If you are thinking of traveling to Bratislava, Slovakia, you are in the right place. Known as Posonium in the 1st century, the city came under the rule of the Great Moravian Empire in the 9th century. In 1278, Hungary seized the city and the city remained the capital of Hungary for about 500 years. The city, which became the capital of Slovakia with the establishment of Czechoslovakia, remained as the capital of an independent state under German rule for a certain period of time. With the split of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, it reached its current status and became the capital of Slovakia.
The fact that Bratislava has been under different dominations throughout history, especially being the capital of many sovereignties, has caused a cosmopolitan structure in the city. Today, the influence of different cultures, from Bratislava cuisine to literature; It is seen in many areas from festivals to architecture.
Although Bratislava is quite a small city, it is definitely one of the capitals to be seen. Bratislava, which we can consider as the meeting point of Central Europe, has managed to preserve its traditional structure, unlike most European cities. The historical part of the city, called Stare Mesto (Old Town), is the area where the traditional structure is most preserved and the most touristic spot.
The city, which has a beautiful architecture that makes you feel like you have traveled in time while walking on its streets, also contains dozens of touristic points to be seen.
You can enjoy nature, taste the delicacies of Slovak cuisine, visit structures that smell of history, and have fun in Bratislava’s colorful nightlife in the city, which is beautiful in all four seasons. Don’t forget to take pictures with the statues that will accompany you in the city and enjoy the bridges over the Danube.
Where Is Bratislava?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Bratislava. Bratislava is the largest city and capital of Slovakia, bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, and Hungary to the south. It has a special place among capitals since it has borders to two different countries (Austria and Hungary). It is located exactly on both banks of the Danube in southwestern Slovakia. It is approximately 60 km from Vienna, 200 km from Budapest and 330 km from Prague.
When To Go To Bratislava?
Bratislava is located in the Central European climate zone and the city has a continental climate. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold and rainy.
The period from the beginning of May to the end of September is the ideal time to visit Bratislava. However, due to the continental climate, there is a significant temperature difference between day and night in every season, so it is useful to take a cardigan or a thin jacket with you for evening coolness in spring and summer months.
From June to August is the best time to enjoy cultural festivals and ice cream bars on the sun-warmed streets. However, if you like calmness, you should consider that the city receives heavy tourists especially in July and August. You can use your preference since April and October.
September-October is also the time when the crowds decrease and the city’s parks take on the colors of autumn. Also, the jazz gesture in the city will be a nice option for jazz lovers.
If you are thinking of visiting Bratislava in winter, you should act knowing that a harsh winter awaits you. Especially for winter sports lovers, the season starts in Bratislava as of November. In December, you can enjoy the Christmas lights despite the increasing cold.
Best Places To Visit In Bratislava
Bratislava is a small but sympathetic city. It contains historical and natural beauties intertwined. On the one hand, you can stroll along the cobblestone side streets of the old city center by looking at the historical buildings, or you can take a walk on the banks of the Danube and enjoy nature. There are interesting separate areas in the city for those who like more modern buildings and those who love communist architecture.
When these features are added to its proximity to popular travel destinations, it has become an indispensable part of Central Europe tours. You can add Bratislava to the middle of your trip, or you can set off only for Bratislava if you wish. 2 days will be enough to enjoy the city and discover the must-see places.
Bratislava Castle
The history of Bratislava Castle dates back to the 9th century. Although it was badly damaged in a fire in 1811, it was rebuilt after the end of World War II. The castle, which is now the symbol of the city, is among the places to be seen. You can watch the breathtaking view of the Danube and Bratislava from here. Even when the weather is clear, you can see parts of Austria and Hungary close to the city.
The castle is a little outside of the city center, but it is also possible to reach the castle by walking on pleasant roads. Another reason to visit the castle is the History and Archeology Museum it houses. In the museum, you can learn about the history of Bratislava and visit different exhibitions.
St. Martin’s Cathedral
Bratislava’s largest cathedral, St. Martin’s Cathedral began to be built in the early 14th century and was opened to visitors in 1452. It has hosted the coronation ceremonies of many kings throughout history. The Gothic-style cathedral is located between the old city center and Bratislava Castle, within easy walking distance.
