BRATISLAVA
Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993. Set along the Danube river, the city is a popular stop over among travellers travelling across Europe. The city is surrounded by vineyards, Little Carpathian mountains and rich history of Gothic and Baroque architecture. Make sure to spend at least 2 days before heading out to explore the beautiful nature of Slovakia or to continue your European journey on a bus or a train.
Your 48h itinerary
DAY 1
10:00
Start your day in Urban House or Urban Bistro for a breakfast, brunch or just a coffee stop (similar names, but two different places!). Located just right in the city center, you will have it walkable distance to anywhere.
11:30
After your meal or break, head to start your journey from Michael's gate. The gate is the city gate and only one preserved from the medieval fortifications. Hence it is ranked to be one of the oldest buildings in the town. If you are walking towards the gate and the tower, Michalska street is packed by number of cafes, restaurants and souvenir boutiques.
If you are looking up to see the Michael's tower, which has only 7 floors, you will see a golden circle underneath, known as Kilometer zero. It illustrates the distance from Bratislava to 29 other capital cities.
For nice city panoramic Old Town views, make sure to visit the Museum of Arms in the Michael's Tower, as they have an observation deck on the top.
13:00
On the way to your lunch spot, you will pass couple of churches that Bratislava has in the city center, such as Church of the Annunciation or Chirch of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Streets of the old center is pretty much full of bars and restaurants, so you have plenty of choices to choose from. For some slovak cuisine, check Dolnozemska Krcma or Koliba Kamzik Bratislava restaurants.
14:30
After your lunch break, wonder around the old town, pass through number of squares and beautiful buildings. You'll find there Zichy Palace, Primatial palace, Erodyho palace, Arthur Fleischmann Museum, Old town hall, Rolan's fountain, St Martin's cathedral or the famous Man at work statue, which you can easily pass by. Maybe not, if there will be a bunch of tourists standing around this.
Čumil is the actual Slovak name of the bronze Man at work statue. Translated as "Watcher". The statue is one of many statues in the city, and it is popular by locals and tourists. You should not miss saying Hi to him while strolling around the old town. The statue has been around from 1997, couple years after Slovak independence. The reason why he has been given a road sign with "Man at work" written, is that he has lost head several times by careless drivers.
17:00
Once you finish wondering around the city, checking in some local boutiques and souvenir shops, head down to the Danube river through "Hviezdoslavovo namestie". The pedestrian street is surrounded by streets, local market stalls and it is beautiful pathway leading you straight to the riverside.
You must have noticed that Bratislava has many ice-cream shops on the way, and there is actually two amazing ones on that street! Get your ice-cream scoops from Andersen Ice Cream shop or Luculus Ice Saloon. Sit on a street and people watch for a while or walk slowly to Danube. While you at the river bank, admire the city and the view to UFO observation deck right in front of you on SNP bridge. This is where you will head to next.
It is a short walk from the city to UFO observation deck. The entrance fee is about €7.40 for adult ticket to get you up to the observation floor, where you can admire the view of Bratislava from the top. Bratislava might not have amazing metropolitan skylines, but it has nearby churches and castles to admire.
18:30
You can either hang out and wait for a sunset or head back for dinner time. Slowly walk back to the Razusovo embankment and walk along the river towards Eurovea shopping mall. Because the area outside of the shopping mall has some great outdoor restaurants and green spaces where you should anchor yourself for the evening. It is about half an hour walk from the observation deck or few stops by tram.
I absolutely love this area, it is modern and very vibrant. Especially during summer, it is a great chill out destination. Especially it is located just by the river, so many people tend to take away drinks and food to sit on a grass. You have plenty of choices to choose from where you would like to sit in. From international chains to local ones. Definitely check Primi River Lounge, Sajado Eurovea or Kolkovna.
Before your meal, you have the opportunity to check some shops as well as Eurovea is one of the large malls in Bratislava, apart from Aupark. Just outside of the mall, you will find the Slovak national theatre as well.
Day 2
10:00
Start your day again in a local Coffeein Specialty Coffee shop or DOT Espresso bar & Contemporary art gallery before your last day of exploring.
Not too far from these coffee shops, stop by to admire the beautiful architecture of blue church of St. Elisabeth. The picturesque church as a Hungarian Secessionist Catholic church and named after Elisabeth of Hungary, daughter of Andrew II.
11:30
Continue your journey to Bratislava castle this time (finally?). It is about 25 min walk from the church or you may take local bus or tram to get there.
The castle is the important image of the city. The massive rectangular building with towers on top of the rocky hill of the Little Carpathians above Danube river was built back in 9th century. Can you imagine that you can have views to Austria and parts of Hungary from the castle on a clear day? The entrance fee is about €10 where you can further explore the history. The castle itself has a beautiful garden and number of statues and gates.
Just in the castle or around the castle you will find many places to grab and sit in for lunch. Such as Castle Restaurant, which is a bit more pricey place to dine, but will give you an amazing city views and a stunning interior to dive in. Other places around is for examples Nervosa, Hradna Hviezda or Restaurant Parlament.
15:00
Once you finished exploring the one of the important landmarks of Bratislava, get a bus towards Devin castle. Located about 45 minutes/ 12 km outskirt of Bratislava in Devin borough. Devin castle is a castle ruins located on a high cliff with panoramic Danube views. There are actually two parts you should see while there. The castle and museum itself and the river bank, which is also very much worth seeing (again).
The medieval castle which witnesses the glory and fall of Great Moravia and was blown up by Napoleon's army was later declared to be a national cultural monument of Slovakia worth to visit. It is located on a cliff just where two rivers - Danube and Morava are merging. The castle stands just inside Slovak territory on the frontier between Slovakia and Austria.
17:30
After your little trip, get a bus back to the city where your last stop will be a Presidential palace. The palace is a residence of the president of Slovakia and is situated on Hodzovo square near the Sumer Archibishop's palace. The building is a Rococo-late Baroque palace with a beautiful garden.
Depending on how much time on your last day you have, you can either further explore the Presidential palace, or head back to the Old Town to find a place for your last meal before your short break to Bratislava ends.
How to get here
Bratislava is a common stop for many travellers travelling across Europe, as the usual pathway is through Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Czech republic. Hence why it is easily approachable by train or even a bus from local European countries. Check Student Agency, Fixbus or National Express.
Nevertheless, all major and low cost airlines fly in Bratislava airport. Located so close to borders of Austria, it is also common for people to fly into nearby airport like to Vienna or even Brno, Czech republic.
Where to stay
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