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
- …normally over 9000m2 of ice
- Rent skates on-site
- Plenty to eat and drink, too
- 2025 dates: TBA (was Jan 19 – Mar 3 in 2024)
- Book a concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Rinks and romance
(The neogothic city hall makes a nice background)
From the middle of 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 700,000 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, for example, includes the raised SKYRINK and viewing platform, which you reach via a long ramp.
But the uniqueness of the experience comes from the 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).
At the previous edition, two small areas were reserved for kids and beginners, with the latter converting 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.
The 2024 Eistraum, for example, included a glass-fronted indoor restaurant (Edison on Ice) offering shelter from any cold weather.
Outdoor stands typically feature a range of traditional Viennese and Austrian winter fare and usually have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. All food and drink is normally organic.
2025 dates, tickets & tips
(Plenty of space during the day)
I don’t have dates for 2025 yet. The previous Wiener Eistraum ran from January 19th to March 3rd. Official opening hours were from 7pm to 10pm on the first day, then from 10am to 10pm.
Tickets can be bought on site, but online tickets are usually available at a discount. Any small areas for kids and beginners are typically 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).
(NB: a mini-version of the Eistraum traditionally opens during the end-of-year advent season, too, as part of the Rathausplatz Christmas event.)
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
P.S. If the Wiener Eistraum is too crowded for you, you can always try the Eislauf-Verein near the Konzerthaus. The open-air rink has less atmosphere, but perhaps more space.