We get it. Berlin winters can be long and tough, and sometimes it seems that hibernating until spring is the best way to survive. But there’s a lot of fun to be had when the temperatures are dropping. Whether it’s to entertain kids, impress a date with your spectacular pirouettes, have fun with friends or just get some exercise, ice skating is one of the most enjoyable winter activities available in Berlin. And there are so many great places to do it! From the Erika-Heß-Stadion in Wedding to Snowtropolis in Brandenburg, here are the best places to skate in and around Berlin.
Tip 1: Family friendly: Eisbahn Lankwitz
This open-air ice-skating rink nestled among community gardens in Lankwitz is run by a family of skating enthusiasts who do their best to ensure other families feel welcome at their rink. They have a skating school catering to learners both young and old and for all disciplines: figure skating, ice hockey or, of course, just for fun.
When: from 12 November 2022, Monday 10am - 1pm, Tuesday to Thursday 10am - 3.40pm, Friday 10am - 6pm, Saturday 12pm - 9pm (ice disco from 5pm), Sunday 12pm - 6pm.
Where: Eisstadion Lankwitz, Leonorenstr. 37, Berlin-Lankwitz
Tip 2: Best value: Eisstadion Neukölln
Just a short walk from the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations at Hermannstraße, this skating rink runs happy hour deals for the final hour of their afternoon and evening sessions. For these hours, the already affordable €3.30 entry tickets are half price – but be warned, it can get quite full at the discounted times. Further discounts are available for kids, students, seniors and others.
When: 1 December 2022 - expected March 2023, Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm, 3pm - 6pm, 7pm - 9.30pm, Saturday 9am - 12pm, 3pm - 6pm, 7pm - 9.30pm, Sunday 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm, Christmas Day & Boxing Day 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm, New Year's Day 2pm - 5pm (Closed Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve).
Where: Eisstadion Neukölln, Oderstr. 182, Neukölln
Tip 3: Best for spectators: Eisstadion Wedding – Erika Heß-Stadion
Named after Erika Hess, a former mayor of Wedding, this stadium has both an indoor and an outdoor rink. The indoor one, however, is mostly used for events and is only open to the public for a couple of hours a day. When you’re tired of skating, check the event listings to catch one of the many figure skating championships that happen here.
When: probably from 1 December 2022, Wednesday to Friday 3 - 5.30 pm and 7.30 - 9.30/22 pm, Saturday 9 - 12 am, 3 - 5.30 pm, 7.30 - 9.30/22 pm, Sundays and public holidays 9 -12 am and 2 - 5 pm (closed Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve).
Where: Erika Heß Eisstadion, Müllerstr. 185, Wedding
Tip 4: Most Christmassy: Eisbahn am Neptunbrunnen in Berlin Mitte
If ice skating is mainly a Christmas activity for you, this is the only rink you’ll need. It circles around the statue of Neptune at the foot of the TV Tower. When you’re done skating to holiday tunes, there's an entire Christmas market full of mulled wine and Yuletide treats to enjoy.
When: 21 November to 30 December 2022, Monday - Friday 12pm-2pm, Saturday - Sunday 11am-2pm, closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, 1 and 2 Christmas Day 11am-2pm.
Where: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 8, Mitte
Tip 5: Best all-weather rink: Rübezahl am Müggelsee
This excellent rink is covered and equipped with side panels, so wind and rain won't affect your spectacular twirls, pirouettes and falls. It’s a bit of a trip to Müggelsee from central Berlin, but it’s worth the journey. The views over the lake are lovely. There’s a beer garden and bistro here as well as plenty of outdoor activities if the weather cooperates. 2G applies.
When: from 12 November 2022 - March 2023, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Müggelheimer Damm 143, Köpenick
Tip 6: For sports enthusiasts of every age - Charlottenburg ice rink
The Eissporthalle Charlottenburg (PO9) has two ice rinks to attract young and old skating fans alike. The covered hall is 30 by 60 metres, modern and bright - with many grandstand seats for watching. Because this is where the SCC and other ice sports clubs train in Charlottenburg in P09. Of course, there are also competitions every now and then. Fortunately, there is a second covered hall, also in competition size. However, it is open on three sides.
Tip: You can roller-skate in Hall II in the summer. The roller skating competitions will also be held here at the 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games.
When: 10 October 2022 to 17 March 2023 | Monday 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., Friday 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. (Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day no public skating)
Where: Glockenturmstraße 14, Charlottenburg
Tip 7: Plenty of choice at Sportforum Hohenschönhausen
On the grounds of the 50-hectare sports forum in Hohenschönhausen, sports enthusiasts will find, among other things, three ice rinks. Many ice hockey teams train in the Wellblechpalast, and professional skaters sometimes compete in the World Cup in the speed skating rink. The recreational area is open to everyone. As a rule, weekends are designated family days and you can use all three ice rinks. If you want to fortify yourself in between, there is a snack bar and two restaurants to choose from.
When: Monday 6pm - 8pm, Tuesday to Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm and 7pm - 9pm, Friday 6pm - 8pm, Saturday 4pm - 6pm and 7pm - 9pm, Sunday 10.30am - 12.30pm and 3pm - 8pm.
Where: Konrad-Wolf-Strasse 39, Hohenschönhausen
Tip 8: Sledding with a view of the Müggelsee: Friedrichshagen ice beach
The Seebad Friedrichshagen is not only worth a visit in summer. During the skating season, a beautiful open-air ice rink awaits you. On 600 square metres of ice, you can pirouette to your heart's content, try curling and melt away with a view of Lake Müggelsee.
When: due to construction work, the skating season does not start until 4 Advent this year, you have to book a ticket online in advance.
Where: Müggelseedamm 216, Köpenick
Tip 9: For speed skaters - Horst Dohm Ice Stadium Wilmersdorf
With its large ice surface of 6170 square metres, the Horst Dohm Ice Stadium in Wilmersdorf has been the place to go for ice skating fans in Berlin since 1974. In addition to the ice rink, there is an Olympic-size 400-metre speed skating rink where you can let off steam. Then it's off to the restaurant to warm up. Due to supply problems, the renovation work is taking a little longer. The reopening is now postponed to December 2022.
When: planned from 1 December 2022 to February 2023, opening hours to be announced.
Where: Fritz-Wildung-Straße 9, Wilmersdorf
Tip 10: Ice skating in the fairytale forest - Temporary ice rink at the Olympic Stadium
Just a few minutes' walk from the Olympic Stadium you will find another sporting highlight this winter season. The garden centre "Der Holländer" invites you to a Christmas excursion into a magically decorated winter wonderland, the centrepiece of which is an ice-skating rink. In front of the rink you'll find a fairytale hut that also offers skates for hire. You can warm up in various tents and fortify yourself for the next round on the ice with hot drinks and tasty food.
Please note: The Holländer ice rink is closed during events in the Olympic Stadium opposite.
When: as of now
Where: Trakehner Allee 1a, Charlottenburg
Tip 11: Iceskating for athletes all year round: Paul-Heyse Eisstadion
This is the place to go when you’re just too fast and skilful on skates for the public rinks or if you simply can't get enough of it! This rink is used by members of the Berlin TSC sport club and is not open to the general public. But fear not! The club has experienced trainers for a variety of disciplines, and is open to new members – even kids as young as four are welcome.
When: separate training times depending on discipline and age group.
Where: Paul-Heyse-Straße 25, Prenzlauer Berg
