This list of the best must-see places in Bratislava is what you need to design your getaway to the Slovakian capital. Whether you come on a day trip from Vienna or Budapest, which is very common due to its proximity, or you decide to stay longer and explore in depth one of the most unknown countries in Europe, we tell you what are the main tourist attractions so you can make the most of this interesting city.
Although it cannot compete in majesty with other nearby cities such as Vienna, Budapest or Prague, visiting Bratislava, one of the smallest capitals on the European continent, is a pleasure thanks to its compact historic centre on the banks of the Danube, which is full of charming and charming cobbled streets that will make your visit an unforgettable memory. In addition to all this, Bratislava is an inexpensive city with a lively nightlife and plenty of museums and galleries for culture lovers to enjoy.
Can you see Bratislava in one day? Yes, it's a very compact city and the main sights are all within walking distance of each other, making it easy to get around on foot. And because it's so well connected to Vienna, many travellers choose to see Bratislava in a day and return to sleep in the Austrian capital. Still, if you like to take it easy or if one of the excursions at the end of this list sounds like a good idea, sleeping in Bratislava is a great idea.
We are sure that this list of 10 places to see in Bratislava will help you plan your tour of the city. Remember that at the end of the post we've left a map where we've marked them all so you can see them all in a more graphic way. Let's get started!
1. Bratislava Castle
We couldn't start our list of things to do in Bratislava in one day in any other way than with its castle. The Bratislavský Hrad or Bratislava Castle is located on a hill overlooking the city, so it is impossible to lose sight of it.
Although the original structure dates back to the 10th century, what you see today is the result of an arduous reconstruction that was completed in 1968. The current design was inspired by an earlier 18th-century building with its four red-domed towers, now the emblem of Bratislava.
Visiting this castle is one of the must-do things to do in Bratislava for several reasons. Firstly, because it is a place with a lot of history, since, among many other events, the constitution of Slovakia as an independent country was signed here on 3 September 1992. It is home to the Bratislava History Museum, the Treasury Chamber and the official residence of the President of the Republic. As if that were not enough, from this point you can enjoy wonderful views of the city and the Danube flowing alongside it. Finally, if you're visiting Bratislava in summer, you may find yourself at a concert.
If, like us, you like to delve deeper into what you're seeing, we recommend you sign up for this free tour in English, which also takes in other parts of the city. Do you have more time? This guided tour will take you to discover Bratislava Castle and the ruins of Devin Castle, another of the country's important historical remains.
Bratislava Castle2. Blue Church, a must-see in Bratislava
We are sure that this church will not leave you indifferent. Designed by Ödön Lechner and inaugurated in 1913, you will quickly understand why this architect is known as the "Hungarian Gaudí".
Although it is not located in the centre, St. Elisabeth's Church is one of the most interesting places to see in Bratislava and deserves a small detour from your route. As its name suggests, it is painted blue, but it is also a beautiful example of art nouveau style. If you find it open, be sure to go inside - it's also blue on the inside!
A good way to start visiting Bratislava is to sign up for this free tour in English or this private tour, as in a couple of hours you will have passed through its main points of interest and learnt about its historical and social context. You can also take the tourist train, which makes two tours of Bratislava including places like the Blue Church or the Slavín, which we will tell you more about later.
The Blue Church, a curious sight to see in Bratislava3. St. Michael's Gate
Bratislava was surrounded by a medieval fortification of which little remains, but there is one very interesting place to see: St. Michael's Gate. Built around 1300, this was one of the four gates through which access to the interior of the walled enclosure was possible. Its current appearance is the result of a Baroque reconstruction in 1758. The statue of Saint Michael and the Dragon that gives it its name was added.
Today, the gate is home to the Bratislava City Museum, which houses an interesting exhibition of weapons and fortifications. Even so, the best thing is that you can climb the 51-metre-high tower, from which you can get a good panoramic view of the historic centre.
St Michael's Gate in Bratislava4. St. Martin's Cathedral
Located at the foot of the castle, another of the religious buildings to visit in Bratislava is St. Martin's Cathedral. It was built in the late 13th century on the site of a Romanesque church and cemetery, but has suffered many vicissitudes, including a lightning strike on the tower. As a result, the Gothic-style building we can see today is the result of several reconstructions. It features an 85-metre-high tower that was formerly part of the medieval walls surrounding the city. At the top you can see a replica of the Crown of St. Stephen weighing more than 300 kilos, as it was in this cathedral that the monarchs of the Kingdom of Hungary were crowned between 1563 and 1830.
