The Slovak Republic's capital, Bratislava, is known as the "Beauty on the Danube." The city in the southwest of Slovakia stretches on both banks of the Danube. Despite its fantastic history, Bratislava is one of the world's youngest capitals. Moreover, the city offers a beautiful atmosphere and many landmarks, which should not be missed.
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What not to miss?
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle is the landmark overlooking the Capital. It dates back to the ninth century. It stands tall on the hilltop above the Danube River as a time-honored representation of the city. In the past, eight queens and eleven kings have been crowned in Bratislava. The village on the hill has been inhabited since the Stone and Bronze Ages. The Hungarian coronation jewels were kept in the southwest tower, often known as the jewel tower, for two centuries.
You can enjoy the view, which is open to you when you reach the castle and the beauty of the building itself.
The Blue Church
The Blue Church is located on Bezruova Street, in the eastern portion of the Old Town. It is a peaceful street, only a few minutes from the city's heart. The church was created in the 20th century by a Hungarian architect. It is also known as the Church of St. Elizabeth. It is a charming and unusual sight. The church includes a 36.8 m tall round tower. The Blue Church's ground floor is round, and the interior is beautiful. Visitors can climb to the church's top for a panoramic view of the city. This church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the city. However, it is open only occasionally, so check the open times before visiting it.
The Old Town
The Romanesque building of the Old Town Hall was the residence of the mayor of the medieval town at the beginning of the 13th century. Most of Bratislava's historical sites and cultural organizations are located in the Old Town. The Old Slovak National Theater, a Neo-Renaissance structure, Bratislava's Town Hall, and Michael's Gate are just a few examples. The chapel of St. Ladislav, which features one-of-a-kind wall paintings from the fifteenth century, is the most comprehensive part of the neo-Gothic renovation. The Bratislava City Museum, the oldest in the city, is often housed in the structure (1868). When it is open, the museum presents an exhibit on the feudal legal system in addition to the stunning interior of the town hall structure and authentic municipal court furnishings. Concerts are staged in the tower during the summer, and the lovely Renaissance courtyard hosts cultural events. The atmosphere in the Old Town shows a new perspective of this magnificent city, which gives you the chance to dive deeper into the history of Slovakia.
Michael’s Gate
Michael’s Gate is the last standing gate in Bratislava. On top of Michalska Street, you may find Michael's Gate and Tower. It is normal to see tourists taking pictures all over the place as many people constantly walk there. You may see Michael's Tower if you glance up as you pass through the Gate. It has 7 floors and is 51 meters high. A golden circle, referred to as kilometer zero, is directly beneath it. It shows the separations between Bratislava and 29 other capital cities. Visit the Museum of Arms in Michael's Tower for a stunning view. On its top, there is an observation platform. It offers a birds-eye perspective of the entire Old Town.
What else to visit?
UFO Tower
UFO Tower is also known as the Novy Most (New Bridge) and is supposed to serve to mount the bridge (The Slovak National Uprising Bridge). The tower's construction lasted 6 years, and it was included in the World Federation of Great Towers. On the top of the pylon, you can enjoy the panoramic view from the restaurant or café. You can drink coffee and watch a beautiful sunset from this place.
Man on Work
“Man at work” is one of the most famous statues in Bratislava. It is a bronze sculpture of a man peeping out of the manhole. This statue is also known as Čumil, which translation means “the watcher.” There are two rumors which are related to this sculpture. The first one says that Čumil is a typical worker who is not bothered by the work that he is supposed to be doing. About the second rumor, it says that he is looking under the women’s skirts. Even, there is a unique road sign next to it because the statue has lost its head twice in car accidents. It is a common belief among the locals that you can make a wish if you touch the head of the statue. This is another reason to visit it and have a nice picture of this humorous statue.
