Popular Cities Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and lies on the southwestern border of Slovakia, right at the tri-border area with Austria and Hungary. It combines medieval history with many communist remnants of times gone by and offers its visitors great variety.

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 as early as the 9th century. However, it should be noted that, due to its age, it has already undergone 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 over the old town. To enjoy the view of the magnificent old town especially well, you should keep the castle garden in mind as a viewpoint.

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

St. Martin's Cathedral

St. Martin's Cathedral has enriched the capital of Slovakia since as early as 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 enhances 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 on you! Visit the castle first and don't forget to enjoy the wonderful view of the cathedral already from there. 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 landmarks of the city. This site holds the mortal remains of 6,845 soldiers of the Soviet army who lost their lives during the liberation of Bratislava in the Second World War.

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall likewise looks back on a long history and has existed since the beginnings of the medieval town in the 13th century. Formerly serving as 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 over 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 built by order of Cardinal Joseph Count Batthyány and was intended to be the most magnificent, largest stately residence of the city. Bratislava has been graced by the Primate's Palace since as early as the 18th century, and it shines in the style of French classicism. Since 1903, the Primate's Palace has served as the town hall of Bratislava. The first floor of the building is accessible to the public and thus also to tourists, and it serves as one of the most beautiful attractions in Bratislava. The Hall of Mirrors enchants its visitors anew each time and lets the splendour of the building shine forth. Concerts are also played there, as well as weddings held.

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 the Execution of Punishments, which, according to the stories, served as a place of punishment. In the town register, the names of the wrongdoers were immortalised and their punishments recorded. But from today's perspective, the punishments seem rather trivial. For example, bakers were called upon if the baked goods weighed too little or if poor ingredients were used in their production. As odd as this may seem as a punishment today, this was the task of the guild at that time. They had to check the quality of the products, and if the requirements were not met, the 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 solid metal cage was attached to it, and the accused were locked inside the cage. They were then dunked into the fountain. However, it should be noted 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. Ruler Joseph II ended its painful existence by banning 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're looking for 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 Chamber as well as for Count Antal Grassalkovich (the advisor to Empress Maria Theresa). The summer residence shines in the Rococo style. At the time, the palace was regarded as the address of the nobility's social life. Today, the palace has been brought back to life as the seat of the office of the President of the Slovak Republic. The palace is not open to the public.

Excepted from this rule, however, is the Grassalkovich Garden, which you are permitted to visit as a tourist. There you can admire the beautiful statue of Empress Maria Theresa on horseback or catch a glimpse of 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 is allowed to plant a small oak tree. This is how the beautiful Presidential Avenue came into being. The Grassalkovich Garden is therefore particularly suited to 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, has become known 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 façade of the church but also the interior. In addition, the roof has been fitted with blue-glazed ceramic tiles. The Blue Church shines in the Art Nouveau style with oriental ornaments and is crowned by elaborate mosaic work. 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 rivers. Thanks 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 proof of the country's first settlement. The strategic location of the ruins is the reason why battles were fought around the castle in times 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 conquered and rebuilt again and again. However, the history of the significant castle ended abruptly in 1809, when the French army blew up the castle. 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 somewhat 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 platform on the bridge's pillars 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're interested in traditional Slovak dishes, you'll find more information on the country's culinary specialities in our guide.

What do I need to keep in mind for my trip to Slovakia?

In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which plays a particularly important role for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll, which applies to, among other things, motorways and expressways. Further information on the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette can be found in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also the distance-based toll. If you don't know the difference, feel free to check out our article on the toll in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment as you explore this diverse country. Further information on the toll in Slovakia can be found 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 happy to help at any time via email.