Winter in Budapest is magical even after Christmas. You can glide across stunning ice rinks, then warm up with a soak in the hot thermal waters of a historic bath. Here are the best spots to skate this season.
City Park Ice Rink
The oldest, most classic, and largest ice rink is located in the City Park and has been welcoming skaters since 1869. Backdropped by Vajdahunyad Castle (and currently a dazzling Winter Wonderland), the Ice Rink is open both in the morning and evening, from 9 am to 1 pm, and 5 pm to 8 pm on weekdays. On weekends, it's open from 10 am to 2 pm, with additional evening hours on Saturdays from 4 pm to 9 pm, and Sundays from 4 pm to 8 pm. A ticket for adults costs 3000 HUF, with an additional 3000 HUF for skate rental. Prices for families vary depending on the number of children.
If you can, visit on a weekday – it's cheaper and less crowded. But even on busy weekends, the lines move quickly, and the rink is large enough to provide a full-on skating experience even with loads of people.
Details here.
Csepel Ice Park
If you're in for a special skating experience and don't mind leaving the city centre (it's only 15 minutes by HÉV from Boráros tér), head to Csepel! The rink is very charming, especially with all the LED lights, not to mention that here, you can slide through a very cool ice corridor between the skating and the learning rink. For families with young children, there's good news: there's a separate practice rink where little ones can safely try out ice skating.
The entrance fee is 2500 HUF for those over 3 years old, and skate rental costs just 1500 HUF. The rink is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm. You can also get reasonably priced food and drinks, which is definitely a plus. Overall, it's a lovely ice rink, where the boards, larger space, and multiple sections make it a safe spot for beginners and those getting back on skates. Just mind the teens speeding around happily.
Details here (Hungarian only)
Városháza Winter Park
After its debut last year, the ice rink in the heart of the city, located in Városháza Park next to Deák Ferenc tér, has reopened this year. It's a smaller version of the Csepel Ice Rink, with the same charming LED light strings, and even the ice corridor is there.
The entrance fee is 2500 HUF, and for skate rental, adults pay 2500 HUF, while those under 18 can rent skates for 2000 HUF. The rink is open from Monday to Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm, and from Thursday to Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm. Although the rink is smaller than the one in Csepel, it's usually less crowded, and the chances for speeding teens are slimmer too. It's the perfect place to go ice skating with your partner, friends, or family, even if you're not a pro, without worrying about being knocked over or bumped into. The rink is surrounded by a small Christmas market where you can find not only the classic hot tea, mulled wine, and chimney cake but also other delicious treats.
Details here
Savoy Ice Rink in the Buda Castle
This year, a brand new ice rink opened in Budapest, offering one of the city's most breathtaking panoramas! Set against the Royal Palace in Buda Castle, you can skate away with stunning views of the Danube, Chain Bridge, and Parliament.
Also, the winter wonderland also features live DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. Open daily from 12 pm to 10 pm throughout December (and into January), you can enjoy the stunning cityscape, vibe to the music, and sip on mulled wine between skating rounds. Tickets are 3500 HUF, and if you don't have your own skates, no worries – you can rent a pair for 2000 HUF.
Get your ticket online here.
