Slovakia! Such a beautiful and neat country! On this trip we just were able to touch the tip of the western side of Slovakia by visiting its capital, Bratislava, but I would love to go back and visit some of the stunning national parks and maybe ski at a few resorts!
Bratislava is a city that many tourists skip over because they are anxious to move onto Budapest or Vienna, but if you’re already touring along the Danube make sure to stop by the “Little Big City”. Its smaller size was a refreshing break for us!
“Alright, you’ve convinced me Bethany, what should I see?”
Well, I’m so glad you asked! Here’s my top 5 things to see in Bratislava!
#1 : Michael’s Gate
Michael’s Gate is a Medieval remnant that is now an iconic piece of Bratislava’s cityscape. The area around the gate is known as “Old Town”. You’ll truly get a sense of that historic feel as you stroll along its cobblestone streets and explore one of the many cafes.
If you’re interested in getting a neat glimpse of the city, it is possible to climb up to the top!
While Chris and I were strolling through the area, we enjoyed hearing some local musicians and being a part of the charming European atmosphere.
#2: The Church of St. Elizabeth (The Blue Church)
This striking blue church should definitely be on your “must see” list when visiting Bratislava. To my knowledge, the interior of the church is only open during services, but a glimpse at the exterior is what most people are after. I would recommend going across the street (and waiting for traffic to clear) to get the best possible photo of the church in its entirety.
This church can be a little tricky to find since it’s located more in a residential type area. My recommendation is to have the Slovak spelling: “Modrý kostolík, Kék templom” handy. This way you can have locals direct you if needed.
#3: The President’s Palace:
The Presidential Palace is located north of the Old Town and Main Square area. It’s a little bit of a hike but worth seeing where the president of Slovakia lives! Unfortunately most visitors are unable to tour the inside (with the exception of the one day per year that it opens)! If you happen to be in Bratislava in the month of June, check the dates to see if you’re lucky enough to tour it! The gardens to the back are also impressive.
#4: Hviezdoslavovo námestie/ Old Town:
Hviezdoslavovo námestie is a town square that is a charming part of Old Town. It includes the National Theater, high end restaurants, a beautiful tree lined cobblestone path and fountains! Yes, it is as charming as it sounds. Take a walk down the street and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Merely a block away from this square is the famous bronze statue “Man At Work” that features a little bronze man popping out of a manhole cover. To find it, walk to the National Theater and turn onto Rybárska brána street (towards the McDonalds) and then walk 1 block to the corner. If you spot a crowd of tourists snapping pictures, you’ll know you’ve found the right spot!
Some of my other favorite stops while exploring Old Town were St. Martin’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Schöne Náci (a statue of a man with a top hat) and tasting some of the local cuisine! Take your time while exploring Old Town because there is simply so much to see.
#5: Bratislava Castle:
Ok I totally saved the best for last! This was my absolute favorite stop while visiting Bratislava! The castle sits perched on top of a hill overlooking the Danube River, the city of Bratislava and parts of Austria. It is stunning! It’s bright white exterior provides a cheery visual landmark for tourists, but make sure to take the time to climb the hill and visit the castle itself! Inside is the National Treasury, Slovak National Museum and outside is a beautiful set of gardens! Seriously, do NOT miss the gardens.
The thing I loved most about exploring this castle was how down to earth it was. Just outside the main keep, was a shady park with lawn chairs that families could relax in while their children spent time on the nearby playground equipment.
Other Places to Check Out!
Alright! There are some places that I didn’t include in my top 5, simply because I didn’t have enough time to make it to them. So, if you happen to have more time then I did in Bratislava be sure to add these places to your list!
- Devin Castle: Missing this spot is my biggest regret, but since we were completely relying on trains to take us places, Devin Castle was too far out of town for us to get to. If you plan on heading out there, you’ll have to rent a car, take a taxi or travel by boat. Yep….you read that right. You can take a boat from the port in Bratislava. Check out more info here.
- Most SNP (The UFO Bridge): This unmissable architectural structure has a neat observation deck and restaurant at its top. I’ve heard the view is even better at night, so keep that in mind if you plan to visit!
- Slavin War Memorial: This is one of the best spots to see the Bratislava city skyline, although it is quite the hike to reach it.
- Primate’s Palace: Contains a beautiful hall of mirrors, gorgeous tapestries and a courtyard that has a neat fountain.
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There you go! Some neat places to check out while visiting the beautiful city of Bratislava! Hopefully, you can even make it to some of the places that I missed!
Where we stayed:
Zeitlos Boutique Hostel This is charming hostel and honestly one of the nicest that we stayed in while touring through Europe. It’s located really close to Bratislava’s Castle and Old Town. They also have a great restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the city and the Danube.
Where we ate:
17’s Bar: We visited this little place for lunch and enjoyed some fantastic pizza and panini’s. The prices were very affordable and the food was great!