Slovakia’s capital Bratislava is perfect for a day trip. The city is an architectural beauty and an explorers delight. The Old Town is perfect, almost too perfect to exist. And yet it stands, majestically and proud in this underrated city.
We took a day trip to Bratislava from Vienna. We were contemplating the choice between Budapest and Bratislava and decided to go for the latter, less explored option. And boy did it deliver!
If you’re looking to explore, a quieter city, full of history and culture, you must pay Bratislava a visit! Here is our list of top things you need to check out to make the most of your trip.
Bratislava Overview
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is located along the Danube river. It shares borders with Austria and Hungary. It is a cultural melting pot with Austrians, Jews, Hungarians, Serbs, Croats, Bulgarians, Slovaks, and Germans living together harmoniously.
Until 1919, Bratislava was known by its German name, Pressburg since 1526. The city is the second-largest in Slovakia by area and the largest by population. It is known for its characteristic medieval influence and 20th-century architecture.
Map of Attractions
How To Use This Map: The icon at the top left corner displays the sidebar which has individual layers. This helps you view the destinations as a list. If you click on the tiny star next to the map title, you’ll be able to save this map into your personal library.
The square bracket icon on the extreme top right helps you view the map on a larger screen. If you want to get details on individual locations, you can click the purple markers on the map.
Enjoy your exploration!
Attractions and Things to do
Views from the UFO Tower
Most SNP (Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, commonly referred to as Most Slovenského národného povstania) also known as the UFO bridge is situated across the River Danube. The observatory deck looks like every UFO sighting ever with its flying saucer-like shape.
The UFO tower is the best place to snag that picture-perfect panoramic view of the city. Bratislava at that elevation truly looks like a dream come true. P.S. If you’re lucky, you might also get to see a bit of Austria and Hungary as well!
It is approximately a 20-minute walk from the old town, however, if you’re run down from exploring, I’d suggest public transport. This is also the perfect place to wind down at the restaurant on the deck with the city as a backdrop.
SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE
The second oldest Slovak professional theatre occupying prime space in the capital city definitely warrants a visit. The Slovak National Theatre is a Neo-Renaissance building in Bratislava’s old town. It primarily showcases opera, ballet and drama.
The National Theatre sits mighty and proud in Hviezdoslav Square. Much like a chandelier in your living room. The old hall has glorious architecture from the Imperial times in the 1890s. It was designed by the Austrians Fellner & Helmer, who are responsible for several other buildings of this era.
The fountain in front of the theatre is truly beautiful and depicts Ganymede. The building is adorned with wonderful sculptures, the most important being the Muse of Thalia with two children depicting tragedy and comedy. The perfect representation of stage life.
Statues in Old Town
Whimsical, quirky and a tourists delight! It is impossible to miss these wonderful statues scattered tastefully throughout the city. If you happen across a man near a pothole or paparazzi clicking a picture around a corner don’t be surprised!
The most popular statue is Cumil. He’s a sewer worker poking out of a manhole, sculpted to have his chin resting on his arms. There is no formal explanation for what he’s doing. He could be a lazy worker taking a break, or a man looking up a woman’s skirt. It’s all up to the imagination.
The picture you see above is lovingly known as Paparazzi. He used to stand on the corner of Radničná and Laurinská streets, where a restaurant called Paparazzi used to function. The restaurant closed down so the owners took the statue along. You’ll find this guy at the UFO restaurant now. I hope he finds that perfect picture soon.
HEYDUKOVA STREET SYNAGOGUE
This is the only synagogue in Bratislava, dating back to 1923. It was constructed by the local Jewish architect Artúr Szalatnai-Slatinský. It is a cubist style building and has been listed as a national cultural monument in Bratislava.
P.S. Cubism is representative of a 20th-century art movement. The primary influence of cubism comes from the need for depicting 3-dimensional structures in art. It was spearheaded by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
If you’re interested in learning about a few historical snippets, there is a permanent exhibit of “The Jews of Bratislava and their Heritage” in the gallery upstairs. There are also artefacts recovered from the city’s Neolog synagogue, from the 1960s.
PRIMATES PALACE
The Primate’s Palace is a popular Neoclassical palace standing tall and proud in Old Town, Bratislava. It was constructed between 1778 and 1781 for the Archbishop of Esztergom. Its light pink and white exterior is absolutely beautiful. It creates the perfect allure that makes you want to step inside and explore more.
When you’re inside, make sure you visit the famous Hall of Mirrors. It is a wonderful historical experience with five salons exhibiting period furniture depicting a certain wall colour. Truly a treat to the eyes. Revel in a place where history was created by signing the fourth Peace of Pressburg.
Spend some time to check out the allegorical statues on the roof and the tapestries in the gallery. You’ll love it I promise!
MICHAEL’S GATE
The last remaining gate of the four that guarded Bratislava’s Old Town, Michael’s gate is impossible to miss. It protects the east entrance of the city, is 51 metres high and was constructed in the 14th century. The gate and tower are located on Michalska Street.
The gate gets its name from St. Michael the person and St. Michael the church that stood in front of the gate. Climbing the seven floored tower to be greeted with stunning views of Bratislava’s old town is an amazing and fulfilling experience.
At the top of the tower, you’ll find the statue of St. Michael slaying a dragon. While the history of St. Michael’s gate dates back to the 13th century, its first written mention is in 1411. It’s present Baroque architecture can be owed to its remodeling in the 18th century.
OLD TOWN HALL
The Old Town Hall is a beautiful complex of 14th-century buildings located in the old town in Bratislava. If you’re looking for a place to wind down, enjoy a nice meal or drink and watch the people passing by, then this is the place to be. You’ll love the historical vibe and charm.
The square also houses the oldest museum in Bratislava, The Bratislava City Museum. It is located in the heart of the city between Main Square and Primates Square and is hard to miss.
It prominently displays Gothic Architecture and a myriad of colours.
ST. MARTINS CATHEDRAL
This stunning church is popular for reasons both religious and royal. It is the oldest church in Bratislava where the coronation of Maria Theresa took place. St. Martin’s Cathedral is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bratislava and rightly so.
It is located at St. Rudnay Square and is a three-nave cathedral displaying Gothic architecture. The cathedral has been built on the site of an old Romanesque church from the 13th century.
The church is large and has four chapels.
Fun Fact: Ten kings, one queen and seven royal wives of the Habsburg Dynasty have been crowned at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
DEVIN CASTLE
These ruins are probably the most beautiful ruins in Slovakia that you will come across. It’s a tall order but totally worth the claim. Located approximately 10 km away from Bratislava’s city centre, the Devin Castle is a gram-worthy, postcard-worthy and a 100% visit-worthy attraction.
The castle is easily accessible via taxi. If you decide to opt for public transport, Bus 29 from Most SNP station (under the UFO bridge) will take you there in 20 minutes.
The castle had been blown up by Napoleon’s army and the ruins were later declared a national cultural monument of Slovakia. It is a strategically located castle, situated at the confluence of the Danube and Moravia, at the border with Austria.
There are two paths in the castle, one within (castle and museum) and one outside (along the river bank). Take some time to explore and catch the sunset at this amazing vantage point.
BRATISLAVA CASTLE
The Bratislava castle is a behemoth rectangular castle and the primary castle in the city. Its prime location on a hill overlooking the old town only bolsters its position as a long-standing landmark of Bratislava.
This structure has its mentions in the oldest written scriptures of the city, dating back to the year 907. Over the years the castle has been home to various legends and a site for the coronation of several Hungarian kings. Eleven kings and eight queens have been crowned here.
Visiting the castle is free. However, you need to purchase a ticket to enter the museum. It is quite a steep walk from the old town (20 to 30 minutes) but extremely scenic. So, wear your walking shoes, tighten your laces and get going!
Fun fact: The Bratislava Castle has actually been rebuilt quite a few times in various styles. A stone palace in the 10th century, it was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century, Renaissance style in the 16th century and Baroque style in the 17th century.
HISTORIC CENTRE
Bratislava’s historic centre is perfect for some idle enjoyment and unplanned exploration. You go down a rabbit hole of historic architecture, colourful alleys and palatial buildings. The Old Town is also compact so don’t worry about getting lost in the streets because finding your way back is quite easy. Explore away!
The historic centre is known for many things. Churches, cultural buildings, embassies, the Bratislava riverfront and other important Slovak institutions like the National Council of the Slovak Republic and the Summer Archbishops Palace.
The Old Town is filled with variety and has something for everyone. It has an ample amount of restaurants, bars and cafes for the lazy or tired tourist. History lovers can visit museums to understand and reminisce the bygone era. Tastefully placed statues bring in an element of quirk and humor. A laser light show in the evenings brings in some modern flair. If this wasn’t enough to convince you, I’m sure a nice romantic walk along the Danube will do the trick.
SLAVIN WAR MEMORIAL
A cemetery and war memorial to the Soviet troops killed while liberating Bratislava in 1945, the Slavin War Memorial is a place of sombre allure. The monument was introduced in the 1960s. It was given the position of a national cultural monument in 1961.
The site consists of a Solemn Staircase, a cemetery with 6 mass graves and 6,845 Soviet soldiers and finally, a central solemn hall filled with statues, inscriptions and a white marble sarcophagus.
Located on top of a hill overlooking the city, it serves as a strong reminder of freedom for the people of Bratislava. The statue of a victorious Soviet soldier carrying a flag aims to tell the story of the city’s liberation by the Red Army.
The Bratislava Card
- The Bratislava Card is a tourist card that gives you free admission to 14 museums, unlimited public transport use, a one-hour walking tour of the old town, and discounts on other attractions.
- The card is worth it if you plan to visit the more expensive attractions, take a walking tour and use public transportation. It also turns out to be more feasible if you’re in Bratislava for more than a day.
- We took the 24 hour Bratislava card with the primary purpose of going on the walking tour. We did manage to see a few sites afterwards but I wouldn’t say the expense was completely worth its use.
Bratislava Travel Tips
- Walk. And then walk some more. Bratislava is a city that is meant to be explored on foot. The historic centre is quite compact with all attractions within walking distance. Wear a comfortable walking pair because function over fashion (always) and set out.
- Tipping. If you plan on having a meal here, the traditional way to tip is by rounding off the bill. If you go by percentage, then a 10-15% tip is ideally customary based on the service.
- Best time to visit. The best time to visit Bratislava is between September and October when major festivals take place and the city comes alive.
- Safety. If you have a car, remember that car theft is fairly common in Bratislava so use guarded parking or hotel parking only.
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Bratislava is an amazing destination for a quick day trip from several cities in Austria and Hungary. It’s quaint charm and culturally diverse atmosphere makes for the perfect getaway.
Have you been to Bratislava? What would you add to this list? Let us know.
Until then, Bon Voyage.
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.