The 15 BEST things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia!
Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia. It’s very pretty and is full of rich history that is great to learn about. Bratislava is the perfect place to visit for a day trip from Vienna or for a weekend getaway – so check out these 15 BEST things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia!
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Contents:
What is the currency in Bratislava?
What is the currency in Bratislava? Good question! The currency in Bratislava is the euro – which makes it easy if you’re also visiting other places in Europe, such as if you’re interrailing. Many people often get confused and believe that the currency in Bratislava isn’t the euro as in Czechia; the currency is the Czech Koruna – and both countries used to be one, known as Czechoslovakia.
How to get from Vienna to Bratislava?
How do you get from Vienna to Bratislava? Vienna and Bratislava are very close to each other – at about 34 miles (54km), meaning that it’s a great place to visit for a day trip! The two best ways to get from Vienna to Bratislava are by bus or by train.
The train from Vienna to Bratislava takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. A ticket costs around £9 – £23, depending on the train time. The main opperator is ÖBB.
The bus from Vienna to Bratislava takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is the cheapest option, as tickets cost around £3 – £9. The main opperator is Flixbus, RegioJet and Slovak Lines.
How many days should you spend in Bratislava?
How many days should you spend in Bratislava? As Bratislava is quite small – 367.6 km² in total, it’s perfect for a weekend break. I’d recommend no more than 3 days in total in Bratislava – and 2 days is definitely the sweet spot!
The BEST things to do in Bratislava
What are the best things to do in Bratislava? Here are the best things to do in Bratislava that you shouldn’t miss:
1. Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle is one of the best things to do in Bratislava! The castle is situated on a rocky hill above the Danube river and is one of the main attractions of the city. It was first mentioned in historical records in 1038. It was destroyed by fire in 1412 and rebuilt between 1418 and 1434 by King Béla IV of Hungary – so there’s so much history to learn about during your visit!
Bratislava Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovakia, and it also has many interesting exhibitions and events each year. There are guided tours that you can take, as well as other activities such as simply walking around the grounds and exploring its labyrinths.
2. Primate’s Palace
Primate’s Palace is often regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in Slovakia. In the gallery, you can view stunning paintings of former Hungarian rulers, and the interior is perfectly decorated with period pieces. Today, the palace is currently the office of Bratislava’s mayor – and the Hall of Mirrors, which is a lavish conference room, is used to host concerts.
A visit to Primate’s Palace is perfect for history lovers, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re travelling with young children as they may not be able to fully appreciate it in its entirety.
3. Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace is also known as Grassalkovich Palace. It was designed in 1760 by Antal Grassalkovich – which is where the official name comes from. It is the seat of the President of Slovakia, but he does not live here. Tourists can’t go inside the Presidential Palace, but you can walk around the gardens, which are beautifully designed.
It is free to explore the gardens, which is why it’s one of the best things to do in Bratislava. The gardens are especially gorgeous in the summer and spring months as the flowers are bright and blooming!
4. Slovak National Theatre
The Slovak National Theatre is the oldest theatre in Slovakia, as it was established in 1920. When the theatre first opened, the shows were only in German and Hungarian. Today, there are lots of performances that take place, most notably opera and ballet. It is located in a beautiful, historic building that is sure to stand out from the others.
A visit to the Slovak National Theatre is a great idea if you love the arts, and many of the performances are performed by international performers – so you might be able to spot someone from your country!
5. Bratislava Old Town
Bratislava Old Town is a must-visit! It is quite touristy, but for a good reason due to how beautiful it is. Here, you will find plenty of restaurants serving Slovakian food, as well as lots of great pubs if you want to try some Slovakian beer! Hlavne Namestie is the name of the main square and is un-missable.
The best thing to do in the Old Town is just to wander around and explore at your own pace. If you take the hidden streets, then you’ll most likely find some very unique and interesting things others may have missed!
Unusual things to do in Bratislava
What are some unusual things to do in Bratislava? If you’re looking for something a little different, then check out these unusual things to do in Bratislava:
6.. UFO Bridge
The UFO Bridge and Observation Deck are perhaps one of the most iconic things in Bratislava. It’s basically a sort of UFO observation deck on top of a bridge, and there is also a restaurant inside. The views that the UFO offers are amazing, and you can see most of the landmarks of Bratislava from it.
You have to pay to go to the top, but if you have one main course from the restaurant, then this will be refunded; however, if you’re on a budget, then the main courses are a little pricey!
