What to see in Bratislava in 1 day. Bratislava in one day: the main attractions of the city

Main attractions and what to see in Bratislava in 1 day. Interesting places with comments, photographs and impressions of a trip to this city.

Before describing what to see in Bratislava and a walk around the city, I will provide some useful information that is difficult to find on the Internet. Bratislava is not so popular, which is why there is little information, especially in Russian.

How to get to Bratislava

The most popular destinations are the Airport, Budapest and Vienna, and about each in order.

1. : city buses 61 and 96 for 0.9€ or 25€.
2. : train costs 17.5€, and buses from 8€. Tickets are on sale.
3. : trains cost from 10€, but more often buses travel for 5€.

Where to stay in Bratislava

1. Apartments: For renting apartments for a day, the site is suitable, and to save money, use it.
2. Hotels: if you don’t want to overpay, then use the search engine and the function. The search engine will find the best deal, and CashBack and coupons will reduce the price by up to 20%.

Sights of Bratislava

Bratislava is inferior in popularity to neighboring Vienna and Budapest, which is reflected on ticket and excursion booking sites. Here is a small list available for sale online.

1. — 10€
2. — 75€
3. — 50€

What to see in Bratislava in 1 day

There was a lot of technical information and I hope it was useful, and now the trip itself. I arrived from Vienna by bus, which stops almost at the foot of the main symbol of the city Bratislava Castle. This inconspicuous stop is hidden under the bridge over the Danube River.

View of Bratislava Castle straight from the stop. As soon as you get off the bus, you immediately see such a beautiful panorama and the thought “How hard it will be to climb this mountain.”

Bratislava Castle

Heading towards Bratislava Castle straight from the stop, you will definitely run into Column of the Holy Trinity. We take a photo for memory and move on.

Bratislava Castle

The climb is really not for the faint of heart, but now it seems tiring, I just don’t know about tomorrow’s climb in Budapest to Buda Castle, after which this climb will seem very easy. The photo is almost at the finish line, I was so impatient to capture it all on film. It looks a little neglected, but that’s it for now; a snow-white restored castle awaits inside.

The main peak of Bratislava is taken. Photos from both inside and from the castle walls. This is a good observation deck in Bratislava.

From the history of the castle it is known that the very first building on its site was in the third millennium BC. Initially it was a wooden fortress, then a stone castle, which began to develop rapidly thanks to Empress Maria Theresa. In the 19th century The castle burned down completely; it was restored with noticeable differences from the previous castle.

The descent was much easier than the ascent. And for the descent there was a shorter path, since from the height you can see where to go.

St Martin's Cathedral

While the descent is going on, you can take a photo Panoramas of the Old Town, no matter how hard you try, it will fit into this picture Saint's Cathedral Martina - one of the main attractions of Bratislava. From above, you can immediately outline what to see in Bratislava.

At one of the turns, almost at the very end of the descent, we came across a very nice street, although after the turn further it was not so remarkable, but due to the descent it looked cool. The first impressions made me reach for the camera. I have never seen such streets in the city.

The descent is complete and you can move up Staromestskaya street, the main and oldest street in Bratislava. But despite this status, this is a fairly ordinary street, along it you can go to Presidential Palace This is why this road bypassing the old city was chosen.

Staromestskaya Street

But these were the plans that had to be adjusted, this street was very boring. Having reached the bridge across the street, along which the tram tracks run, and having climbed the bridge, you can turn right and see a couple of temples. Here is this turn with the tram, the photo is already on the bridge.

Church of the Holy Trinity and Church of St. Stephen

There are two churches ahead, at the beginning or Trinitarian Church symbolically having three peaks, and then .

Grassalkovich Palace

Another couple of minutes walk north and you can go to Presidential Palace, which has a second name Grassalkovich Palace.

Presidential palace

I don’t know how often the changing of the guard occurs, but after walking for half an hour in front of the palace, it began. No matter how strange it may sound, we were practically the only tourists here, does no one know about this or is the palace not interesting to anyone? It is located a couple of minutes walk from the old town.

A small disappointment was the fountain at the palace not working, everything about the place would have been a great sight.

Old town in Bratislava

From the palace I head to Old city. I will enter the city as in ancient times, through . They were one of the central checkpoints into the city at one time.

After the gate you can admire the old streets of Bratislava, of which there are not so many, because the old city is not very big. From the photo you can see that in some places the old city is abandoned, especially the part that is not the most popular among tourists.

Next I’ll simply post in a row the sights of Bratislava that I managed to photograph while walking around the old town. But first, I note that if you are interested in museums, then in the town hall building there is a Museum of the History of the City. Ticket costs 5€, closed on Monday. Entrance to the Town Hall tower is €2.50.

I would like to include sculptural compositions of Bratislava in a separate album. The most famous is Monument to plumber Chumil.

We stopped in Slovakia for a couple of days and almost stayed forever. It would seem that mountains and beautiful houses will no longer surprise us, but clean mountain air, layered mountains, which has no end or edge, churches with gabled roofs, cozy European architecture, delicious food and calming homely atmosphere, as it turned out, cannot leave anyone indifferent.

We didn’t expect anything from Slovakia in general and Bratislava in particular, and as a result we received a lot of pleasant impressions and a desire to return here again.

We are sharing our route around the city, which is mapped for your convenience.

Eurovea Galleria

Address: Bratislava-Ružinov, Pribinova, 821 09

We suggest starting the route at the Eurovea Galleria shopping center and there are several reasons for this. The first is that in the shopping center many eateries and cafes, where you can eat before your walk. Second - free parking the first three hours (and each subsequent hour for 2.5 euros - it’s still cheaper than most city parking) if you come by car. Third - the shopping center is located on the river bank and in addition to the fact that it has everything that a lover and connoisseur of shopping needs, there is also beautiful embankment with a fountain, benches, cozy cafes and excellent views.

