The Best Travel Guide to Bratislava (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Bratislava

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Europe Slovakia Bratislava

Overview

Bratislava The guide was updated: 2024-09-16

With fewer than half a million people, the 'little big city' of Bratislava ranks among Europe's most relaxed capitals since everything is in close vicinity or a short walk away. Vienna (80km) and Budapest (200km) — are also reachable by boat through the river Danube.

Slovakia's capital boasts an old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, and an urban design that allows you to enjoy your visit without exhausting yourself. All this with Central Europe's greatest river as a backdrop.

Facts

Population:	666,000 (2021 estimate)
Currency:	Euro (EUR)
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Emergency: 112 Police: 158 Fire: 150 Ambulance: 155 City Police: 159
Newspapers:	The Slovak Spectator (English) – www.spectator.sme.sk Hospodárske Noviny – www.hnonline.sk/ Nový Čas – www.cas.sk Pravda – www.pravda.sk SME - Bratislava – www.sme.sk
Website:	www.visitbratislava.com
Tourist information:	Tourist Information Centre – Old Town Klobučnícka 2, Bratislava +421 2 16 186 touristinfo@bratislava.sk Opening hours: April–October Mon–Sun: 9am-6pm November–March Mon–Sun: 9am-4pm Lunch break 12:30am–2pm

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Section in Bratislava

Bratislava is not just the political but also the cultural and sporting capital of Slovakia. Owing to its historically multi-ethnic character, the city's cultural scene is a product of various influences: German, Slovak, Hungarian, and Jewish, among others. Bratislava boasts numerous theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs, and foreign cultural institutions. It also has the country's biggest football and ice hockey teams, a purpose-built white-water rafting centre on the Danube, and numerous walking and cycling trails in or near the city. High-quality spa and relaxation facilities are increasingly popular throughout Slovakia and easily accessible. Bratislava has numerous coffee shops and restaurants, offering international as well as Slovak cuisine, including lively bars and clubs.

Bratislava Castle

Bratislava Castle

This national historical monument has a strategic location which was settled in the Celtic and Great Moravian periods. The architecture of the massive rectangular castle with four corner towers was mostly influenced by reconstruction works during the Gothic and Renaissance periods and during the reign of Maria Theresa. In 1811, it burned down and was then reconstructed in the 1960s.

Post-Communist City Tour

Post-Communist City Tour

Funky retro tour in a legendary 70s Czechoslovak Škoda car (or minivan) through off-the-beaten-track places of the city's communist past and recent transformation in Bratislava. The tours are in small groups and the local guides speaks English and German.

Blue Church

Blue Church

Originating from the beginning of the 20th century, the blue church is characterised by the blue colour of its façade with a textbook example of secession style in sacral architecture. Interestingly, a model of it is located in the Mini-Europe Park in Brussels.

Danube by Boat

Danube by Boat

See Bratislava from a new angle — from the majestic Danube river. Take it slow with a river cruise, fly like the wind on a speedboat or even travel all the way between Vienna and Bratislava with the Twin City Liner. Many ships depart from the peers next to the SNP bridge, right in the centre of the city.

Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum

Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum

This modern art gallery is located on the edge of a peninsula where the mighty Danube flows. It is one of the youngest museums of modern art in Europe. The River Danube has lent the museum its name and the rest is the result of the enthusiasm and initiative of the Slovak gallery owner Dr. Vincent Polakovič and the financial resources of the Dutch collector and art patron Gerard H. Meulensteen. It is also reachable by bike via a cycling path from Bratislava city centre.

St Martin’s Cathedral

St Martin’s Cathedral

Saint Martin's Cathedral is a Gothic church with several chapels. It was consecrated in 1452. Between 1563 and 1830, 11 Hungarian kings and 8 queens were crowned here. The cathedral tower rises to a height of 85 metres and is topped off by a gold-plated replica of the royal Hungarian crown.

