The city of Bratislava is the youngest European metropolis and the largest city of Slovakia, backed by a very eventful past. This city is a mix of the olden eras and the new eras. You will be as fascinated with the architectural designs of the castles and buildings as you will be tempted by the cafes, restaurants, and pubs here. The historic Old Town of Bratislava is the perfect place to visit if you want to go back in time and discover the fountains, parks, and streets of Bratislava that were built centuries ago. You can also head to the modern-day shopping malls or take day trips to the places around the city when you are in Bratislava
Top 10 Things To Do In Bratislava, Slovakia
Wondering what to do in Bratislava? Here is a guide to all the things you must add to your ‘Bratislava to-do list’.
1. Castle Museum Of History
Visit the Museum of History at the Bratislava Castle. When you walk through the main gate of the castle, the first thing you would see on the left side is a short exhibition called ‘The Witness of the Past' which displays the different discoveries that were made on the castle. The main and most interesting exhibits are displayed in the main building called ‘The Castle Gallery'. When you go inside the museum, you will see a royal-looking white hall adorned with golden designs on the walls and a red carpet waiting to welcome you! Next, go to the Music Hall which was previously the 18th-century chapel. Here you can spend some time listening to the music that a professional pianist plays. The top floor of the museum also has two rooms. The first one is where you can find a collection of pictures from the former President, Rudolf Schuster's travels. The second one is an exhibition called ‘How the Time was Measured', a display of lots of clocks, maps, books, and globes. Apart from the permanent exhibitions, the Slovak Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions. This museum is a delight for those who have a keen interest in learning about the history of a place.
Location: Bratislava Castle, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM, Mondays closed
Entry Ticket: 7 Euros per person
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2. UFO Bridge
Get the most stunning views of Bratislava from the UFO Bridge. The UFO Bridge of Bratislava is one of the most well-known symbols and is officially known as the SNP Bridge, which stands for 'Slovak National Uprising'. If you are wondering why this is called the UFO Bridge, it is mainly because the design of this bridge was inspired by the futurism of the early 1960s because of which, the top part of this bridge is a UFO-shaped structure, resembling a flying saucer. This bridge has an elevator that takes you to the top part of the UFO-lookalike structure. Once you go up the elevator, you will reach the viewing platform from where you can get some of the best views of Bratislava. You can also grab a delicious meal at the restaurant perched at a height of 90 meters above the river on the UFO Bridge, affording super scenic views of Bratislava. Dining at this restaurant seated almost in the sky is one of the best things to do in Bratislava at night as the shining lights of the region only make it a more beautiful view.
Location: Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 11 PM
3. Grassalkovich Presidential Palace
Take a walk in the gardens of the Presidential Palace of Bratislava that is inspired by the Baroque style of architectural design, one of the most popular design styles of that era. While you might not be able to enter the palace and have a look at the interiors, you can take a long walk around the blooming gardens designed in a typically French style. constructed in the year 1760, these gardens surround the Presidential Palace and have lush greenery. All you have to do here is take a long walk in the garden and click lots of pictures with the palace in the background. Don’t forget to slip out of your footwear for a bit and walk barefoot on the soft grass. Walking around at these prestigious palace gardens is easily one of the best things to do in Bratislava, especially if you are looking at spending some time with loved ones and relaxing.
Location: Hodžovo námestie 2978/1, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
Timings: April-Sep 9 AM - 9 PM, October-March 10 AM - 6 PM
Entry Tickets: Free admission to the garden
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4. Blue Church
One of the things to do in Bratislava is admiring the beauty of the Blue Church. Lying in the Eastern part of the Old Town, the Blue Church, as it is popularly called, is originally the Church of St. Elisabeth. This church is a classic church which is designed in the art nouveau architectural design and looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. If you happen to visit this church on a rather sunny day, you will see how the colors of the clear sky match the colors of this gorgeous church. Everything about the church is unique and is a monotone of blue, right from the blue mosaics, to the facades, to the glazed blue roof. Looking to get some amazing pictures in Bratislava? The exteriors of the Blue Church will make for the best background! If at all you are feeling blue when in Bratislava, this Blue Church is going to free you of all those blues, filling you up with lots of joy and your phone gallery with lots of artsy pictures.