Old Bridge (Stary most)

Literally 200 meters from the shopping center and you are at the Old Bridge, which does not look old at all, on the contrary, it has a very modern appearance. The bridge was built in 1890 and today is, surprisingly, a great place for walking, although it is not a purely pedestrian bridge, it is also used by cyclists and trams. There is an observation deck on the bridge, which offers a beautiful view of Bratislava Castle and benches where you can sit, relax, and set off on your way in search of new experiences.

New bridge, observation deck and restaurant UFO watch.taste.groove

The next point on the program is another bridge and another Observation deck. To climb the tower you need to pay 7 euros. Then there are 3 options: go to the observation deck, go to a bar or go to a restaurant. The option with an observation deck is intuitive, in the bar you can not only look at the city, but also have a drink (this is suitable for those who are afraid of heights), the restaurant is the most expensive of all the entertainment available in the tower (the declared haute cuisine implies high prices and small portions ).

Hviezdoslav Square (Hviezdoslavovo námestie)

One and a half kilometers from the UFO tower is one of the central squares of Bratislava, from where a walk through the Old Town will begin. In the center of Gvezdoslav Square there is a monument to Gvezdoslav. “Who is Gvezdoslav?” you ask. Pavol Worsag Gviezdoslav is a well-known poet and translator in Slovak circles, who worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, on the square, is installed monument Gvezdoslav, so you can find out what he looked like and continue your walk. Also on the square you will see building of the Slovak National Theater(by the way, keep an eye on the poster, famous troupes from all over the world often come here), as well as the US and German embassies, and, among other things, fountains, cafes with open verandas, shops, benches and crowds of people.

Old Town of Bratislava: Main Square (Hlavne namestie) and Town Hall (Stará Radnica)

We pass further and exit to the Main Square. In the center of the square there is a large fountain, near which you can cool off in the heat, buildings are built around, each of which is a cultural heritage. There are two things that make this square stand out from other squares and streets in the city. First: there is a city Town Hall, near which all significant events of the city take place, including rallies, fairs and the like. Second: it is almost always sparsely crowded and quiet, with the exception of days when rallies and fairs are held at the Town Hall. So if you want to sit in a cozy cafe - welcome to the Main Square, if you want drive and fun - take 100 steps in any direction and welcome to the world of fun, courage and people unsteady on their feet. We were on the square and in its surroundings already closer to midnight and life here was in full swing, so if you are bored of just sleeping in a cozy bed, then you can softly join in the night, and then the morning in one of the bars.

Speaking of original bars- on the Danube embankment (from the Old Town), between the New Bridge (this is the one on which the UFO tower is) and the Old Bridge, moored two ships and they are not going on a long journey. They are going to make your evening unforgettable because this is where the fun-hungry tourist can drink, eat and dance.

Michael's Gate (Michalská brána) and Bucks Tower (Baxova veza)

Michael's Gate was built in 1300 and is considered one of the oldest buildings in the city. Around the tower, which is built above the gate, a ditch was previously dug, across which a drawbridge was laid. Today there is neither a bridge nor a ditch, but there is City Museum, where you can find out more about this. At the very top of the tower there is a nice balcony with excellent views of the city.

Further from the gate you need to walk along the old streets (follow the route on our map) and come to the ancient stairs that connect the lower part of the city and the upper one. When you go up, admire the beautiful churches and red trams that quietly and imposingly ride past (by the way, it’s a great idea to just take a tram and ride wherever you look, for example, tram number 1 will take you over the river across the Old Bridge).

A couple of hundred meters from the stairs is the so-called Bucks Tower (Baxova veza), which was built before the 14th century and is the oldest city tower. The walls of the tower are woven with greenery, and if you go a little further and cross the bridge, you will see an unofficial but original observation deck, or rather a small promenade, walking along which you can see how the city has changed - the ancient tower is replaced by an 18th century tower, behind it modern glass towers are growing giants, and in the distance the futuristic UFO tower can be seen.

St Martin's Cathedral

Address: Rudnayovo address 1

Quite modest and laconic in appearance, St. Martin's Cathedral is meanwhile the main cathedral of the country. This is not to say that it is worth going here on purpose, but since no matter where you go in Bratislava, you will still pass by it, keep in mind that the temple has stood here since the 15th century and it was in it that Hungarian kings, including dynasties, were crowned Habsburgs, from the 16th to the 19th century. Specifically, we don’t know much about the history of Slovakia, so the information that Slovakia was part of Hungary for almost a thousand years (until 1918) came as a surprise.

Archbishop's Palace or City Hall

Address: Primaciálne námestie

This palace was built in the 18th century and today is seat of city government and the mayor of Bratislava. This building is considered the most striking example of classicist architecture in Slovakia, but it is worth noting how, for a representative of classicism, the palace looks simply luxurious: elegant stucco molding, sculptures installed along the roof and an unusual accessory - cast iron hat, crowning the portico, as a symbol of the archbishop's power.

Blue Church of St. Elizabeth (Kostol svätej Alžbety)

Address: Bezručova 2

Not far from the Archbishop's Palace there is a slightly exotic landmark from an architectural point of view - the Blue Church of Elizabeth. The Catholic church was opened in 1913. Among the many churches in Slovakia, this one occupies a special place because unusual architecture inside and outside. The building is more reminiscent of a gingerbread house, although the color is atypical for gingerbread: smooth lines that create the feeling that the church is covered in glaze, the original decor, laconic interior decoration and a large amount of light produce a very unusual impression.

Eurovea Shopping Center, from where we started the route, is located a couple of hundred meters from the church, so you can end the walk, or you can continue - Bratislava has something to please you with.

