Bratislava – Slovakia's capital has everything that big cities lack is written by Jacob Gowland Jørgensen.
Bratislava is a cozy city that few have visited
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and is one of Europe's most overlooked capitals. It's a shame, because the city has a lot to offer.
The old medieval town is located right down to the Danube and is both cozy, manageable and full of life – perfect for a weekend where you can reach everything on foot. Here you will find small squares, historic buildings and a relaxed atmosphere that make the city easy to like. And once you have explored the narrow streets, there are plenty of good reasons to go outside the city.
Slovakia offers: wine tastings, wellness and spa in beautiful surroundings and even adrenaline-filled experiences with racing cars for those who want more speed. And all this in a country no bigger than Denmark.
At the same time, direct flights have arrived Denmark, and if you can't find anything obvious from your favorite airport, both are located Vienna og Budapest quite close, so you can experience Bratislava from there.
Here you will find a travel guide to what you shouldn't miss in Bratislava - and what you can experience in the area around the capital of Slovakia.
The medieval city of Bratislava – the historical capital of Slovakia
I'm standing in the sun and feeling good. It's cozy here, I think, and full of life, without it being too much.
I just landed in Bratislava, which I have only visited briefly once many years ago.
I've checked into a beautiful historic hotel in the city center, and I already feel a bit at home in the new city as I walk out onto the cobblestone streets around the hotel.
We are going to the local folklore show, which turns out to be an unusually cheerful, fun and cheeky show with lots of good food, local songs and folk dancing ad libitum. Here people are not afraid of their traditions – on the contrary, they embrace them and make them part of modern everyday life.
I sleep soundly and soundly in the beautiful hotel and get ready for the next few days.
Bratislava is perfect for a long weekend
Bratislava can do a lot.
Because Bratislava is one of the most manageable capitals of Europe, and the old medieval town is right down to the Danube. This makes the city ideal for a weekend trip where you can reach everything on foot, which – for me – is a fantastic way to experience a city.
The historic city center is quite compact and manageable with squares, small cafes and cozy side streets.
On Hlavné Námestie, the city's central square, you'll find both the town hall and the characteristic colored facades. From here, it's just a few steps to Michalská Brána, the old city gate, which is one of the most famous sights. If you continue out of the gate, on the other side of the tram tracks you'll find one of the exciting, modern neighborhoods that also exist in the city.
The city is delightfully car-free in the centre, which gives a tranquil atmosphere in the many cobbled streets and pedestrian areas. It is also exceptionally clean and well-maintained.
A natural highlight is Bratislava Castle, located on a hill overlooking both the city and the river. From the castle square you can see the Danube winding through the city, while the ships sail towards Vienna or Budapest. It is a nice trip up there, which we took in an 'Oldtimer'; an old bus that runs tourist tours of the city.
If you are a cat lover, you can easily combine a trip to the castle with a trip to one of the city's cat cafes, namely Maccafe, which is a favorite among animal lovers of all sizes.
It is nice to walk to the promenade along the Danube, especially in the evening, when the lights are reflected in the water. There are many restaurants and bars here, side by side, and it is a good place to end the day. We had a really good fish dinner here. There is also a modern shopping center in the middle of the promenade, where I bought good shoes for half the price at home.
From there it is only a few minutes' walk back to the old town.
In Slovakia, people also love towers, and both the UFO Tower and the TV Tower are highly recommended.
Bratislava is not a huge city, but that is precisely why it seems quite inviting, and there is plenty to experience. You quickly feel that you have an overview of the city without it becoming boring, and this makes Bratislava an easy and pleasant stop on your trip in Slovakia and Central Europe.
Danubiana on the Danube: Here you will find Slovakia's answer to Louisiana
Danubiana is one of Slovakia's most significant museums, and since its opening in 2000 it has been one of Bratislava's biggest attractions.
Inspired by Danish Louisiana, the museum combines modern art with a beautiful building and a unique location. It is located on a narrow peninsula in the Danube, surrounded by water on three sides, which provides a view and an atmosphere that is almost part of the exhibition.
We sailed there along the river, and the boat trip made the visit an experience in itself, but you can also easily get there by car or bus.
The museum itself is well-organized and suitable for both children and adults – regardless of how interested in art you are. The exhibitions change regularly, and there is space for both international names and Slovak artists, with plenty of photographs, glass and sculptures.
Outside you will find a large sculpture park where the works interact with the surrounding nature and water.
Danubiana combines culture and nature experiences at the same time. You can easily spend half a day here, but even a shorter visit can make sense.
Danubiana can definitely be recommended.
Family Day Trips from Bratislava
One of the great advantages of Bratislava is that you can easily get out of the city and experience something completely different. in Slovakia.
There are plenty of day trips to suit the whole family – whether you're into sports, relaxation or action. Within an hour's drive are several exciting places that can make your holiday even more fun.
Thermal Park Dunajská Streda is one of the most popular excursion destinations, and there really is something for all ages. It is located just 50 kilometers southeast of Bratislava.
The park offers a wide range of thermal baths where adults can enjoy spa and massage treatments in tranquil surroundings. Alongside these, there are slides, children's pools and water fun, making it perfect for the whole family.