Devin Castle
Devin Castle is one of the remarkable landmarks in this area. In 1961, Devin Castle was designated a National Historic Site. Before communism fell in 1989, the property was strongly guarded to stop residents from fleeing toward the free west because Austria was just across the river. It is located in Devin, and it is 12 km away from the city center. It offers stunning panoramic views and is a famous tourist destination since it is located on a high cliff over the Morava and Danube rivers and marks the border between Slovakia and Austria. Devin Castle is part of the Bratislava City Museum. It can be reached by bus for around 20 minutes or by boat from one Bratislava port.
How to travel there?
The best way to travel to Bratislava is by plane. There are direct flights to several European locations, and several carriers, including Ryanair, Pobeda, Flydubai, Cyprus Airways, Smartwings, Air Cairo, and Wizz Air, run direct services to Bratislava.
On the other side, Bratislava airport can be reached 20 minutes from the center. The option for transport is that you can use the bus, which is the cheapest, and the second option is a taxi. If you choose the bus, it is better to take the bus no. 61 to the central train station. The bus tickets can be bought from the ticket machines or kiosks at the bus stops. The prices for the ticket are around €1. If you are traveling on a budget, the bus is the most convenient way to get to the center.
When to travel there?
The best time to visit this beautiful city, and enjoy entirely the unique atmosphere, is May, June, July, August, and September. However, you have to be prepared that May and June are also known as the rainiest time of the year. Even during the rainy period, you can have a wonderful experience in Bratislava.
Spring is also a good time of the year to visit Bratislava. The city is full of bloom during April and May. An event known as “Bratislava for Everyone” takes place for one weekend in the second half of April. During this weekend, some museums, galleries, and sports venues are open free of charge for everyone. This is an excellent opportunity to visit the city during that time of the year.
Average costs
A trip to Bratislava for two people costs around €1,400, and for a single person €900 per week. Regarding the accommodation, the price range is between €38 and €140. Depending on the schedule that you have for your vacation, our advice to you is to prepare a budget of around €30 and €60 per day. This budget can include daily meals, activities such as tours, and travel.
Where to eat?
If you still do not have any idea where to try one of the best traditional foods in Bratislava, here you can find some exciting places you should not miss.
Divny Janko
If you are looking for traditional dishes, you must visit this restaurant. You can enjoy a very cozy atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Bistronomy
This is one of the hidden gems in the city. The restaurant's location is not in the center but on the other side of the Danube. However, it is a place worth to be visited. The modern menu is focused on simple presentation and good-quality ingredients.
Urban Bistro
This restaurant is located in the Old Town. It offers an extravagant atmosphere and some great options from the menu. The menu is focused mainly on international food. However, it is a place to where you can have a chance to surprise yourself positively.
Fach Bistro
This is one of the best locations for vegetarian people. The menu is focused on seasonal dishes. It is excellent for breakfast and lunch. But it’s so worth it.
Events
Bratislava Coronation Days
This event takes place at the end of July. With the Coronation Parade, Coronation Oath, and Knight Tournament, the city is hosting a historical celebration to honor its illustrious royal heritage.
Uprising
The festival, where numerous domestic and international music artists frequently perform. The largest reggae-focused festival in Central Europe is a crucial component of Summer in Bratislava and one of the top 40 festivals in Europe. The festival honors the Slovak National Uprising, an essential event in Slovak history, with its name ("uprising" meaning "insurrection" in English) and anniversary. On August 25 and 26, you can participate in it in Bratislava.
ÚĽUV Craftsmen Days
The Center for Folk Art Production (UV), which hosts Bratislava's largest festival of traditional crafts, showcases the cultural diversity of the Slovak nation through dialect speeches, customs vocabulary, the beauty of folk costumes, music, singing, traditional cuisine, but also a fair of handcrafted goods. The event takes place on August 31 and September 1.
Rača Grape Harvest
The second or third weekend in September is when this event takes place. Traditional grape harvest celebrations are typically enhanced by a three-day excellent program that includes music concerts, artistic workshops or fairs, a variety of exhibitions, and a plethora of sporting events.
We've reached the end of the article about Bratislava. This city has an incredible atmosphere, and we believe you will love it as much as we did! In the meantime, you can read other articles on our blog. How about planning a trip to Prague or Český Krumlov? Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article!
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