Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Bratislava, Slovakia! It’s a great little city to visit in Eastern Europe. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when visiting Bratislava, Slovakia.
Love #1: Bratislava Old Town
Bratislava is like Budapest shrank down to a manageable size. The city center and the Old Town area is very compact with a lot of beautiful buildings. You can literally walk everywhere to reach the best things to do in Bratislava. If you tire of walking, there is decent public transportation, but it really is a very compact city. Don’t miss a visit to Bratislava Castle, just keep walking uphill from Old Town until you reach it!
Hate #1: Bratislava Hotels
Generally, Eastern European cities are very affordable, but the Bratislava hotels are pretty pricy in relation to other comparable cities. Of course, you want to stay near the Old Town area and it’s not a huge town so the good hotels book up quickly. If you do book far enough in advance, you may be able to find some deals, but don’t expect super cheap accommodation. You can expect to pay about the same as you would for a hotel in Budapest or Vienna.
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Love #2: Transportation Connections
With so many great connections, it’s easy to visit Bratislava on a day trip from Vienna or Budapest, or base yourself in Bratislava and take day trips from here. There are about 30 trains each day from Vienna to Bratislava, and it takes less than one hour. There are FlixBus connections very frequently as well. Budapest is about two and a half hours from Bratislava by train, which makes for a long but very doable day trip.
Hate #2: Bratislava Train Station
Many people visit Bratislava on a day trip from Vienna or Budapest because it’s a small area that’s easily explored in a day. However, if you arrive by train, the area around the Bratislava train station can be a bit sketchy. You’ll likely see a lot of homeless people and beggars hanging around. You’re not in any real danger, but you may feel a bit uncomfortable.
Love #3: Food in Bratislava
If you’re from the Midwest US like I am, you’ll feel right at home with the food in Bratislava. It’s all about hearty, comfort food here. Slovakian cuisine is very heavy on the pork, dumplings, and schnitzel, which is especially great if you are visiting during the cold winter months. And the food in Bratislava is very affordable; even the higher-end restaurants in Bratislava are not expensive. Austrians make the trip over frequently to eat so well for such a good price.
Hate #3: Public Restrooms
As you travel around Bratislava, if you need to use a restroom, you’ll need to go into a bar or cafe and purchase something. There really aren’t many public restrooms to be found, and the ones you do find are usually pretty gross. So, it’s best to just use the restrooms in the businesses you are visiting.
Love #4: Outdoor Attractions
Slovakians love nature, and there is a lot of natural beauty in and around Bratislava. The Danube River runs right through here, so you can take a stroll along the river or a boat cruise on the river. Less than ten kilometers away, you can explore the grounds of Devin Castle. Zlaté Piesky is a lake right in town with beaches and tourist facilities. You can also stroll the grounds of Bratislava Castle which looms over Bratislava Old Town.
Hate #4: Language Difficulties
The younger people in Bratislava mostly speak some English, but it’s not as widely spoken amongst the older residents. So, you may find yourself in situations where you have communication difficulties as Slovakian is not likely a language you will understand. If you can learn just a few words like please, thank you, hello, and goodbye, it will help a bit. The people are helpful, just know you might have to do some mime action to communicate with the locals.
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Love #5: Bratislava Nightlife
Bratislava has a great nightlife scene. There are bars and nightclubs all over the city center, including a few “party barges” that are popular along the Danube River. It’s a really fun city to go out in, partly because it’s so compact and you can easily spend the evening hopping from bar to bar. The prices are also good, so you won’t go broke buying too many beers.
Hate #5: Bratislava Weather
Specifically, the wind in Bratislava is crazy. The city sits out in the open, with no mountains nearby to buffer any winds, and it can be really intense. Make sure you pack a warm layer and if you have a windbreaker you can wear, it will help!
Bratislava is a beautiful capital city that’s a very nice size for exploring on foot. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Bratislava. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts: