What are the top things to do in Bratislava?

The top things to do in Bratislava are: Bratislava Castle (Bratislavsky Hrad) Bratislava Old Town (Stare Mesto) Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské Národné Divadlo) St. Martin's Cathedral (Dóm Sv. Martina) Primate's Palace (Primaciálny Palác)

What are the top activities in Bratislava?

Top activities in Bratislava include: Private Bratislava Grand City Tour Bratislava Post-Communism Tour Bratislava Foodie Tour Private Grand City Tour in Bratislava with Devin Castle Bratislava: 2- Hour Private Walking Tour

What are the top things to do near Bratislava?

Check out things to do near Bratislava: Schwechat Vienna Budapest Graz Linz

What is Bratislava known for?

Bratislava is known for being the capital city of Slovakia. It’s also famous for being located among hills on the Danube river and for having a lively nightlife scene.

How many days are enough for Bratislava?

Two days in Bratislava is enough to comfortably explore the city as it is not terribly large by international standards, even though it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovakia.

Can I use euro in Bratislava?

Yes, the euro can be used in Bratislava as it is the official currency of Slovakia and has been since 2009.

Do they speak English in Bratislava?

Increasingly, English is spoken in Bratislava as a second language, especially among young people and those working within the tourism industry.

Is Bratislava good for shopping?

Yes, Bratislava is a common shopping destination for residents of Vienna. They are lured across the border by the affordable prices of its shopping malls.

Is Bratislava worth visiting?

Yes, it’s worth visiting Bratislava to see its atmospheric old town, admire its Danube riverfront, and gain some insight into Slovakia’s culture.

Things to do in Bratislava

Where to start with Slovakia

Bratislava may not be the only European capital sitting along the Danube River, but the Slovakian capital certainly makes the most of its riverside setting. Bratislava Castle watches over the river with its gleaming white exterior, while the downright unusual Most SNP bridge, better known as the UFO Bridge, joins the city’s two banks. But it’s the city’s compact and walkable Old Town and surrounding streets where travelers will run into the bulk of the best things to do in Bratislava, from palace museums to playful statues and blue churches.

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Top 14 attractions in Bratislava

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Bratislava Castle (Bratislavsky Hrad)

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Perched atop a forested hill on the north bank of the Danube River, overlooking the Old Town (Stary Mesto), Bratislava Castle(Bratislavsky Hrad) is the city’s most distinctive landmark. Visible from all over the city, the grand Renaissance palace dates back to the 16th century and now houses the Museum of History, part of the Slovak National Museum.More

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Bratislava Old Town (Stare Mesto)

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The Old Town (Stare Mesto) of Bratislava is the historic heart of the Slovakian capital. The neighborhood consists of a medieval castle, restored buildings, cobblestoned alleyways, and beautiful palaces. This small district is also packed with history, nightlife, eateries, and shopping for visitors to explore and discover.More

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Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské Národné Divadlo)

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An important institution of Slovakian culture and a symbolic landmark in Bratislava, the Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské Národné Divadlo or SND for short) is a splendid Neo-Renaissance building in the city’s Old Town. Since 1886 it has hosted performances of opera, ballet, and drama within its plush, red velvet, and gilded auditorium.More

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St. Martin's Cathedral (Dóm Sv. Martina)

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With its 279-foot (85-meter) spire, St. Martin’s Cathedral is Bratislava’s largest church and a defining fixture of the Old Town’s skyline. The current Gothic cathedral was built over an earlier basilica and consecrated in 1452. A crown atop its spire symbolizes the 11 Hungarian monarchs crowned inside the cathedral between 1563 and 1830.More

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Primate's Palace (Primaciálny Palác)

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Right in the heart of Bratislava is the neoclassical Primate's Palace (Primaciálny Palác), with its pink facade. What was once the archbishop’s residence now serves as the seat of Bratislava’s mayor and hosts the city council. This architectural jewel is where Napoleon signed the Peace of Pressburg in 1805 after the Battle of Austerlitz.More

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Grassalkovich Palace (Grasalkovicov Palac)

Once home to aristocrats and now home to the Slovakian president, Grassalkovich Palace on the northern edge of Bratislava’s Old Town has been a vital landmark of the city since its construction in 1760. Its white-washed Baroque exterior and monumental modern fountain make a bold statement, as do the surrounding formal French gardens.More

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Devin Castle (Devinsky Hrad)

Just outside Bratislava, Devin Castle (Devinsky Hrad) shows Slovakia’s oldest traces of Slavic settlement, from the ninth century. The castle changed hands many times and was renovated until it was blown up during the 19th-century Napoleonic wars. The castle remains are now a Slovak national symbol and feature stunning panoramic views from the towers.More

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UFO Observation Deck

Bratislava’s UFO Observation Deck isn’t quite as it seems: rather than a place to spot visitors from outer space, it’s a restaurant and observation deck on top of the New Bridge (Nový Most spanning the Danube River. Its circular design, though, does in fact resemble a UFO.More

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Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana)

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Built in the 14th century, Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana) is the only remaining medieval gate in Bratislava that has been preserved. The tower was reconstructed in the 18th century, at which point it was crowned with a statue of the archangel Saint Michael famously slaying a dragon. These days, the gate's tower houses the Museum of Arms, part of the Bratislava City Museum.More