Michael’s Gate
Michael’s Gate, built in the 14th century, is one of the four remaining gates from the walls surrounding the city. The gate, one of the most important symbols of the city, is 51 meters high with its tower. From the terrace in the tower you can enjoy the view of the Stare Mesto area and visit the Weapons Museum under the door. The “zero milestone”, located just below the tower and showing the distance of Bratislava to 29 other capitals, is one of the must-see details.
Baštová street, right next to the door, is worth seeing as the most romantic street of Bratislava with its stylish bars and restaurants.
St. Elizabethan Church
Designed by Ödön Lechner, who adopted the Hungarian Art Nouveau movement, St. Elizabeth Church, built at the beginning of the 20th century and born in Bratislava, St. Dedicated to Elizabeth. Above the church door of St. There is a portrait of Elizabeth. The church is also known as the Blue Church due to the intense use of blue on the interior and exterior. The blue colored mosaics used inside St. It represents Elizabeth’s miracles. You can reach the church by walking from the old city center on the street named Bezrucova.
Primate Palace
Designed by Melchior Hefele, the Primate Palace was built in the 1770s in honor of archbishop Jozef Bathyány. The palace, one of Slovakia’s most beautiful architectural jewels in the classical baroque style, is also important because it is the place where Napoleon signed the “Peace Treaty of Pressburg” in 1805.
Located in the center of the old city district, the Primate Palace now serves as the Mayor’s Office and is also home to the city council. You can visit the famous “Hall of Mirrors” room in the palace where various concerts are held, and you can see the collection of 17th century tapestries made in the weaving factory of the British Crown. Located in the courtyard, St. George’s Fountain is also among the must-sees.
Bratislava Town Hall
The town hall, which was built in the 13th century, consists of three separate houses. Bratislava Town Hall is the oldest city hall in the country, as well as the oldest stone building in Bratislava. It is also home to the city’s oldest museum, the Bratislava City Museum, which was founded in 1868. Inside the museum there are various exhibits about the history of the city, various instruments of torture, original furniture belonging to the municipal court and the old city dungeons.
The top of the tower of the town hall offers visitors a spectacular view of the city. In addition, the inner courtyard hosts festivals, concerts and Christmas markets. The Town Hall is located in the heart of the city between the main square named Hlavne Namestie and the square named Primacialne Namestie where the Primate Palace is located. The Roland Fountain, located in Hlavne Square and in front of the town hall, is among the must-see places.
New Bridge (Novy Most) & UFO Observation Tower
Located on the Danube, Novy Most is the 7th largest hanging bridge in the world. It connects the area called Stare Mesto with the Petrzalka area. There is an open-air observation point built between 1967-1972 on the bridge, which is called the UFO Observation Tower due to its design. From here the whole of Bratislava can be seen panoramically. Besides the perfect view, you can also dine at the restaurant in the tower. You can reach the bridge by walking just a few minutes from the old city center.
Bratislava Statues
You should be prepared for the statues that will come your way as you wander through the quaint streets of Bratislava. It is possible to see these sculptures, which have become the focus of attention of tourists, especially in the old city area, around the main square.
The sculpture named Čumil, which extends its body from the manhole cover, which has become one of the most important symbols of the city since it was placed in 1977, is located at the junction of Laurinská and Panská streets. According to the rumors, there are two meanings that the statue represents. The first is that he is a classic communist-era worker, and the second is that he looks under the skirts of women.
Another of the famous statues of the city is the statue named Paparazi. The statue, which appears to be taking pictures of the people around, used to be located at the intersection of Radničná and Laurinská streets, but nowadays it is inside the restaurant in the UFO Observation Tower.
Unlike the statues in the city made of bronze, only the statue named Schone Nacı was made of silver. Another feature that distinguishes Schone Nacı from other sculptures is that it represents a person who existed in real life. The statue represents a man named Ignac Lamar who lived in Bratislava as the 20th century was approaching. It is also rumored that a man who always wears a hat is disappointed in his unrequited love for a woman, so he goes mad and gives flowers to women in the streets.
The statue representing the Napoleon soldier on the benches next to the Town Hall in the Main Square is among the important statues of the city. The story of the statue is based on Napoleon’s arrival in Bratislava in 1805. It is said that the statue named Hubert, who is said to have fallen in love with a native woman of Bratislava, settled here and became a wine producer. The name Hubert is also Slovakia’s most popular wine brand.
