command higher ticket prices. Budapest will also host the Champions League final in 2026, making it an exciting year for football in the city.
If you would like to play football, you can join one of the amateur clubs that play in the regional Budapest league. Find out more about football clubs in Budapest on .
Other team sports in Budapest
Other team sports like handball, basketball and volleyball are also famous here. You can watch international and national matches and full competitions. Expect the highest level you can see in a , e.g., Ferencv谩ros playing against arch-rival Gyori ETO, both of them being top teams in Europe. Water polo is also one of the most popular national sports, with an excellent track record in Olympic events.
Running in Budapest
If you are looking for some regular activity for yourself, the easiest and cheapest is probably running. You can certainly do it wherever you live, but if you would like to do it on a proper running track, you can do so too. Margaret Island features a 5.35 km rubberized running track around its perimeter, which makes it one of the largest running tracks in the world. V谩rosliget also has a modern rubberized 2km track, which opened in 2020 and features lighting for night running. You can also explore Orczy-garden, N茅pliget, or Bik谩s park. You can join a running club as well, and take part in different races, or just enjoy others' company.
Water sports in Budapest
Water sports are also popular in Budapest. You can go in the summer. Alfr茅d Haj贸s Swimming Complex, located on Margaret Island, is the largest one in Budapest, and the ticket costs 1,800 HUF. However, there are many more, smaller ones and cheaper options throughout the city.
You can also indulge in other water sports like water polo or go , for a couple of hours or for a longer trip too.
Fitness and gyms in Budapest
If you are looking to build your muscles or just stretch them, you can choose from numerous all around the city. Monthly fees can vary depending on their location, while in the central areas, they cost around 20-40,000 HUF/month. You can pay half of this amount for the same membership in the outer districts. You can find similar classes anywhere in the world, from full-body training to TRX, spinning and Zumba.
Yoga is getting more and more popular as well. You can find everywhere, from traditional, smaller ones to bigger ones. You can even do open-air yoga; classes are held every Sunday at 11.00 am on Margaret Island from May to September for free, but a donation is recommended.
Winter sports in Budapest
Even in winter, you can find some sports to do. Go ice skating to the V谩rosliget Ice Rink with Vajdahunyad Castle in the background, or visit an ice hockey game. The massive ice rink typically operates from mid-November to mid-February. If you want to keep yourself warm, just visit one of the , which are open all year long.
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