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I tend to be a proponent for deeper travel and really getting to know a destination. Yet, time doesn’t always allow for that. That is why I created a guide on what to do if you only visit Bratislava in one day.
Is it worth visiting Bratislava for one day?
The answer is yes! Bratislava has a lot to offer in terms of architecture, history, and of course, food. Unfortunately, Bratislava, Slovakia is one of those cities that tourists typically brush over in a day. The fact that it is such an easy day trip from other major cities like Vienna and Budapest lends to tourists visiting it on the side. While I recommend spending more than a day in this charming city, one day is better than none.
Even one day in Bratislava allows for a good overview of the city and getting to see some of the top sights.
How to get to Bratislava
By flight:
If you are only visiting Bratislava for one day, you may not be arriving by flight, but of course it is an option. There is an airport in Bratislava, making it an easy destination to fly into. It may not always be the cheapest airport to fly into depending on where you are flying in from. If you are looking for more budget-friendly options, it might be beneficial to check flights into nearby cities like Vienna and Budapest.
By train:
The train system throughout the majority of Europe is outstanding, and getting to Bratislava by train is no exception.
- Vienna to Bratislava – Time: 1 hour and 6 minutes; Price: $11-$13
- Budapest to Bratislava – Time: 2 hours and 23 minutes, Price: $8-$9
By bus:
While not always as scenic or comfortable as the train, the bus is a great option if you are sticking to a tighter budget.
- Vienna to Bratislava – Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes; Price: $3-$4
- Budapest to Bratislava – Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, Price: $11-$13
By ferry:
If you want a unique way of traveling to Bratislava, there is the options to take a ferry from Vienna!
- Vienna to Bratislava – Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes; Price: $30-$35
By car:
Often the fastest way to get places, going by car is also an option. The price for this option will vary depending on the route you take. You can either rent a car or use a ridesharing service like BlaBlaCar
- Vienna to Bratislava – Time: 58 minutes (tolls) or 1 hour and 22 minutes (no tolls)
- Budapest to Bratislava – Time: 2 hours and 4 minutes (tolls) or 3 hours and 23 minutes (no tolls)
One Day Itinerary in Bratislava
If you are like me and enjoy tours and food, here is the perfect way to visit Bratislava for one day. My favorite way to get the most out of one day in any city is through tours. Luckily, there are several free (pay what you want) tours available in Bratislava that touch on several aspects of the city. All the free walking tours discussed in this article are on a pay what you want basis. You will simply tip what you would like once the tour is over. All the tours also meet at Františkánske Námestie. Don’t worry though. If you don’t enjoy tours, I also share a little on how you can see the city on your own.
Get coffee and breakfast at a local café
As typical of most European cities, you can find a good café on almost any corner in Bratislava. Get your start at a decent time to leave time for coffee, a pastry, and to get to your free tour at 10AM.
A good option for fresh-baked pastries in Bakery Allakaj. For bagels, pastries, and the most moist muffins, Craft coffee factory Eurovea is for you!
City and Castle Tour – 10:00 daily (2.5 hours)
The best tour to start your day with is the City and Castle Tour. This tour gives a good overview of the highlights of Bratislava.
Guided tour: This tour in particular is approximately 2.5 hours long. On the tour, you will learn a little bit about the architecture, history, and culture of Bratislava. You will also get recommendations of local cuisines to try during your visit.
Do it on your own: If you aren’t interested in a guided tour, feel free to explore the Old Town and Bratislava castle on your own. Františkánske Námestie is still a great place to start as it’s right in Old Town. From there, stroll through Old Town towards St. Martin’s Cathedral. Make sure to stop and appreciate the several statues along the way. From St. Martin’s Cathedral, start making the trek uphill to the Bratislava Castle.
Indulge in traditional Slovak food at Bratislava Flagship Restaurant
There are a few must-have dishes that you should try while you are in Bratislava. Bratislava Flagship Restaurant (also called Bratislavská Reštaurácia) happens to serve all of them. I recommend starting off with the cesnaková polievka AKA garlic soup in a bread bowl. It’s delicious! You also need to try Slovakia’s most popular dish, dumplings with sheeps cheese (bryndzové halušky). Be warned though, I love cheese, but the dish was even rich for my tastes. So, it may be best to split with a travel companion if you have one.
