Vienna has a delightful habit of taking traditional experiences like ice skating and giving them a glorious setting that combines convenience with ambience and authenticity. So it is with the Wiener Eistraum (Vienna ice world)…
- Open-air ice skating across city hall park and square
- (Split-level) rinks and ice trails
- Over 10,000m2 of ice
- Rent skates on-site
- Plenty to eat and drink, too
- 2026 dates: Jan 22 – Mar 8
- Book a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Rinks and romance
(The neogothic city hall makes a nice background)
From mid or late January to late February (or early March) each year, the central Rathausplatz square and park, overlooked by the imposing neogothic Rathaus (city hall), turn into a giant ice skating venue.
Imagine your scarf trailing behind as you glide gracefully (or not gracefully) across the frosted ice, hands clasped behind your back, perhaps warmed by memories of fine coffee and cake (try Sluka just off the square).
You can do this on an area of ice significantly bigger than any premier league football pitch. Which is fortunate, because the Wiener Eistraum normally attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors across the season (about 770,000 last time out).
(Park trails at a previous Eistraum)
The best thing is…it’s not all one broad chunk of ice, although a large rink does sit directly in front of the Rathaus.
This main rink includes, for example, the raised SKYRINK and viewing platform, which you reach via a long iced ramp.
In 2025, a lift and stairs also gave those without skates access to the upper level, where you found a large catering facility with a terrace and 200 indoor seats.
All of which is great, but the uniqueness of the experience comes from the 500m of ice skating routes that curve romantically among the park and trees.
(Classic lighting adds the right ambience; photo taken in a previous year)
You can almost imagine you’re back in the past, strapping on your homemade skates to weave your way through the wooded Austrian landscape (albeit with more lights, smoother ice, safety stewards, and fewer Lederhosen).
One area is typically reserved for kids and another for beginners. The latter area usually converts to bookable curling sheets from 5pm on weekdays.
All lit up at night, the Eistraum makes quite a sight, and Radio Wien also provides accompanying musical entertainment to keep your ears happy, too.
Skate and eat
(You won’t go hungry; press photo © stadtwienmarketing / Markus Wache)
Like most events on the Rathausplatz, such as the summer film festival, food and drink are a big part of the experience.
Actually, to be honest, food and drink are a big part of just about any experience in Vienna.
Outdoor food stalls, for example, typically feature a range of traditional Viennese and Austrian winter fare and have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. All food and drink is usually organic.
2026 dates, tickets & tips
(Plenty of space during the day)
The 2026 Wiener Eistraum runs from January 22nd to March 8th.
Official opening hours last time out were 10am to 10pm.
Tickets can normally be bought on site with online tickets available at a discount. In 2025, the separate areas for kids and beginners were free to use.
Never fear if you forget to pack your skates, either. The Eistraum has hundreds of pairs available for hire, as well as lockers (and even free helmet hire for kids).
Two other open-air ice experiences:
- A mini-version of the Eistraum opens during the end-of-year advent season (November 14th, 2025 to January 6th, 2026 for the coming event) as a complement to the Rathausplatz Christmas event (which usually ends earlier than the ice skating)
- The Eislauf-Verein near the Konzerthaus: the rink lacks the lovely Eistraum atmosphere, but is perhaps less crowded
How to get to the Eistraum
You can easily reach the ice by public transport. The trams 1, 71 and D stop right outside (the stop called Rathausplatz / Burgtheater). Alternatives requiring a short walk are…
Tram: Lines 49 and 46 (both Ring/Volkstheater), 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 (all Schottentor), and line 2 (Rathaus)
Subway: U3 (get out at Volkstheater) and U2 (get out at Rathaus or Volkstheater)
Bus: 1a (get out at Schottentor) and 48a (Ring/Volkstheater)
Address: Wiener Eistraum, Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna | Website