Bratislava is a medieval city built on the banks of the Danube River and is one of the largest college towns in Europe. As you walk through the city, you will discover its architectural heritage with impressive buildings, bronze statues, and churches that seem to have come straight out of a fairy tale. Its location is unique as it is surrounded by Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.
Below you will find detailed information on what to see and do in this beautiful capital city.
The Renaissance Castle in Bratislava is the most famous landmark of the capital. It is considered a symbol of the city, as it played a significant role in its development. Inside the castle, you will find the National Museum, the Treasury, and the Museum of Folk Music. Climbing up the castle, you will have the opportunity to admire a stunning view of the whole city.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 10:00-18:00 on Mondays: Closed
Ticket price: Adults 10€, Students 5€.
Official Website: http://www.bratislava-hrad.sk/
Wandering around the city you will come across many bronze statues, with many people wanting to take a souvenir photo with them. Starting from the main square, you will meet Schöner Náci, who constantly wanted to entertain people by turning the pedestrian street into a theatre stage.
Another of Bratislava’s most famous statues depicts a worker observing. One of the reasons for its creation is rumoured to be symbolism for the oppression by the Soviet regime. Another version is that he is looking at the skirts of passing girls.
Χάιδεψε το κεφάλι του για να σου φέρει τύχη
The Cathedral of St Martin, built in Gothic style, was the centre of the royal coronation of 19 kings and queens. Its most iconic feature is the golden crown on top, which weighs 300 kilograms.
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday 09:00-11:30 & 13:00-18:00. Saturday 09:00-11:30 & Sunday 13:30-16:30
Price: Free for entry to the church, €4 for the catacombs, choir and treasures.
Official Website: https://dom.fara.sk/sk/
The gate of St. Michael is the entrance to the old town and is the only one of the four gates that survived from the medieval fortification. It is the “Ground Zero” from which the kilometric distances of 29 capitals, including Athens, are measured. Above the gate is the seven-storey Michael’s Tower, 51 metres high, which stands out from most other parts of the city. Inside the tower is the Weapons Museum, where you can see weapons, cannons and walls.
Coming out of the gate on the left you will find the narrowest house in the whole of Europe
Walking through the cobbled streets of Bratislava you will see crowns on the street, which symbolize the route to the coronation of Hungarian kings. These crowns start in the Old Town and end exactly at the place where the coronation took place, i.e. at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
The Devin Castle is located within breathing distance from the center of Bratislava. It is built on a rocky hill. This particular monument was blown up by Napoleon’s army, and what remains are the ruins you will encounter. Enjoy the breathtaking natural landscape through an unparalleled view.
Hours of operation: Monday: Closed, Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-18.00
Price: April-October 8€, November-March 4€, students, seniors and children from 6-15 years old 4€.
Official Website: https://muzeumbratislava.sk/hrad-devin
Medieval towers, majestic and historic buildings dominate the Old Town. In the main square Hlavné námestie stands out the old stone building of the town hall, which today houses the town history museum. If you visit it, you will have the opportunity to see exhibits from Slovak culture. Walk along the cobbled streets and let yourself go and let the romance of the town run free.
Opening hours of the History Museum: Monday- Sunday 10:00- 18:00.
Ticket price: Adults 8 €, students 4€
Official Website: https://muzeumbratislava.sk/
One of the largest shopping streets in Bratislava, where you will find a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Church stands out for its height, its curious blue colour and its Art Nouveau elements. This church looks like something out of a fairy tale and is preferred for weddings and baptisms. It was designed by architect Edumnd Lechner, who paid special attention to the decoration. Entering the interior you will feel the tranquility it offers.
Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday 06:30-08:00 & 17:30-19:00 & Sunday 07:30-12:00 & 17:30-19:00.
Price: Free
Official Website: https://modrykostol.fara.sk/info
On the SNP bridge you will find the modern side of Bratislava. This bridge connects the old city with the southern suburbs. Visit the original “UFO” platform and you will find yourself at a height of 95 meters and have the opportunity to admire important sights of the city. There is the observatory, which offers an incredible view and the restaurant, which gives you the opportunity to taste traditional Slovak dishes. To enter you have to pay 7,40€. We recommend you to be there at sunset time.
As we visited Bratislava at Christmas, Hviezdoslavovo námestie square had wooden houses with the smells of traditional Slovak food, mulled wine and decorations that quickly put you in the Christmas mood. At this flea market you can buy souvenirs, jewellery and even clothes.
A cruise on the Danube River will give you a different perspective of the city, with cruise ships departing from the left bank of the river. A single cruise costs an average of €7. However, you have the option of booking a cruise which has Vienna as its final destination for €33.
This monument was designed by Jan Svetlick to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in the Second World War. The first thing you will see is the 42-metre-high obelisk, with the soldier’s statue standing out in the background. You’ll see the tombstones, on which are the names of the 6845 soldiers who died during the liberation of the city from Nazi troops.
You can buy the Bratislava Card, which gives you free entry to 18 museums in the city, unlimited rides on public transport, free guided tours by a special guide and discounts in restaurants and shops.
Price: 24 hours 20€, 48 hours 25€, 72 hours 28€
Official Website: https://card.visitbratislava.com/
Slovak cuisine is influenced by Austria, Hungary and Germany and most dishes are dominated by pasta, vegetables, meat and thick sauces. Don’t miss the sausages, jota soup, struklji and strudel. Their national dish is Bryndzove Halusky, i.e. pasta with cheese and bacon.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast and coffee at Enjoy Café, continue your meal at Gatto Matto Panská and in the evening we have a surprise place for your cocktail. Michalska Cocktail is a bar you have to try to locate. However, it’s worth it as, the element that makes it unique is the hidden entrance through a wardrobe and the special flavours in the cocktails.
In the shops we suggested above, as in most of Budapest, you need to make a reservation. Otherwise you will either wait in long lines or they will not let you sit without a reservation.
Bratislava is a very small city, which is easily walkable on foot. However, it does provide a fairly good public transport network if you want to use it for your commute.
Means of public transport
Public transport is well developed and includes buses, trams and trolleybuses. For the most part, buses serve the suburban areas, while trams and trolleybuses serve the city centre. The frequency of services varies between 10-20 minutes.
Bratislava is divided into 10 zones, so the ticket price depends on the zone you want to go to and the duration of the trip. The ticket must be purchased in advance, as tickets are not sold inside the transport. You can buy tickets from special machines placed at stops or from kiosks.
Price:
Children under 6 years old get on the transport for free, while children aged 6-15 years old have a 50% discount.
Official Website: https://imhd.sk/ba/public-transport
By Car
If you want to park your car in the city centre from 8:00-16:00, parking is paid and free of charge on weekends. The way to pay is at the vending machines that only accept coins, or by texting 2200. The three safest streets to park your car are Svoradova, Zámocká & Zochova.
Official Website: https://www.visitbratislava.com/informations/parking/
Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0 g/l.
Bratislava Airport is called Letisko and is located very close to the city centre, just 9 km away.
Bus 61
Bus 61 will take you to Bratislava Central Train Station in just 25 minutes at a cost of just €1.20. Depending on where you want to go, you can continue on foot, take bus 93 or tram 1.
Taxi
A taxi will get you to the centre much faster, paying on average 15€.
Tram No 1 and 2 from the train station to get to the centre.
If you have a large suitcase, bicycle or pet with you, you need to buy an extra 15′ ticket.
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