Ice skating season has begun!

Christmas time is approaching and with the cold that you have been feeling outside, you are probably thinking that there is nothing better than just stay at home next to the fireplace, with a warm drink and Netflix by your side. Wrong! Budapest offers you an infinite number of ways to enjoy the cold weather.

Ice skating season has begun with the official opening of Varosligeti Mujegpalya, Budapest’s Outdoor Ice Rink in the City Park. Located right next to the famous Heroes’ Square, Varosligeti Mujegpalya is the oldest and still functioning ice rink in Europe. It is open since 25^th of November until mid-February (Winter Season). On weekdays you can skate from 9am until 1pm and from 5pm until 9pm. On Saturdays, from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm until 9pm. Sunday opening hours are exactly the same ones as Saturdays. However, the rink closes one hour earlier in the afternoon, at 8pm.

You do not need to be an expert to go ice skating at Varosligeti Mujegpalya! You just need a little bit of courage. If medical assistance is needed the required services are provided by the organization itself. A specialized team provides non-stop medical services within the facilities during the opening hours. Nevertheless, skating at Varosligeti Mujegpalya is safer than you can imagine and it is also easy to get a grip on as long as you are eager to learn!

Visitors are allowed to bring their own skates. However, if you are a beginner at this practice, you can choose to rent skates at the entrance. In order to rent them, you need to provide the organization with a personal identity document with a photo, which will work as a deposit. Cash deposits are also accepted. There are four different rental rates that might be paid in advance - visitors can rent skates for one to four hours! If you wish to rent skates for one hour an amount of HUF 800 is required. For two hours you will need to pay in advance HUF 1 500. If you want to skate for longer prices will reach and go above HUF 2000. For instance, a three hour rental will cost you HUF 2000 while a four hour rental will require you to pay only HUF 400 more (HUF 2 400). If you exceed the prepaid hours, an amount of HUF 400 will be charged for each additional half-hour period. Rental hours start to count at the moment you receive the first pair of skates. Nevertheless, visitors might be given 10 minutes in addition to the original rental time in order to change skates and clothes. More important than this is that you bear in mind the opening hours of the ice rink when selecting rental hours. You should also check beforehand the most frequented sessions otherwise you may have to wait in line!

Rental rates are not included in the price of admission to the rink. Under the age of 6 entrance is free of charge. Students can benefit from lower prices. On Mondays and Tuesdays, during the whole day, adults can get into the rink for HUF 1000. On the other hand, students (when providing eligible proof) may only pay HUF 800. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, all day, and on Friday mornings, adults pay an entrance fee of HUF 1 500 while students may only pay HUF 1000. On Saturdays and Sundays, all day, and on Friday afternoons, students can also get into the rink for HUF 500 less than adults. Adults will be required to pay HUF 2000 while students HUF 1 500. You can also save money by purchasing entrance passes! There are two different arrangements for students. For groups of more than ten students, based on prior arrangement, on school days and only in the mornings, there are group tickets for HUF 300. Students can also purchase a pass for 12 sessions for the price of HUF 11 500. Adults might purchase the same pass for HUF 6 000 more, for HUF 17 500.

Another important information that you need is how to get there! Varosligeti Mujegpalya is located at Olof Palme sétány 5, close to Heroes Square’ and right next to Vajdahunyad castle. To get there you can take the M1 underground to the Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square) stop and walk around 2 minutes along Műcsarnok (Art Gallery). There are also two different buses stopping right in front of the main entrance (No 75 and 79).

We hope you are planning on visiting this amazing place! Do not forget to bring your friends with you so you can all enjoy properly the winter in amazing Budapest. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Until then,

Egészségedre!