From fairytale castles to nightlife: 10 things to do in Bratislava
Having spent years in the shadow of its big sister, Prague, the Slovak capital, Bratislava, is finally attracting growing interest as a destination – a position it has held since the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Despite its proximity, we know very little about Slovakia. So why not broaden our horizons to a little-known culture by visiting this fascinating capital on the banks of the Danube? In Bratislava, you can explore ancient castles, eccentric statues, delicious and by no means expensive food and drink, and churches that won’t leave you yawning. And let’s not forget Bratislava’s nightlife! So here are ten things to do, including beer and a medieval atmosphere, with a dash of Soviet history.
1. Climb the castle
Start your visit to Bratislava by climbing up to this medieval marvel on a hill: the famous Bratislava Castle. The first stones of this fortress, which is reflected in the Danube and towers over the city, were laid in the 9th century, but the castle underwent a facelift after the Second World War, which is why it’s in immaculate condition today. It’s not hard to spot the castle, as its white colour stands out against the other, darker buildings. This makes the walk up to the castle even more enjoyable: you don’t need a map, you just have to climb up! Inside the walls there is a museum, but the real attraction is the gardens and parks surrounding the castle, which are free to visit. Don’t miss out on a stroll with views of Bratislava’s Old Town and the golden spire of St Martin’s Cathedral.
2. Lose yourself in the streets of the historic centre
Bratislava isn’t just known as ‘Mini-Prague’ because of its cheap beer. The Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow streets and pastel-coloured buildings, separated from the rest of the city’s communist-era architecture by 13th-century walls. Start at the Old Town Hall (Stará Radnica) on the Main Square (Hlavné Námestie) and take a look at the cannonball that has been embedded in the bright yellow façade since Napoleon’s time. You can then make your way to the Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské Národné Divadlo) and the candy-pink Primatial Palace, which can be visited for just €3. If you walk through St Michael’s Gate – a Gothic archway rising 51 metres high – you’ll reach the seat of the Slovak President, the Grassalkovich Palace. The palace also features a beautiful garden, which is open to the public. The entire historic centre is a maze of museums, galleries, cafés, bars and shops. The best way to explore the city? Get lost!
📷 @dulgier
3. Discover all the statues
The capital’s most famous residents stand still – with one exception. The Roland Fountain, also known as the Maximilian Fountain, is situated in the main square and features a statue of a knight who is said to bow at midnight every New Year’s Eve, although only true residents of Bratislava can witness this miracle (no doubt with the help of a few litres of beer). Nearby, you can also spot a labourer peering out of a manhole, known as Cumil. A little further on, a Napoleonic soldier is leaning against a bench, and then you might spot the eccentric ‘Schöner Náci’, who is constantly greeting you with his metal hat. On Obchodná Street, there are a few skateboarders resting on a postbox and a series of circus figures scattered around the Eurovea shopping centre. Even the writer Hans Christian Andersen is there, for whatever reason… There’s a veritable obsession with statues.
4. UFO sightings
The SNP Bridge is named after the Slovak National Uprising (Slovenské Národné Povstanie), which took place during the Second World War. But you only need to take one look at it to understand why it’s called the UFO Bridge, as the structure features a flying saucer which was considered state-of-the-art at the time of its inauguration in 1972. The bridge is 300 metres long and is supported by two piers and numerous steel cables, held together by the UFO. For €7.40, you can climb to the top of the UFO or, if you can afford it, enjoy an expensive meal with a view at the restaurant at the top.
If you’re a fan of communist-era architecture, the Petrzalka district on the other side of the bridge won’t disappoint: here you’ll find imposing grey, square buildings. Walk along the Danube to the Slovak Radio (Slovenský Rozhlas) building, a sort of inverted pyramid that is certainly one of the world’s most bizarre buildings. Nearby you’ll also find the half-abandoned Namestie Slobody square and the Kamzík TV tower, built on the southern side of the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty). All in the Soviet architectural style.
5. Visit a church that’s genuinely interesting
Let’s be honest. Every list of the ten things you should do when visiting a European capital includes at least one church. But apart from the Sagrada Familia, the Vatican and Notre Dame (or what’s left of it), which other churches have really impressed you?
If we’re recommending a visit to the Blue Church in Bratislava, don’t worry: this building is genuinely worth it. In fact, this church looks like something out of a Walt Disney film; with its sky-blue colour, it’s more reminiscent of a cake or a cartoon than a cathedral. The Church of St Elizabeth (Kostol Svätej Alžbety) is the work of architect Ödön Lechner, who is also known as the ‘Hungarian Gaudí’ for his daring Art Nouveau buildings of the early 20th century. Get your mobile phone and/or camera out: the gleaming golden interior and the pastel-coloured structure make for some great photo opportunities.
