Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a fun, quirky city, without being overly crowded with tourists. It is a lovely spot to visit, and works nicely in a combined trip to Vienna, Prague, and/or Budapest. Bratislava is not expensive, so it’s a great choice for enjoying wonderful hotels, foods, wines, and souvenirs without breaking the budget. Slovakia is a beautiful Eastern European country, with mountains, forests, wineries, picturesque castle ruins, and the majestic Danube river in the west, running through Bratislava. It was part of Czechoslovakia, which was formed after WWI, and separated in 1993 into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Here are our quick travel info tips for planning a visit to Bratislava.
Travel Info: Bratislava
WHY VISIT
Fun and quirky historic city
Small, lovely Old Town with restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, souvenir and antique shops
Bratislava offers a nice welcome to tourists
A pleasant one-hour train ride from Vienna
Easily combined with a trip to Vienna, Prague, and/or Budapest
RECOMMENDATIONS
Stay at Marrol’s Boutique Hotel, 5-star, comfortable, won’t break the bank, great location on the edge of Old Town, quiet at night
U Certa Pub near the castle to see the unique, fun, artsy decor, and a cool place to have a drink
Make a dinner reservation at Modra Hviezda for authentic Slovak food, ask to sit in the old wine cellar, eat venison
WHAT TO SEE
Bratislava Castle and surrounding neighborhood with narrow, winding, cobblestone streets
Old Town, which includes St. Martin’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s Gate, and St. Elizabeth’s (aka The Blue Church)
The UFO Observation Deck, which does indeed look like a UFO hovering over the Danube River, great views of the Bratislava skyline
For a 1/2-day trip, visit the sprawling ruins of Devín Castle, near Bratislava, on a point where the Danube and Morava Rivers meet
WHAT TO DO
Stroll Old Town, enjoying a coffee and a fresh baked danish, or a meal, sitting outside at café tables, available even in winter (with heat lamps)
Shop at the quaint and unique antique shops in Old Town and around the city – very interesting finds here in eastern Europe
Try Slovakian beers and wines, all fantastic
Walk the Riverfront, along the amazing Danube River, admiring both boats and views
WHAT TO KNOW
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European (CET), +6 hours from New York City (EST)
Plug-in Adaptor: Standard EU plug-in
Language: Slovak, many people also speak English
Weather: Very temperate, winters not too cold, summers not too hot
KEY PHRASES
Hello: Ahoj
[ahoy]
Please: Prosím
[proh-seem]
Thank You: D’akujem
[jah-koo-yehm]
Yes: Áno
[aah-noh]
No: Nie
[nye-eh]
Two Pints of Guinness, please: Two Pints of Guinness, prosím
Cheers: Na Zdravie
[nah zdrah-wyeh]
Na Zdravie!
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