Transportation In Bratislava
When you travel to Bratislava, you should also know how to get there. Since the tourist areas in Bratislava are concentrated in a very small area, you will most likely not need public transport on your trip. However, if you want to use public transport, bus, tram and trolleybus lines are available in the city and operate between 04.30-23.00. In addition, there are 20 N-coded lines that you can use if you come to the city late.
Night buses have two main stops: the main train station, Hlavná Stanica, and the famous square in the city center, Hodžovo Námestie. There is a point you should not forget about night buses: Since these buses do not stop at every stop, you have to press the buttons at the bus stops to stop the driver when you use the night buses.
You need to buy tickets for all public transport. You can buy tickets from yellow ticket machines at bus stops, stands or small kiosks that sell newspapers. There are 15, 30 or 60-minute ticket types, as well as daily or several-day tickets. You can also use different vehicles for the duration of the ticket you buy.
After purchasing your ticket, do not forget to activate your ticket at the ticket machines in the vehicles, random checks are made and the penalty for being caught with an inactive ticket is quite high.
You can also buy a Bratislava City Card, a tourist ticket. It has two outlets: the Airport and the Primate Palace. In addition to free public transport, the card also provides discounts on admission to museums, galleries and different tourist attractions.
There are also different things like cafes, restaurants and shops where it offers discounts. But if you don’t plan to use a lot of buses, the ticket you buy will not be worth the money you pay. Before your trip, it would be better to decide whether or not to buy the card by looking at the discounts it will provide you.
Renting a bicycle is also among the options you can use for urban transportation. Although it is not possible to say that the bike paths are very good, vehicle drivers have a very friendly attitude towards cyclists. In addition, the flat structure of the city, with the exception of Bratislava Castle, will facilitate your use of bicycles.
Although taxi transportation is not a preferred method in Bratislava, if you are going to choose it, you should pay attention to the fact that the taxi you take is a taxi company. Self-driving taxis are much more expensive and dangerous. In this regard, you can get on according to the company names written on the taxis or you can ask the locals to call a taxi for you. A few of the most well-known taxi companies are FunTaxi, HappyTaxi and Trend.
Apart from these, tram number 1 or 2 and bus number 61 to go from the train station to the airport; For the city center, you can use the trolleybus number 210 and the bus number 93. Bus number 78 goes from the bus station to the city center.
Bratislava Cuisine
Your trip to Bratislava continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Bratislava. Slovak cuisine has its origins in ancient times, when people produced their own food in traditional ways. Although it does not have certain patterns and definitions, it also contains the flavors of Austrian, Hungarian and Czech cuisine with the effect of events experienced in history as well as its own flavors.
One of the most important features of Slovak cuisine is that it has very satisfying dishes. Meat, potatoes, meatballs and cheese are generally used in meals; Served with thick and delicious sauces. In addition to these, especially cabbage has a special place in Slovak cuisine as a vegetable. Sauerkraut is very common in different cities of Slovakia, as well as in Bratislava.
Dairy products are very popular. Fresh and natural production is important for dairy products. Soup and cheese varieties are preferred before the main meals. Local fruits and jams are generally used in desserts in Slovak cuisine.
Portions in Slovak cuisine are also quite large. Larger portions are preferred at lunch compared to dinner.
Bratislava is the most beautiful city where you can try Slovak cuisine. Prices are very reasonable compared to other cities in Europe. There are huge main courses that you can share with two people at very reasonable prices. For this reason, it would be good to ask the size of the portions before placing your order. There are many restaurants and cafes where you can taste traditional flavors, especially around Stare Mesto.
Bryndzové Halušky is one of the traditional dishes. It consists of potato patties served with cheese made from sheep’s milk. Potato pancakes called Lokse are among the must-try ones. In addition to these, you can also try the soup made from cabbage called Kapustnica before the main course. If you want to choose chicken, the schnitzel called Rezen, served with potato salad specific to Slovak cuisine, will be a good option.
Slovak cuisine is rich in food as well as drink. When you go to Bratislava, there are alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options of Slovak cuisine that you must try.
One of the most popular drinks is zincica, a soft drink made from sheep’s milk. It can be a nice refreshing option in summer, especially for dairy lovers. There are different types, but the slightly denser type called Urda is the best.