Bratislavský hrad and observation deck

Working hours: every day from 10.00 to 17.00

Cost of visit: entrance to the castle grounds is free, entrance to the museum is 10 euros

We included this attraction as a separate line and did not put it on the map of the general route. A visit to Bratislava Castle may take longer than a visit to a regular attraction, so if you don’t have much time, limit yourself to viewing the city from the side (and in Bratislava it can be seen from almost everywhere), but if possible, look at everything up close, because there is something to see .

Bratislava Castle has been towering over the Danube since the second millennium BC. Since then it has been built and destroyed several times. The castle acquired its modern appearance in the 15th century and today has early Baroque features. In 1811, the building burned to the ground and only in 1953 the castle began to be restored literally from the ashes. Today Bratislava Castle has the same appearance that it had in the 18th century.

Today the city is located Historical Museum, where you can learn everything about the history of the Slovak lands. The city is also worth visiting for lovers of observation decks with beautiful views - from here the whole city is at a glance.

If an independent walk is not enough for you, you can always take a tour compiled by a professional guide, who will show you the most interesting places and accompany the walk with fascinating stories.

• for 76 euros per tour for 1-5 people
• for 60 euros per tour for 1-10 people
• for 84 euros per excursion for 1-40 people
• for 84 euros per tour for 1-10 people

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	The best way to get to know a city is to view it from above to get a general idea and then admire the details. Therefore, when planning a route, we first look for a good observation deck and recommend it to you. In Bratislava, such a platform is the UFO tower, 7 euros for entry and the best views of the capital are yours. At the top there is a bar and restaurant where you can have a snack or at least a cup of coffee with a view of the capital and the waters of the Danube. The city has a free analogue of the observation deck, which we will talk about below.

You can go to Bratislava on purpose or for one day from Vienna - there are trains from the capital of Austria to the capital of Slovakia, and the travel time is just over an hour. As a rule, documents are not checked on the train, but it is better to take your passports with you just in case. In today’s article we will talk about what you can see in Bratislava in one day if you explore the city on a leisurely stroll.

From the station to the center of Bratislava is about 20 minutes on foot. If the weather is not conducive to a walk, you can take the bus, because the stop is located just opposite the railway station. But in general, there is no point in dealing with buses again, because the road to the center is pleasant. You need to pass the bridge, and then you walk along the streets and admire the houses richly decorated with stucco - this is the heritage of Bratislava, left over from the times when the city was part of Austria-Hungary.

The history of Bratislava is very interesting. The city became the capital of independent Slovakia only in 1993, and before that it was the capital of the Slovak Socialist Republic within Czechoslovakia. Moreover, most of the city’s attractions are associated with that period of history when Bratislava still belonged to Hungary - the city, then called Pozsony, became part of it in 907. In the 12th century, German colonization began in the region. Pozsony was renamed in the German manner to Presburg, but the city remained under the rule of the Hungarian crown.

And it was in Presburg in 1805 that peace was concluded between France and Austria during the Napoleonic Wars, as a result of which Austria recognized its inability to wage war and dependence on Napoleon. You will see the palace, in the Hall of Mirrors in which the peace document was signed, on the road from the railway station to the city center. It's called Primacial palace and is a pink building in a neoclassical style: three rows of windows, a portico with columns, statues on the roof.

Since 1903, the palace has been the property of the city, and tapestries were also discovered there, woven at a royal factory in the vicinity of London in 1630 and illustrating the ancient myth of the tragic love story of the priestess Aphrodite Hero and the young man Leander. Today the palace is a city landmark, it is open to tourists, and meetings of the Bratislava City Council are still held in the famous Hall of Mirrors.

MAIN SQUARE OF BRATISLAVA

Main square of Bratislava Hlavne name You definitely can't miss it. All the roads and streets of the city lead here, just like to Rome. In the past, the square was called Market Square, and from the name it is already clear what was located here. Of course, the market square has always been the center of the social and cultural life of the city, which it remains to this day. Nowadays, concerts and Christmas markets are held on the Main Square, but previously folk festivals and executions were held here - also extremely important events in the public life of the city.

In the photo: bronze statue on the corner of Bratislava's Main Square

The one that flaunts on the square deserves special attention. Old Town Hall. Even today it is one of the tallest buildings in Bratislava, and at the time of its construction it was considered a miracle. What is curious is that the Town Hall building, where today the city museum is located and previously hosted distinguished guests, including those of royal blood, is essentially a prefabricated structure of several buildings. Its components are: the house of Jacob, the house of Paver, the Aponicho palace and the corner tower, built at the end of the 13th century.

In the photo: Old Town Hall on the main square of Bratislava (Hlavné námestie)

The square itself deserves attention statue of a soldier guard, who in earlier times had to ensure that a fire did not suddenly break out in the city, and also Roland's fountain, built in 1572 on the occasion of the coronation of Emperor Maximilian II. By the way, the fountain is directly related to fires.

In the photo: Roland's fountain on the main square of Bratislava s

The fact is that, according to the legends, during the coronation of Maximilian II, a fire broke out, and then the emperor ordered the construction of a fountain-well in the center of the city. There is also a legend associated with the fountain in the style of the fairy tale about Nils and the wild geese. They say that the statue of a knight, which rises on a pedestal above the fountain, has the habit of silently descending from the pedestal and patrolling the city twice a year - on New Year's Eve and at three o'clock in the morning on Good Friday. The fact that on New Year's Eve the Main Square of Bratislava is full of people and none of those present have ever seen the statue coming off its pedestal does not harm the existence of the legend in the least.

