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<\/p>\nHaving spent years in the shadow of its big sister, Prague, the Slovak capital, Bratislava, is finally attracting growing interest as a destination \u2013 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\u2019t leave you yawning. And let\u2019s not forget Bratislava\u2019s nightlife! So here are ten things to do, including beer and a medieval atmosphere, with a dash of Soviet history.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s in immaculate condition today. It\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019t miss out on a stroll with views of Bratislava\u2019s Old Town and the golden spire of St Martin\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcf7 @martinkatler<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Bratislava isn\u2019t just known as \u2018Mini-Prague\u2019 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\u2019s communist-era architecture by 13th-century walls. Start at the Old Town Hall (Star\u00e1 Radnica) on the Main Square (Hlavn\u00e9 N\u00e1mestie) and take a look at the cannonball that has been embedded in the bright yellow fa\u00e7ade since Napoleon\u2019s time. You can then make your way to the Slovak National Theatre (Slovensk\u00e9 N\u00e1rodn\u00e9 Divadlo) and the candy-pink Primatial Palace, which can be visited for just \u20ac3. If you walk through St Michael\u2019s Gate \u2013 a Gothic archway rising 51 metres high \u2013 you\u2019ll 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, caf\u00e9s, bars and shops. The best way to explore the city? Get lost!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 @dulgier<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The capital\u2019s most famous residents stand still \u2013 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\u2019s 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 \u2018Sch\u00f6ner N\u00e1ci\u2019, who is constantly greeting you with his metal hat. On Obchodn\u00e1 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\u2019s a veritable obsession with statues.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 @sebastianmies<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The SNP Bridge is named after the Slovak National Uprising (Slovensk\u00e9 N\u00e1rodn\u00e9 Povstanie), which took place during the Second World War. But you only need to take one look at it to understand why it\u2019s 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 \u20ac7.40, 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.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 @martinkatler<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a fan of communist-era architecture, the Petrzalka district on the other side of the bridge won\u2019t disappoint: here you\u2019ll find imposing grey, square buildings. Walk along the Danube to the Slovak Radio (Slovensk\u00fd Rozhlas) building, a sort of inverted pyramid that is certainly one of the world\u2019s most bizarre buildings. Nearby you\u2019ll also find the half-abandoned Namestie Slobody square and the Kamz\u00edk TV tower, built on the southern side of the Little Carpathians (Mal\u00e9 Karpaty). All in the Soviet architectural style.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 @martinkatler<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s 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\u2019s left of it), which other churches have really<\/u> impressed you?<\/p>\n If we\u2019re recommending a visit to the Blue Church in Bratislava, don\u2019t 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\u2019s more reminiscent of a cake or a cartoon than a cathedral. The Church of St Elizabeth (Kostol Sv\u00e4tej Al\u017ebety) is the work of architect \u00d6d\u00f6n Lechner, who is also known as the \u2018Hungarian Gaud\u00ed\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span> @reiseuhu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The best view of Bratislava is undoubtedly from the statue of the soldier waving a flag atop the 40-metre-high obelisk on Slav\u00edn Hill. But don\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n In Central Europe, there are many places where you can enjoy a hot drink \u2013 just think of the legendary Viennese caf\u00e9s or the trend for caf\u00e9s where you can sample speciality coffees, as is the case in Brno and Budapest. There are 150 caf\u00e9s in Bratislava\u2019s historic centre alone, but if you\u2019re looking for something a bit different and a bit more sophisticated, we recommend venturing outside the city walls. Good Times Coffee Roasters<\/a> is a tiny space, but full of life and cheer, and Mad Drop Brew Bar<\/a> is just the place for you if you\u2019re looking for something youthful and slightly hipster. It\u2019s no coincidence that it\u2019s a meeting place for university students before they head off to lectures. You absolutely must pop into Gorila.sk Urban Space if you\u2019re 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).<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span> @nate_dumlao<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Bratislavsk\u00fd Me\u0161tiansky Pivovar brewery has been in operation since 1752 and serves up one of the capital\u2019s finest Pilsners, just a stone\u2019s throw from St Michael\u2019s Gate. This is the place to stop off if you\u2019re looking for an unforgettable Slovak culinary experience: try pierogi, schnitzel, goulash and bryndzov\u00e9 halu\u0161ky (potato dumplings in goat\u2019s cheese cream and smoked bacon \u2013 a real delicacy). If you\u2019re on a tight budget but still don\u2019t want to miss out on a royal feast, head away from the historic centre towards Obchodn\u00e1, a bustling street where you\u2019ll find the Slovak Pub<\/a>, 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>, 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> hosts the loudest party (and has a very original name too), Nu Spirit<\/a> plays underground music, FUGA<\/a> is for techno lovers and Randal<\/a> is for rock fans. The best strategy, however, is to wander through the Old Town \u2013 the epicentre of Bratislava\u2019s nightlife \u2013 along Michalsk\u00e1 and Vent\u00farska streets, keeping your ears open.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span> @louishansel<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Usually, Vienna is the main destination and Bratislava is just a day trip away. But as you\u2019ve 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 \u2013 at very affordable prices these days \u2013 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 Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace, the imposing City Hall and St Stephen\u2019s Cathedral, the wonderfully fragrant Naschmarkt and the beautiful gardens around the Museum Quarter.<\/p>\n Other places to visit in Bratislava include Dev\u00edn Castle, perched on a cliff, the ancient city of Nitra, and the various vineyards in the Carpathians, which you can visit.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span> @dylu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Of course, there are more and more hostels in Bratislava<\/a>, offering everything from lively parties to a quieter atmosphere. Prices range from \u20ac10 for a bed in a shared dormitory to \u20ac30 for a private room. If you\u2019re 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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 Dream Hostel<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n HostelFolks<\/a> is an unbeatable hostel \u2013 it\u2019s convenient, clean and comfortable, and is situated between St Michael\u2019s Gate and Grassalkovich Palace. Hostel Blues<\/a> comes highly recommended for those looking for a social experience, whilst the Dream Hostel<\/a> is rather chic and the Wild Elephants<\/a> is more of a lively spot.<\/p>\n Discover the hostels in Bratislava!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Having read this list of sights and activities in Bratislava, we hope you\u2019ll never miss out on the Slovak capital again! Quirky architecture, cheap beer and a lively party atmosphere\u2026 What are you waiting for?<\/p>\n Tom Smith is an Australian writer living in Manchester. He\u2019s passionate about sport and travel. He\u2019s already been to cricket matches in Cardiff, football in Fortaleza and baseball in the Bay Area, but he\u2019s got plenty more to look forward to! Read more about Tom here<\/a>.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f Discover Belgium amidst blue forests, battlefields and saxophones<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f Things to do in Vilnius: 9 reasons to hop on the first flight to Lithuania<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n2. Lose yourself in the streets of the historic centre<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n3. Discover all the statues<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n4. UFO sightings<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n5. Visit a church that\u2019s genuinely interesting<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n6. Climb Slav\u00edn Hill<\/h2>\n
7. Enjoy a good coffee<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n8. A night of feasting on ravioli and beer<\/h2>\n
9. FEAST<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n10. Take a trip to Vienna<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n11. Bonus: Book a stay in a fantastic hostel!<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAuthor:<\/h2>\n
Read more: \u2b07\ufe0f<\/h2>\n