15 Bratislava facts that you NEED to know!

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia, and although it’s relatively small compared to other capital cities -there is still a lot that it has to offer. If you’re interested in visiting Bratislava, check out these 15 Bratislava facts that you NEED to know!

*Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning that if you buy from them – I get a commission at no extra cost to you 😉 Read the full affiliate disclosure here.

Is Bratislava worth visiting?

Is Bratislava worth visiting? Yes! Bratislava is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in history – especially medieval history and architecture. There are plenty of interesting things to see in Bratislava, and it is very budget-friendly.

Bratislava is also great for solo travellers as the city is very easy to get around, and there are lots of opportunities to meet others. Transport is also very cheap, although most things in the city are within walking distance of each other.

What are some things to do in Bratislava?

What are some things to do in Bratislava? If you’re visiting Bratislava or planning a trip there, then check out these fantastic things to do in Bratislava:

• Bratislava 1-hour walking tour – This walking tour is the perfect way to see and understand Bratislava through the eyes of a local. You will see all the major sites, as well as some of Bratislava’s most hidden gems. It’s the perfect thing to do if you truly want to experience what Bratislava has to offer.
• Bratislava soviet era post-communist tour – If you’re interested in Bratislava’s communist history, then this tour will be perfect for you. On this tour, you will learn all about its turbulent past, and you will even see some of the locations that played an important part in the era.
• Bratislava wine tasting – Bratislava has some great wine to offer if you’re a wine lover! During this wine-tasting tour, you will get the chance to learn all about how these special wines are made, and you’ll even get the option to purchase your favourites. It’s a great tour to do if you’re looking for something a little different.
• Bratislava Castle – No trip to Bratislava is complete without visiting its iconic castle. This castle has so much history to offer, and you will be amazed by some of the things that have taken place on its grounds. It’s a must-visit when in Bratislava, and it’s pretty hard to miss as it towers over the city by the river, adding to the atmosphere.

How do you get from Vienna to Bratislava?

How do you get from Vienna to Bratislava? Vienna to Bratislava, or Bratislava to Vienna, is a very popular thing to do when visiting either city, as they’re so close to each other. It takes around 1 hour to reach Vienna from Bratislava on almost all the types of transport available that you can take. The best ways to reach Vienna from Bratislava is:

• Train – the train takes around 1 hour, and is very cheap! Prices are around £2-£6, and there is a train every hour. You don’t need to pre-book either, which is always great!
• Bus – the bus to Vienna from Bratislava is another great option. It also takes around an hour, and the price is very similar. RegioJet buses run hourly, and Flixbus is another great option to consider.
• Boat – yep, you can also take the boat to Vienna from Bratislava, as both cities are connected by the infamous Danube River. This is one of the most scenic ways to travel between each city, and definitely not one done by many others!
• Car – this is a good option if you’re travelling as a big group or if you have a lot of luggage. It is a bit more expensive than the other options, but travelling by car to Vienna from Bratislava is relatively simple.

15 Bratislava facts that you NEED to know:

Here are some of the 15 best Bratislava facts that you NEED to know about, so check them out:

1. Bratislava has a population of 431,000 people, making it one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. In comparison, New York City alone is 50x bigger than Bratislava! So chances are, you might run into someone that you know if you ever visit.

2. Around 1 million tourists visit Bratislava each year. This is quite a huge amount, however, when compared to other cities like Rome, which receive around 10 million tourists per year – it seems like not much at all. This is one of the best Bratislava facts if you’re someone who doesn’t like crowded places, though.

3. The total area that Bratislava city makes up is 367.5 square kilometres.

4. Strangely enough, Bratislava is actually the 2nd biggest city in Slovakia by area. The biggest city is called Vysoké Tatr, which is located on the border of Poland, near the Tatra Mountains.

5. You can eat from a UFO in Bratislava – well, kinda… There is an iconic building shaped like a UFO on the bridge crossing the Danube River called UFO (very creative name 😉 ). Here you can dine or drink whilst getting stunning views of the city and its surroundings. If you’re not in the mood for either of those things, you can also just go to its observation deck instead.

6. Bratislava’s former name used to be Pressburg in English or Prešporok in Slovakian. This name lasted up until 1919. Which name do you prefer? I definitely think that Bratislava is a better name!

7. Grape growing in the area was originally introduced by the Romans who settled there. The tradition still survives to this day. Therefore, if you end up trying some of the delicious wine that Bratislava has to offer, thank the Romans.

8. Before World War 1 happened, the city was made up of 42% German nationalities, followed by 41% Hungarian and finally only 15% Slovakian.

9. Bratislava’s old town is one of the most popular tourist attractions. In the old town, Michael’s Gate is one of the oldest buildings in the old town. It was built around the year 1300 – which is one of the best Bratislava facts if you’re a history lover.

10. Grassalkovich Palace was built in 1760 and is now where the President of Bratislava resides.

11. Devín Castle is one of the most important historical sites in the whole of Slovakia. It is now in ruins, as Napoleon’s troops tried to blow it up and destroy it in 1809. You can still visit it to this day if this is one of the best Bratislava facts that interest you the most.

12. One of the hardest Bratislava facts to believe is that in 2006, there were only 45 hotels in Bratislava. Luckily, today there are many more – and hotels aren’t the only places you can stay in whilst visiting Bratislava.

13. You may know of the popular film Eurotrip, which is about some teens that travel all over Europe – including Bratislava. However, the film’s scenes weren’t actually filmed in Bratislava, but in Prague, Czechia.

14. The largest park in Bratislava is Horský park – and it’s absolutely worth a visit if you’d like to get lost in nature for a while. There are plenty of benches and lots of shade, making it the perfect place to relax and read a book for a few hours.

15. If you visit Bratislava Castle, you’re able to spot Hungary from it! This makes it worth a visit and is one of the coolest Bratislava facts to point out to others when you visit the castle.

Hopefully, after reading this post, you’ve learned some interesting Bratislava facts that you didn’t know before! Which Bratislava facts were your favourite? Are there any Bratislava facts that were mentioned but you think deserve to be on the list? Let me know your best Bratislava facts down below! If you liked this post and would like to read some similar posts, check out these:

• 15 Facts about Katowice, Poland, you NEED to know!
• Interrail – Everything You Need To Know!
• Best Things To Do in The Czech Republic
• The 15 BEST things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia!
• 20+ Best Bratislava Instagram Captions
• 10 Ways to Spend One Week in Krakow, Poland

Bratislava FAQ

*Some of these links are affiliates, meaning if you buy through them – I get a commission at no extra cost to you 😉