MIKHAILOVSKIY GATE

Lovers of antiquity can take a walk from the Main Square along Františkánske námestie street to see Mikhailovsky Gate- the only city gate that has been preserved from the Middle Ages. The structure, a tower with a gate at the base, was erected around 1300, but underwent major reconstruction in the 18th century and now, with statues of St. Michael and the dragon at the top, looks like a baroque building.

Those interested can take a look at the city museum, opened in the St. Michael's Gate building; otherwise, we recommend returning to Bratislava's Main Square.

PLUMBER STATUE AND NATIONAL THEATER OF SLOVAKIA

From the Main Square we turn left and go towards the old building of the National Theater of Slovakia. On the street we notice funny sculpture depicting a plumber, looking out from a sewer hatch. There is a belief that if you make a wish and rub the helmet of a plumber, it will definitely come true, which is why the headdress of a bronze worker shines like a polished samovar.

In general, unusual bronze figures on the streets are one of the peculiarities of Bratislava. In the city center, for example, you can find a statue of a photographer or a soldier in a French uniform, and looking for unusual sculptures is a separate local pastime.

In the photo: National Theater of Slovakia

Further along the street we get to Gvezdoslav Square, where the National Theater of Slovakia- the oldest in the country. Nowadays the theater has two buildings: old and modern, but the historical one, of course, is more interesting. There are also a huge number of cafes and restaurants open on the square where you can hang out and have a snack or drink coffee.

BRIDGE OVER THE DANUBE AND FLYING SAUCER

The good thing about Bratislava is that all the attractions are located nearby. We drank coffee in a cafe on Gvezdoslav Square, walked for five minutes, and now we were already on the embankment handsome Danube.

thrown across the river SNP bridge, which has a non-trivial design - it does not have a single support in the bed of the Danube River. On the bridge at an altitude of 85 meters there is a restaurant with observation deck, which looks like a natural UFO and is called accordingly - UFO. It makes sense to go up there in good weather to admire the panorama of the city while having dinner. If visiting a restaurant is not part of your plans, then for 6.5 euros you can only go to the observation deck and take photographs of the city from a bird’s eye view.

By the way, the construction of the “bridge of the Slovak National Uprising” - this is how the abbreviation SNP stands for - was accompanied by endless scandals. Firstly, for the construction of the crossing bridge, the city administration had to sacrifice several historical buildings and liquidate the old Jewish quarter, which, of course, the residents of Bratislava did not appreciate.

In the photo: the street leading from the city center to the SNP bridge

Secondly, they built the bridge in the same mode in which director Alexey German Sr. shot his films - not just for a long time, but for a very long time. Construction began in 1967, opened in 1972, but the bridge was being finalized even in 2011. The local population even gave this endless process the offensive nickname “Construction of the Century.”

However, the end result was worth the time spent - today the SNP bridge not only looks impressive, but also serves as an aqueduct - there are water supplies inside the structure.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARTIN

A stone's throw from the bridge is the city's main church, the Coronation Church. St Martin's Cathedral. Its special high status is confirmed by the gilded crown of St. Stephen, crowning the quadrangular tower of the temple.

Initially, the cathedral was built as part of the city fortifications; construction began in the 8th century, but was consecrated only in 1452. The cathedral acquired a special status after the Ottomans took Buda in 1541, and the capital of Hungary was moved to Bratislava. After this, it was in St. Martin's Cathedral that Hungarian monarchs began to be crowned. In total, from 1563 to 1830, 10 kings and 8 queens were crowned here, including the great founder of the Lorraine branch of the Habsburg dynasty, Maria Theresa.

The cathedral looks impressive, but one drawback is that photography inside is strictly prohibited. When you have explored the cathedral, cross the road towards the cliff on the banks of the Danube, where Bratislava Castle rises. But before you climb the mountain, walk along the cathedral on the opposite side of the street - then you will be able to see the preserved sections old fortress walls that used to surround the city. As the city began to grow, most of the walls were demolished, and today little remains of the medieval fortifications.

BRATISLAVA CITY

Many people think that a hail is the same as a city, but this is not so. In fact, a hail is a castle, although the word “city” comes from it. Bratislava Castle- beautiful and monumental. It rises on a cliff, but the climb to the castle is not too tiring and is even pleasant, because the streets leading up are narrow and atmospheric, and the final section of the path has a view of the Danube.

The castle was built in the 11th century, and acquired its current combed appearance by the 15th century. True, everything that we see now is a reconstruction and the result of restoration work, because in 1811 there was a severe fire in the castle and the building was completely destroyed.

The City was restored only in the second half of the 20th century. Inside is the Slovak Folk Museum, which has some good exhibitions, but most importantly, it offers a magnificent view of the Danube, and the local park is home to squirrels - so bring along a treat for the furry-tailed ones.

In the photo: view of the roofs of the city from the top of Bratislava Castle

Bratislava Castle is not the only castle in the capital Bratislava. On the cliff that rises at the confluence of the Danube and Morava, there used to be an ancient Devin fortress. Unfortunately, during the Napoleonic Wars, Devin Castle was completely destroyed and today only ruins remain.

WHERE TO DINNER IN BRATISLAVA?

But, as Winnie the Pooh said: “Isn’t it time for us to refresh ourselves? I think it's time." Moreover, an excellent historical restaurant is located right next to Bratislava Castle - on one of the streets leading down to St. Martin's Cathedral. Called Modrá Hviezda, exact address - Beblaveho 14, Bratislava 811 01.

The place is incredibly atmospheric. Inside, massive arches, stonework and a roaring fireplace are exactly what ancient European inns look like in Hollywood films and HBO and Netflix series. The menu contains exclusively national dishes, and the quality of the food is excellent. Game deserves special praise: duck and wild boar, we also recommend trying Slovak wines - the sommelier at Modrá Hviezda works conscientiously.