Although the interior is sober, it is worth entering and admiring the catacombs, which are built over a cemetery and contain the remains of many religious authorities and members of the Pálffy family (a Slovak noble family). Admission is free.
St. Martin's Cathedral, a must-see place to visit in Bratislava.
5. Slavín, an important place to visit in Bratislava
Although it is not located in the centre, we consider it important to include this place in the list of things to do in Bratislava in one day because of its historical relevance. The Slavín is a memorial to the soldiers of the Soviet army who died during World War II, specifically in April 1945 while liberating Bratislava from German occupation.
It is a construction of clearly Stalinist architecture with a 39.5-metre-high obelisk on which rests an 11-metre-high sculpture of a Soviet soldier. You will also find the cemetery where the bodies of the 6,845 soldiers who died are laid to rest.
The Slavín is located on a hill about 30 minutes' walk from the centre of Bratislava, so you get a great view of the city. If you don't have much time or don't feel like walking, you can take bus number 147 in the direction of Búdková from the Zochova stop, very close to St. Michael's Gate. In just 5 minutes you will be at the base of the stairs leading to the monument, which, by the way, is free of charge.
Slavín, something interesting to see in Bratislava6. Grassalkovich Palace
Another important place to visit in Bratislava is the Grassalkovich Palace. Located on Hodžovo námestie square, this is the official residence of the President of Slovakia. It was built in 1760 for Count Antal Grassalkovich, who was head of the Hungarian Chamber and a close friend of Maria Theresa I of Austria. It is a late Baroque and Rococo summer palace with a beautiful French garden.
Although it is not possible to visit the interior, we recommend that you visit the palace to admire the façade and take a stroll through the garden, which is accessible.
Grassalkovich Palace, Bratislava in one day7. Climbing the Most SNP, something to do in Bratislava
Opened in 1972, the Most SNP (short for Most Slovenského národného povstania or "Slovak National Insurrection Bridge") is one of Bratislava's landmarks and the world's longest cable-stayed bridge with a single pylon and a single cable-stayed plane. However, what is likely to catch your eye is the UFO or flying saucer-shaped structure where you can find the UFO, a restaurant/bar/viewpoint from which you can get a nice view of the Danube and the city, as it is 95 metres above the ground.
Entrance to the viewing platform costs €9.90 and it is open from 10am to 11pm. Although the restaurant's prices are not cheap, with the Bratislava Card you get a 10% discount and, in addition, if you eat a main course, you get free access to the observation deck. This card, in addition to many discounts and admission to different museums and galleries to visit in Bratislava, gives you free transport for the entire duration of its validity (24, 48 or 72 hours).
Most SNP, the most famous bridge in Bratislava8. Bratislava Main Square
The Hlavné námestie or Main Square is the nerve centre of the Slovak capital and therefore one of the must-see sights in Bratislava. It is Bratislava's largest and most elegant square. As well as being surrounded by impressive and colourful buildings, including the Old Town Hall of Bratislava or Stara Radnica, it is also home to the Maximilian Fountain, which was ordered to be built by the Hungarian King Maximilian II to supply water to the city and where you can see him today as a knight in armour.
If you have time, we recommend that you don't miss the Municipal Museum, located in the Old Town Hall building. Here you will find, in addition to a beautiful interior courtyard, an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city with all kinds of artefacts. The best thing is that you can climb to the top of its Baroque-style tower, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the square and the Staré Mesto or Old Town of Bratislava. Admission to the museum is free for Bratislava Card holders, otherwise it costs €7.
Hlavné námestie, the most important place to visit in Bratislava9. The statues of Bratislava
Although I'm sure you've already imagined it, one thing to do in Bratislava is to wander aimlessly through the streets of the centre. Close to the Main Square you can't miss the Primate's Palace, a neoclassical building painted in pink that houses the city's current town hall. Approaching the castle, we encourage you to stroll along the pretty streets of Prepoštská, Kapitulská and Farská before reaching Židovská, where you will find the House of the Good Shepherd, a rococo style building, painted in a pastel yellow colour, which was built by a merchant in the mid-18th century and houses the Clock Museum.
However, there is another attraction to visiting Bratislava and that is the amusing bronze statues scattered around the city. Although some of them have already disappeared, there are still these:
Čumil: also known as "the working man", this is one of the most photographed statues in Bratislava and depicts a worker climbing out of a manhole.
Schöne Náci: Ignaz was a Bratislava resident who greeted everyone by taking off his top hat.
Napoleonic soldier: He rests quietly behind a bench on the Main Square, providing a nice photo opportunity.
