15 Reasons To Visit Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava is somewhere I didn’t have high expectations of but actually really enjoyed visiting. For that reason, I’ve together these reasons to visit Bratislava in the hope of persuading you, too!

BRATISLAVA ESSENTIALSTours & activities: GetYourGuide / ViatorAccommodation: Booking.com / HostelworldGetting there: air (Kayak) / bus (Flixbus), train (RailEurope)
Getting around: foot / bus / tram

Read next: the perfect one day in Bratislava

Bratislava quick fact file:

• Country: Slovakia
• Language: Slovak (90% the same as Czech)
• Currency: Euro
• Age: 26. It was part of Czechoslovakia until the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia
• History: Was under Soviet rule for 50 years until the fall of Communism in 1989.

Facts aside, Bratislava is a pretty, colourful city set alongside the Danube. With less than half a million people, it’s a small capital but I liked the relaxed feel. It felt less crowded than other capitals in Europe which is a blessing in summer.
I didn’t expect Bratislava to be very touristy. Yet where in the world has escaped these days? The city centre has plenty of overpriced restaurants but it’s easy to get off-grid and find cheaper and more authentic places to eat and drink.

Reasons to visit Bratislava

So after that brief summary, should you add Bratislava to your Eastern Europe itinerary? I’d say YES. This is why to visit Bratislava…

1. Wine (and beer) is cheaper than water

If ever there was a reason to visit a city, surely it’s this? Joe recently revealed that Bratislava is the cheapest city in Europe to have a beer; the average pint comes in at €1.48. That’s cheaper than a bottle of water!
I found wine for almost the same price when I ate at a restaurant away from the tourist centre. If you fancy a night out, or just a drink with dinner, you literally can’t beat Bratislava prices.

2. The grammable Blue Church

The Blue Church is one of the most iconic sights in Bratislava. In art nouveau style, it’s different to any church I’ve seen before. On the sunny day I visited, the Blue Church almost blended into the sky but I think it would look striking on a stormy day, too. Inside, the church is also true to its name and painted shades of pale blue.

The Blue Church, Slovakia

Have you ever seen a bluer scene?

3. It’s just 1 hour from Vienna

Bratislava is right between Austria and Hungary and couldn’t be easier to visit en route between the two. It’s 1 hour by train from Vienna and 2 hours from Budapest by train or FlixBus. Especially since you only really need a day to explore, a visit to Bratislava hardly takes any time from your itinerary.
If you have the energy and sense for adventure, you can even travel from Vienna to Bratislava by bike. That’s an adventure I’d love to have!

4. Carb-tastic local food

If ever there was a reason to visit a new country, it’s the food. One of the first things I want to know when arriving somewhere is what to eat there. I’m guessing (hoping?) I’m not the only one. Slovakian food is meaty, carby and cheesy – what’s not to like?

Read next: Where to eat in Bratislava

Potato dumplings stuffed with goat’s cheese

Not only that, the food in Bratislava is great if you’re travelling on a budget. One of the best restaurants to check out is Slovak Pub where you can try sheep’s cheese dumplings for just a couple of Euros. If that’s not a reason to visit Bratislava, I don’t know what is.

5. Super cheap opera tickets

Bratislava Opera House

On the free walking tour of Bratislava, our guide told us that Austrians often cross the border into Slovakia for cheap opera tickets. In Vienna, front row seats are €300 whereas in Bratisalav they’re €40!

6. Cute and quirky cafes

I didn’t expect Bratislava to have such an awesome cafe scene but I was pleasantly surprised. There are plenty of places with excellent coffee and places to co-work. I also have a new favourite beverage: Slovakian lemonade which is really just carbonated water full of fresh berries and fruit (not lemon).

The best cafes I visited in Bratislava were:

7. Weird & wonderful details

I like that Bratislava doesn’t take itself too seriously. Locals and tourists love this quirky statue of Cumil, the Sewer Worker peeping up out of a drain. Apparently, it was decided that Bratislava was too drab and Communist so this statue was erected in 1997 to add new life to the city.

8. Umbrella street!

This reason to visit Bratislava is pretty self-explanatory. These attractive umbrella streets are popping up all over the world but that’s no reason not to tick another one off your list.

9. Bratislava Castle

This enormous white castle is visible from everywhere in Bratislava and from the top you can see out over the whole city. It’s over 1,000 years old although it was virtually destroyed in a fire in the 1800s. Eleven king were crowned at Bratislava making it one of Slovakia’s most important sites.
Time your visit for just before sunset. You’ll get to see the castle in daylight and illuminated at night, plus you’ll catch a gorgeous sunset out over the city.

Bratislava Castle at night

10. Panoramic views (especially at night)

I love any city where I can look out over panoramic views. Night photography is one of my new favourites so I valued the chance to sit astride the castle walls and snap the illuminated city. Pack a picnic and I bet it would be even better!

From downtown, Bratislava feels like a relaxed lowrise city. But from this higher vantage point, I could see shiny office blocks and hotels in one direction and communist-style high-rise apartment blocks in the other. Ultimately, it gave me a new perspective. What else is travel all about?

11. Colourful street art

If you know me, I am obsessed with street art. I hadn’t been expecting to see any in Bratislava so I was pleasantly surprised when I found some large colourful murals. Head to Rajska parking lot, across the road from Hotel Danubia Gate, to find this piece above.

12. The Coronation Trail

One of the most interesting things I discovered during the free walking tour of Bratislava was that the streets are littered with tiny golden crowns, otherwise known as the Coronation Trail.The story of this dates back to days of Mongol and Ottoman invasion in neighbouring countries. Slovakia was relatively untouched and the Hungarian royals moved their kings to Bratislava to keep them safe.
The Coronation Trail marks the route that the kings would have walked in the 16th century during the coronation process. It doubles up as a good sightseeing route, starting at the Danube river and continuing to the Franciscan church and main square.

13. The quirky UFO bridge

If you ever needed a reason to visit Bratislava, surely it’s this Wiki bio?

The world’s longest bridge to have one pylon and one cable-stayed plane.

Wikipedia

I mean what a claim to fame!Joking. It always makes me laugh when attractions claim to the best or biggest even if it’s totally tenuous. Anyway, I’d recommend checking out the UFO bridge simply because it’s weird and wonderful. No one knows why it’s been built to look like a UFO but the nickname’s stuck.
There’s a Skydeck and restaurant inside the UFO-shaped saucer at the top of the Most SNP Bridge. If you don’t want to splash out on dinner, why not visit for one cocktail and soak up the views?

14. Gorgeous old buildings

When I think of ex-communist countries, I can’t help but visualise grey concrete blocks. I couldn’t have been more wrong with Bratislava. Sure, there are a few of these around but the city centre is full of charming townhouses painted pink, blue and yellow.
Honestly, it’s a total mix of styles. The central square has art nouveau, gothic and renaissance buildings, all from different time periods. Architects might hate it but I personally really liked it.

15. Hipster food markets

Hungry? If you’re craving world cuisine rather than heavy Eastern European food, you’re in the right place. Bratislava is full of pop-up coffee carts and food stands serving Slovakian dishes as well as different cuisines like Mexican and Italian.When visiting Lab.cafe, I discovered a vibey, hipster food market beside St James’s Chapel. I tucked into poppyseed pasta which is a local dish but it was tough to tear myself away from the tacos and raclette. In the evening, live DJs came out and stands began serving wine and cocktails.
I believe this market may be seasonal but you can visit the Old Market Hall on Saturdays year-round (10am-3pm) for local foods and beverages.