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Yulia Malkova- Yulia Malkova - founder of the website project. In the past, he was the editor-in-chief of the elle.ru Internet project and the editor-in-chief of the cosmo.ru website. I talk about travel for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my readers. If you are a representative of hotels or a tourism office, but we do not know each other, you can contact me by email: [email protected]

All the attractions of Bratislava in one article. A walk around the city and my story about a trip to the capital of Slovakia. What to do in Bratislava and why you should visit this city.

While preparing for this trip, I once read on one of the websites that Bratislava is “a city that has been in the shadow of nearby capitals for many years.” And I actually agree with this statement: compared to Vienna, Prague and Budapest, the capital of Slovakia is really not the brightest place. There are no crowds of tourists, numerous souvenir shops and glamorous restaurants with exorbitantly inflated prices. In a sense, the capital of Slovakia is really such a gray mouse that constantly hides in the shadows. But (so to speak) don't change channels. In fact, there is also something to do and see in this city. Moreover, I am absolutely sure that if you come to Bratislava, this city will become a very pleasant surprise for you. Yes, this is not imperial Vienna, but the capital of Slovakia also has its own charm and charm. I love cities that are hidden a little away from the traditional tourist routes. They feel somehow homely, light, sincere and cozy. Last year, for example, Serbian Belgrade became the same pleasant surprise for me. This time I experienced something similar when meeting with Bratislava.

What is the capital of Slovakia? These are thousands of colorful little things that are closely intertwined into one city. What is Bratislava? These are seagulls over the Danube, a white castle on the mountain and picturesque streets that seem to be asking to be posted on your Instagram. In general, as you understand, I liked this city. Do you remember how the creators of the legendary American comedy “Eurotrip” showed it?

Still from the film "Eurotrip". Source - Timer Odessa.

Now I will show you what this city really is like...

What to see in Bratislava

In the capital of Slovakia, I rented a room not far from the bus station and the local “city”, so I always came to the old town of Bratislava from the northern side - from where the entrance to the old quarters is guarded by such picturesque gates. Therefore, I will begin my story about this city from this point. So... Attraction number 1...

Old town of Bratislava

It is relatively small, but very nice and well-groomed. I've enjoyed my stay. Moreover, during the two days that I spent in Slovakia, there was very pleasant spring weather in the city (even though it was the beginning of February on the calendar).

I repeat - yes, the old town in Bratislava is small. But I would not say that there are two streets along and two across. It is approximately the same size as in Warsaw. The only tourists in the city on the day of my arrival were flocks of cheerful Chinese, and, in fact, me. Therefore, walking around Bratislava was very pleasant. In about 5-6 hours I walked the entire length and breadth of the old city. And this includes a coffee break!

Bishop's Palace (Bratislava)

If you go up the street called "Ursulinska", you will immediately get to one of the main attractions of the city - the Bishop's Palace. I agree, probably in some Vienna or Prague this building would not even be considered a landmark. But Bratislava is a small city, so the attractions here are also small. I even took a photo in front of this building. It didn’t turn out very well, so I won’t post it. I'm sorry.

Next to the Bishop's Palace there is a tourist information center, one of the main museums of the city, and also this “smart bench”. Some Slovak guy, who, by the way, took that very photo, ran around her in circles for a long time, pointed his finger in her direction and joyfully said the word “Smart... Smart.” As I later read on the Internet, there are only two such benches in Bratislava (damn... I speak as if we have them at every entrance in Grodno). With their help, you can recharge your phone, access the Internet and get some information about the air temperature. The benches themselves operate on the principle of solar panels. In short, cool stuff. In some Zhitomir, this bench would also be considered a landmark.

Central square of the city

(it's just around the corner from the Bishop's Palace)

There are actually several attractions here, but since they are located a couple of steps away from each other, I will still combine them together. So what's there? First - Jesuit Church(a nice two-story building to the left of the city hall). Next to her is, in fact, herself town hall. That's her in the photo above.

Ten steps from her stands this iron soldier, guarding the local souvenir shop (although he could not guard it - there is nothing interesting there).

And a little further away is Rolland fountain. This, as far as I know, is the oldest fountain in Bratislava.

It looks very beautiful and picturesque (especially against the backdrop of the buildings behind it), so running around it, a flock of Chinese simply squeaked with delight. I had to go up to them and say hello. Maybe these are the same Chinese who assembled my phone. It would be interesting to see where their hands grow from?

Bratislava monuments

There are actually a lot of them in the city. I once wrote this about the Canarian Las Palmas. Now I’ll write about Bratislava: walking around the city, you get the impression that statues in this city are erected for everyone. There are a lot of different monuments in the city. Some of them are quite original. I will note them.

So the first star is monument to the city madman(again a reference to Las Palmas - there, too, in San Telmo Park there is a monument to some kind of turned grandmother). Why this smiling man with a bowler hat in his hand was called the city madman, I honestly never understood. Allegedly, when he met any passing beauty, he raised his hat and said: “Wonderful.” In short, I'm shocked. A man who shows interest in women is, in their opinion, crazy. The fact that a woman with a beard lives in neighboring Austria is normal. As they say, I have everything.

Another interesting monument stands right in the center of the main square (thirty steps from the monument to a normal and not at all crazy resident of Bratislava).

It is dedicated to someone French officer(a Russian-speaking guide passing by with a group of 5 tourists insistently emphasized several times that this was not Napoleon). Whoever it is, the monument is cool. I took a photo with him. Just like those cheerful Chinese people about whom I wrote a little higher.

In general, all three of these monuments are located very close to each other... So... Wait... Did I say “Three”? Oh yeah... I forgot about worker's monument(aka monument to a plumber, he’s just Chumil).

