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Bratislava Travel Guide

About Bratislava

Bratislava is an old European city full of character, with a beautifully restored historic quarter, a setting on the Danube and a liking for a good night out.

Just an hour by train from Vienna, it’s been home to Celts, Romans, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, and of course Slovaks - and like all cities of cultural confluence, it shows diversity in everything from its architecture to its cuisine.

There’s much to love here and Bratislava’s many charms have more than offset its communist legacy. Here you’ll find the greatest concentration of high-quality restaurants in Slovakia, while the narrow pedestrianised streets of the Old Town lead you past cosy cafés, late-night bars and relaxed pubs, not to mention some eye-catching outdoor sculptures.

Museums, galleries and a whole slew of festivals and events further enhance the city’s colours, but when you’ve had your fill of exploring the city itself, it’s easy to escape from the hustle and bustle. Many walk, cycle or picnic in the forested hills that surround Bratislava – or discover some of the many vineyards and castles in the surrounding region.

Five bridges connect the two halves of the city across the Danube, but the sites of interest to visitors are almost all north of the river, in the cobbled streets and attractive squares of the Old Town. It’s a city with a pleasantly relaxed feel and with fewer than half a million inhabitants, it’s never really going to feel overcrowded.

The white walls of Bratislava Castle draw the eye, although the views granted from the castle’s hilltop are just as impressive – you’ll see the medieval roofs of the Old Town below, as well as ranks of socialist-era tower blocks on the other side of the river. This is a city with more than one face, and that’s part of its appeal.

Key facts

Population:
411228
Latitude:
48.153412
Longitude:
17.129301
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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City Hostel

This is a basic but cheap and clean hostel on the edge of the old town. The single, double, triple and quad rooms each have their own ensuite bathrooms, and there’s free internet access at reception. Other amenities include a summer terrace and secure bicycle parking.

IBIS Bratislava Centrum

This modern 120-room hotel is close to the Old Town and the business district. Its sound-proof rooms with internet and an international on-site restaurant and bar run with the business clientele in mind.

Mercure

The smart Mercure is conveniently located near the main railway station, and just a 15-minute walk from the old town. The comfortable rooms are dark-furnished but spacious, with gleaming, semi-transparent bathrooms. The hotel has its own bar and upmarket restaurant, as well as the requisite fitness centre. Impeccable service.

Kempinski Hotel River Park

Über-luxurious hotel complex on the banks of the Danube, just a short walk from the old town. With some 231 rooms and suites, the Kempinski boasts its own restaurant, a lobby lounge and a cigar bar, not to mention an 11th-floor spa with jaw-dropping views over the Danube. Possible extras to ensure a seriously good pampering range from a complimentary luxury Rolls Royce or BMW to drive you into town, to your own personal chef.

Hostel Blues

This fun and friendly place, just on the edge of the Old Town, is perfect for young travellers on a budget, particularly music-lovers. It hosts concerts weekly and provides free internet access.

Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava

This 162-room hotel on the edge of the Old Town has excellent business and conference facilities as well as very comfortable and elegant rooms for leisure travellers, as well as a gym and sauna. The staff are friendly and helpful.