As soon as the temperatures drop, ice-skating rinks get set up in different locations around Graz. Many, especially kids, wait all year long for winter to come to go ice-skating in Graz. There is something inherently christmassy about putting on some ice skates and gliding around on a sheet of ice.
Here follows a list of the ice-rinks in Graz. Enjoy having a spin as soon as it gets cold enough for the ice not to melt!
Winterwelt on Karmeliterplatz
The ice-skating rink on Karmeliterplatz is built at the same time as the Christmas markets in Graz and goes on until the end of the year. It is lovely to ice skate with the Schloßberg as backdrop and fun for both children and adults. You can buy day tickets (from 1€ to 5€) or seasonal tickets (from 20€ to 60€) and also rent ice skates (from 3€ to 5€) if needed.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information (in German): grazerwinterwelt.at
Location: map
Hilmteich
The Hilmteich is a small lake in Mariatrost which freezes over when the temperatures drop enough. This usually does not happen until January in Graz, so the ice skating rink opens a bit later than in Karmeliterplatz. It is a very romantic place to ice-skate, with the castle-like café and shop looking over the lake on one side and the Leechwald on the other. On their website it usually says when the lake is ready for ice-skating business, so check back on it regularly (only in German): hilmteich.com
Location: map
Mariatrost
Just underneath the hill of the basilica, you can find this pond which freezes over and is open for skiing in winter (when the temperatures are cold enough for it!). It is very nice because it is immersed in nature, but part of it is reserved for ice hockey and it can get quite busy, due to the fact that the entry is free.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: map
Merkur Ice Stadium
Until the end of 2019 unfortunately it is not possible to come ice-skating here, as there are renovation works going on. But it is still possible to come and watch ice-hockey games.
More information: mcg.at/messegraz.at
Location: map
Ice-skating is one of the typical things to do in Graz over winter. Are you curious to learn about more winter traditions? Find them here.