In my opinion, among all the monuments in Bratislava, this is the most interesting. And that's why. There are several legends explaining its appearance (and all are different). But I liked the story that is connected with the Second World War. Allegedly, the “plumber” is not a plumber at all, but a simple resident of Bratislava, who was forced to hide in the sewer during the fighting. Looking out of the hatch was the only way for him to see the white light. A touching story. I won't even joke.

Mikhailovsky Gate

One of the main attractions of Bratislava and a constant inhabitant of all sorts of magnets and souvenir plates, one way or another connected with the capital of Slovakia. Despite the fact that the building is called a “gate,” it looks more like a beautiful church. As far as I know, this is the only gate of the city that has survived from the Middle Ages. Once upon a time there was a drawbridge and a ditch next to them. Today, of all this, only the bridge remains (but no longer a drawbridge).

Next to the gate there is a pharmaceutical museum...

A stunted looking gun...

Here is such a knight with eyes...

And a lot of cute shops, photos of many of which (spoiler alert) will soon appear in my instagram(subscribe).

Slovak Folk Theater

From St. Michael's Gate I was already walking towards Bratislava Castle. I photographed a couple of old churches along the way...

But then at some point he changed his mind and, turning onto the next street, went towards the Slovak National Theater. Along the way, I came across a nice building of the American Embassy, ​​surrounded by an iron fence and under heavy security (apparently in order to prevent American guest workers from entering Slovakia and make Slovakia great again).

I say hello to Trump and move on. A few tens of meters ahead appears the beautiful building of the Slovenian People's Divadlo (Slovenske narodne divadlo). And then they are still surprised that they are confused with Slovenia! Although that’s not about that now... The building is actually, really very beautiful. As is the square next to it.

I photographed a tourist bus with tours in all languages.

I took a photo of the monument to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Bratislava.

And then I walked towards another beautiful building of the local Philharmonic.

Right behind her, the majestic Danube was already shimmering in the sun. I walked near him for some time. It seemed to me that in February in Slovakia it looked cleaner than a year ago in Belgrade. Or maybe it was just the spring weather?

The SNP Bridge and the Flying Saucer

Right next to the old town, another symbol of the city rises above the Danube - the SNP bridge, which in 2001 was declared the construction of the century in Slovakia. It looks quite nice (and even served as a prototype for the construction of a similar bridge in Riga), but I, frankly, very much doubt that its appearance will blow the minds of anyone.

Bridge and bridge. But in Bratislava it is considered one of the symbols of the city, so I could not help but say a few words about it. In addition, at the top of the bridge there is one of the most famous observation decks in the city, which smoothly flows into a restaurant called “UFO”. According to Wikipedia, this place in Bratislava is visited by more than 200 thousand people every year. Maybe I should have gone too?.. But somehow I didn’t dare. After the movie "Mars Attacks", I am afraid of everything related to UFOs.

St Martin's Cathedral

Bratislava Castle is already clearly visible from the Danube embankment. But I deliberately left it for dessert, so I walked from the SNP bridge towards St. Martin’s Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic church in Bratislava. This building is inconvenient to photograph. To find a good shot, I began to walk around it from different sides, which eventually turned into several more interesting finds for me.

Firstly, the remains of some stone walls were discovered right behind the cathedral. And on the other side of the street I actually found my favorite building in Bratislava - House of the Good Shepherd.

I found out what it was called much later, but then I just saw a beautiful and photogenic building in front of me. It was so pleasant to photograph it that I happily forgot about St. Martin’s Cathedral. But the Hungarian monarchs were once crowned there (it was in honor of this that a golden pillow with a crown lying on it was installed on the spire of the cathedral).

Bratislava Castle

A huge white castle standing on a mountain. It can be seen from many points in the city, so among all the attractions of Bratislava, this is the undisputed No. 1. The road leading to Bratislava Castle is quite steep. They wrote on the Internet that climbing the mountain was not an easy task. But personally, I didn’t see anything special in this ascent. The climb to the top takes 5 minutes at most. As a nice bonus, you'll get plenty of beautiful views along the way. From many points the city is visible at a glance.

Now directly about the “Grad” itself. I once heard a long time ago that this structure was called a “stool castle.” It is smooth, symmetrical, and the four turrets of the castle really look somewhat like the legs of an inverted stool.

Plus, Bratislava Castle is quite large, so photographing at least three castle towers at the same time is quite a difficult task. But seriously speaking, the castle looks great, of course. And to be honest, I don’t care at all that it’s actually not that ancient. According to Wikipedia, the original castle burned down in 1811, and then lay in ruins for 140 years. The reconstruction of the appearance of Bratislava Castle began only in 1953. The reconstruction itself was completed 15 years later.

It turns out this castle is younger than my grandmother. But I repeat: he looks beautiful (although my grandmother is more beautiful, of course). In 1992, the Slovak Constitution was adopted here. And in 2005, a meeting between George Bush and Vladimir Putin took place.

Devin Fortress

In fact, there is at least one other castle in Bratislava that is worth seeing. Although in fact, this is not a castle in the full sense of the word - but just a picturesque ruin on a high cliff near the bank of the Danube. It is located 20 minutes drive from the center - among the mountains and sheep pastures. I won’t be able to talk about it in a few words. Therefore, a little later I will write a separate article about Devin. For now, I’ll just post his photo here.

Okay... I admit honestly: I’m already a little tired of writing. Therefore, I will only briefly go over the remaining attractions of Bratislava. Ready? Then let's go.

