With settings from stunningly historic to cool and modern, an abundance of artificial ice rinks pop up citywide during the holiday season. Whether you amaze people with your smooth moves on ice or amuse them with epic falls, you can glide and slide alfresco at many skating spots around town. All have a few tasty treats to boost your mood between laps, too. Winter is now with us, so don your skates and draw figure eights! Here we find the best ice rinks in Budapest.
1/7
Advent Feast by the Basilica
Even though this small ice rink is only open for children under 14, it is a worthy addition to this list – while the kids slide and glide safely and for free around a towering Christmas tree, adults can sip flavorsome wintry drinks infused with alcohol. The Advent fair surrounding this ice rink is truly stunning, offering heaps of Christmas treats and stunning 3D light shows projected on the Basilica’s façade every half-hour after dark. This is a great spot to let the kids have some fun while the parents can join in the merriment safely from the sidelines.
Open until: January 1st
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:30am-8pm; Friday: 11:30am-10pm; Saturday: 10am-10pm; Sunday: 10am-8pm
Price: Free
Address: Budapest 1051, Szent István tér 1
Skates are available to rent for free.
2/7
Bálna Budapest
This is the largest free ice rink in Budapest, enhanced with beautiful riverfront views. You can skate here for free around a 450-square-meter ice rink right on the Danube Bank, enjoying a picturesque panorama of Gellért Hill, Liberty Bridge and the intriguing edifice of Bálna Budapest itself. Every Friday and Saturday – when there is no live concert – an ice disco entertains those who can dance on ice – or are willing to try after some mulled wine. A Christmassy arts and crafts playhouse also entertains children within the Bálna Budapest building. Note that the rink closes between 2pm and 3pm every day for maintenance.
Open until: February 28th
Opening Hours: From December 9th to December 31st: Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 10am-10pm; Friday and Saturday: 10am-12am; during Christmas: December 24th: 10am-2pm; December 25th and 26th: closed; December 31st: 10am – 8pm; January 1st: closed; from January 2nd to February 28th: 10am-10pm every day
Price: Free
Address: Budapest 1093, Fővám tér 11-12
Skates are available to rent for 1,000 HUF for three hours – bring photo ID or a 10,000 HUF deposit.
3/7
City Park Ice Rink
Steps away from Heroes’ Square in City Park, one of Europe’s largest open-air ice rinks is backdropped by beautiful, fairytale-like Vajdahunyad Castle. When darkness descends, pretty lights illuminate this massive space, transforming it into a winter wonderland. Frosty-faced children have heaps of fun, lovebirds skate while holding hands and groups of friends race and then refuel with glasses of mulled wine and hot tea. This is the most popular ice rink in the city, home to many merry scenes.
Open until: the end of February
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm; Saturday: 10am-2pm and 4pm-9pm; Sunday: 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm
Price: 1,000-2,000 HUF
Address: Budapest 1146, Olof Palme sétány 5
Skates are available for rent for 1,800 HUF and a 2,000 HUF deposit.
4/7
Csepel Ice Rink and Slide
Known as an industrial zone, Csepel is hardly ever visited by those who don’t live there. However, as one of the coolest ice rinks in the city is now set up here, you have every reason to head to this outer district. The ice rink awaits skaters of all levels, while a curving ice slide is suitable for racing and performing speedy stunts – and is a perfect location for winter photographs. Hot drinks and cinnamon-scented treats are available at the surrounding wooden huts. Those looking for something a little more special can take the frequent H7 HÉV commuter train south from Pest’s Boráros tér (served by trams 2 and 4-6), and alight at Szent Imre tér.
Open until: February 28th
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 2pm-10pm (on school days); Saturday to Sunday, school holidays and public holidays: 8am-10pm; December 24th: 8am-2pm
Price: 700 HUF
Address: Budapest 1211, Szent Imre tér
Skates are available to rent for 600 HUF.
5/7
Fő Square Ice Rink
Throughout Advent, Fő Square in Óbuda, north of Margaret Bridge on the Buda side, fills with love and laughter thanks to its charming Christmas fair and a free ice rink. Here you can learn how to skate from friendly tutors, and enjoy traditional Hungarian chimney cake and mulled wine while catching your breath between laps. Locals love this annual attraction and flock here every winter.
Open until: March 5th
Opening Hours: every day: 8am-10pm
Price: Free
Address: Budapest 1033, Fő tér
Skates are available to rent for 600 HUF, 400 HUF for children.
6/7
Hotel President Rooftop Ice Rink
However cheesy it sounds, skating after sunset with beautifully illuminated Budapest at your feet while favorite Christmas hits play in the background is simply memorable. For this elevated experience – and a 360° panorama – head to the Intermezzo Roof Terrace atop the Hotel President, now dressed up for winter, where an intimate atmosphere is guaranteed thanks to numbers being limited to 20-25 skaters at any one time. The bar offers all kinds of seasonal drinks, cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate. This 110-square-meter ice rink is the highest in Budapest; head here for a romantic rendezvous and you won’t be disappointed.
Open until: Feburary 28th
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 4pm-8pm; Saturday and Sunday: 2pm-8pm
Price: 990 HUF paid at hotel reception
Address: Budapest 1054, Hold utca 3
A limited number of skates are available to rent for 490 HUF.
