Get your skates on this Christmas.
Whether your ice skating skills are sick or a bit basic, you'll still find Europe’s ice rinks as magical as ever this Christmas. Also, it’s not just during the festive period that you can get your skates on, as there will be plenty of opportunities in January and February as well. Here's a round-up of the best ice skating rinks to twirl around in 2017 and beyond.
Somerset House, London
Image from Somerset House
Dates: 15 Nov 2017 – 14 Jan 2018
Ticket prices: £7.50 - 8.90
Tube station: Temple
Get your skates on at Somerset House this Christmas. Day or night, solo or with friends, this is one of London’s coolest outdoor ice rinks. New for 2017 is 'Skate Lates' - a designer music programme where DJs and artists perform live as you glide for the cameras.
Rathausplatz, Vienna
Image by Christoph Sammer (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Dates: 15 Nov 2017 – 3 Mar 2018
Daily from 10:00 am to 22:00 pm on the 24.12.2017 until 16:00 pm
Closed on 31.12.2017 and from 5.01.2018 until 19.01.2018.
Metro: U2 U-Bahn Station Rathaus
Ticket prices: 7.50 Euro
Price for skate rental: 7.00 Euro
Vienna’s Rathausplatz is magically transformed into an enormous ice skating rink this November. Anyone skating here doesn't have to stay in one ice rink as you can go down several routes towards two smaller arenas. Beers and snacks are available at the main ice rink.
Budget tip: Beginners can skate free of charge in a small area from mid-January, weekdays till 16:00 pm and on weekends all day.
Muenchner Eiszauber, Munich
Image by Flickr/Creative Commons (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Dates: 24 Nov 2017 – 21 Jan 2018
Daily from 10:30 am to 22:00 pm
Metro: Karlsplatz (Stachus)
Ticket prices: 4.50 - 8.00 Euros
‘Munich’s Magic Ice’ is set-up every November in the city's fashionable shopping district at Karlsplatz Square. Bring your friends during the day or invite your Tinder date to glide under the stars at night. For those not massively keen on skating you can treat yourself to some mulled wine at the main rink or watch from the side.
Museumplein, Amsterdam
Image by Roman Boed (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Dates: 18 Nov 2017 – 4 Feb 2018
Times: Sunday through Thursday: 10 am - 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
Ticket prices: 4.50 - 10.00 Euros
Get your skates on and hit the incredible ice rink on Museumplein in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum. Skate along to Christmas party tunes and drink mulled wine to keep warm in the cold.
Kungsträdgården, Stockholm
Image by Jamie McCaffrey (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Dates: 17 Nov 2017 - Mar 4 2018
Times: Weekdays 9am-9pm, weekends 10am-9pm.
Ticket prices: 30 - 70 SEK
Grab your warmest coat and get on the ice this Christmas. During the winter months, the Swedish capital comes into its own. Expect a wholesome atmosphere with stands selling street food and hot drinks, and this being Sweden, the chance of some real snow!
Weihnachtszeit, Berlin
Image © visitBerlin/Scholvien
Dates: 27 Nov 2017 - 29 Dec 2017
Times: Mon-Fri: 12 pm - 10pm
Sat and Sun: 11 am - 10 pm
Christmas Eve (24 Dec): closed
Christmas holidays (25 and 26 Dec): 11am - 9 pm
29 Dec: 12 pm - 9pm
Ticket prices: Admission is free - skates are available for €4.00.
U-Bahn: Alexanderplatz
Situated directly behind Alexanderplatz, this 600m squared ice rink is the showpiece of the Berliner Weihnachtzeit complex. If you would prefer to drink beer and eat pretzels then have no fear, this wholesome Christmas market is surrounded by some of the best pubs in Berlin – very handy when you feel the need to warm up.
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