If you are already in Vienna, Budapest, or Prague you might get the idea to visit Bratislava as well. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, located on the border to Austria and Hungary. It’s just one hour from Vienna which makes it the perfect day trip. Many tourists spend one day in Bratislava.

Are you thinking about a one-day trip from Vienna to Bratislava? Check out this bus and boat tour for more information.

Bratislava is worth visiting if you haven’t been here yet. Travelers usually spend a maximum of two days in Bratislava. This is enough time to explore the main sights of the city and even try some good Slovakian food.

I visited Bratislava several times and even lived there for a few months. In this article, I will show you what places to visit in Bratislava and what’s worth seeing.

My honest guide about sightseeing in Bratislava will help you get around the city, visit the most popular places and try the most authentic Slovakian food.  This itinerary will give you options on what to see within one day in Bratislava.

How to get to Bratislava

Get around in Bratislava like a local

If you arrive at the main train station in Bratislava, you don’t need to hassle with public transport as you can walk to most of the points of interest in Bratislava.

If you arrive at the airport, take the bus N. 61 to Hlavna Stanica (central train station), from here, take the N. 93 to Zochova, which is right in downtown. The trip should take you around 50 minutes.

From the main bus station, take the bus N.210 to Hlavna Stanica (central train station). I highly recommend getting an eSIM for Slovakia so you can navigate with Google Maps which will make your trip more enjoyable.

Visit the Castle

Visiting the castle in Bratislava is a must. It’s the most iconic building in the town, right above the Danube River. From the top, you will have a 360-degree view of the city. You can even see to Austria from there. It’s a great spot to take pictures and even a good place to visit in the evening when the city lights up.

Walk through the city center

You will find the historic city center below the castle with interesting buildings such as the St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Slovak National Theater, Town Hall, the Government Office, and Michael’s Gate.

A bit off the beaten path, you can also go visit the Blue Catholic Church, which is just ten minutes away from the town hall.

In case you get hungry, one block away towards the city center, there is an underpass from Gajova Street to Grösslingová Street where you can get Slovakian pirozhki. If you are around, you need to try them. I always got some when I was a kid and walked by.

Walk along the river Danube

You have probably noticed one significant bridge with a UFO on top. This bridge (called SNP) connects the other side of the city with the downtown. If you are arriving from Hungary or Austria, you might cross it.

You can visit the restaurant on top; just be aware that you will need to pay for the elevator to bring you up, as no stairs are available for the public.

On the other side of the Danube River, you will find the park Sad Janka Kráľa. It’s a good place to relax and take a break from sightseeing in Bratislava. You will find some houseboats serving local and western food on the riverside. It is also a good spot to get another perspective on the city center of Bratislava, dominated by the view of the castle and the bridge.

Visit Christmas Markets in Bratislava

Christmas markets in Bratislava are, in my opinion, the best thing to do in Bratislava in winter. It creates such an amazing and cozy atmosphere. As the city center is quite compact, you can hop from one Christmas market to another one, and enjoy hot wine and some delicious local meals. Personally, I enjoy Christmas markets in Bratislava more than in Vienna as it’s more compact and the prices are also more affordable.

Explore Slavin

Slavin is a memorial and cemetery of the Soviet Army soldiers from World War 2. If you are into history, this is a place to see in Bratislava. Additionally, you get a nice view of the city from another perspective. It takes you approximately 20 minutes to get there from the main train station. You can bookmark the location here.

What to eat in Bratislava

Apart from sightseeing in Bratislava, you should reserve enough time to have a proper Slovakian meal. Bratislava has a lot of options to try authentic Slovakian food.

Here is a list of Slovakian food you should try while visiting Bratislava:

• Bryndzove Halusky (dumplings with sheep cheese)
• Strapacky (dumplings with sauerkraut)
• Lokse (potato pancakes)
• Cesnacka (garlic soup on bread)

My go-to place when I bring friends to Bratislava is the Slovak Pub. It’s the closest and best pub in the city center where you can get local food. A typical local meal will cost you less than € 5. Another authentic pub I like is called Bratislava Flagship, just a few minutes walk from Slovak pub.

You should also visit the following food places in Bratislava:

• Schokocafe Maximilian (best hot chocolate in town)
• Palacinka Lacinka (best pancakes in town for less than € 0,50)
• Urban House (cozy coffee place to meet people)

Two days in Bratislava – what to do?

In case you decide to stay two days in Bratislava, you might be interested in day trips you can do around the city.

Here are my three options for day trips and activities around Bratislava:

1. Devin is a ruin 20 minutes bus drive from Bratislava. It’s just above the intersection of two rivers, the Danube and Moravia. You can get there from the bus station under the bridge SNP with bus number 29. This place played a huge role in the history of the country as more than 25 years. This was the location where the iron curtain separated the eastern block from the west.
2. Zlate Piesky is a small lake just in the suburbs of Bratislava. It’s a good place to relax, rent a paddle boat, swim in the summer, or do some wakeboarding. You can get there from the city center within 30 minutes with the tram number 4.
3. Visiting Koliba and the tv tower offers a good option for people who like to hike. You can start the hike from Zelezna Studienka. It is a nice afternoon walk through the woods combined with a short lift ride to Koliba. If you are into BBQ, I suggest taking some sausages and bread and grilling them on one of the public fireplaces.

Nightlife in Bratislava

Many travelers go to Bratislava to experience the nightlife. Cheap hostels, inexpensive drinks, good bars, and clubs make it a good destination for backpackers.

In most of the clubs in Bratislava, you will need to pay for admission. Women have mostly free entrance.

Here are popular places to visit for students and backpackers:

• Bar On Bar
• Elam Club
• Uisce Beatha

Here is a list of popular bars and clubs in the city center:

• Friends
• Channels
• Mascarade
• Trafo
• The Club

Where to stay in Bratislava

If you decide to extend your one-day trip to Bratislava, I have good news for you. The accommodation in Bratislava is very affordable. Here are a few options for stays in Bratislava close to the city center.

Hostels from € 11 / night: Hostel Blues / Wild Elephans Hostel / Hostel Brickyard

Mid-Range from € 76 / night: APLEND CITY Hotel Perugia / Danubia Gate / APLEND CITY Hotel Michalska

Luxury from € 150 / night: Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel / Loft Hotel / Hotel Avance

If you prefer to use Airbnb, here is my discount code which will save you € 30 on your first booking. If you already have an Airbnb account, you can create a new one with a different email to redeem the coupon. 

My post about the best places to visit in Bratislava should give you an idea about things to do in order to enjoy your stay. You should not leave the city without trying some Slovakian food. Food tasting is one of my favorite activities to do in Bratislava.