Michael’s Gate & Tower

Michael’s Gate & Tower

A Gothic gate built in the first half of the 14th century, it consists of a square tower with a walkway on the ground floor. After the reconstruction of the tower in 1960-61, the Town Museum established a Museum of Weapons there. Michael’s Gate is the only city gate that has been preserved of the medieval fortifications and is one of the oldest town buildings in Bratislava.

Old Town Hall

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall is a complex of buildings originating from different architectural periods. It housed the city's government headed by the mayor. The Town Hall's core was established in the first half of the 15th century from the house of Mayor Jacob. Since 1868 it has been the seat of the City Museum, housing an exhibition of town history and feudal justice.

Jewish Heritage

Jewish Heritage

Bratislava, formerly Pressburg or Pozsony, was once one of the most important centres of Jewish life in Europe. Today, the city has an active Jewish community, numerous Jewish heritage sites and two Jewish museums. You can pass by the Heydukova Street Synagogue, visit the Museum of Jewish Culture and the Bratislava Jewish Community Museum, pay your respects at the Chatam Sofer Memorial, the Neolog cemetery and the Orthodox cemetery and many other Jewish landmarks and monuments.

National Saloon of Wines

National Saloon of Wines

Just a few steps from the Main Square, you will find this wine cellars with a collection of 100 best Slovak wines. There is wine tasting for individuals and groups including wine workshop. Beside wine tasting and learning more about the Slovaikan wine from the sommeliers, you can also buy wine, wine literature, cups, carafe, jugs or other wine related items.

Janko Kráľ Park

Janko Kráľ Park

Janko Kráľ Park is a park in Bratislava's Petržalka borough, south of the Danube. It is located in the northern part of Petržalka, bordered by the Danube in the north, the Old Bridge access road in the east, a main road in the south and the Nový Most access road in the west. Located between the Old and the New (SNP) Bridge, this is the oldest public park in Central Europe and one of the oldest central European parks. The massive trees are complemented by small architectural forms: the Gothic gazebo that was originally a tower of the Franciscan Church is the most notable example. Rest in the shade of ginkgo bilobas, dawn redwoods and the gigantic plane tree that is over 200 years old.

Traditional Christmas Market

Traditional Christmas Market

Every year since 1993, between the end of November and December 23rd, Bratislava hosts big Christmas markets in the city centre. Enjoy the advent atmosphere on the squares and streets of the Old town. Taste traditional Slovak delicacies and warm up your body with Christmas punch, honey schnapps or hot wine made of red or black currant. The market is truly popular among locals and tourists, probably the city never gets so reliably packed as it is during the Christmas period.

Nedbalka Gallery

Nedbalka Gallery

The much beloved Nedbalka Gallery showcases works from major artists hailing from or having been formed in Slovakia from the 19th century to the present day. Over 1,000 works of fine Slovak fine art is displayed here, mostly paintings but there are sculptures and prints, too.

Primate’s Palace

Primate’s Palace

Primate's Palace is a gem of Neo-Classical architecture. The original residence of Esztergom Archbishop. It includes a Mirror Hall and a famous collection of 17th century English tapestries depicting the tragic love of Hero and Leander. The palace made history during an important event in 1805: after the battle of Austerlitz, France and Austria signed the "Peace of Pressburg" treaty in the palace.

Grassalkovich Palace

Grassalkovich Palace

Earl Anton Grassalkovich had this Rococo-late Baroque summer palace with a French garden built in 1760. In the 18th century, there was a lot of social activity in the palace and guests included the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn. After some reconstruction in 1996, the palace became the seat of the president of the Slovak Republic.

Biofarma Príroda - Stupava

Biofarma Príroda - Stupava

Only 27km from Bratislava you can enjoy traditional Slovak food and gastronomic specialties like homemade bread and products from sheep cheese surrounded by pure nature on this organic farm, which also hosts several domesticated animals. It is a great place for families with kids.

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