I visited Bratislava after a weekend in Vienna, Austria, and didn’t know what to expect from the city at all! Which is the reason I made this “things to do in Bratislava” guide for you all. For some reason, the name Bratislava sounded a bit scary to me and I was somewhat nervous to go alone.
Not knowing anything about Slovakia, I couldn’t put a finger on why the name of the city had me on edge.
I later figured out that the movie Hostel and the movie EuroTrip were both based in Bratislava.
They both weren’t even filmed in the city itself, but each movie still was able to completely villainize the city. In fact, due to these films, Bratislava lost 75% of its tourism as a kickback!
After stepping off of the bus from Vienna into Bratislava, I realized the movies were completely wrong! Bratislava is a charming mix between the elegant Viennese style and the Soviet buildings that scatter Central Europe.
Bratislava is the capital city in the country of Slovakia and is located in the southwest of Slovakia bordering Austria and Hungary. Before 1993 the Czech Republic (now Czechia) and Slovakia were one country, Czechoslovakia.
I immediately fell in love with this city and wished I could have stayed longer than 2 nights! I still got to explore a ton in that short time and with that, here is my complete guide of things to do in Bratislava!
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Things to Do in Bratislava, Slovakia
1. Go on a Free Walking Tour
One of my favorite things to do when I enter a new city is to go on a walking tour. I really enjoyed the tour I did with Be Free Tours in Bratislava. Even though it was really cold outside for my tour in October, it was well worth being chilly! The tour walks you through most of the main areas of Bratislava and tells you everything you never knew about the city. The walking tour ended up being my favorite thing to do in Bratislava which is why I put it at the top!
They took us to the majority of the hot spots in Bratislava like Hviezdoslavovo Square, Old Town Hall and Tower, and the famous Čumil statue. They are free and run by tips only. Plus, if you go to their site you’ll see they operate a bunch of other different types of tours you can join.
2. Visit the Blue Church (The Church of St. Elizabeth)
If you go on the free walking tour they’ll take you to the Blue Church! This church is a must-see and one of the coolest churches I’ve ever been to. The inside is also blue and at night they light up the outside if you decide to go in the evening. This church is a Hungarian Secessionist Catholic church designed in the art nouveau style and is located in Old Town Bratislava. It was built in the 20th century, so isn’t the oldest church you’ll ever see, but it is so unique and fun to visit!
3. Visit the Primate’s Palace (Primaciálny Palác)
First a blue church and now a pink palace? What more can you ask for in a building? Primate’s Palace is a baroque-classicist palace located in the center of Bratislava. This is the spot where Napolean signed a peace treaty titled, ‘The Peace of Pressburg’ in 1805. Now, this palace hosts the Mayor’s seat and the City Council.
It’s worth walking by just because of the color and the building’s beauty. You can also go inside for a few euros to see the Hall of Mirrors. This is where various concerts take place. I didn’t go inside because I was told it was so-so, however, you can decide for yourself by reading some Tripadvisor reviews.
3. Bratislava Castle
This castle is located on a hill above the old town of Bratislava. It is first spoken about in history books clear back to 907 and is associated with the battle between Bavarians and Hungarians. It was then rebuilt several times throughout history after it has burnt down. Nowadays the inside is home to the Slovak National Museum – Museum of History. This museum is included as a stop you can go to with the Bratislava card, otherwise, you can buy tickets at the door or online.
I didn’t go inside but thought the outside was pretty fun. You’ll also get amazing views of Bratislava and the Danube River below if you walk around the castle.
5. Old Town
6. Čumil
7. The Old Jewish Quarter
8. Michael’s Gate
9. Slavín Hill & War Memorial
This is a hilltop monument and burial ground commemorating almost 7,000 Soviet soldiers that died in WWII while liberating the city in 1945. The views from the top are amazing as it’s situated above the castle! If you want to see more of Bratislava from the top, this is a great option.
10. UFO Bridge and the UFO Observation Deck
Towering about 100 meters in the sky, the UFO Observation Deck is a great place to see Bratislava from above! You can find this bridge within walking distance of the Bratislava castle and it might be some of the best views you can get in Bratislava. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset over the bank of the Danube river. This bridge is also known as the SNP Bridge and was built in the 1970s to commemorate Slovak resistance to the 1944 German invasion.
11. St. Martin’s Cathedral
If you’re a fan of churches (I like to check them out when I’m in different countries) then you’ll want to visit St. Martin’s Cathedral. Unlike the Blue Church, this cathedral is the oldest in Bratislava. It’s known for being the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary! You’ll find this cathedral in Old Town built in the city’s defensive walls.
12. Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
The Dunubiana is an extremely unique art museum located to the south of Bratislava. It opened in 2000 and holds art exhibits from numerous Slovak, European and world artists.
The special thing about this museum is that it’s quite literally on the Danube River and straddles 3 countries (Slovakia, Hungary and Austria). The architecture is incredibly unique and there’s a sculpture garden outside of the museum that you can walk around. If you want a unique view of Bratislava, this is your spot, especially at sunset!