It's a great place to spend a whole day, especially if you want to combine relaxation and activity. I tried out the different thermal baths and had some great swims. My travel companion even got a massage.
There were some visitors who stayed either at the hotel or the nearby campsite.
For those who prefer speed and movement, Resort X-Bionic Sphere an obvious choice. Here you can try your hand at high-level sports, but also find facilities for wellness and fun.
There are often European or World Championships for youth teams or for smaller sports, so you can get the chance to see talented athletes train and win out here. They are particularly known for their equestrian sports, with many using the place as a professional training facility.
X-Bionic is located south of Bratislava, close to Thermalpark Dunajská Streda, in the town of Šamorín. Down here south of the capital is also the Slovakia Ring racetrack.
For even more action, the Slovakia Ring and Slovak Karting Center are the place to go. Here, both young and old can try go-karting and experience motor racing up close, and we got to see the Formula 1 racers test drive the track. It's a blast!
For history buffs, the Military Museum is an exciting alternative, where children and adults can experience vehicles and equipment up close. It is within walking distance of the racetracks, and there is even a small Rescue Zoo on the other side, also within walking distance.
What all of these places have in common is that they are within easy reach of Bratislava, just south of the city. You can easily leave in the morning and have a full day of experiences and be back in town for dinner. Or you can stay overnight south of the city.
From wine at the castle to the national wine collection: How to taste wine in Slovakia
Although Slovakia is rarely mentioned among Europe's great wine countries, the country has a wine tradition that goes back centuries, and the area at the foot of the Little Carpathians north of Bratislava in particular stands out with vineyards, cellars and a production that is becoming increasingly professional.
Here you get a nice combination of culture, history and wine experiences, which together make for an ideal travel experience.
In Pezinok you can stay at, for example, Palace Art Hotel, where the experiences go far beyond wine. It is one of the many historic hotels in the country.
Here, guests can not only taste local wines, but also experience concerts in the historic setting, explore glass art exhibitions and even see an impressive collection of antique motorcycles, which gives the place a very special touch.
You can also just come and visit.
Not far away is Manor House Pálfy, which with its atmosphere and long traditions provides a clear picture of how wine production has been a part of life in the area for generations.
The town also houses The Little Carpathian Museum, which tells the story of the development of wine through time and shows how grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Blaufränkisch continue to characterize the vineyards today.
Another highlight is the Symphony of Pezinok Wines, where you can taste selected producers and get a feel for the breadth of local wine production. And finally, don't miss out on a great wine experience in Bratislava itself, where The Slovak National Collection of Wines collects the 100 best Slovak wines every year.
Here you can taste everything from elegant whites of Riesling and Welschriesling to powerful reds of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It provides a unique insight into why Slovakia is increasingly gaining attention as a wine country. And it is available at a very affordable price – regardless of whether you want a guided tour with tasting or whether you want to taste it yourself.
We had a tasting of 6 wines from a skilled sommelier, who told us how they found the best wines and the many types produced in the country.
It takes place in a huge wine cellar in the center of Bratislava and is definitely a good idea if you like lovely grapes.
Where to stay: Hotel Arcadia in the center of Slovakia's cozy capital Bratislava
We lived on Hotel Arcadia right in the middle of Bratislava's old town, and it was the perfect base for experiencing the city.
The hotel is housed in a 1200th century building, and although the house is historic, everything felt modern and comfortable. It's a boutique hotel right behind a large church and just a few minutes' walk to squares, cafes, and attractions, so I was able to explore most of the city on foot.
My room was spacious and decorated with classic details, but without seeming heavy or old-fashioned.
In the morning I ate at the hotel's restaurant, where they serve a nice and tasty buffet with European and Slovak dishes with a fresh twist, and after a long day on the cobblestone streets it was nice to be able to relax in the beautiful spa area with sauna and fitness, which must be reserved so you have it to yourself.
The service was wonderfully personal and relaxed, so you quickly felt at home.
Hotel Arcadia is a member of Historic Hotels of Slovakia, which is an association of hotels that work to preserve historic buildings while offering modern guest experiences. For me, it made the stay extra interesting to know that I wasn't just staying in a hotel, but was also part of a larger story.
What I especially remember is the feeling of stepping straight from the calm, beautiful lobby into the city life – and conversely being able to return to the silence and the friendly staff when the day was over. That made the stay really special.
You can book directly with the hotels or use other booking pages – no matter what, you get a great experience at a reasonable price.
Have a nice trip to Bratislava, Slovakia's overlooked capital.
This is what you should experience in Slovakia's capital Bratislava and its surroundings
- Hlavné Námestie – the city's central square
- Michalská Brána – the old city gate
- Bratislava Castle – beautiful view of the Danube
- The National Wine Collection in Slovakia's capital Bratislava
- Stay at the historic Hotel Arcadia – a historic hotel in Slovakia
- The promenade with restaurants and shopping
- Danubiana – Slovakia's Louisiana
- Thermal Park Dunajská Streda – spa and fun
- Resort X-Bionic Sphere in Šamorín – sports and wellness
- Slovakia Ring – speed and go-karting on Slovakia's race tracks
Did you know: Here are the 7 cities in Europe with the most hours of sunshine
7: Nice in France – 342 hours/month
6: Valencia in Spain – 343 hours/month
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