Is Bratislava worth visiting in Slovakia?
The iconic castle was my highlight.
However, there is fun and quirky architecture throughout the city.
It certainly brightens up the Slovakian capital.
Bratislava is definitely worth visiting.
Following my trip to the city, I have detailed what you can expect, the best time to visit, and whether it is better than its International neighbours.
This Bratislava city guide will answer all of the questions you have about the underrated tourist spot in Europe.
I visited Bratislava in winter time, so got to experience the fun festive vibe, which also resulted in over indulging in the traditional Slovak food, but I wasn’t complaining.
Let me explain which aspects of the city appeal to international visitors.
A beautiful cityscape.
Why is Bratislava worth visiting? Here’s what you need to know.
As most European cities, there are different layers to the capital of Slovakia, all creating a unique blend of history vs modernity.
Here are some reasons why you should add Bratislava to your travel plans.
Learn its vast history.
In terms of historical significance, the Slovakian capital has its fair share of history, dating back through many centuries, which means that there are plenty of must-see places in Bratislava for history enthusiasts.
Bratislava has Mediaeval origins, which are still very much visible in the centre of the city, and contribute towards its unique charm.
Here are 5 Bratislava tourist attractions which offer a tangible connection to Bratislava’s Mediaeval and historical past.
All five are easy to visit, and awesome spots in Bratislava for first-time visitors:
9th Century – Great Moravian Empire and Bratislava Castle.
It was originally built as a fortress during the Great Moravian Empire, however, the castle has been rebuilt over the centuries. More on the iconic structure later.
1291 – Old Town Hall.
This 14th-century structure began to take shape soon after Bratislava was granted royal town privileges. The Old Town Hall is now a museum, and makes for a good central and cheap activity.
1436 – St. Martin’s Cathedral.
St. Martin’s Gothic style church served as the coronation church for Hungarian royalty from 1563 to 1830. I enjoyed a short tour of the cathedral’s interior.
14th Century – Michael’s Gate.
The only remaining gate from Bratislava’s mediaeval fortifications, built in the 14th century. I enjoyed the views of the Old Town from the top of the historic building.
1805 – Primatial Palace.
Back in the 19th century, this elegant palace hosted the signing of the Peace of Pressburg between Austria and France, marking an end to hostilities with Napoleon. Group tours are very popular, and the best way of learning the in depth history of the building.
A typical Eastern Europe scene in Bratislava.
One of many street art murals in the city.
Enjoy a cheap city break.
As prices rise throughout Europe, there are only a few cities which can still be enjoyed at bargain prices, but Bratislava still falls into this category, making it an ideal choice for a weekend break.
Well priced central hotels, walkable attractions, and plenty of free things to enjoy made my cash go a lot further!
The city also has a wide range of affordable dining options, including traditional Slovak eateries, bakeries, and markets, where street food is served, with very generous portions.
The city’s compact size and affordable public transport make it easy to explore all the top sights in a single weekend, making Bratislava a fantastic option for budget-conscious travellers who want a rich European experience without breaking the bank.
Make the most of an alternative European city break before it catches up with other European cities in terms of prices.
Christmas markets in Bratislava.
Admire some unique architecture.
Whether it is iconic castles, colourful churches, or UFO buildings, you don’t have to walk far in Bratislava to find some unique buildings.
Over the centuries, Bratislava has been through different regimes, and this is reflected through its random mix of architecture throughout the city.
Although the newer buildings in the city are of a contemporary style, there are also Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Gothic buildings standing side by side in areas of the city.
A personal favourite is the Blue Church, which stands out next to some bland buildings.
UFO Tower.
You should prioritise heading over the UFO Building to enjoy the panoramic views of the city from its sky bar.
I enjoyed seeing the divide on the horizon, with the castle to the left, and the Old Town area to the right, with the terracotta roofs standing out.
Some colourful architecture in the city.
When to visit Bratislava?
When I explore new places, I love to take part in outdoor activities, and spend time relaxing in outdoor restaurants and cafes, so my recommendation for any European city will always be summer!
However, I actually visited Bratislava in the month of December, which offered a different vibe to my usual summer jaunts to Europe.
Here is a brief breakdown of what you can expect from each season:
Summer months (June - September).
Average temperatures range anywhere between 15°C to 27°C.
Exploring the Old Town is pleasant, as is a beer or two in the main square to cool down.
This time of year opens up trips on the Danube river, and relaxing time in the city’s parks.
Winter months (October to February).
Bratislava was very cold when I visited in the winter, with temperatures ranging between -5°C and 10°C.
Although some of the fun summer activities are off limits, the Slovakian capital had a festive charm throughout the city.
All of the cafes and bars are packed at this time of year which adds some atmosphere to the places.