13. Devin Castle and Grassalkovich Palace
Devin Castle is located on a massive cliff with panorama views of the Danube and Morava rivers. These castle ruins are close to Old Town Bratislava and date back to the 5th century B.C. Currently, the castle is a museum that has several exhibits. If you want to avoid crowds, I recommend coming in the morning. Around the area, there are also great hiking and biking trails.
The Grassalkovish Palace was built as the summer palace for the chairman of the Hungarian Royal Chamber in 1760. Now the palace is the official residence of the President of the Slovak Republic. Behind the palace, you’ll find a beautiful park, Hodžovo Square, where you can go walk around to get away from the bustling city.
What to Eat in Bratislava
Here’s a list of a few dishes you’ll want to try while you’re in Slovakia!
- Bryndzové Halušky – dumplings with sheep’s cheese (looks like small gnocchi)
- Kofola – Slovak cola
- Slovakian pierogi dumplings
- Zemiakové placky – potato pancakes with flour and garlic fried in oil
- Šišky – fried dumplings with marmalade and sugar
Where to Eat in Bratislava
Breakfast: Urban House – This is a perfect breakfast or brunch spot. They’ve got great coffee, strong wifi, and an amazing selection of salads, sandwiches, etc.
Lunch: Zylinder – You can come here for dinner or lunch and they’ve got a great selection of Slovak food you’ll want to try.
Dinner: Slovak Pub – At first sight, you might think this place is super touristy because of the traditional Slovak decor. However, there are tons of locals inside enjoying some traditional Slovak food as well! While here, enjoy some traditional Slovak food (I got the sampler). It had some of their famous dishes. Also, try the Tatra Tea if you get a chance. It’s Slovakia’s infamous hard liquor. If you don’t end up trying it here you can get it at any bar in Slovakia!
Where to Stay in Bratislava
Hotel:
This is a 4-star hotel from $70-$100 a night. It’s extremely clean and new! They have a great breakfast and are located close to Old Town.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor | Book a room
Hostel
Hostel Blues
(via)
I stayed in Hostel Blues and really enjoyed my stay while backpacking! In fact, this hostel is where I met some of the coolest people while traveling solo. It’s got a welcoming vibe and is close to Old Town and many restaurants. The hostel is clean and has most of the necessary amenities you’ll need along with a great local staff full of knowledge about the area.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book a room
I hope this gave you a better sense of things to do in Bratislava! If you’re visiting Vienna, Austria then Bratislava is a must-see day trip! Traveling solo in Bratislava was also extremely easy and I met some amazing new friends at my hostel and walking tour that I’m going to be traveling with again!
Also, it is easy to get to Bratislava on Slovak Lines bus from Vienna and can be a great weekend trip. Don’t miss out! 🙂
PIN IT:
I’d love to go to Bratislava. Actually, as soon as you mentioned “Hostel,” I got a creepy feeling about it and then had to wonder what would have inspired the movie to be set there. It looks like a beautiful city. I’d love to see the Jewish Quarter and the Blue Church. I’m going to remember this if I ever have a free weekend in Europe.
Juliann – Browsing the Atlas recently posted…Chris’ Hot Dogs
The sewer statue is Cumil. The artist (Vikto Hulik) was commissioned for the piece in 1997 by the Bratislava magistrate. The specifics were for an interesting statue to brighten up Korzo (the old city). I think there is ambiguity because of the Slavic word translates roughly to watcher. Is he watching people walk by or is he looking up woman’s skirts. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Jenn and Ed Coleman recently posted…Flying High at Eagle Creek Reservoir Indiana
I really want to visit eastern Europe! Bratislava sounds so interesting and looks charming. Would love to do the free walking tour – that’s always a great way to jump in and get to know the city. The food all sounds really delicious too!
Susan Ripley recently posted…Santa Teresa Hotel: Review of Nautilus Boutique Hotel, Costa Rica
That’s really a shame that two movies can have such negative impact on a country’s tourism. The blue church looks beautiful! Would love to visit here, thanks for the tips!
Jen recently posted…5 Excuses Women Use Not to Travel and Why You Should Ignore Every One
I’ve never seen a church quite that color! It’s oddly enchanting! It looks like a great walking town which is good because I would need to work off all the calories from those delicious pastries!
Thank you for showcasing Bratislava — it is a shame that people conflate fact with fiction, and what a lovely city this is! I would love to visit. I am particularly drawn to the Blue Church — such an intense color, very unusual. I also love quirky sculpture, like the sewer worker.
Slovakia is such an exotic destination… at least exotic to me! Love the blue church and the palace. I hope to visit one day soon.
Allison Wong recently posted…Langkawi Cable Car – Review
The Blue Church looks beautiful! That would definitely be top of my list when visiting Bratislava. Did you find any good drinks or bars while in the city? As far as food goes, I’d be all over that Bryndzové Halušky. YUM!
Bratislava (or Slovakia in general) wasn’t on my radar until this post! I really like all the architectures you captured – so unique and magnificent! Especially the Blue Church, looks impressive on the inside and outside!