For a little sampling of several Slovak specialties, the restaurant offers a sampler for two people to share. The sampler consists of the previously discussed dumplings with sheep’s cheese (bryndzové halušky), pierogis stuffed with sheep’s cheese (bryndzové pirohy), and dumplings with cabbage and bacon (kapustové strapačky so slaninkou).
Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong.
20th Century Tour – 15:30 daily (2.5 hours)
The 20th Century Tour is all about learning Slovakia’s history throughout the 20th century and their time under the communist regime. This tour can get a little dark and disturbing but is crucial to understanding Slovakia’s journey to where they are today as a country.
Guided tour: This tour is also approximately 2.5 hours but takes a completely different route than the previous city and castle tour. Be prepared for some heavy history that delves deep into Slovakia’s past. The tour starts with some preliminary information about when Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia. You will also learn more about Slovakia’s relationship history with its neighboring countries. The tour guide takes you to relevant sites like the Slovak National Uprising Square, Fountain of Union, government offices, Presidential Palace, and the Blue Church.
Do it on your own: This tour is more difficult to do on your own unless you are already familiar with the 20th century history of Bratislava. If you want to learn about it, you can always visit the sites listed in the previous section and research the significance of each location.
Find a delicious dinner spot
There are several delicious restaurants in Bratislava. It is a matter of choosing a place that aligns with what type of food you are looking for.
If you want more traditional Slovak food, Meanto is another great option that has some similar offerings to Flagship.
If you seek Asian cuisine, EDO-KIN is a delicious one (their ramen is delectable). Ram’s also has a good selection of Asian food.
If you crave burgers, you can’t go wrong with Remeslo.
If pizza is more your style, Oggi Pizza is one of the top-rated in the city.
Spooky Legends Tour – 20:00 Thursday to Saturday (1 hour)
Guided tour: The Spooky Legends Tour comprises of unique stories about people in Bratislava during the medieval times. Stories focus on mass murderers, the plague, witch hunting, and more. During this tour, you get to visit the preserved city walls and make your way up to the castle to see it a new light (or darkness).
Do it on your own: The guided tour was created from months of research on Bratislava’s harsh past. While it is practically impossible to do something similar on your own, I still recommend wandering the city at night. Cities at night tell a different story than during the day. No visitor can ever have a true feeling of a city until they have experienced it both under the sun and under the moon.
Best things to do in Bratislava
If you decide that the tours aren’t for you, here are some of the key highlights of Bratislava that you should aim to visit on your own:
Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall is a beautiful tower located in Františkánske Námestie. Standing tall, it consist of a clock at the top, several windows, and ornate detail. If you look closely, you will also see a cannonball to the left of the large triangular window close to the bottom of the building. Any passerby may not notice the cannonball or the story behind it. But, it is in fact the remnants of an attack by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Bratislava Statues
When strolling through Old Town, there is no doubt at least one of the Bratislava statues will catch your attention. They characterize the Old Town and happen to be some of the most photographed attractions of the Old Town. One of the most famous is the Cumil statue (which is the one with the man in the sewer). It is said that when you rub the top of his helmet, it means that you will return back to Bratislava someday.
St. Martin’s Cathedral
St. Martin’s Cathedral is the largest and one of the oldest churches in Bratislava. The cathedral once hosted the coronation of several Hapsburg royals. To this day, the cathedral hosts annual reenactments of the coronation and reconstructs the ceremony for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Bratislava Castle
The Bratislava Castle is the city’s gem perched atop the hill. When you make your way up the steps, the castle awaits for visitors to explore. Inside the castle, you can learn more about the history at the museum. Outside the castle, you will be met with great views of not only the city of Bratislava but also views of Austria and Hungary next door.
Slovak National Uprising Square
Slovak National Uprising Square commemorates the Slovak resistance movement during World War II. It was organized to resist the German troops that occupied Slovak territory. The square also honors the lives lost when German forces defeated the resistance. The country recognizes the anniversary of the date of the uprising, August 29, 1944, as a national holiday.
Blue Church
The Church of St. Elizabeth, also named the Blue Church, is unlike most of the architecture seen throughout the rest of the city. It was designed by a Hungarian architect and built in the early 20th century. The ornate church is one of the top tourist attractions in the city simply for its beauty and photogenic qualities.
Bratislava is a beautiful city and worth a visit, even if it’s just for one day.
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