I still managed to enjoy all of the major attractions, and walking between them warmed me up, along with a coffee and some traditional Slovak food from the Christmas street food stalls.
The iconic blue church.
How long should you spend in Bratislava?
Bratislava is a small compact city, which is walkable for most visitors, therefore, it only takes a few days to tick off its highlights.
I recommend that you plan two full days in the Slovakian capital, which will allow you to explore at a slower pace, while enjoying the bars and restaurants along the way.
The majority of tourist attractions are close to the main square or castle, therefore, you won’t have to add any additional travel time.
Another awesome angle of the castle.
Is Bratislava safe?
Bratislava is generally considered a safe city for travellers, with low levels of violent crime.
Like many European cities, the main safety concerns are pickpocketing and petty theft, particularly in crowded tourist areas like the Old Town.
I didn’t come across any issues during my time in the city, and I was wandering the quieter parts late at night on my own.
A winters day in the Slovakian Capital.
How does Bratislava compare to other European cities?
When answering this question, my immediate thoughts are that it feels more of an authentic city break, with less tourist focused activities, which is great for giving some true insights into the daily lives of the Slovakian people.
One thing which is completely unique to Bratislava, relative to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest is the Soviet era feeling which still surrounds the streets of the capital.
Slovakia doesn't have as much funding compared to its international neighbours, therefore, its cities still feel old, even though the Government is pushing to leave the iron curtain days behind.
Bratislava definitely operates at a slower pace compared to its grander counterparts, with quaint settings throughout the city built around relaxation.
Its charming cafes give the city a cosy feel.
A quirky souvenir shop in the city centre.
Bratislava or Vienna?
Despite Bratislava and Vienna being in such close proximity, they are a world away in terms of infrastructure.
Bratislava is tiny in comparison with Vienna.
I remember walking along the grand boulevards in Vienna thinking that we would go on forever!
I had to use more public transport in Vienna, and the bars and restaurants were much more spread out.
I prefer Bratislava as I felt as though the national culture was a lot more prevalent as I explored.
I did enjoy Vienna’s quirky buildings, grand imperial architecture, and famous café culture, however, as a solo traveller, I found the locals in Slovakia to be more welcoming, which you would expect in a smaller city.
There is a big difference in costs between the cities also, so Bratislava wins on that front also!
Live Jazz music near the main square.
Is Bratislava expensive to visit?
I found Bratislava to be a very affordable city, especially compared to Vienna, and other major capital cities in Europe.
Here’s a breakdown of what my budget was per day:
Accommodation: €60 (Crowne Plaza Hotel)
Food: €20 - €25 (Hotel breakfast, lunch in the main square, and street food from the Christmas stalls).
Alcohol: €10 - €20 - Several beers in the main square.
Transport: €3.50 (I opted for a day pass, but only went on a few journeys).
Sightseeing: €10 - €15 (Entrance into castle and Old Town Hall).
Total: €100 - €120.
This was from a solo travel perspective in a really nice hotel, with a packed itinerary.
You could easily get away with spending €30 - €50 for the day, on a hostel, walking, and more street food and drinks.
Michael’s Gate.
How to get around Bratislava.
As with any European city, there is an abundance of options to get around the city.
As Bratislava is small and easy to navigate, these are the two main options you should use, which fit perfectly into a tighter budget also.
Public Transport (Buses, Trams, Trolleys).
Bratislava’s public transport system is all integrated, and run by DPB (Dopravný Podnik Bratislava), which includes buses, trams, and trolleybuses.
I found these options to cover all of the city, at least for where tourists would want to visit, and it was easy to catch them across Bratislava.
Basic Ticket:
€1.20 for 30 minutes or €1.60 for 60 minutes.
Day Passes:
24-hour (€3.50), or 72-hour (€8), which include unlimited travel.
I purchased my tickets at the machines on the side of the tram stops, however, they can also be bought at the airport, kiosks, or via the DPB mobile app.
Walking was my favourite option.
A big draw of Bratislava is its compactness, which makes walking a pleasure.
With so many famous landmarks so close to each other, and a beautiful picturesque river in the heart of the city, there are some awesome walking routes you can plan.
Bratislava airport to the city centre.
As the M. R. Štefánik Airport is located only around 5 miles from the city centre, it is very easy and cheap to reach your central accommodation.
If you are planning well in advance, you can book an airport shuttle service for around €5 per person, and it only takes 15 mins.
If, like I do, you prefer to play by the moment, and travel light, then there are regular buses from the main bus stop outside the airport.
I took Bus number 61 to the main train station (Hlavná Stanica) for the cost of €1. I always returned to the station to catch the bus back to the airport at the end of my trip.
Taxis are frequent and reasonable also, which is the best option for groups, or travellers with a lot of luggage.
Boat trips are popular on the Danube.
An awesome hotel choice in Bratislava.
I recommend the Crowne Plaza Bratislava as your hotel choice during your stay.
I opted for this global branded hotel as it is located right in the historical centre of the Slovakian capital, and is only a short walk away from all of the main landmarks, and within a pedestrian zone.
I visited in very cold December, so I wanted to ensure that my accommodation was reliable and comfortable after a busy day exploring, and the Crowne Plaza ticked that box for me.
I opted for the Queen Room as it was very reasonable for a 4 star hotel in a European capital in the busy festive month.
With a 8.6/10 rating from nearly 3000 reviews, it is fair to say that Crowne Plaza matched my expectations prior to arrival.
I was really impressed with the breakfast and overall facilities.
Crown Plaza was a comfortable stay in the city.
What I enjoyed doing in Bratislava.
As I was only visiting the city for a few days, I made sure that my Bratislava itinerary was packed full of activities.
Some of my favourite things to do were:
Visiting Bratislava Castle.
As it is so close to the centre of Bratislava, it is easy to visit the iconic castle, so I visited twice.
I headed up to the castle on my first night when it was glowing up the whole city, mainly to walk around its exterior and feel the vibe of the place, which felt pretty spooky during a foggy night.
I then returned on Saturday morning to take a tour of the interior of the castle.
Inside, there is a museum spanning across many of the different rooms inside the castle, and the opportunity to walk around the courtyard, and to climb the towers for awesome views of the city.
As with everything else in the city, the entrance cost is very reasonable at the castle, and it is an activity which will keep you entertained for several hours.
Posing outside of the iconic castle.
Exploring the main square.
Many tourists will spend most of their time in and around the main square (Hlavne Namestie) of Bratislava, as that is where the nightlife scene is, along with some of the famous historic landmarks.
I was no different!
I really enjoyed sampling the different restaurants, and sampling the street food.
I visited at Christmas time which meant the square was filled with street food stalls, Christmas trees, and festive lights.
You can learn more about the festivities in the Slovakian capital in my Bratislava Christmas market guide.
Meeting Cumil.
My two recommendations for activities in the main square, are to climb the Old Town Hall for some great views of the square and city scape, and to pay a visit to the famous Cumil statue, which was created by sculptor Viktor Hulík to add some humour to the city centre.
Whichever time of the day you visit Cumil, there are always crowds grabbing selfies.
Slovakia’s Parliament Building.
Pros and cons of visiting Bratislava.
As with any travel destination, there are pros and cons of visiting Bratislava.
I will start with the benefits of visiting:
Compact and walkable.
The famous tourist attractions are never more than a 15 minute walk away from any part of the centre of the city, which makes exploring more fun, as less time actually commuting.
An affordable option.
Bratislava is one of the more budget-friendly capitals in Europe, with lower prices for accommodations, dining, and attractions compared to nearby cities like Vienna and Budapest. As I visited both Bratislava and Vienna in the same trip, I noticed the significant price differences straight away.
An awesome location.
Bratislava is a great starting point for a multi-centre trip in Europe, with Prague, Budapest, and Vienna all within a couple of hours away.
UFO Building at night.
There are some downsides for certain visitors:
Fewer tourist attractions.
As a smaller capital, Bratislava does have less landmarks and places of interest for international visitors, compared to other major European cities, therefore, spreading your travel itinerary beyond 2 days may be a struggle.
Summer crowds.
As there are fewer attractions, the queues for places such as the castle, along with highly rated restaurants in the main square can be long. Summer months are the busiest, although outdoor seating opens up throughout the city.
Less Developed Nightlife Scene.
Although I found there to be plenty of bars and pubs, Bratislava’s nightlife did seem quieter compared to cities like Berlin or Budapest. I found it harder to find nice bars beyond the main square, however, on a shorter itinerary, it is fine to stay close to the square.
A local street performer.
Love Eastern Europe? I recommend Bucharest.
Having travelled to most countries in Europe, one of my favourite cities is Bucharest in Romania.
If you like a touch of Eastern Europe, mixed in with beautiful architecture, and lively nightlife, then Bucharest is definitely worth visiting.
During my Romania trip I visited both Bucharest and Brasov, with both cities offering completely different vibes. The Romanian capital is very modern and reminded me a little bit of Barcelona, whereas Brasov was a lot more traditional, and felt decades behind the capital.
Brasov is also close to the famous Transylvanian castles.
I would recommend a 5 day trip to Romania, with 2 days dedicated to visiting Brasov and Transylvania, which leaves 3 full days to explore the capital, including its world famous Parliament building.
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