-Europe.Slovakia.Bratislava-
You know the feeling of putting off visits to the places closest and most accessible to you with the impression you could visit any time at your convenience ? This was completely the case for Bratislava. This time though I did not overlook it and included it in the itinerary of our weekend visit to Vienna.
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Table of Contents
Getting to Bratislava
I was pleasantly surprised when my research uncovered the existence of a *Money $aving Tip Bratislava-Ticket which turned out to be perfect for my day trip visit from Vienna. For the price of 18 Euros, I bought a return ticket from Vienna to Bratislava valid on regional OEBB trains as well as the use of public transportation in the city on the day of travel and on top of that there was a free city tour included on specific days and many more discounts on tours and boats. A definite incentive to visit a new city! It was no trouble at all to get the ticket from the vending machine at the train station.
If you are planning a road trip , my goto is RentalCars
Going around Bratislava
The city is delightfully walkable and with our Bratislava Ticket, we used the public transport (Bus) in this case freely – included.
Another option is using the Bus from Vienna and getting the Bratislava card with public transport included. The Bratislava card is beneficial when you plan to see a lot and includes a walking tour around the city
What to see in Bratislava
The city center is approximately a 15-minutes walk from the train station. We took the Bus #93 and got off at the 3rd stop “Zochova” and went through the underpass with some nice murals. We stopped to admire them on the way to the city.
Michael's Gate
Michael’s Gate is a good place to start exploring the city center – It is the only medieval gate which was preserved. On the floor of the gate is a golden circle which indicates kilometer 0 and the distance to 29 other capital cities.
Bratislava Old Town Hall
The old town hall is found in the heart of the city, one of the oldest stone buildings still standing in Bratislava. It currently houses the Bratislava City museum. The tower is a great place to get in some nice views over the city and costs 3 Euros. Also look out for a cannonball at the side of the tower wall shot by Napoleon’s soldiers during a bombardment.
Old Slovak National Theatre
The old Slovak National theatre is eye-catchingly beautiful in its architecture. It will look familiar as it was designed during the Austro-Hungarian times by Viennese architects. Don’t forget to admire the Ganymede fountain in the front.
It is possible to join a tour inside the theatre of 1 hour 30 minutes for 10 Euros but this opportunity is only once a month and commonly on Saturdays. For checking schedule of the tour or for catching an opera, ballet show – click here . *Be aware that shows are mainly in the new building opened on 2007. Check the location before booking.
Hviezdoslav Square
The square is named after an important Slovak poet. His larger than life statue can be spotted easily in this pedestrian zone. We were there on a Saturday and it was lively in the square with small stalls set up behind the statue. The locals were out displaying their skills with pottery and smithing (as pictured below)
Life-sized statues around town
A unique and fun thing to do is to hunt for the statues around town and learn about their stories. They are a hit with tourists – well I am living proof. Here is a pretty good guide on the statues.
Rybne Square
After Hviezdoslav Square, we came to Rybne Square. A short distance after the square is the main bus stop under the Novy Most (SNP Bridge). We caught Bus #29 to travel to Devin Castle 30 minutes away.
Devin Castle
Devin Castle is a popular tourist attraction – that is clearly seen by the big parking space for buses and cars at the base of the castle. It is quite a climb up to the Upper Castle but well worth it for the views. The castle sits atop the confluence of the Rivers Danube and Morava. Across the river is already Austria and on a clear day Vienna can be seen.
The place has a dark history – it was a line where the Iron Curtain was drawn but due to that the area that is now a cycle path has untouched nature with forests and dams made by beavers. Hiking possibilities to Sandberg hill is a popular option.
UFO Tower
After our return from Devin Castle, we crossed the bridge to visit the UFO Tower. No prices for guessing why it is named as such. We went up the tower to check out the views from the top – check out the pictures below. For information about the tower : opening times and entrance fees, click here
The tower was built to serve as a mount for one of the longest hanging bridges “The Slovak National Uprising Bridge” . Below are views from the Tower.
St Martin's Cathedral
St. Martin’s cathedral served as a coronation church for royalty in the past and that means an interior large enough to fit the grand event. There are 4 chapels inside – and in September is held a reconstruction of this event including walking the path the monarchs traversed from the Bratislava castle to the cathedral. The tower of the cathedral is topped with a replica of a crown to commemorate its status and historical significance. Check here for opening times.
Food in Bratislava
During our day trip to Bratislava, we came across food stalls selling Slovakian specialties. I have to admit I am not so adventurous when it comes to food : but I was curious and wanted to know what it was. I found out that one of the dishes was noodles topped with goat cheese.
We saw some traditionally dressed ladies getting food and coffee there. The coffee from the mobile orange van was really great and cheap too!
*Money $aving Tip: Watch out for the water dispensers around town for free drinking water
We ended our short trip to Bratislava with a meal at a good Vietnamese Restaurant called Bamboo SNP
The Vietnamese Pho and coffee was a satisfying meal before we headed back to Vienna in the evening.
Summary of our Day in Bratislava
So, what is the verdict of our day trip to the capital of Slovakia ? Definitely doable! We missed visiting the Bratislava castle but it was a toss up between that and Devin Castle. If you have a day or two to spend for going to the outskirts and adding a hike near Devin would be my recommendation. The capital is compact enough to walk to most of the places mentioned above without stress or hurry and feels more intimate and warm while some sights are grand and reminiscent of Vienna , as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the past.
We would not have been able to navigate our way around the city without internet. I use Airalo , a user-friendly e-Sim I can recommend.
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