Hans Christian Andersen: this is a statue in honour of this famous writer.
The Witch: in honour of the innocent people who were drowned in the Danube because they were considered witches.
To make sure you don't miss them, we've marked them on the map of places to see in Bratislava at the end of this post.
Čumil, one of the statues to see in Bratislava
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10. Slovak National Theatre
We end our tour of places to see in Bratislava at the beautiful Slovak National Theatre. Located on Hviezdoslav Square, it is a neo-Renaissance building opened in 1886 and designed by Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer. In its early days, 1,000 spectators could watch the performances and 800 gas lamps were used to illuminate it. It was renovated in 1972 and, in addition to its spectacular murals, its chandelier with 2,532 bulbs is a highlight.
The only way to see it from the inside is to attend one of the plays. You can check the programme here. Note that many of the plays take place in a building far from the centre and much more modern, as it was built in 2007.
Slovak National TheatreExcursions to do from Bratislava
If you have more than one day in Bratislava, you can consider the following excursions:
Devín Castle: its geographical position at the confluence of the Danube and the Morava has made it a very attractive place for various civilisations since Neolithic times. Although it was almost entirely destroyed after the order of Napoleon Bonaparte, part of it was rebuilt during the 20th century and a visit to its ruins and museum is highly recommended.
Excursion to Zilina and Mala Fatra National Park: if you want to get to know the capital of northwestern Slovakia and into the Western Carpathian Mountains in one day, this tour with an English-speaking guide will make things easy for you.
For those interested in getting a more rounded impression of the country, this day trip from Bratislava takes you into the Trnava wine region, visiting ancient royal towns of Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra and the beautiful Červený Kameň Castle.
Červený Kameň Castle, an excursion to do from BratislavaWhat to do in Bratislava in one day
As we told you at the beginning, it is possible to see Bratislava in one day if you come from Vienna or Budapest. Our recommendation is to get up early enough to make the most of the day, especially if you're going to do it in winter, when there are fewer hours of sunshine. If you arrive by train, which is usually the most common way, a logical route could be the following:
Walk from the station to Grassalkovich Palace.
Entrance to the old town through St. Michael's Gate.
Walk through the centre to Hlavné námestie and visit the Old Town Hall.
Primate's Palace.
Slovak National Theatre passing the bronze sculptures.
Walk to the sculpture of Hans Christian Andersen.
Panoramic view of the Most SNP, possible ascent to the viewing platform.
St. Martin's Cathedral and the House of the Good Shepherd.
Visit to Bratislava Castle.
Walk or bus to Slavín.
Return to Vienna or Budapest.
If you get hungry along the way, we recommend a stop at Koliba Kamzík or Modrá Hviezda. Both offer traditional Slovak food such as bryndzové halušky, a kind of potato gnocchi topped with cheese.
Where to stay in Bratislava
Due to its good connections to other nearby European cities, many travellers choose to visit Bratislava in one day and not stay overnight. However, you've already seen that the Slovak capital is a pleasant city to spend at least a couple of days in, and it's also a very economical destination. For this reason, and because it gives you the opportunity to do this curious night tour, staying overnight here is a great option.
Our recommended hotel in Bratislava is the Arcadia Boutique Hotel. With an unbeatable location, 50 metres from the Main Square, it is a well-kept hotel in a 13th century building, but with all the comforts needed by today's traveller. A spectacular breakfast is included in the price of the room.
If you're looking for mid-priced accommodation in Bratislava, but still within walking distance of everything, Hostel Folks is a good alternative. You can choose from double, triple and quadruple rooms or shared dorms, so there's something for every budget. There's also a kitchen, dining room and common room if you want to make breakfast or meet other travellers.
You can find more hotels in Bratislava thanks to the Booking platform.
Getting to Bratislava
Bratislava has an international airport, so the easiest way to get there is by plane. Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair have direct flights from Palma de Mallorca and Lanzarote, as well as from other European destinations such as Brussels, Dublin and London. If you look for flights to Bratislava in advance, you can get them from €20 each way. Once in Slovakia, you can reach the city centre by bus or, for more comfort, hire a private transfer to your hotel. If you can't find flights to Bratislava at a good price, another option is to look for flights to Vienna and, from there, go to Bratislava by public transport or with a transfer.
Finally, if you want to get to Bratislava from Budapest, you can also choose between buses and trains. While trains are faster (90 minutes), you'll have to go to a less central station, so you may want to choose the bus (2 hours 30 minutes). Find prices and timetables at Omio.
Boats on the Danube RiverMap of the best must-see places in Bratislava