Shopping In Bratislava
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Bratislava trip with shopping? There are many options for shopping in Bratislava. If you want, you can go to the big shopping malls, or you can visit the shops selling antique and design products spread throughout the city. In addition, open-air markets where everything from food to souvenirs, from books to clothes are sold are also among the must-sees.
When you cross the river from Stare Mesto, you can reach Aupark and Polus, which are the biggest shopping centers. Eurovea Gallery, located between the Old Bridge and the Apollo Bridge, is the newest shopping center in the city. In addition, if you are interested in design products and brands, you can find the stores of world-famous brands in these shopping centers.
If you’re into antiques, you can find small shops scattered around the streets, especially in the streets of Sedlarska and Michalskas in the Korzo area. You can find antiques in the Baroque style as well as many pieces from the post-communist period. You can also try to bargain in such shops. The shop called U Stare Hodinara on Zidovska street sells antique clocks. If you are interested in antique furniture, you can visit the Baroque Furniture Store in Manesovo Square in the Petrzalka district.
It is a popular tradition for Bratislava families to shop at the city’s markets on weekends. In these markets, you can find hundreds of food types to different shoe brands. The biggest of these markets, Central Market Mileticova, can be easily reached by public transport. If you can think of it, especially on Saturdays, the market is the most active day.
The Old Town Indoor Market Nam, SNP, located in Stare Mesto, is among the must-see markets. It is more touristic than other markets in the city. Inside, from souvenirs to different types of beer; You can find different things from ethnic stores to bookstores.
Bratislava Nightlife
Bratislava’s nightlife is as lively and lively as it is during the day. It hosts cocktail bars, pubs, nightclubs and stylish restaurants with different concepts. You can go to a cocktail bar and try different flavored mixes, drink Slovak beers in pubs or enjoy the night in a stylish restaurant.
Hviezdoslavova Square and the pedestrian-only Korzo area can be shown as the heart of nightlife. Especially Venturska, Panska, Michalska and Sedlarska streets are very lively at night. For a more cosmopolitan crowd, you can choose the city center.
Beer Palace on Gorkeho street will be one of the most stylish pubs in the center, as well as offering delicious food and will provide a nice experience. The Dubliner’s Irish Pub on Sedlárska Street is also a popular tourist attraction. The 1st Slovak Pub on Obchodna street reflects Slovak traditions and has 14 rooms inside that represent Slovak history.
If you like to spend time outdoors, you can enjoy large and small bars in the “Bermuda Triangle” area of Bratislava, located at the junction of the Clock Museum on Zidovska street. Especially Beblaveho street is full on summer nights.
Malecon in Mostova, Paparazzi in Laurinska and Greenwich Pub in Zelena would be good options to try different cocktails in Bratislava. For a different experience, you can try different flavors at Bratislava’s secret cocktail bar, Michalska Cocktail Room. The bar is located on the top floor of a bistro on Michalska street.
If you want to dance, you can choose night clubs. A few of the most popular are: Trafo Music Bar, KC Dunaj, The Great Club, Duplex and SubClup. KC Dunaj is located on the 4th floor of an old warehouse in SNP Square. In the club where parties of different styles are held regularly, music suitable for the style of the night is played. Trafo Music Bar is located under an 18th century palace on Venturska street in the Stare Mesto district. A minimalist design dominates the interior.
It is an attractive club for visitors with its 15 meter long bar and parties with different concepts. The Great Club includes a restaurant and a nightclub. It is located on Suché Mýto at the back of the Presidential Palace. Although the average age of the club is 23-36, there are also locals, although there are many tourists. If you wish, it is possible to reserve a private table by reservation in advance. When you travel to Bratislava, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Bratislava Public Holidays
- Slovak Republic Proclamation Day (1 January)
- Epiphany 3 Kings And Christmas (January 6)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Victory Day Against Fascism (May 8)
- Feast Of St. Cyril And St. Method (July 5)
- Slovak National Day Of Resistance (29 August)
- Constitution Day Of The Slovak Republic (September 1)
- Feast Of St. Mary (September 15)
- All Saints’ Day (November 1)
- Freedom And Democracy Struggle Day (November 17)
- Christmas (24-25-26 December)
Useful Information For Bratislava
- Police: 158
- Ambulance: 112
- Emergency Help: 112
