The Old Town Hall is a common stop on walking tours of the city’s historical center. While they may be a good way to learn the history of the cannonball embedded in the tower and that the buildings, except for the baroque tower, share a Renaissance design, they generally don’t take you to the building’s museum. Within the museum, you’ll find a permanent exhibition that tells the stories of Bratislava’s people, from the Middle Ages to the 1930s, through religious, royal, and personal artifacts. Climb the town hall’s tower, and you’ll learn the building’s history while enjoying its city views.
The Bratislava City Museum has been designed for barrier-free access to visitors using wheelchairs or strollers. However, this doesn’t extend to the tower and its narrow staircase.
Virtual elements of the tower’s displays create an interactive experience that may appeal to younger visitors.
Admission to the Bratislava City Museum comes with entry to the tower and is combined with admission to the Apponyi Palace.
Owing to its location deep within the core of the Old Town’s pedestrian streets, you must walk at least a little to arrive at the Old Town Hall. If you’re driving in Bratislava, the nearest parking place is Garáž Centrum, roughly a block away. As for getting to the Old Town Hall by tram, any stops that circle the historical center will do, as they’re all approximately the same distance away.
When visiting the Old Town, you’ll have to contend with the regular crowd of tourists in Bratislava’s historical center, so getting in before the late morning is a good idea. Alternatively, wait until the afternoon for daytrippers to leave the city, and you also have the chance to view a sun-kissed cityscape from the tower’s viewing platform. The Old Town Hall’s courtyard often hosts concerts and special cultural programs in summer.
The Old Town Hall tower is just one of many viewpoints in Bratislava awaiting visitors to the city. On the edge of the Old Town, climb to the top of Michael's Gate for views of the Old Town and up towards the castle. Bratislava Castle is another obvious candidate, with its garden terraces offering uninterrupted views across the city’s rooftops. But even higher up is the Slavín memorial, with the whole city visible below you.