The festive season is upon us, meaning cities worldwide are adorned with decorations, Christmas markets, and of course, ice rinks.
Not only is ice skating a lot of fun (once you get the hang of it), but the ice rinks are often stunningly beautiful.
The magic of a festive ice rink makes for the perfect social media post, but which are the world’s most Instagrammable ice rinks?
The team at Spin Genie looked to Instagram to uncover the most popular ice rinks in the world.
The Red Square Ice Rink in Moscow stands out with a staggering 111,962 Instagram posts, indicating its status as a major attraction. It’s located at the country’s historic GUM shopping arcade, which may contribute to its high visibility on social media.
Despite having significantly fewer posts at 19,974, Wollman Rink in New York City ranks second. Situated in Central Park, it offers a quintessential New York experience that is highly photogenic, particularly with the city skyline as a backdrop.
Wienereistraum in Vienna, with 9,565 posts, is a hotspot for locals and tourists. Vienna is known for its winter culture and festivities, with thousands of visitors capturing and sharing the winter wonderland scenes.
Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, known as the world's largest naturally frozen ice skating rink, has 8,677 posts. It's one of the most unique places to skate in the world, and the scenic beauty of skating along a frozen canal draws significant online attention.
Ice*Amsterdam in the Netherlands, with 8,166 posts, is a favourite for those enjoying the blend of historical city views with the joy of outdoor winter activities, making it a picturesque venue frequently shared on social media.
Skate at Somerset House in London, with 3,188 posts, is set in a neoclassical courtyard and provides a uniquely British ice-skating experience that visitors are keen to share online.
City Park Ice Rink in Budapest enjoys 2,827 posts, and being one of the oldest rinks in Europe, it attracts those drawn to its historic charm and the vibrant cultural scene of Budapest.
Grand Palais des Glaces in Paris, with 2,661 posts, transforms the Grand Palais into an ice-skating venue during winter, offering a blend of art, culture, and recreation that is highly photogenic and share-worthy.
It may be a smaller rink, but the Rink At Rockefeller Center has a significant number of posts (2,321). Its fame is boosted by its iconic Christmas tree and the tradition of skating there, deeply ingrained in New York City's holiday season fabric.
Lasker Rink, with 2,007 posts, is Central Park's other famous ice rink. It offers a more secluded and less crowded skating experience than Wollman Rink, making it a hidden gem of NYC.
Image credit: Red Square Ice Rink. TASS Russian News Agency
