Popular Cities Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and lies on the southwestern border of Slovakia, right at the tripoint with Austria and Hungary. It combines medieval history with many communist remnants of bygone times and offers its visitors great diversity.

Sights of the city

Bratislava Castle

Bratislava Castle is also known as Pressburg Castle and is the most famous sight in Bratislava. It is the landmark of the city and has adorned the capital of Slovakia since the 9th century. However, it should be noted that due to its age it has had to undergo renovations and extensions. Bratislava Castle particularly impresses with its wonderful location on an 85-metre-high hill and rewards hiking enthusiasts with a fantastic view of the old town. To enjoy the view of the magnificent old town especially well, you should remember the castle garden as a viewpoint.

But the castle has much to offer not only from the outside! Dare to step inside and follow the traces of old times by exploring the museum in more detail.

St. Martin's Cathedral

St. Martin's Cathedral has enriched the capital of Slovakia since the 13th century and represents one of the most important sacred buildings in Bratislava. Particularly worth seeing is the 85-metre-high tower of the magnificent Gothic cathedral, which beautifies the cityscape with its colourful turquoise roof. The cathedral is located between the old town and Pressburg Castle.

Combine these sights on a lovely walk and let the diverse impressions take effect! Visit the castle first and don't forget to enjoy the wonderful view of the cathedral from there already. Look for the green roof of the cathedral, which will show you the way.

Slavín Monument

The Slavín Monument is the largest war memorial in Central Europe and one of the city's landmarks. This site holds the remains of 6,845 soldiers of the Soviet Army who lost their lives liberating Bratislava in the Second World War.

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall can also look 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 museum of the city of Bratislava since 1868. This makes it the oldest museum in Slovakia. Just 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

The Primate's Palace was created on the orders of Cardinal Joseph Count von Batthyány and was intended to be the most magnificent, largest stately seat of the city. Bratislava has been graced by the Primate's Palace since the 18th century, and it shines in the style of French Classicism. Since 1903, the Primate's Palace has served as Bratislava's town hall. The first floor of the building is open to the public and thus also to tourists, and is one of Bratislava's most beautiful attractions. The Hall of Mirrors enchants its visitors anew every time and lets the splendour of the building shine. Concerts are also held there, as well as weddings.

But it's not only the interior of the Primate's Palace that is interesting! Directly in front of the imposing building is the Fountain for Carrying Out Punishments, which, according to the stories, served as a place of punishment. In the city register, the names of wrongdoers were immortalised and their punishments recorded. Yet the punishments seem rather trivial from today's perspective. For example, bakers were summoned if their pastries weighed too little or if poor ingredients were used in making them. However odd this behaviour may seem as a punishment today, it was the duty of the guild of the time. They had to check the quality of the products, and if the requirements were not met, the master bakers were dunked in the Danube. Later on, the Danube was replaced by the fountain. The executioner set up a robust frame with a pulley and a hook. A solid metal cage was attached to it, and the accused were locked inside the cage. They were then dunked into the fountain. It should be noted, however, that the punishments were rarely fatal and were more intended to bring about public humiliation for the accused. The fountain was used for punishments until 1773. Its painful existence was ended by Emperor Joseph II, who banned such punishments. Today the fountain exists only in quiet repose (apart 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 need 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 Court Chamber as well as 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 the nobility's social life. Today, the palace is brought to life as the seat of the Chancellery of the President of the Slovak Republic. The palace is not open to the public.

An exception to this rule, however, 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 Avenue, which adorns the garden with its numerous small oak trees. Every head of state who visits the capital of Slovakia may plant a small oak tree. This is how the beautiful Presidential Avenue came about. The Grassalkovich Garden is therefore particularly suitable for a leisurely walk and gives you the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Blue Church

The Blue Church, also called the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, became known for its blue colour and has only been part of Bratislava since the early 20th century. This light blue colour beautifies not only the facade of the church but also its interior. In addition, the roof has been fitted with blue-glazed ceramic tiles. The Blue Church shines in the Secession style with oriental ornaments and is crowned by elaborate mosaics. For this reason, the Blue Church is also often referred to as the most beautiful church in Bratislava.

Devín Castle

The archaeological site of the Devín Castle ruins is located on a high rock above the confluence of the Danube and the Morava. Due to its location, the castle offers you not only beautiful surroundings but also an enchanting view into the distance. Devín is part of Slovak history and is evidence of the first settlement of the country. The strategic location of the ruin is the reason why battles were fought around the castle in the past. The Celts already settled there, while the Romans controlled the limes from Devín 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 history of this significant castle ended abruptly in 1809, when the French army blew it up. But despite the lost castle, of which only ruins remain, the unforgettable view is reason enough to honour this place.

UFO

The UFO offers an experience of a rather different kind. The UFO is a unique restaurant that combines the best flavours of old Pressburg cuisine and is wonderfully suited for a break amid the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Admire the city from the observation deck on the bridge's pylons at a breathtaking height of 95 metres. Step into this authentic atmosphere and enjoy a romantic dinner at sunset. Raise a toast to your wonderful holiday and appreciate the fantastic view of the city. A place where time stands still and any worries are outdone by the delicious taste of old Pressburg cuisine.

If you are interested in traditional Slovak dishes, you can find more information on the country's culinary specialities in our guide.

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

In Slovakia, vignette requirements apply, which are particularly important for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll charged on the marked sections of motorways and expressways. In Bratislava itself, the city motorways and the entire D4 bypass are toll-free for cars. On the other hand, a vignette is required on the border approaches from Austria (D4 from Jarovce, approx. 2 km) and Hungary (D2 from Čunovo, approx. 9 km), as well as on the D1 east of the city towards Senec. For more information on the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette, please see our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also the distance-based toll. If you're not familiar with the difference, feel free to check out our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant journey to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the appropriate toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are always happy to help via email.