Discover Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and is located on the country’s southwestern border, at the tri-border area with Austria and Hungary. It combines medieval history with many communist remnants from past times and offers visitors a wide variety of experiences.

City sights

Bratislava Castle

Bratislava Castle, also known as Pressburg Castle, is the most famous sight in Bratislava. It is the city’s landmark and has adorned Slovakia’s capital since the 9th century. However, it should be noted that due to its age it has undergone renovations and expansions. Bratislava Castle is particularly impressive thanks to its wonderful location on an 85-metre-high hill and rewards hiking enthusiasts with a breathtaking view of the Old Town. To enjoy the view of the magnificent Old Town especially well, be sure to remember the castle garden as a viewpoint.

But the castle has more to offer than just its exterior! Take a step inside and follow in the footsteps of times past by exploring the museum in more detail.

St. Martin’s Cathedral

St. Martin’s Cathedral has enriched Slovakia’s capital since the 13th century and is one of the most important sacred buildings in Bratislava. Particularly worth seeing is the 85-metre-high tower of the magnificent Gothic cathedral, whose colourful turquoise roof enhances the cityscape. The cathedral is located between the Old Town and Pressburg Castle.

Combine these sights on a pleasant walk and let the many impressions sink in! Visit the castle first and don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful view of the cathedral from there. Look out for the cathedral’s green roof—it will show you the way.

Slavín Memorial

The Slavín Memorial is the largest war memorial in Central Europe and one of the city’s landmarks. This site contains the remains of 6,845 Soviet Army soldiers who lost their lives during the liberation of Bratislava in World War II.

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall also looks back on a long history and has existed since the beginnings of the medieval city in the 13th century. Formerly the seat of the city administration, the Old Town Hall has served as the City Museum of Bratislava since 1868, making it the oldest museum in Slovakia. Like Bratislava Castle, the Old Town Hall offers a wonderful viewpoint. Climb the 45-metre-high tower and enjoy the impressive view of the Old Town. Explore the Old Town Hall and discover traces of the French siege (1805–1809).

Primate’s Palace

Primate’s Palace was commissioned by Cardinal Joseph Count Batthyány and was intended to be the city’s most magnificent and largest aristocratic residence. Since the 18th century, Bratislava has been embellished by Primate’s Palace, which shines in the style of French Classicism. Since 1903, Primate’s Palace has served as Bratislava’s City Hall. The first floor of the building is open to the public and therefore also accessible to tourists, and it is one of Bratislava’s most beautiful attractions. The Hall of Mirrors enchants its visitors time and again and brings the building’s splendour to life. Concerts are held there, and weddings are also performed.

But it’s not just the interior of Primate’s Palace that is interesting! Right in front of the imposing building is the Fountain of Punishment, which, according to stories, served as a place of punishment. The names of offenders and their sentences were recorded in the city book. From today’s perspective, the punishments seem rather trivial. For example, bakers were summoned if their pastries weighed too little or if poor ingredients were used in production. As strange as such punishments may seem today, this was the task of the guild at the time: they had to check product quality, and if standards were not met, master bakers were dunked into the Danube. Later on, the Danube was replaced by the fountain. The executioner set up a sturdy frame with a pulley and a hook. A massive metal cage was attached to it, and the accused were locked inside. They were then dipped into the fountain. It should be noted, however, that the punishments were rarely fatal and were intended more as public humiliation for the accused. Until 1773, the fountain was used for punishments. Ruler Joseph II ended its painful existence by banning such punishments. Today, the fountain exists only in quiet stillness (aside from all the tourists who gather around it).

Danube Promenade at Eurovea

The Danube Promenade connects the Eurovea shopping centre with the National Theatre and is therefore also referred to as the modern centre of the capital. If you’re looking for new fashion pieces for your wardrobe or simply a delicious coffee, you’ll find what you’re after here. The promenade also allows you to catch a glimpse of Bratislava Castle.

Grassalkovich Palace

The palace was built in 1760 for the President of the Hungarian Royal Chamber and for Count Antal Grassalkovich (advisor to Empress Maria Theresa). The summer residence shines in Rococo style. At the time, the palace was considered the address of aristocratic social life. Today, the palace is brought to life as the seat of the Presidential Office of the Slovak Republic. The palace is not open to the public.

However, an exception to this rule is the Grassalkovich Garden, which you may visit as a tourist. There you can admire the beautiful statue of Empress Maria Theresa on horseback or see the well-known fountain by sculptor Tibor Bártfay. Discover the Presidential Alley, which decorates the garden with its many small oak trees. Every head of state who pays a visit to the capital of Slovenia is allowed to plant a small oak tree. This is how the beautiful Presidential Alley was created. The Grassalkovich Garden is therefore especially suitable for an extended walk and gives you the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Blue Church

The Blue Church, also known as the Church of St. Elisabeth of Hungary, became famous for its blue colour and has only been in Bratislava since the beginning of the 20th century. This light blue colour enhances not only the church’s façade, but also its interior. In addition, the roof is covered with blue glazed ceramic tiles. The Blue Church shines in Art Nouveau style with oriental ornaments and is crowned by elaborate mosaics. That is why the Blue Church is often described as the most beautiful church in Bratislava.

Devin Castle

The archaeological site of the ruins of Theben Castle is located on a high cliff above the confluence of the Danube and the Morava. Thanks to its location, the castle offers not only beautiful surroundings but also a captivating view into the distance. Theben is part of Slovak history and is evidence of the country’s earliest settlement. The strategic location of the ruins explains why the castle was fought over in the past. The Celts settled there, the Romans controlled the limes from Devin Castle, and the Slavs built a fortress. It becomes clear that this place is steeped in history. It is also evident that the castle was repeatedly conquered and rebuilt. However, the story of this significant castle ended abruptly in 1809 when the French army blew it up. Yet despite the loss of the castle, which is now only a set of ruins, the unforgettable view is reason enough to honour this place.

UFO

The UFO offers an experience of a different kind. The UFO is a unique restaurant that brings together the best flavours of Old Pressburg cuisine and is perfect for a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Admire the city from the viewing platform on the bridge pylons at a breathtaking height of 95 metres. Step into this authentic atmosphere and enjoy a romantic dinner at sunset. Toast to your wonderful holiday and appreciate the stunning view of the city. A place where time stands still and all worries are outshone by the delicious taste of Old Pressburg cuisine. If you are interested in traditional Slovak dishes, you can find more information about the culinary specialities in our advisor.

What do I need to keep in mind when travelling in Slovakia?

In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which plays an important role especially for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll, which applies, among other things, on motorways and expressways. You can find more information about the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also a distance-based toll. If you don’t know the difference, feel free to take a look at our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of fun exploring this diverse country. You can find more information about tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.