The Viennese Ice Dream Is Back: Glide in an Elevated Sky Rink with Pre-Warmed Skates

Winter Wonderland Is Back. If winter in Vienna had a signature event, it would be the yearly Viennese Ice Dream in the middle of the city that turns the area between Burgtheater and Rathausplatz all the way to the Parliament building into a glowing maze of ice, light, and movement. Whether you’re a first-timer wobbler on the ice or you count among the experienced skaters who know how to graciously pick up speed, your smile is guaranteed.

Rathausplatz, Vienna. Photo: tolga ildun/Shutterstock

From 5 pm onward, the beginner zone will switch gears and become a curling rink, while the professional tracks will stay open for friendly matches with friends, family, or coworkers. It is competitive if you want it to be, casual if you do not.

Rathausplatz turns into a huge ice rink from January until March in Vienna, Austria’s capital. Photo: tolga ildun/Shutterstock

One of the highlights is, without a doubt, the layout itself, with the ice spread across four large rinks and through scenic paths that snake through the park. Visitors will also enjoy a new addition, the elevated SKY RINK, for an even fresher perspective. 

Thanks to a viewing platform on the first floor, skaters will get the chance to glide above the crowd with the Rathaus and Burgtheater as a dramatic backdrop. It is hard to think of many skating experiences quite like this, anywhere else.

No gear? No problem! The on-site rental service has around 2,000 pairs of pre-warmed skates, covering sizes from 23 to 52. Helmets and double runners for smaller children are also available free of charge, as long as supplies last. If you bring your own skates, you can have them sharpened there, and there are plenty of lockers to stash your things. Booking tickets and services online comes with a 10% discount.

The city also keeps the focus on access and movement. On school days, kindergartens, schools, and daycare centers can skate for free between 10 am and 4 pm, an offer that brings around 45,000 children onto the ice each year. Reduced-price skate rentals are available as part of the program.

You can get there by tram, subway, or bike, with multiple lines stopping nearby and plenty of bike parking around City Hall.