Things To Do in Bratislava
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Bratislava Attractions
Bratislava is best suited to ambling. There are few "musts"; instead the Old Town (Staré Mesto) itself, with its inviting, laid-back mix of restaurants, cafes, and bars, is the primary attraction. The best place to start your exploration is at the main entrance to the Old Town, St. Michael's Tower (Michalská veza). From here, walk along the main pedestrian streets of Michalská and then Ventúrska, pausing to admire the detailing on the lovingly restored baroque and Renaissance housing stock. Alleyways fan out in all directions, and the best advice is simply to follow your nose. The core of the Old Town is small and can be covered in a couple of hours. The focal point of the Old Town is Hlavné námestie, the main square, lined on one side by the Old Town Hall and the other by a mix of restaurants and cafes. At some point, be sure to pay a visit to the city's cathedral, St. Martin's (Dóm Sv. Martina), situated just outside of the Old Town, following the signs. From here it's a short walk below the freeway to the castle side of the Old Town. The hike to the castle takes about 30 minutes. The views out over the Old Town are spectacular, but the castle itself is undergoing a long-term renovation and is something of a disappointment. From here, you can't miss the view of Bratislava's retro-futuristic bridge, the Most SNP (New Bridge), which links the Old Town to the sprawling housing project of Petrzalka. On your return from the castle, walk through the old Jewish quarter, once situated in the area around Zidovská.
- Historic Site
Bratislava Castle (Bratislavský hrad)
This squat, square castle, high above the Old Town, is worth the climb to the top, if only for the fabulous view of the space-age bridge, the Most SNP (New Bridge), in the distance. The castle dates from the early 16th century. It burned to the ground at the start of the 19th century… - Religious Site
Cathedral of St. Martin (Dóm Sv. Martina)
The city's most important church was neutered and neglected by the former Communist regime, who planned the main highway right past the church's front door. That was done intentionally as a way of snubbing religion in the name of modernity. Now the church is making a comeback, though… - Landmark
Most SNP Observation Deck (UFO)
The very cool retro-futuristic SNP Bridge (now known officially as the "New Bridge") was built in the late 1960s and early '70s at the height of Communist excess. It was inspired by the optimistic futurism of the 1960s and looks like it sprang right out of an episode of Star Trek or… - Historic Site
Primate's Palace (Primaciálny Palác)
A beautifully restored 18th-century palace that now serves as the seat of the mayor of Bratislava. It was here in 1805 that a victorious Napoleon Bonaparte and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I signed the Treaty of Pressburg following the Battle of Austerlitz (now Slavkov, near the… - Landmark
St. Michael's Tower (Michalská veza)
A highly inviting entryway into the Old Town. The gate is actually part of the city's medieval fortification system, and you can still see the remains of the moat and bastion. The 50m (164-ft.) tower, topped with a statue of St. Michael himself, houses a small exhibition on weaponry;…
Bratislava Shopping
Bratislava, as a modern European capital, has everything you might want or need. In terms of souvenirs, there are a couple of unique shops worth visiting. Antikvariát Steiner, Ventúrska ul. 9 (tel. 02/5443-3778), is an antiquarian bookshop with a wonderful selection of old maps and prints, as well beautiful books (most in Slovak and German). If you're looking for more traditional folk art, including textiles, lace, and ceramics, try Ú?uv, with locations at Obchodná ul. 64 and nám. SNP 12 (tel. 02/5273-1344; www.uluv.sk). Interpress, Sedlárska 2 (no phone), carries a nice range of English-language newspapers and magazines.
Bratislava Nightlife
As the nation's capital, Bratislava is the center of Slovak culture. The Slovak National Theater (Slovenské národné divadlo) maintains an active program of high-quality drama, opera, and ballet in season (Sept-June). The theater operates from two buildings: the "historic" building at Hviezdoslavovo nám. 1 (tel. 02/5443-1723; www.snd.sk) and the "new" building at Pribinova 17 (tel. 02/5778-2534; www.snd.sk). The Reduta, Palackého 2 (tel. 02/5920-8233), home to the Slovak National Philharmonic, is an excellent venue for classical concerts. You can buy tickets at the box office, or ask at the tourist information office. To find out what's on, pick up a copy of Kam do mesta (Where in the City), the city's free monthly, available at tourist information offices and bars and restaurants. The English-language weekly The Slovak Spectator is also a good source for what's happening.
As for culture of the drinking and clubbing variety, there's no shortage of late-night bars, cafes, and music clubs. Most of the action is concentrated in and around the Old Town, and typically starts around 10 or 11pm and lasts until 1 or 2am.
