15 places to go ice skating in Budapest this winter

1/15

MüPa ice rink

The Palace of Arts opened an ice rink for the first time ever this year. Until 4 January, up to 100 people can skate to music in front of the iconic arts building. This creative innovation by Müpa has a variety of additional offerings. They have curling courses for companies, or you can also rent the entire place for a friendly gathering.

Tickets: 500 HUF.
Opening hours: weekdays: 14:00 – 15:45, 16:00 – 17:45, 18:00 – 19:45.
Weekends and during school holidays: 10:00 - 11:45, 12:00 – 13:45, 14:00 – 15:45, 16:00 – 17:45, 18:00 – 19:45.
Skate rental: 500 HUF
Skating teacher available: yes

2/15

City Park Ice Rink

To open this year's skating season the eldest ice rink in Budapest, the City Park Ice Rink, opened its gates on November 22. The history of this building dates back to 29 January 1870. The building was developed after long lobbying by the Pesti Korcsolyázó Egylet (Pest Skating Club) for city council permission to set up a skating rink on a small part of the City Park lake each winter.

Tickets: adults: 1500 HUF; adults (weekend): 2000 HUF; students: 1100 HUF; students (weekend): 2000 HUF; pensioners: 1000 HUF. pensioners (weekend): 1500 HUF; group discount: 300 HUF (more than 10 persons accompanied by an adult).
Skate rental: 700/hour
Skating teacher available: yes

3/15

Marczibányi Sportcentrum

The 38m x 19m (722m2) ice rink at Marczibányi Sportcentrum is suitable for both skating and ice hockey. The prices are the same as last year, and the rink can be booked for family gatherings or sports events as well. The sports centre offers a great variety of sports and wellness options, so complex recreational plans are welcome.

Address: 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi Square 16.
Tickets: adults: 1650 HUF; students/pensioners: 1200 HUF
Skate rental: adults: 1200 HUF, children: 800 HUF
Sharpening: 1200 HUF
Skate teaching available: yes

4/15

Arena Plaza Ice Terrace

This nearly 1200m2 ice rink is modern and vintage at the same time, which gives it a certain charm. The rink at the side of Arena Plaza is perfect for dates or for relieving the stress of shopping. The range of services is, of course, extensive: weekday mornings, you can participate in free skating (group) classes, and there is ice disco between 6 and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays so you can mix sports and partying. The rink can be booked for private and corporate events also.

Tickets: adults: 1200 HUF; children/pensioners: 900 HUF; adults (weekend): 1300 HUF; children/pensioners (weekend): 900 HUF. Passes (16 weekday + 4 weekend tickets): adults: 24 000 HUF; children/pensioners: 19 000 HUF
Skate rental: from 650 HUF/hour
Sharpening: 1200 HUF/pair of blades
Skate teaching available: yes

Jégterasz
Address: 1087 Budapest, Kerepesi út 9.
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5/15

Eiffel Square skating rink

Strolling around a city, you might have the sudden desire to go skating. The fact that a 600m2 ice rink was set up near one of the busiest junctions in Budapest could come in handy on such occasions! The ice rink at Eiffel Square is relatively new - this is only its fourth season, but it's hugely popular. One of its advantages is that it is set in a tranquil corner of what's an otherwise busy area.

Day tickets: adults: 700 children: 600 HUF
Sharpening: 1200 HUF
Skate rental: adults - 1200 HUF; children - 800 HUF.

6/15

Buda ice rink (Jégkert)

What is in summer a lively bar, Jégkert, becomes a covered ice rink every winter. The rink is 15m x 30m and is surrounded by boards and netting. The place is also suitable for more serious skating and has heated locker rooms and showers. You can rent hockey sticks and plucks as well. The length of the season here depends partly on the weather, but usually lasts until April.

Tickets: adults: 1400 HUF; children/pensioners: 1200 HUF; children (below 14): 900 HUF; families (max. 2 adults and children below 14): 4000 HUF
Skate rental: adults - 1100 HUF; children - 700 HUF
Sharpening: 1200 HUF
Skate teaching available: yes

7/15

Óbuda ice rink - Fő Square

The ice rink in Óbuda's Fő Square is one of the most family friendly rinks in Budapest: it is free. Although the 400m2 ice rink might not be the largest, it is enough. Based on recent years, the Fő Square ice rink will be open until the end of January.

Tickets: free
Open: every day - 8:00-22:00
Skate rental: adults - 600 HUF, children - 400 HUF
Skate teaching available: yes (free)

8/15

KIOSK - Jégkorszak

One of the novelties this winter is KIOSK's ice rink, Jérkorszak (Ice Age) near the Pest-end of Elizabeth Bridge. The 230m2 ice rink is for one free, plus mulled wine, sausages, waffles and hot dogs are served right beside it. It's likely to remain open until the beginning of March. Oh, and let's not forget the carousel that stands next to it! What fun!

Tickets: free
Open: every day 12:00-midnight
Skate rental: 500 HUF
Carousel: 500 HUF/3 mins

9/15

Christmas fair - St. Stephen's Basilica

One of the largest Christmas fairs in Budapest also has a 200m2 ice rink, open to children. The little ones can also participate in free skating lessons under the festive lights.

Tickets: free ( ages 4 to 14)
Teaching: yes (free)
Opening hours: Friday 14:00-20:00; Saturday: 10:00- 18:00; Sunday: 10:00-13:00

10/15

Józsefváros ice rink

Go skating near Harminckettesek Square on a 300m2 floodlit rink, named after that part of town. The place is free for Józsefváros locals during school hours (8am - 2pm). You can buy tea, mulled wine and cookies by the rink.

Address: VIII. kerület, Horváth Mihály Square
Tickets: 400 HUF (below 140 cm height); 600 HUF (above 140 cm height)
Skate rental: same as above.
Open until February 5, 8:00-20:00.

11/15

Rombusz Terrace (Closed)

Rombusz Terrace is found on Ráday Street, close to Kálvin Square. In good weather it functions as a creative community space with lots of greenery, a stage, table tennis and table soccer; in the winter, it is converted into an ice rink.
Tickets: adults: 1200 HUF/2 hrs; stundets/pensioners: 800 HUF/2 hrs; families: 3000 HUF/2hrs (2 adults + 2 children)
Skate rental: 800 HUF/ 2 hrs
Sharpening: 800 HUF

12/15

Bálna Terrace

The ice rink in front of the Bálna opened this winter for the first time. The 450m2 rink is free to use as long as you want. The ice by one of Budapest's most peculiar buildings is planned to be open until the end of February. Extras include a gorgeous view of the Danube.

Tickets: free
Skate rental: yes
Skate teaching: no.
Opening hours: weekdays 10:00-20:00; weekends 10:00-22:00

13/15

Jégpalota - Ice Center

This unique place is not tied to winter for it operates at full steam all-year-long - but it also offers the skating option, so we included it in our list. This huge centre has a 1800m2 ice rink with seating of similar proportions. The venue is best for recreation and corporate events with a capacity for 1500.

Address: 1046 Budapest, Homoktövis u. 1.
Tickets: weekdays 750 HUF, weekends 1300 HUF
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 12.00-20.00, Saturday: 10.00-13.00 and 17.00-20.00, Sunday: 10.00-14.00
Teaching: yes
Skate rental: yes

14/15

Pesterzsébet Ice Centre

The Pesterzsébet Jégcsarnok lays emphasis on teaching and professional training, but the rink is available for the general community to use at the weekends.

Address: 1201 Budapest, XX. kerület, Zodony utca 1.
Tickets: 1300 HUF. Adult pass (10 entries): 11 000 HUF.
Skate rental: 800 HUF/2 hrs, 400 HUF/any additional hour.
Sharpening: 1000 HUF.

15/15

Lake Naplás

Lake Naplás (officially: Szilas-patak flood basin) in the 16th District by Cinkota is the largest area of still water in Budapest. The lake and its immediate surroundings have been protected since 1997. The best thing? The lake freezes in winter, making it perfect for ice skating. Beware, however, that no one is certain when the ice is strong enough for skating and there is no infrastructure, so you must BYO gear. These are also its advantages.

Address: Budapest, XVI. kerület, Simongát utca, Cinkotai út, Naplás út
Tickets: free.
Teaching: none
Skate rental: none
Sharpening: none