Budapest in the winter is a truly magical experience. Walking down the city’s elegant boulevards, visitors pass by intricate decorations lighting up entire neighborhoods with a festive glow. Christmas trees start popping up all over the place. On every-other corner you can find a man selling delicious, freshly-roasted chestnuts. As the holidays approach, squares in both Buda and Pest transform into magical Christmas markets, where vendors offer delicious mulled wine, hearty stews, and a wide range of gifts and souvenirs.
As if all of this festivity weren’t enough, during the winter the Hungarian capital also offers a number of great, varied, and scenic spots to go ice skating. Whether you’re alone, with a special someone, or with your entire family, ice skating is one activity you should be sure to make time for during your stay in Budapest.
Ice Skating Budapest: The City Park
If you’ve visited Budapest before, during the warmer months, you may have noticed visitors both young and old paddle-boating amid the swans of the City Park’s pond, floating by the castles and trees that line the shore. In the winter, as the weather turns, a portion of the pond is transformed into what is perhaps the city’s most scenic outdoor ice-skating rink. Open 7 days a week, this truly beautiful spot has been called, rightly, one of the top 10 places to go in Europe during the winter.
The ice skating rink at the City Park, with the iconic Vajdahunyad Castle in the background. Without a doubt, this is one of best spots for ice skating in Budapest (credit:freepik.com)
St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market
While smaller than its cousin in the City Park, the skating rink that is set up each year in front of the imposing St. Stephen’s Basilica has a few key advantages. For one, it is located right in the heart of the city center, just a few minutes’ walk from iconic landmarks such as the Chain Bridge, Liberty Square, and the Parliament. In addition, this ice skating venue is situated right in the middle of an awesome Christmas market, making it easy for you to go straight from skating to shopping, and right back again. It’s also completely free, and reserved for children under the age of 14, It is a great place for youngsters to skate without having to worry about running into adults. And while children skate, parents can socialize, eat, shop, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
A long tradition: people have been ice skating in Budapest for centuries. Here, you can see families and couples enjoying their winter all the way back in 1907! (credit:wikipedia.org)
Bálna Ice Rink
If the City Park and the Basilica aren’t scenic enough for you, wait until you feast your eyes on this great spot for ice skating in Budapest: the Bálna.
The Bálna itself, an impressive glass edifice, serves as an events-center year round. Naturally, during the summer, the space around it is filled with outdoor seating for bars and restaurants, along with lawn-chairs, benches, and picnic tables. Winter time, however, this same area is transformed into a truly beautiful spot for ice skating. Once you’re out on the ice here, you’ll find yourself skating around right on the banks of the Danube. Day or night, the Bálna ice skating rink provides incredible views of the river, Gellért Hill, and the iconic Liberty Bridge. In addition, not only is this ice skating rink free for all ages, you can also rent skates on the spot.
Bonus: Csepel Ice Rink and Slide
If you’re willing to take the time to venture off the beaten path, and are interested in a more challenging, athletic form of ice skating, this is the place for you. Located on Csepel Island, an industrial district located to the south of downtown Budapest, this unique wintertime attraction features both a large ice rink and a special “ice slide”. Here, more advanced skaters can test their skills, while beginners can comfortably learn the ropes nearby. As you careen down an ice slide that winds its way through a tree-filled park, you’ll certainly thank yourself for taking the time to make it out to this truly special experience.
The unique “ice sled” at the ice skating rink in Csepel, a hidden gem of Budapest (credit:freepik.com)
After a long day of sightseeing and ice skating in Budapest, you’ll definitely want comfortable lodgings where you can warm up and unwind in the evenings. Luckily, with its convenient location, cozy rooms, and luxurious accommodations, ESCALA Hotel is the ideal spot for you.
Situated on the Pest side of the city, in the Corvin Quarter, ESCALA Hotel is an ideal base from which to hit the town and experience all that the Hungarian Capital has to offer. Whether your days are spent skating in the City Park, feasting at Christmas markets, or just exploring the beauty that is Budapest in wintertime, you can’t do better than ESCALA.
Want to learn more about Budapest’s winter offerings? Check out some of our other blog posts below:
- Explore a fascinating culture with our piece on Hungarian Christmas traditions
- Find out more about the many things to do in Budapest in winter