Hands down, one of my favorite winter activities is ice skating. After growing up in a small town without a rink, I was overjoyed to find that there are many places to go ice skating in Budapest, especially during the holiday period! This is the perfect winter activity before you warm up in one of Budapest’s thermal baths or spas. If you want to glide across the ice, pull on your skates and choose one of these ice skating rinks in Budapest!
City Park Ice Rink (Városligeti Műjégpálya)
Just off of Heroes’ Square, the City Park Ice Rink is probably the most famous place to go ice skating in Budapest–it is the largest outdoor ice rink in Europe after all! What’s more, the rink gives you breathtaking views as you skate around in the shadow of Vajdahunyad castle. The lake (used for boating in the warmer months) is frozen over in November, and this iconic location is transformed into City Park Ice Rink!
Savoy Terrace
Talk about skating with a view! This is the newest addition to the Budapest ice rink scene, and it’s already become quite popular. You’ve probably been on Savoy Terrace without even knowing it–it’s the open terrace in front of Buda Castle that overlooks all of Pest (which, coincidentally, is where they also throw amazing open-air dance parties during the summer). This is already one of the most beautiful spots in Budapest, but this festive addition takes it to a whole other level!
City Hall Square Ice Rink
The ice skating rink at City Hall Square is one of the largest in the city, and it’s open to all ages. I love how central this one is! Since it’s right outside the major hub of Deák Ferenc Square, you get to watch the city pass by as you glide over the ice. If you want to turn this into a whole evening program, leave some extra time to stroll through the City Hall Christmas Market, or hop on the Budapest Eye across the way at Elizabeth Square!
Jégkert Buda Ice Rink
For indoor ice skating, head to Jégkert! You’ve probably passed this ice rink before without even knowing it! It’s just across from Mammut Mall, so it’s super accessible on the 4/6 tram. They offer ice skating lessons (time for your figure skating dreams to be a reality!), so be sure to check their schedule for public skating hours. They also sometimes have Retro Skates with funky music, so keep an eye on their calendar for that!
St. Stephen’s Basilica Market
This is one of the most picturesque outdoor ice rinks in Budapest, nestled in the middle of the Basilica Christmas Market. Although this rink only admits children under 14, there’s still plenty for adults to do, like stroll through the stalls, take lots of festive pictures, and of course, sample all of the classic Christmas market foods and hot drinks! If you go in the evening, you can even catch one of the famous light shows projected onto the face of the Basilica! If you’re looking for a kid-friendly activity in Budapest, this is the place to go!
Szentlélek Square Market Ice Rink (Óbuda)
This Budapest Christmas market is the most popular with locals, and one of the reasons is the large ice rink right in the middle! Even though Szentlélek Square market is out of the city center, it’s still very easy to get to. Just cross over to the Buda side and take the HÉV a few stops north to the square, and there you go!
Go Ice Skating in Budapest
Ice skating in Budapest is the perfect winter activity (and it’s often taken to the next level with jaw dropping backdrops). If you’re ready to strap on your skates (or rent some from the kiosks) and glide across the ice, take advantage of these rinks to enjoy the festive season!
Have fun!
Xx Denae
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