Grassalkovich Palace (also known as the Presidential Palace)

It is located on the opposite side of the old city. Therefore, from Bratislava Castle you will have to walk a little to get there. But the palace itself is worth it. On the scale of Bratislava, this is truly a must see. Next to the building there is a park and a huge fountain, which, of course, was turned off in February. Guidebooks often write that it is also worth a walk to this building in order to see the changing of the guard of honor at the walls of the Presidential Palace. I saw this spectacle, but to put it mildly, I was not impressed.

They walked back and forth and froze in place. That's the whole changing of the guard.

Blue Church (aka St. Elizabeth's Church)

It is located away from the tourist center near Sienkiewiczova Street, 500 meters from the Danube embankment. It doesn't take long to get there. And I really liked the building itself. By the way, it is this Blue Church that represents Slovakia in the famous Brussels Mini-Europe park. In short, it’s definitely worth a walk to see it. Next to it is a beautiful building of some kind of Hungarian gymnasium...

And also this cool building “with an ear”.

There is also this strange monument there. Friends, if you know what this is, write in the comments. Pliz.

Eurovea Shopping Center

Yes, I understand. It’s quite strange to put a shopping center on the list of attractions. But, believe me, it’s definitely worth going here (it’s located very close to the Blue Church). And that's why. Firstly, this building is very beautiful (if you take Moscow GUM out of the equation, it is actually one of the most beautiful stores I have ever seen). Secondly, in the shopping center itself there are many interesting and unusual sculptures. All of them are related to the circus theme. Some are simply a masterpiece of creativity. Have you ever seen something like this in a shopping center?!

Well, the last reason to visit this shopping center is the Slovak prices. Yes, of course, you won’t be able to buy a hotel in Bratislava for 10 cents (like in the movie “Eurotrip”). But in fact, in terms of prices, Slovakia is really a very pleasant place. Adding pleasant shopping to your city tour is actually a very good decision.

I will end my story on this optimistic note. Let me remind you: very soon a separate article about Devin will appear on the site. This ancient castle is one of the top attractions in Bratislava.

In the meantime (as always) - a little practical information for those who are going to this city...

How to organize a trip to Bratislava

Directions. I traveled to Slovakia in transit through Poland on a company bus Lux Express. They have very cool buses (with personal monitors in the seats and a free coffee machine). As part of certain sales, you can buy a ticket from Warsaw to Bratislava for only 5-10 euros. Subscribe to their newsletter or join

Bratislava is a very beautiful and cute town. But small. Therefore, it is quite possible to see the sights of Bratislava in one day, and in two or three days you can walk around it length and breadth. Therefore, most tourists come here for a maximum of three days, or even less. If you are also traveling to Bratislava for a short while, then we are coming to you! We have compiled ideal routes for you - what to see in Bratislava on your own in 1 day, as well as in 2 and 3 days if you want to get to know the city better. Map included.

What to see in Bratislava on your own: the ideal route

Additional Information:

What to see in Bratislava on your own in 1 day

I want to clarify three things right away:

1. We will not describe in detail each of the attractions that you will see in this article. Why? Because we have a separate detailed story with photos and descriptions about the most interesting places in the capital of Slovakia, which you will find in the chapter.

2. After each of the points (“What to see in Bratislava in 1 day”, “in 2 days”, etc.) you will find a map with a route on which all the necessary points are marked.

3. Our route will be mainly pedestrian, because the most interesting places in Bratislava can be explored leisurely in a couple of days, and in a hurry - even in one.

Now to the point.

You see, we really were in Bratislava, and we didn’t pull nonsense from the Internet. That's it, now you can read the article.

Let's say you arrived in Bratislava this morning or yesterday evening and you have the whole day ahead of you. I suggest starting our route around Bratislava from fountain on Freedom Square. Opposite him is Summer Palace of the Archbishop, now a government building.

A couple of hundred meters from it is surrounded by greenery and flowers. Presidential Garden. In addition to the beautiful Presidential Palace, this garden has a very interesting sculptural composition with a fountain "The girls swam in the lake", created in the once popular style of erotic socialist realism. The beauties can not only put the head of state in a working mood, but also keep you in pleasant company if you have experience serving in the Airborne Forces and on August 2nd you accidentally found yourself at the fountain in the Presidential Garden of Bratislava.

The next point on our route is Europe Square. It is located on the other side of the Presidential Palace and on it is installed... Yes, yes, another fountain, already the third on our route, which is called the Planet of Peace.

Inside the Presidential Garden the fountain “Dievčatá v jazere plavali” is hidden from prying eyes...

...and on the front side of the Presidential Palace is the austere and chaste Square of Europe. Everything is as it should be.

From Europe Square we go to Bratislava Castle– the main attraction of the capital of Slovakia. You can travel a couple of stops by bus, but it’s better to walk: along the road there will be many interesting buildings - both cute medieval houses and ugly buildings from the times of developed socialism, many of which are not included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Feel free to budget an hour to an hour and a half for Bratislava Castle. After all, here you can enjoy not only the beauty of the castle itself, but also excellent panoramas from a bird's eye view. There are several observation platforms on this hill from which you can take great photos: from here there are beautiful views of the Old Town, the Danube and even neighboring Austria. Do you see the windmills on the horizon behind the forest? This is who she is. Now you can tell everyone: “I saw this Austria, nothing interesting.”

What to see in Bratislava on your own in one day? Yes, even if for two, then first of all - Bratislava Castle, the main attraction of the city.

Meanwhile, the day has passed far beyond the equator and it’s time for you and me to rest and have a snack. On the descent from the castle hill, two interesting establishments await you, which we managed to try for ourselves: cat cafe Mackafé and restaurant Modrá Hviezda("Blue Star"). In the first establishment you will find a dozen cute lazy fluffies and comfortable sofas for relaxing, but for food there is only tea/coffee and sweets. The second establishment is one of the best restaurants in the city, the food here is simply divine, but the prices are merciless. By the way, despite the name, people of any orientation are allowed here. There is no discrimination against straight people in Europe, even though Russian TV convinces you otherwise.