Location: Alžbety, Bezručova 2, 811 09 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Timings: 7-7:30 AM, 5:30-7 PM
5. Devin Castle
Built in a Gothic architectural style, the Devin Castle is about ten kilometers away from the city center of Bratislava. The castle is seated at the confluence of the River Danube and the River Morava. In the olden times, this castle was the prime controller of the trade route of the River Danube. This Devin Castle is a well-preserved ruin which is a hot-spot for tourists visiting Bratislava, especially because of the geographical position of the castle. We suggest you reach the castle early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to douse in the peaceful vibes of the place. Around this castle, you will also find bike trails through which you can explore the verdant surroundings of the castle. If you are traveling with family, you could also lend a canoe and cruise through the River Morava. When you get hungry, you can stop over at one of the restaurants in Devin and try out the local Slovak cuisine. One of the things to do in Bratislava is taking a day trip to the Devin Castle
Location: Muránská 1050/10, 841 10 Devín, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM
Entry Fee: 5 Euros
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6. Old Town of Bratislava
The Old Town of Bratislava is the historic center of Bratislava and was the main connection between the neighboring areas and the outskirts, around the Middle Ages. In the Old Town of Bratislava, head to St. Michael’s Tower, an exhibition of weaponry and city fortifications. Even walking around the cobbled streets of the Old Town is one of the most fun things to do in Bratislava as the colorful pastel buildings and narrow pathways make you feel all touristy. If you just want to sit around and people-watch, we suggest you to push off to the Main Square at the Old Town where you can just sit and watch people go about their day. With all the walking around, when you start getting hungry, step into one of the local cafes and grab a bite or two. Exploring the streets of the old town is one of the interesting things to do in Bratislava.
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia.
7. Slovak National Gallery
The Slovak National Gallery sits in the Eszterhazy palace, by the side of the famous River Danube of Bratislava. At the Slovak National Gallery, you will be able to see exhibitions of classical art as well as modern art. Those interested in the Gothic and Baroque design styles will love the gallery as it also has a host of sculptures that are inspired by these art styles. Make sure you stop over at the small souvenir shop and library before you leave this gallery. The best way to explore this three-storey gallery is to start from the third floor and then come down to the lower floors. After you visit the gallery, we suggest you take a stroll by the river before you head to the next sightseeing spot. The Slovak National Gallery also holds temporary exhibitions, so check their website before you visit so you know what to expect. If you are an art lover, one of the things to do in Bratislava is visiting the exhibitions at this gallery.
Location: Námestie Ľudovíta Štúra 811 02, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Admission
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8. Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
Opened in the year 2000, the Danubian Meulesteen Art Museum is the newest addition to Bratislava's art galleries. Situated on the peninsula jutting out on the River Danube, this art museum is about fifteen kilometers away from the city center. This museum is built in the style of a Roman gallery surrounded by the shallow waters of the River Danube. You will find brilliant works of art, made by world famous international artists at this Art Museum. On the ground level of the museum, you will find a gallery that displays contemporary art while the outer grounds of the art gallery are spread over a humongous 8000 square meters where you can see the most stunning sculptures on display.
Location: Vodné dielo Slovensko, 851 10 Bratislava-Čunovo, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: 10 Euros for adults
9. Funus Bar
The Funus Bar is the oldest family-owned garden pub of Bratislava and is a hot favourite with the locals. If you think this bar is just like any other overcrowded bar you would go to, you are mistaken! This bar is located in the open and is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and old chestnut trees. Funus serves great food and chilled beers. The pub is situated near the main railway station and is very easy to locate, making it easier for tourists to pay a visit. It has been said that this place was frequently visited by notable Slovak patriots, writers, poets and politicians around the 19th century. If you happen to speak to the locals at this pub, you will find that most of them are regular patrons at this bar, visiting the pub as frequently as once a week. Getting a drink at Funus Bar has to be on your to-do list as it is one of the best things to do in Bratislava at night.
Location: Prokopa Veľkého 1, 811 04 Staré Mesto, Slovakia.
Timings: 10 AM - 10 PM
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10. Bratislavian Forest
Take a chairlift over the Bratislavian Forest. Perched on the Koliba hill in the Carpathian Mountain region, right above the center of Bratislava city. The chairlift here was first opened to the public in 1972 and has since been frequented by couples, families, enthusiastic hikers and lots of tourists. The Carpathian region of Bratislava gives you a chance to step away from all the chaos of the city life. Once you reach the Koliba hill, you will have to walk up the hill for about half an hour before you reach the Koliba tower, the place where you will find the chairlift. This 50-year-old chairlift and will take you at an elevated height from where you can watch the beautiful views of the forest and the surroundings. Even if you don’t do the chairlift, you can relax and soak in the tranquillity of this dense forest. Sitting in the chairlift and overlooking the forest is definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Bratislava. If you like hiking, you will love this place and this experience!
Location: About 8 minutes from the Presidential Palace, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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If you are planning a Europe trip with Bratislava included in your itinerary, you should put these things to do on your list to make the most of your vacation. Slovakia is one hell of amazing destination to plan a trip to. If you are always looking for new places, then this country should make it to your list. When are you booking your tickets to Bratislava to explore the beauty of this melting pot of culture, architecture, and art?
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