Editor in chief at IamExpat Media
Whether you’re a graceful ice queen or a wobbly snowman too nervous to let go of the side, there’s fun to be had at an ice rink near you this winter in Germany! Alongside indoor ice rinks that offer skating year-round, there are scores of other venues that open up specially for the winter months.
Ice skating is one of the most popular wintertime activities in Germany. Ice rinks are not just for the pros who want to practise their pirouettes, but also for anyone who wants a fun day out with family and kids, a cute location for a date, or a different way to shake the seasonal cobwebs loose and get some exercise in.
Most ice rinks let you hire skates, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own. You could even look into taking lessons if you’re feeling particularly unsteady on your feet.
Ready to hit the ice? Here’s our pick of some of the best rinks in some of the biggest German cities.
There are plenty of options out there for people looking for ice skating in Berlin. Here are a few of our favourites that stick around after all the Christmas ice rinks close.
Every year in November, the Grünau lido transforms into a skating winter wonderland: a 1.000-square-metre ice rink and a 25-metre toboggan run provide non-stop skating fun, while winter stalls with food and drink are on hand in case you need refreshments. The Winterwelt Grünau usually remains open until late February.
A short hop, skip and jump away from Hermannstraẞe U-Bahn, Eisstadion Neukölln is the most budget-friendly option on this list, and one of the most popular ice rinks in Berlin. The rink is usually open between October and March, but the season start has been delayed until further notice due to regulation changes.
A great option for all the family, with ice skating classes for all ages, skating discos and curling, Eisbahn Lankwitz is open from November to March each year.
One for the more serious skaters, Eissporthalle Charlottenburg is located in one of the city’s biggest sports venues and offers skating on two rinks - one covered, one open-air - between October and March each year.
From mid-November to March, the Rübezahl ice rink by the Müggelsee dishes out icy fun, whatever the weather. As well as skating on the covered ice rink, visitors can try curling and take refreshments at the rink-side cafe.
And finally, the ice rink with the prettiest views: also set adjacent to the Müggelsee, Eisstrand Friedrichshagen boasts a 600-square-metre rink and welcomes experienced and amateur skaters alike. The tempting smell of fresh fries in the air makes a post-skate visit to the snack bar unavoidable.
If you’re in Munich, plenty of fun on the ice awaits! Try out one of these recommended ice rinks:
Open daily during winter, the ice rink at Olympiapark is where the city’s ice hockey team trains and plays - so you know it's a place that is serious about skating! As well as skating and figure skating classes, the rink offers free skate sessions and disco evenings.
The ice skating season at the Prinzregentenstadion begins in December and carries on throughout the winter. At this huge rink in the east of the city, you can skate to your heart’s content under the lights, spurred on by party music.
This is the place to go if you want to try some speed skating, as the Eis- and Funsportzentrum Ost in Munich not only offers leisurely skating on its outdoor rink but also a 400-metre-long speed skating course.
Back up in northern Germany, Hamburg has got plenty of ice skating options.
The EisArena rink is set in the centre of Hamburg’s famous Planten un Blomen botanical garden and is one of the largest open-air ice rinks in Germany. It hosts club nights on Fridays and Saturdays and has an on-site bistro serving up refreshments. In summer it converts into a rollerblading rink.
Image credit: Elena Odareeva / Shutterstock.com
Not far from the Hagenbeck Zoo, the Eisbahn Stellingen is a sizeable outdoor skating rink with a canopy to protect skaters from the elements. This rink is open six days a week from October onwards and is also where the HSV ice hockey team trains.
Looking to skate elsewhere? Check out our choice for the “best of the rest” ice rinks in Germany.
Glide, flip, jump and spin your way across 9.000 square metres of ice at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt. Whether you’re looking for public ice skating, skate clubs, events or ice hockey games in Frankfurt, they’ve got it all!
Skaters young and old and everywhere in between are invited to take to the ice from October to March at the Eiswelt Stuttgart. Public ice skating, ice hockey and ice discos are all on the agenda at this major rink in Stuttgart. In the summer, the rink is transformed into a space for rollerbladers.
Ever been to a two-story ice rink before? Now’s your chance! Lentpark Köln is the best place to go ice skating in Cologne. It’s open between September and April and, on top of its main skating rink, offers a 260-metre-long skate track on the next floor up! There are also pools and a sauna if you catch a chill.
If you’re looking to hit the ice in Düsseldorf, head to one of the city’s most famous sports facilities: the Brehmstraße ice stadium, a rink that has fostered the talent of an impressive number of top-level skaters. Something to inspire you as you attend the public skating sessions.
Taking the award for the coolest ice rink in Germany is the Zollverein-Eisbahn, a 150-metre rink that takes skaters through the awe-inspiring backdrop of the coke ovens and chimneys of this former industrial complex, now a world heritage site. You can certainly enjoy a fun winter night out here with the ice disco nights and in summer there is a roller skating rink in its place.
Image credit: © Jochen Tack / Zollverein Foundation
Ready to hit the ice and feel like the ruler of the rink? Pack your skates (or your bank card to hire them!) and let’s go! Happy skating.