The best skating rinks in Budapest

A genuine Budapest classic, where generations have grown up and learned to skate. Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes’ Square and the trees provide the backdrop around one of Europe’s largest rinks, in a Christmas card setting. No wonder thousands of locals and tourists come back to City Park year after year.

Time Out tip: Aim to get here earlier in the week, when not only are there fewer skaters on the rink, but admission is also cheaper.

Address: Olof Palme sétány 5, 1146 Budapest

Opening times & prices: Until Feb 23 Off-peak Ft 3,500 (€9; Mon-Thur 9am-1pm, 5pm-9pm & Fri 9am-1pm). Peak Ft 4,500 (€11.75; Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat 10am-2pm, 4pm-9pm, Sun 10am-2pm, 4pm-8pm)

Csepel Ice Park is one of the biggest winter surprises of recent years: those willing to venture a little further out of town will find not just a regular ice rink in District XXI, but a complete festive experience, with ice corridors, a light tunnel and learning zones.

Time Out tip: To reach the Ice Park, hop on the regular suburban HÉV train from Boráros tér to Szent Imre tér ten minutes away – regular tickets and passes apply.

Address: Hollandi út 8, 1211 Budapest

Opening times: Until Feb 28 Daily 8am-9pm. Check for changes on holidays

Expect to pay: Ft 2,500 Ft (€6.50). Skate rental/sharpening Ft 2,000 (€5.25)

Buda Ice Rink, near the main transport hub of Széll Kálmán tér, is one of the most popular winter rendezvous in town. Its spacious indoor rink comfortably accommodates experienced skaters and those after a casual spin with friends.

Time Out tip: There are separate time slots for public skating and organised groups, while heated changing rooms with showers and a safe make this facility particularly user-friendly. You can replenish your energy with hot drinks and a quick bite in the snack bar. For something more substantial, head up to the Ice Garden above the rink – skaters receive a discount.

Address: Bakfark Bálint utca 2, 1027 Budapest

Opening times: Daily 11am-11pm – check booking slots

Expect to pay: Ft 3,990 (€10.40). Skate rental Ft 2,990 (€7.80)

The Winter Adventure Park and Christmas Fair Ice Rink by City Hall in the heart of town has become one of Budapest’s most spectacular festive venues in recent years. Sliding through its ice corridor is an experience worthy of a slushy Christmas movie. The carnival atmosphere, the delicacies available at the stalls and the regular events complete the picture.

Time Out tip: Go after sunset to glide through the tunnel of light in all its glory.

Address: Városháza park, 1052 Budapest

Opening times: Until Jan 31 Mon-Wed 8am-8pm, Thur-Sun 8am-9pm

Expect to pay: Ft 3,000 (€7.80), skate rental Ft 3,000 (€7.80), deposit Ft 5,000 (€13)

After the summer festival season, outdoor concert venue Budapest Park is transformed into a winter wonderland. In the middle of its huge Skate Park, you can glide around the Christmas tree, and the whole area is decked out in festive decorations.

Time Out tip: This year, there are more lights than ever thanks to new visual elements, extra photo spots, UV-lit ping-pong and glowing stalls serving hot drinks – dress warmly to stay here for a while.

Address: Soroksári út 60, 1095 Budapest

Opening times & prices: Until Feb 1 Off-peak (Mon-Thur 4pm-9pm) Ft 2,499 (€6.50). Peak (Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm) Ft 3,499 (€9). Children (flat-rate) Ft 999 (€2.60)

The square outside Újpest Town Hall at the end of blue metro line M3 in north Pest turns into a communal Ice Terrace in winter: the picturesque surroundings of the square provide the perfect backdrop for this family-friendly attraction. The grandiose town hall building, the lights of the square and the surrounding cafes provide the backdrop, the local atmosphere a world away from the tourist hubs of the city centre. And it’s free! (Nominal fee for skate rental…)

Time Out tip: Enjoy a warming soup or cocoa before or after – there are several options around this major square.

Address: Szent István tér, 1042 Budapest

Opening times: Until Jan 4 Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-2pm & 3pm-8pm

Expect to pay: Free! Skate rental Ft 1,300 (€3.40)

Hello Buda is a year-round gastropub in the Buda hills, which transforms into a self-named Winterland in winter. A cosy ice rink appears the middle of the food trucks and terraces, with fairy lights, music and hot drinks. It's like a small mountain ski village snuggled up in residential Rózsadomb.

Time Out tip: The experience here is as much about the delicious food and drinks as any skating action, so for all you rink-shy wallflowers out there, this is the one for you!

Address: Törökvész út 93A, 1025 Budapest

Opening times: Mon-Fri 2pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-9pm

Expect to pay: Ft 2,500 (€6.50). Skate rental Ft 2,500 (€6.50)

The green heart of Újbuda, Bikás Park, doesn't miss out on the winter fun. By the playground and the running track, the outdoor ice rink becomes everyone’s favourite meeting place. A little bar alongside dispenses mulled wine, tea and snacks.

Time Out tip: If there’s snow, you can take your sledge up the slopes by the rink, with plenty of cafés nearby to warm up afterwards.

Address: Bikás park, 1119 Budapest

Opening times: Until Feb 28 Daily 8am-8pm

Expect to pay: Ft 2,000 (€5.25)/children Ft 1,000 (€2.60). Skate rental Ft 1,200 (€3.10)

A homely, classic local skating rink on Horváth Mihály tér, where groups of friends and families take advantage of free skating all through the day. Glitzy it’s not, but little ones learn to skate, teenagers get their first kiss and locals discuss the issues of the day. Magic.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of cafés, bakeries and restaurants nearby for a warming drink and a bite to eat.

Address: Horváth Mihály tér, 1084 Budapest

Opening times: Until Feb 1 Daily 8am-8pm

Expect to pay: Free! Skate rental Ft 800-1,600 (€2-4)