7. Freedom For Animals – Dog Shelter
Freedom For Animals is a must-visit if you’re an animal lover and want to do something good. It’s a dog shelter for all different types of dogs who have sadly been abandoned or lost, and you can volunteer to take them for walks and donate to them. To walk the dogs, you have to pay a one-time fee of 5 euros for a license – but this is really worth it.
Walking the dogs is available from 12:00 pm to 16:00 pm, and there are plenty of woods to walk them in nearby. It’s one of the best things to do in Bratislava – especially if you’re like me, and miss your own dog when you go travelling!
8. Blue Church
The Blue Church, also known as Modry Kostol, is one of the most beautiful churches you may ever see. It was built in 1908 and is amazing to look at. Be sure to also have a look inside of the Blue Church, but as it’s a Catholic church, sometimes there may be services on, so make sure to be respectful during those times.
It is about a 15 minutes walk from the centre, so it’s definitely worth adding to your list if you want to see something very unique and very beautiful.
9. Bratislava Statues
All over Bratislava, quirky statues can be found and make for a great thing to do and spot! One of the most famous statues to spot is Cumil, a man coming out of a manhole and watching the whole city pass by. They are great if you want a unique photo opportunity that not many other people have!
Keep a lookout for these statues: Napoleonic army soldier leaning on a bench, four peeing boys, skateboarder girls and the duck fountain – let me know of any others you can find 😉
10. Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum is located about 12 miles south of Bratislava, and is one of the best modern art museums in Europe. It has been open since the 2000s and, over the years, has featured lots of exhibitions and talented artists such as Joan Miró, Sam Francis and more.
Here, the art is very spectacular and very different from other types of art you may have seen before, making it a great thing to do if you want something a bit quirkier. Additionally, the roof of Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum offers stunning views of the whole of Bratislava!
Things to do in Bratislava at night
What are some things to do in Bratislava at night? Have a look at these fun things to do in Bratislava at night:
11. Space World
Space World is another fun way to spend your night! There are lots of activities on offer here, such as laser tag, Xbox zones, table tennis and pool. It is very cheaply priced, and none of the activities cost over 5 euros for adults, meaning if you’re on a budget, then you should definitely give it a visit.
There is also a great cafe and bar available at Space World if you want to eat and drink some tasty food to help fill you up whilst having lots of fun!
12. TRAPPED – Escape Room
TRAPPED is a super fun way to spend your evening or night! There are three different escape rooms to choose from, which are all different difficulty levels, and for each of these, knowledge of Slovakian isn’t required – so don’t panic. Each escape room is for 2-4 players, making it a great thing to do if you’re on a date or with friends.
If you’ve never done an escape room before, then TRAPPED is the perfect one to start with as it’s so much fun – and will probably put the rest you will do to shame. It’s a great activity to do if you want something unique to do at night in Bratislava.
13. Speedboat Night Tour
A speedboat night tour is a perfect way to see Bratislava from a different angle. You will see all of the major landmarks, such as the castle and river bank park, as the city lights sparkle in the water. It’s one of the most unique things to do at night in Bratislava that you will remember for years.
The speedboat night tour is quite pricey, so I recommend that you go with at least four people so you can split the cost between you. It’s definitely worth it, though!
14. Zbrojnoš pub
Zbrojnoš pub is one of the best pubs in Bratislava! It is fantastically decorated with a historical vibe to it and serves a great selection of drinks. There is also often great live music on that adds to the atmosphere and makes it feel even better! It is also very easy to find, as it is located in the Old Town.
Even if you don’t drink alcohol, a visit to Zbrojnoš pub is a must-visit as they also serve lots of tasty non-alcoholic drinks too!
15. The Club
The Club is one of the best nightclubs in Bratislava! It is spectacularly decorated and has great music, and great drinks are served. The Club often has world-famous DJs play, such as Markus Schulz, Jekey, Sidney Samson and more! You are also able to reserve booths, which makes it a great place to go if you want to celebrate something or if you’re on a hen party or stag do!
A night out at The Club will have you dancing and smiling all night long. It’s a must-visit if you’re into clubbing.
The 15 BEST Things To Do in Bratislava – Conclusion
After reading this post, you’ve hopefully found out all about the 12 best things to do in Bratislava! Have you ever been to Bratislava? What were your favourite things to do in Bratislava? Have I missed anything that you think deserves to be on this list? Feel free to contact me if you need any help or advice. If you liked this post, you might also like:
