Whether a weekend trip, a city break, or a vacation – everything is possible in Bratislava. Historic buildings, gigantic churches, castles, a unique atmosphere, cool cafés, and a fascinating history await you here. The city has so much to tell and magically captivates visitors. Bolle and Marco visited the capital as part of their Slovakia tour and discovered many cool spots. In the following article, I’ll tell you which Bratislava sights and highlights you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Have fun browsing and trying them out.

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• Bratislava Sights
  • 1. Bratislava Castle
  • 2. The Slavin Monument
  • 3. Beautiful Old Town
  • 4. Main Square & Town Hall
  • 5. Michael’s Gate
  • 6. UFO Observation Deck
  • 7. Famous Bronze Figures
  • 8. Grassalkovich Palace
  • 9. St. Martin’s Cathedral
  • 10. Primate’s Palace
  • 11. The Blue Church
  • 12. Bratislava National Theatre
  • 13. Trip to Devin Castle
• Book Tours and Excursions
• Getting to Bratislava
• Cool Hotels in Bratislava
• Conclusion about Bratislava

Bratislava Sights

I’ve marked the most important spots for you on the map below. There you’ll find the top Bratislava sights, cool cafés, and a few hotels. Do you have another spot that should definitely be on this map? Write it in the comments; we’d love to include your tip.

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1. Bratislava Castle

On a rock, 85 meters above the city, stands the imposing Bratislava Castle, a landmark of the city and the subject of many postcards and photo series. The castle hill was once a strategically good location and has therefore been inhabited since the Stone Age. Today, the castle is a symbol of Bratislava and home to the historical museum, whose mission is to convey the development of society in Slovakia to visitors. You can visit the castle with its museum and treasury every day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Admission for adults is €10. More information here. You can also get a beautiful view of the castle from the UFO.

2. The Slavin Monument

On a hill above the castle, the 52-meter-high, most important war memorial in Central Europe, towers over the city and is visible from many locations. The Slavin Monument commemorates the liberation of Bratislava in 1945 by the Red Army. 6,845 Soviet soldiers found their final resting place in the cemetery. A victorious soldier with a flag dominates the 39.5-meter-high pillar.

3. Beautiful Old Town

A wonderful holiday atmosphere and a very special flair emerge in the streets of Bratislava’s Old Town. The charming alleys and historic buildings invite you to linger. The Old Town is busy until late at night, and restaurants are also open late. During the day, you can stroll through the streets and pass almost all of the city’s major sights and the famous bronze statues. Everything in Bratislava is very centrally located, so even one or two days on a weekend are plenty to explore Bratislava.

Tip from Marco & Bolle: Be sure to visit the Urban House in Bratislava. Here you can sit at the table with your laptop, sip delicious coffee, order great food, or just relax. The food is absolutely delicious, and the area where this shop is located is generally really cool. Bratislava is home to a lot of hip cafés, such as eleven books & coffee, Café L’Aura & Antik Art Shop, WCAFE, or MAD DROP Espresso & Brew Bar.

4. Main Square & Town Hall

If you’re out and about in Bratislava’s Old Town to see the sights, you’ll automatically pass by the almost square-shaped Main Square. Here, in addition to the Old Town Hall, which houses an exhibition on the city’s history, you’ll also find the famous Maximilian Fountain, the oldest fountain in Bratislava. The Main Square used to be the central marketplace, where meetings took place and important people were welcomed. Today, you can watch the hustle and bustle of the city from one of the cafés here.

5. Michael’s Gate

The Michael’s Gate is the only remaining city gate of Bratislava’s medieval fortifications. The 51-meter-high tower is one of the city’s oldest buildings. It was rebuilt in the Baroque style between 1753 and 1758, and the statue of Archangel Michael was placed atop the tower at that time. Today, it houses the City Museum’s weapons exhibition, and the gate itself contains a bronze ring that indicates the distance to important cities. On a tour of the Old Town, you’ll automatically pass this city gate.

6. UFO Observation Deck

The 432-meter-long bridge, built in 1972 to commemorate the Slovak resistance against the German invasion, has a somewhat futuristic feel. Today, the bridge connects Bratislava’s Old Town with the new development on the other side of the Danube. You can cross this bridge on foot; a pedestrian path runs along the sides. The view from the other side of the Danube toward the Old Town is truly beautiful. But on the other side lies another highlight of Bratislava.

Directly on the bridge is the 95-meter-high Observation Tower, which resembles a UFO. You can take an elevator up and enjoy the view of the Danube, the countryside, and the city from there. Enjoy the view from the observation deck or treat yourself to a drink in the bar (one floor below). Their striking appearance makes the bridge and the tower among the city’s most famous landmarks. GetYourGuide offers a cool tour: Skywalk Bratislava with UFO Tower. Entrance ticket for only €39 per person. Click here to book.

7. Famous Bronze Figures

In Bratislava’s Old Town, there are several very funny “sights,” namely the famous bronze figures that are scattered throughout the city and make a stroll through the city a little more entertaining. The most famous sculpture is Čumil (the Gaffer), who peers up women’s skirts from a manhole. So be sure to watch the ground when you’re out and about in Bratislava so you don’t trip over him. Also very popular is the Náci, who greets people with his friendly hat. Then there’s the paparazzo, who hunts down passersby with his camera. Have fun on the scavenger hunt!

8. Grassalkovich Palace

The Grassalkovich Palace was built in 1760 for the Chairman of the Hungarian Royal Chamber. Today, it is the residence of the President of the Slovak Republic. Behind the palace is the beautifully landscaped Grassalkovich Garden, which, as a green park, attracts many visitors and locals, especially in summer. You can reach the palace and its gardens on foot from St. Michael’s Gate in just a few minutes, providing a relaxing break from city life. Bolle and Marco were there at the right time and were able to marvel at the changing of the guard.

9. St. Martin’s Cathedral

Located on the western edge of the Old Town is the impressive Gothic cathedral, built here in the 14th and 15th centuries on the site of an older church dedicated to St. Savior. St. Martin’s Cathedral, as the three-aisled church with several chapels is called, captivates Bratislava’s visitors every day. The highlight of a visit to the church is the 150 kg copy of the Hungarian royal crown, which adorns the 85-meter-high spire of the cathedral tower. Furthermore, the 2.5-ton bell, cast in 1675, is one of the most valuable bells in all of Europe.

10. Primate’s Palace

Right on the Main Square, in the heart of Bratislava, is the neoclassical Primate’s Palace, which today houses the mayor and city council of Bratislava. Its pink facade makes it easily recognizable. Inside, you can see a spectacular Hall of Mirrors, a fountain, and a valuable collection of English tapestries from the 17th century. In addition, concerts take place throughout the year in the House of Mirrors, which are definitely worth a visit if you’re a fan of classical music.

11. The Blue Church

Another landmark of Bratislava, which often serves as a photo motif for postcards, is the St. Elizabeth Church, or Blue Church. The church is truly unique not only because of its light blue color, which is visible both inside and out, but also because of its oriental elements and the typical Hungarian Art Nouveau style. Blue mosaics decorate the church, and the roof also remains true to the color scheme. Standing in front of the church feels a bit like being in a fairytale.

12. Bratislava National Theatre

The National Theatre in Bratislava is also located near the historic Old Town on Hviezdoslav Square. This opera house is particularly striking due to its distinctive Neo-Renaissance style. If you look closely, you’ll notice the busts of J.W. Goethe, W. Shakespeare, F. Liszt, W.A. Mozart, and J. Katon decorating the building’s entrance. The fountain in front of the opera house is also lovely to look at, as are the colorful lawns and flowerbeds.

13. Excursion to Devin Castle

If you’re in Bratislava, you should definitely plan some time for an excursion to Devin Castle (Thebes). It only takes about 20 minutes by public bus from Bratislava to get there. The ruins are impressively situated on a rock above the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers.

Slovaks see their roots as a nation in the castle ruins, and therefore the castle holds great significance for them. It is also one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Europe. But it’s not just the castle ruins themselves that are a highlight; the view and the surrounding landscape are also beautiful and offer plenty of opportunity to enjoy them.

Book tours and excursions

I’ve picked out some really cool tours and excursions for you, which I would also book. To keep things interesting, I’ve tried to offer you a great mix of culture, city, and fun. Do you know of another cool tour? Then write it in the comments and we’ll include it here.

• Bratislava: 1-hour small group walking tour*
• Nighttime walking tour & Drink in the observation tower*
• Extensive city tour of Bratislava*
• 3-hour guided tour of the Old Town*
• Bratislava with a difference: Virtual scavenger hunt for explorers*
• Segway tours with a guide – 3 route options*

Getting to Bratislava

By train:Bratislava is only about 70 km from Vienna and is therefore extremely easy to reach. The journey takes less than an hour and costs around €12 per person. From the main train station, you can also reach Prague, Budapest, the interior of the country, and of course, Germany. From Munich, the train journey takes only about 6 hours. Trams and buses run in all directions from the main train station; the Old Town is only 15 minutes away.

By bus: Long-distance buses also serve Bratislava. From Berlin, you’ll need to allow around 10-12 hours (with a stop in Prague). You can book your tickets with Flixbus* or Eurolines. Tickets from Berlin, for example, are available for around €25 each way. Amazing, right? For the sake of the environment, we definitely recommend traveling by train or bus.

By boat:Vienna is only about 70 km from Bratislava. From Vienna, you can also travel by boat across the Danube. How cool is that? For example, you can take the fast catamaran “Twin City Liner” to Bratislava. You can book your ticket for just €35 at GetYourGuide*. If you’re coming from Vienna, this method of travel is certainly a cool alternative to taking the train, car, or bus.

Cool hotels in Bratislava

Would you like to spend one or more nights in Bratislava? Then I’ve listed some really cool and chic hotels for you here. All are very centrally located in the city and impress with their cool and chic design and excellent reviews from previous guests.

• Skaritz Hotel & Residence*
• Marrol’s Boutique Hotel*
• Arcadia Boutique Hotel*
• LOFT Hotel Bratislava*
• Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava*
• Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel*

Conclusion about Bratislava

Bratislava is a really cool city, one you might not even notice at first. The Old Town is really pretty with all its historic buildings. Bolle and Marco especially liked the young scene with its cool cafés and shops, as well as the easily arranged sights. Bratislava is definitely worth a visit, even for just one day, but two or three are better, of course. If you’re planning a trip through Slovakia, you should definitely stop in the country’s capital.