BEST THINGS TO SEE
After spending time in Vienna, Austria, I took the opportunity for a Bratislava day trip, as it is only an hour away by bus. I was keen to explore the capital city of Slovakia, since I was so close by, as I’d heard much of its rich history, ancient sites and impressive monuments.
Bratislava didn’t disappoint; it proved to be a pleasant surprise. I visited in November, just as Christmas decorations were starting to surface and really enjoyed the city, in particular the charming Old Town. I took a guided walking tour and then wandered freely on my own afterwards.
These are the best things to see on a Bratislava day trip, if you’re planning to visit this Central European city.
Bratislava Old Town
My favourite part of Bratislava is the Old Town, the historic centre, a lively and colourful pedestrian-only area where I spent most of my time exploring. I enjoyed wandering around the medieval buildings and historic monuments, delightful shops and charming streets.
The Old Town is very clean, with a relaxed pace, quite budget-friendly, and fun to spend a couple of hours immersing yourself in all the sights.
First, I took a guided tour of Bratislava Old Town with a local expert, to learn a little about the history, then discovered some other great spots in the old centre too.
The main sites to see in Bratislava Old Town, and hidden gems are:
- St Michael’s Gate – medieval landmark with a statue of St Michael and the dragon on top.
- St Martin’s Cathedral – the largest in the city, completed 1452.
- Primate’s Palace – a beautiful classical style building, from 1781, is office of the Mayor, and has a hall of mirrors.
- Reduta Building – historical landmark, cultural centre and concert hall.
- Franciscan Church – dating from 13th century, the oldest church in the city.
- Konditorei Kormuth – A cafe / patisserie & small museum, this little gem is a unique shop furnished with historical memorabilia and Renaissance-style frescos, famous for the swan cake.
- Old Town Hall and Clock Tower – a complex of 3 historic buildings, and houses the Bratislava City Museum.
Bratislava Castle
High on the hilltop of Little Carpathians low mountain range sits Bratislava Castle, with 4 corner towers. You can’t miss this imposing monument as you approach the city. The castle dates from 13th century and was a fortress and the seat of rulers.
Inside there are various exhibitions showcasing Slovakia’s history.
If you decide to visit you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and the famous Danube River. A guided tour of the castle is available.
Adjacent, is the Slovak National Parliament building with a beautiful modern flower sculpture, and a restaurant as well.
Bratislava Medieval Walls
Walking around the centre of the city you can see remnants of ancient stone walls. These used to be part of the defensive system, built in 13th century around the Old Town for protection from invasions. The medieval walls were once up to 9 metres high.
Several sections of the walls still exist, near St Michael’s Tower along Staromestská Road, and near Bratislava Castle.
Danube River
A walk along the majestic Danube River, one of the most famous rivers in the world, is a must, where there are many cultural monuments and restaurants, parks and bridges, shops and even a beach.
There are also a number of river sports to partake in, such as kayaking or boating. I enjoyed a leisurely cruise on the river, a fabulous way to take in the scenery and iconic monuments of Bratislava from the water, either during the day or evening.
Read more about the Danube here.
UFO Bridge
The spaceship-looking bridge, completed in 1972, is one of the most striking features of the city and a popular attraction, crossing over the Danube River.
You can tour the UFO Bridge and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its Observation Deck. There is also a restaurant up top for fine dining.
Tip: Choose a clear day to go up the tower.
Slovak National Theatre
A beautiful historic landmark of Neo-Classical style, near the city centre at Hviezdoslavovo Square is the original Slovak National Theatre building.
A national monument and pride of Bratislava, famous for opera, ballet and drama, it was built in the 1800’s, and is an iconic monument worth seeing, preserved in its original design. Inside the theatre is a grand dome ceiling and elegant balconies, with marble, velvet and gilded accents throughout.
Presidential Palace
Located at Hodzovo Square, Grassalkovich Palace is the residence of the Slovak President and is generally not open to the public, but you can stroll the gardens and admire the Peace fountain out front.
A baroque style building named after a Count, built in 1760, the palace is one of the most historic monuments in Bratislava.
Statues
There are many interesting and quirky statues and sculptures dotted around the city, which make fascinating landmarks. Some I spotted whilst strolling are below.
I particularly liked the Kilometre Zero bronze plaque located directly beneath St Michael’s Tower which shows distances from Bratislava to many cities around the world.
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