Top 10: Things to Do in Bratislava
Making your way to the Slovak capital city of Bratislava? Lucky you! One of the smallest capital cities in Europe, Bratislava easily makes up for its size with buckets of charm, fantastic food, and an incredible cultural heritage to discover. Today at Civitatis, we’re running through the top 10 things to do in Bratislava. Make the most of your trip and hit the city’s main attractions, along with some activities more off the beaten track. Poďme na to (let’s go)!
Top 10 Things to Do in Bratislava
- Take a Free Tour of the City
- Go to Bratislava Castle
- Indulge in the Local Cuisine
- Take a Stroll/Cruise along the Danube
- Discover the City’s Unique Bronze Statues
- Experience the Nightlife
- Go on a Wine Tasting Excursion
- Explore Malá Fatra National Park
- Visit the City’s Museums
- Get a View of the City at Night
1. Take a Free Tour of the City
Often, we suggest that the first thing you should do when you arrive in a new city is take a guided tour, and the same goes for Bratislava. On this free tour of Bratislava, you’ll pass by the city’s most significant landmarks, from Bratislava Castle to Michael’s Gate—the only city gate preserved of the medieval fortifications, built in around 1300. Another highlight of the tour is the beautiful Old Town Hall—if you get the chance, climb to the top of it to get some of the very best views of the city.
If walking around the city isn’t your thing, take a look at the Bratislava tourist train and discover what the city has to offer, in style!
2. Go to Bratislava Castle
Perched over the Danube River, Bratislava Castle stands as the crown jewel of the city’s skyline, and is a symbol of its rich heritage. The castle has a long and storied history, dating back to 907 AD—since then, the iconic structure has housed Celtic rulers, Great Moravian magnates and Hungarian kings. Incredibly, in 1811, a fire destroyed the palace, and it would be left in ruins until the late 1950s, when restoration works began. Explore its gardens, walls and gates, or head inside and enjoy exhibits from the National Museum of Slovakia.
On this Bratislava Castle & Cathedral Free Tour, you can climb up the hill to the castle grounds, from which point you can see the structure up close and get a fine view of the city and the Danube River. What’s more, you’ll get to see the parliament building and the breathtaking Bratislava Cathedral (St. Martin’s Cathedral) along the way.
3. Indulge in the Local Cuisine
Bratislava boasts a wonderful (and relatively affordable) gastronomy, which incorporates Slovak, Hungarian and Austrian cuisines, among others. The most famous Slovak dish is bryndzové halušky which consists of boiled lumps of potato dough reminiscent of gnocchi, served with a soft sheep cheese and often bacon along with chives or spring onions. It’s absolutely delicious, though we recommend sharing a plate of bryndzové halušky, as it can be quite filling!
To get a taste of some of the local delicacies, check out this Bratislava food tour, which is accompanied by a local tour guide. Stroll through the city’s historic cobbled streets and try duck pate, local wine, pastries and more along the way. With Civitatis, you can also enjoy a multi-course traditional meal at the Zylinder Cafe, which is worth checking out, especially if you’re a foodie!
4. Take a Stroll/Cruise along the Danube
Cutting through the city, the ‘beautiful blue’ Danube River is the second-longest river in Europe and an ever-present element of Bratislava. While you’re in the city, we recommend taking a nice stroll along the river banks. Along the way, be sure to stop off for lunch or a coffee in a local café or restaurant, and also visit the Botanical Gardens!
Alternatively, if you’d like to see the city from the water itself (and maybe get your blood pumping), have a look at this 60-minute private speedboat tour of Bratislava.
5. Discover the City’s Unique Bronze Statues
One of the loveliest quirks of Bratislava are the various curious bronze statues which are scattered around the city. Across Bratislava, you’ll discover such statues as the Napoleonic army soldier, Čumil (a sewer system worker peaking out of a manhole), the Skateboarder Girls, Hans Christian Anderson among many more… Go find them!
6. Experience the Nightlife
If you’re more of a night owl, you might be interested to check out the bars and clubs in the city. Bratislava has a lively nightlife for a city of its size, with plenty of fantastic locales specialising in wine and beer, especially in the Old Town. Bukowski Bar is a favourite among locals and travellers alike, and it stays open late into the night.
7. Go on a Wine Tasting Excursion
If you’re at all interested in wine, you’ll love this one. On this Little Carpathian wine day trip, you can explore the region which has been renowned for its vineyards for over 2000 years. You’ll make your way through the historic royal towns of Svaty Jur, Pezinok and Modra, and Red Stone Castle, and also enjoy a tasting in a traditional winery.
Don’t have long enough in the city for a day trip, but still want to learn about Slovak wines? On this Bratislava wine tour, you can taste some of the country’s most exquisite wines at the Slovak National Collection of Wines and the Museum of Viticulture and Oenology.
8. Explore Malá Fatra National Park
If you’re staying for more than a few days in the Slovak capital city, you might consider taking a day trip to Malá Fatra National Park—an area with breathtaking mountain scenery, pristine forests, diverse wildlife, and so much more. On this Žilina + Malá Fatra National Park Day Trip, you can discover some of the highlights of the park, visiting Vrátna Valley, the UNESCO-listed village of Terchova, and Snilovske Peak, which sits at an altitude of 1524 metres (5000 ft).
9. Visit the City’s Museums
There are lots of fantastic museums to explore in Bratislava. The Slovak National Museum is a network of 18 museums located all around the country, 8 of which are located in the capital city. The SNM – Museum of History is one of the most significant elements of the Slovak National Museum, boasting a collection of approximately 250,000 items, from the Middle Ages to present day, all housed on the grounds of Bratislava Castle.
Another one worth checking out is the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, which features a wonderful collection of modern art, from figures of the Slovak, European and global art scene. To make an afternoon of it, you can get to the museum via boat, and enjoy a cruise along the Danube as well!
10. Get a View of the City at Night
When night falls in Bratislava, the buildings light up, including the wonderous city castle. You can see the city illuminated in the darkness of night on this Bratislava at Night Tour. A highlight of this tour is a stop at the UFO Tower—a symbol of Bratislava, located at the end of the New Bridge. The iconic tower features a 95-metre (311-ft) observation deck, which provides one of the best views of the city.
Well, there you have it: our top 10 things to do in Bratislava. Truly, there’s plenty to do in this charming Slovak city. If you’re still looking for inspiration for your travel itinerary, check out more activities in Bratislava with Civitatis. Šťastnú cestu (have a nice trip)!
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