After lunch, it’s best to go for an inspection St Martin's Cathedral– the most famous and beautiful Gothic cathedral in all of Slovakia, where monarchs were crowned in the Middle Ages. In addition to the external and internal beauty of the cathedral, the huge gilded crown on its spire is striking. The crown weighs 150 kg, and together with the pillow it took 8 kilos of pure gold.

These are the beautiful photos of St. Martin's Cathedral taken from the heights of the UFO Bridge, where you can climb this evening.

In the meantime, you and I walked about five kilometers, almost a quarter of the way - uphill; We spent a lot of time walking around Bratislava Castle and going to restaurants. Therefore, if you still have tomorrow left, I suggest you finish here and go to the hotel to rest. If you have the strength and desire, you can climb the UFO Bridge observation deck with stunning views of the city and check out the restaurant there with a beautiful panoramic view and beer for 5 euros per 330 ml.

If you are leaving this evening or tomorrow morning, then you can consider the next chapter of our article (“What to see in Bratislava in 2 days”) as a continuation of the route of the first day. You will need to walk 500 meters to the St. Michael's Gate and move on to the next chapter.

Where to go in Bratislava, day 2

Let's devote the second day of our route to the main attractions of the Old Town of Bratislava. We start our journey from Mikhailovsky Gate(aka Michal Gate) at the base Mikhailovskaya Tower. This tower is very beautiful, no less picturesque begins from it Mikhailovskaya street, boutiques and restaurants on it are considered some of the most expensive in Europe. Don’t forget to look around and see how beautiful the Mikhailovskaya Tower is against the backdrop of old houses, and take a selfie.

Literally five minutes of wandering through the medieval streets from the St. Michael's Tower is the most beautiful place in the Old Town of Bratislava - Main square. Along the perimeter it is neatly surrounded by beautiful buildings led by Old Town Hall XIII century, and on the square itself there are two monuments - soldier of the Napoleonic army And city ​​guard.

What to see in Bratislava on your own in two days: Mikhailovskaya Street is the most beautiful and most expensive in the city.

As already mentioned, a monument to a Russian tourist was erected opposite the Old Town Hall on the Main Square of Bratislava.

At the exit from the Main Square, the bronze cylinder in front of you politely removed Schöne Náci (Handsome Nazi). This is perhaps the sweetest and most touching monument in Bratislava (and not only Bratislava), it is dedicated to a kind man named Ignaz Lamar, who lived here in the middle of the last century. He smiled at every passerby, wished him health and happiness, and in front of the girls he took off his hat and kissed their hands.

Literally 50 meters from Ignatz, another unusual sculpture awaits you - Chumil, aka monument to a plumber. He managed to climb out of the hatch in the very place where Panska and Laurinska streets, which are considered one of the most beautiful in the city, merge. Having briefly examined them, we continue our way towards the Danube to find ourselves on Gvezdoslav Square. This is a very pleasant place for walking, where in addition to monument to the Slovak poet Pavol Orsag Gvezdoslav flower beds, fountains and a building await you Slovak National Theater. And if you are not lazy and walk another kilometer to the east, you will see a very beautiful church of an unusual color - Blue Church of St. Elizabeth.

What to see in Bratislava on your own, a short life hack: The Blue Church can be seen on the way from the city center to the bus station.

This is where our route can end, especially since from the Blue Church it is only a kilometer to the bus station, from where you can go to Prague, Budapest or Vienna. You were going there from Bratislava, right? 😉

What to see in Bratislava on the third day

If you decide to stay longer in Bratislava, here are some more tips: where to go and what to see in Bratislava and near it on the third (and fourth and fifth) day of your trip to the capital of Slovakia.

During the Segway tour we saw both famous landmarks and non-touristy places in Bratislava.

2. Go to the ancient Devin Castle. It is located not in the capital itself, but in the outskirts of Bratislava. The ruins of an ancient castle are located 8 km from the center of Bratislava; you can get here by bus 29 or 129, which travels from the UFO Bridge. This castle was owned by a variety of peoples, including the Romans - the ruins of their fortress in this place are still preserved. Near the castle there is a winery, a museum and several beer gardens. Devin is closed from December to March.

3. Book a tour of Bratislava or its surroundings. There are excellent Russian-speaking guides in the capital of Slovakia; you can find out prices and programs here:

4. Visit the Bratislava Zoo. In it you will see about 700 animals and birds of 150 different species.

5. Climb Mount Slavin."Slavin" is a memorial complex in honor of almost 7,000 Soviet soldiers who died in the battles for Bratislava in 1945. At the top of the mountain there is a 40-meter stele, which is crowned by a monument to a Soviet soldier with a banner in his hands.

Useful articles about Bratislava

From Bratislava we brought not only excess weight and an empty wallet, but also several interesting articles that will definitely help you in planning your trip! Here they are:

Where to stay in Bratislava

As you noticed, our route “What to see in Bratislava on your own” starts from the center of the capital and ends there, because the most interesting thing, by an amazing coincidence, is located there. Bratislava's bus and train stations are also within walking distance from the city center. Therefore, it is most convenient to stay in the Old Town or somewhere nearby. Our respected partners from Booking.com, as usual, completely agree with us and therefore they have dedicated a separate section to hotels in the Old Town of Bratislava:

You can also look for other hotels in Bratislava on Booking or on the hotel search engine Hotellook, which automatically compares prices in different booking systems:

That's probably all. Dear readers, what do you personally recommend to see in Bratislava? We look forward to your feedback and advice in the comments, your experience will be very useful to all tourists!