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Hlavne Namestie

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As Bratislava's main square, Hlavne Namestie is the hub of life in the city. It's a great place to sit and sip coffee while watching passersby or browse for souvenirs at market stalls. Those interested in local history may want to pop inside the Bratislava City Museum in the Old Town Hall building.More

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Bratislava Old Town Hall (Stara Radnica)

In the heart of Bratislava’s Old Town lies Stara Radnica, the city’s Old Town Hall. Rather than having just one building, the Old Town Hall is a complex composed of a tower and several historic buildings, the oldest of which dates back to the 15th century. Since 1868, the complex has been home to the Bratislava City Museum.More

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#12

Franciscan Square (Frantiskanske Namestie)

In the heart of Bratislava's compact Old Town, Franciscan Square (Frantiskanske Namestie) is home to the historic Franciscan Church, whose baroque façade belies the fact that it was constructed in the late 13th century. The square is lined with old baroque rowhouses, and there's a small café with indoor and outdoor seating on one side.More

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Open-Air Mining Museum (Slovenské Banské Múzeum)

Set in the Stiavnicke Vrchy Mountains near the town of Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia’s Open-Air Mining Museum (Slovenské Banské Múzeum) is one of a kind and not for the faint of heart. Mining in the area dates back to the 3rd century B.C. and the area boasted one of the richest silver deposits in the Middle Ages. Gunpowder was used here for the first time ever in 1627 and over the two centuries that followed, the region was home to most of the major developments in mining and metallurgy, as well as forestry and chemistry.Visitors have the opportunity to descend into an underground mining pit that stretches for 1300 meters underground, with the deepest section laying 45 meters below the surface. During the 90 minute tour, visitors learn about the history of mining in the Stiavnicke Vrchy Mountains and see exhibits showing both current and obsolete mining techniques and technologies, including drilling technology and methods for transporting ore. Above ground, exhibits include original mining buildings and an exposition about the geological development of the country.More

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#14

Orava Castle (Oravský Hrad)

Looming on a hill over the village of Oravsky Podzamok, Orava Castle is one of the finest castles in Slovakia. This immense castle structure incorporates a medley of architectural styles, both inside and out, that visitors see as they climb up 754 stairs to visit just some of its 154 rooms.More

Explore Bratislava by interest

Itineraries for your Bratislava trip

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Top activities in Bratislava

Private Bratislava Grand City Tour

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$107.51

Bratislava Post-Communism Tour

675

From

$104.25

Bratislava Foodie Tour

107

From

$130.32

Private Grand City Tour in Bratislava with Devin Castle

From

$168.33

Bratislava: 2- Hour Private Walking Tour

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$53.21

Bratislava Identity Bike Tour

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$103.17

Panoramic Tour in Bratislava by Presporacik Sightseeing Vehicle

122

From

$22.28

Ceramic Tour in Modra

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$57.56

Bratislava Traditional Food Tour

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$168.33

Bratislava Big Castle Tour by Presporacik

112

From

$17.92

Traditional beers and drinks of Slovakia tasting tour

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$54.19

Bratislava Food and Wine Tour

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$179.19

Nearly All of Bratislava in 6 hours - Private Tour with Minivan

From

$304.07

Private Day Trip to Banska Stiavnica Unesco Site

From

$195.48

Bratislava Premium Private Walking Tour, 4 hours

From

$222.63

per group

Top experience walking tour with bonus and castle

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$4.33

Bratislava Brunch Tour

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$92.31

Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting

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$143.35

Kayaking on Danube close to the city center

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$43.44

Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting

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$103.17

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All about Bratislava

When to visit

Bratislava experiences the same summer surge of tourists as its neighboring capitals, in part because so many people visit on day trips from Budapest and Vienna. Combine the crowds with hot, humid weather and relatively few festivals or events, and you’d be advised to skip a midyear visit. Wait until early autumn, and you get more comfortable weather, fewer tourists, and the city’s signature festival, the Bratislava Music Festival in September/October.

Getting around

Travelers to Bratislava have the best of both worlds. It’s a small city that is comfortably walkable but also one with affordable and easy-to-use public transport. Trams circle around the city’s historic center and run out to the main train station, while buses allow you to reach the main bus station, as well as hilltop attractions such as Bratislava Castle and the Slavín memorial without too much uphill walking.

Traveler tips

Vienna doesn’t have exclusive ownership of “coffee and cake” in central Europe; head to the Franz Xaver Messerschmidt coffeehouse north of the Old Town to experience Bratislava’s take on the practice. Similarly, the Old Town isn’t the only place in Bratislava with attractions—take the Blue Church of St. Elizabeth, several blocks east of the Old Town, or Devín Castle up river from the city, as examples.

Local Currency

Euro (€)

Time Zone

CEST (UTC +1)

Country Code

+421

Language(s)

Slovak

Attractions

Tours

188

Reviews

2,002

Things to do in Bratislava

Where to start with Slovakia

Top 14 attractions in Bratislava

Explore Bratislava by interest

Itineraries for your Bratislava trip

Top activities in Bratislava

All about Bratislava

When to visit

Getting around

Traveler tips

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