The biggest outdoor ice rink in the Balkans - that's how the attraction was advertised, and it's no coincidence that the place was buzzing from morning to late evening and fun was guaranteed. In 2022, the ice facility was extended around the Demeter Fountain in the Tsar-Simeon Garden. A metal panoramic footbridge was built above the rink itself in the square, which served both as a connection for pedestrians with the square and as a place to observe graceful pirouettes and spectacular slides on the ice.
In February, the attraction left the city under the hills, and everyone was very hopeful that this year we would again be able to enjoy the ice in the very center of Plovdiv. Unfortunately, apparently the company did not come to an agreement with the Municipality and as of today they officially released information on their Facebook page that there will be no ice rink for the 2022/2023 season.
We can still put on our skates and our good mood, however, and take advantage of the facilities near our city:
Sofia
Knyazheska gradina Ice Park Sofia
Sofia is the place where the biggest ice rink in Bulgaria was built this year. The total area is 3,600 sq. m, including 500 m of ice lanes with light frames in the park. It is located in the Knyazheska gradina and is open from 11 am to 10 pm with 4 two-hour sessions per day: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm. The price is BGN 20 per session, and skate rental is also BGN 2. They have a large number of skates, aids, instructors and medical service on site. They are expected to work until the beginning of March.
Zone B-5
For the new 2022/2023 season, the ice rink in zone B-5 opened its doors on the 2nd of December. It is open-air, and the entrance fee is BGN 10. The sessions are for an hour and a half, and the skate rental is BGN 8. The schedule is as follows : 10:00 am -11:30 am , 12:00 - 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm.
Yunak winter rink
It is located outdoors in the Boris Garden, near the Vasil Levski stadium. It only works in winter. There is a wardrobe. The ice rink has a size of 1200 sq. m. It is suitable for beginners and advanced skaters. It has 300 new skates for rent, and instructors and aids are provided for beginners. The slide provides free access for children up to 3 years old. From Monday to Friday between 10:00 am - 11:30 am and 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm children up to 13 years of age can use the ice for free if they have their own skates and don’t hire an instructor or penguin. Entrance with rented skates is 10 BGN, and with your own - 6 BGN. One session is 90 minutes. They start working at 10 am and end at 9:30 pm.
Indoor ice rinks:
Winter Palace of Sports
The complex is located in the heart of Studentski grad. It includes two halls with rinks - a large one and a practice one. The Great Hall has an ice rink of standard ice hockey dimensions. It has frequently hosted world ice hockey championships for men (1994, 2002), youths and juniors. European figure skating and curling championships have also been held here. The ice field in the training hall measures 56/26 meters. It is most often used for amateur free skating, ice hockey training and figure skating. Entrance to the rink is BGN 9, and skate rental is BGN 4. For free skating times, follow their schedule on social media for the week.
Slavia winter rink
The ice field has standard dimensions - 30 by 60 meters, which allows holding national and international competitions in ice hockey, figure skating and short track. Free skating is on Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Entrance is BGN 10, and skate rental is BGN 3. Their schedule doesn’t change throughout the season.
Every Saturday at the evening rink, a raffle is held with many prizes. A DJ takes care of the good mood of the visitors. Anyone can order a song directly on the Facebook page of the Slavia ice rink and the DJ will provide it.
Haskovo
This winter, after a two-year absence, an ice facility is expected to be installed in Haskovo as well. The attraction will traditionally be at the Spartak site. Sessions are two hours long. At the moment, temperatures are expected to drop further so that the rink can be prepared.
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