6. Climb Slavín Hill
The best view of Bratislava is undoubtedly from the statue of the soldier waving a flag atop the 40-metre-high obelisk on Slavín Hill. But don’t worry, you’ll also have a good view from the platform below. You simply need to climb through the most elegant and sophisticated part of the capital to reach this majestic Soviet monument, which commemorates the 7,000 soldiers of the Soviet Army buried on the hill who lost their lives whilst attempting to liberate Slovakia from the Nazis during the Second World War . This somewhat eerie military cemetery is a significant example of Soviet architecture and also offers a spectacular view of Bratislava and its surroundings. Definitely worth a visit.
7. Enjoy a good coffee
In Central Europe, there are many places where you can enjoy a hot drink – just think of the legendary Viennese cafés or the trend for cafés where you can sample speciality coffees, as is the case in Brno and Budapest. There are 150 cafés in Bratislava’s historic centre alone, but if you’re looking for something a bit different and a bit more sophisticated, we recommend venturing outside the city walls. Good Times Coffee Roasters is a tiny space, but full of life and cheer, and Mad Drop Brew Bar is just the place for you if you’re looking for something youthful and slightly hipster. It’s no coincidence that it’s a meeting place for university students before they head off to lectures. You absolutely must pop into Gorila.sk Urban Space if you’re looking for a safe haven where you can read on a comfortable sofa, surrounded by bookshelves full of volumes (and where you can make calls to your constantly worried mums).
8. A night of feasting on ravioli and beer
The Bratislavský Meštiansky Pivovar brewery has been in operation since 1752 and serves up one of the capital’s finest Pilsners, just a stone’s throw from St Michael’s Gate. This is the place to stop off if you’re looking for an unforgettable Slovak culinary experience: try pierogi, schnitzel, goulash and bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings in goat’s cheese cream and smoked bacon – a real delicacy). If you’re on a tight budget but still don’t want to miss out on a royal feast, head away from the historic centre towards Obchodná, a bustling street where you’ll find the Slovak Pub, a real institution where beer flows freely at a reasonable price and food is always available in a traditional pub atmosphere. For a more unusual experience, try the Dunajsky Pivovar, a bar serving craft beer on a ship moored on the Danube in the shadow of the UFO Bridge. Enjoy a glass of South Slovakian wine to get a comprehensive picture of Slovakia.
9. FEAST
Low-cost airlines and cheap alcohol have made Bratislava one of the most popular destinations amongst European capitals, especially for those on a tight budget who still want to party. Viennese people, for example, are used to taking the train to Bratislava on a Saturday evening and returning home the next morning on the first train (on their elbows). The abundance of pubs and nightclubs really evokes the atmosphere of cities like Prague or Budapest. Here are a few tips: The Club hosts the loudest party (and has a very original name too), Nu Spirit plays underground music, FUGA is for techno lovers and Randal is for rock fans. The best strategy, however, is to wander through the Old Town – the epicentre of Bratislava’s nightlife – along Michalská and Ventúrska streets, keeping your ears open.
10. Take a trip to Vienna
Usually, Vienna is the main destination and Bratislava is just a day trip away. But as you’ve seen, the Slovak capital also has a wealth of activities on offer. So why not do the opposite and stay overnight in Bratislava? Vienna is an hour away by bus or train – at very affordable prices these days – but can also be reached by boat on the Danube (slightly more expensive). A day is more than enough to see the main sights of the Austrian capital: the golden Schönbrunn Palace, the imposing City Hall and St Stephen’s Cathedral, the wonderfully fragrant Naschmarkt and the beautiful gardens around the Museum Quarter.
Other places to visit in Bratislava include Devín Castle, perched on a cliff, the ancient city of Nitra, and the various vineyards in the Carpathians, which you can visit.
📷 @dylu
11. Bonus: Book a stay in a fantastic hostel!
Of course, there are more and more hostels in Bratislava, offering everything from lively parties to a quieter atmosphere. Prices range from €10 for a bed in a shared dormitory to €30 for a private room. If you’re prepared to spend a few euros more, the quality improves dramatically. Many hostels are located in the city centre, but if you look further north, near the railway station, you’ll find cheaper options. And remember that everything is close by in Bratislava: you can get off at the station and walk to the Cumil statue in less than thirty minutes.
📷 Dream Hostel
HostelFolks is an unbeatable hostel – it’s convenient, clean and comfortable, and is situated between St Michael’s Gate and Grassalkovich Palace. Hostel Blues comes highly recommended for those looking for a social experience, whilst the Dream Hostel is rather chic and the Wild Elephants is more of a lively spot.
Discover the hostels in Bratislava!
Having read this list of sights and activities in Bratislava, we hope you’ll never miss out on the Slovak capital again! Quirky architecture, cheap beer and a lively party atmosphere… What are you waiting for?
Author:
Tom Smith is an Australian writer living in Manchester. He’s passionate about sport and travel. He’s already been to cricket matches in Cardiff, football in Fortaleza and baseball in the Bay Area, but he’s got plenty more to look forward to! Read more about Tom here.
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