Bratislava travel guide

See

If your time in Bratislava is limited, try to make a concerted effort to visit the castle. It's the main highlight of Bratislava, though it does require a short climb up several flights of stairs. To access the general castle precinct, use tram line 9 to Kapucínska. From Kapucínska, cross the dual carriageway on the overpass and then head south (left in direction from tram stop) onto Židovská. There will be a divide, but keep right and follow the cobblestone road. After a climb, you should see some stairs on your right – follow those stairs up until you reach the castle precinct.

• Bratislava Castle
• Red Crayfish Pharmacy Pharmacological Museum
• Slovak National Gallery (SNG)
• Bratislava City Gallery (GMB)
• Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
• Milan Dobes Museum
• National Museum
• Bratislava City Museum
• Natural Science Museum
• Gerulata
• Museum of Transport
• Museum of Trade

Do

Take a stroll through the centre of the town. Bratislava has one of the smallest historical centers of any European capital but the charm is more concentrated. The streets have been completely renovated over the last ten years, bringing life back here. Since then a multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants of all kinds have opened here, accompanied by a few souvenir shops and fashion stores. On warm days almost every cafe has an outdoor seating section in the street, bustling with life and giving the city a unique cozy feeling. When it comes to sightseeing, Bratislava Castle generally is a must and is already opened after the reconstruction.

• Speedboats.sk
• International Film Festival Bratislava
• The Uprising Music Festival

Eat

Bryndzové halušky (small, spaetzle-like dumplings with sheep's cheese and topped with pieces of meat) is the national dish of Slovakia and recommended to try. Potent garlic soup (but perhaps not on a date) and Slovak white wine (due to its cooler climate, Slovakia's reds pale in comparison with some of Europe's other offerings), schnitzels, goulashes and other typically Central European foods. Fresh vegetables are more common here thanks to the large amount of land given over to agriculture. In December, don't miss the Christmas market in front of the Old Town Hall.

Drink

Try Kofola, a Slovak and Czech soft drink with a similar colour to Coca-Cola, but lower in sugar and caffeine (and carbonation). Some places serve "draft Kofola" which indeed is draft from a barrel in a way similar to beer (it used to be co-produced by a Bratislava brewery). Some Slovaks say draft Kofola is even better than the bottled version and that it is best enjoyed outside in the sun, for example after a hike or a bike or rollerblade ride. Kofola is a popular alternative to beer if you want to hang out but don't want to drink alcohol.

Stay safe

Bratislava is generally very safe by Western standards. It is quite small and the crime rate is low. There is a significant police presence in the city, especially the historical parts, and it is generally not a problem to walk around the city at night. The centre especially is under camera surveillance. There is very little violent crime in Bratislava. Walking alone after midnight outside of the historical centre is not recommended on Fridays, since you could have an unpleasant encounter with rowdy drunks who could congregate around cheaper establishments. If a problem occurs, you can reach the police on phone number 158.