In winter, it’s not always easy to brace yourself and get out of the flat for outdoor activity. Fortunately, you can experience real winter pleasures when skating, and there's always a mulled wine to enjoy afterwards. Here's our selection of best skating spots around Budapest.
Read our list of Budapest's best ice rinks in 2023 here.
1/12
Bálna Budapest
This rink is
set on the terrace of the building on the side of Nehru part. Here you are
greeted by a gorgeous view of the Danube and Buda – and you can skate for free
with no time limit. Size: 450 m². Admission: free. Skate rental: yes. Type:
uncovered. More info here
2/12
Bikás park
Until the end of
February, residents of Újbuda can enjoy a free skate as part of the Advent market.
The ice rink here is quite large, surrounded by vendors' stalls. Those who can't skate can find a smaller
play park. Size: 760 m². Admission: 1,000 forints (free for District
XI residents). Skate rental: yes. Type: uncovered. More info here (Hungarian-only)
3/12
Bókay-kert
Here you can enjoy
skating indoors on weekday afternoons and weekends, while on Saturdays, DJ Lotters plays
a few tunes Added to this, there is also a cosy Advent market and celebrity
musicians entertain the crowd with revered Christmas songs. Size: 450 m². Admission: 1,400 forints (HUF 700 for District XVIII residents). Skate
rental: yes. Type: indoor. More info here (Hungarian-only)
4/12
Budapest Park
Until now, you
could only see ice at nightspot Budapest Park in the cubes cooling your drinks, but now you
can use the whole large dance floor for skating with a separate children's
section and an ice corridor as well. Decorated with dazzling lights, the
fairy-tale wonderland gives an atmospheric experience with a special winter
food and drink selection – plus cool music at weekends, of course. Size: 1,300 m². Admission: Mon-Thur 1,499 forints. Fri-Sun & hols 1,999 forints (HUF 749 and HUF 999 for District IX residents
and under-10s). Skate rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here
5/12
Csepel ice park
You can have an unusual skating experience on the former industrial island of Csepel. The skating rink, a replica
of Vienna’s bigger version, has been expanded with a special ice trail in recent
years and a separate space for beginners. All is an easy 15 minutes from Boráros tér by suburban railway HÉV. Size: 2,200
m². Admission: 1,200 forints (for District XXI residents HUF 700). Skate rental:
yes. Type: outdoor + ice trail. More info here
6/12
Hello Buda
Hello Buda first opened
in the summer but since November it has been transformed into a magical winter
land, with festive dishes, skating rink and rental, winter activities and much
more. The rink is tiny, but you can choose from great food and winter
drinks if you don’t feel like skating but still want to enjoy the joys of
winter. Size: 250 m². Admission: 1,000 forints. Skate rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here
7/12
Hunyadi tér
You can enjoy the
joys of winter in the heart of Terézváros, near Oktogon. Until the end of February, there is a
small artificial ice rink at Hunyadi tér, open to visitors on weekday
afternoons and weekends. Admission is free but due to the artificial rink, it’s recommended to rent skates there instead of using your own. Size: 211 m². Admission: free. Skate rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here
8/12
Marczibányi tér
Even in bad
weather, you can enjoy skating here at the Marczibányi tér Recreational Centre,
and while part of the family is skating, the other members can try out
various spa facilities. Size: 800 m². Admission: 1,900 forints. Skate
rental: yes. Type: indoor. More info here
9/12
Müpa
Until 27 February, you can enjoy the Müpa ice rink, with live music, a wonderful
panorama of the Danube, the special tunes of Sena DagaDub, MYGL and Ian
O’Sullivan. The Müpa Tent next to the ice rink will once again feature magical
shows as in recent years. The enchanting story of Kristály performed by cirque danse troupe Recirquel. Music will also be performed live. Size: 300 m². Admission: free. Skate rental: yes. Type: indoor. More info here
10/12
Óbuda
In recent years,
it has become a usual thing to skate aroud the main square of Óbuda in peaceful
winter atmosphere. This season, two free ice rinks await, at Szentlélek
tér and Csobánka tér in Békásmegyer, with hot drinks and delicious
food. Sizes: 375 m²/200 m². Admission:
free. Skate rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here (Hungarian-only)
11/12
Városliget
The largest and
oldest ice rink in Budapest sits by an ornate building and a wonderful
view of Vajdahunyad Castle. It’s fully geared for skaters, the ice rink is large
and everything is family-friendly. Size:
12, 070 m². Admission: Holiday period 2,000 forints, 2nd week Jan-Feb 1,500 forints. Skate
rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here
12/12
Westend Winter Wonderland
After the summer activities,
the Westend roof now awaits visitors until the end of the year. An ice rink, a market,
roast chestnuts, chimney cakes and a carousel entertain the little ones and
the adults alike. Organised by Eötvös10, you can expect more activities atop the
city at weekends. Size: 450 m². Admission: 1,500 forints (available at Westend). Skate rental: yes. Type: outdoor. More info here
