Bratislava - the little big city. With fewer than half a million people, Bratislava ranks among Europe's most relaxed capitals, because everything is in close vicinity, reachable within a few minutes walking distance. It even has two capital cities nearby - Vienna (80km) and Budapest (200km) - reachable also by a boat on the river Danube. The city itself has its old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, stylish people, and a human scale which means that as a visitor you will not spend half your day trekking in and out of underground stations or getting from the airport into town. All this with Central Europe's greatest river as a backdrop.
Euro (EUR), €1=100 cents
Emergency: 112
Police: 158
Fire: 150
Ambulance: 155
City Police: 159
The Slovak Spectator (English)
Hospodárske Noviny
Nový Čas
Pravda
SME - Bratislava
450,000
City centre
Klobučnícka 2, P.O. Box 349, Bratislava
Tel.: +421 2 16 186
touristinfo@bratislava.sk
Opening hours:
April-October Mon ‒ Sun: 9am-7pm
November-March Mon ‒ Sun: 9am-6pm
The Capital of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, also referred to as the Beauty on the Danube, can not only boast interesting history but it is also the centre of the most dynamically developing region of central Europe at present.
Bratislava is situated in the south-west of Slovakia and stretches on both banks of the Danube and in the foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains. Slovakia's borders with Hungary, to the south, and Austria, to the west, make it the only capital city to border two neighbouring countries. In addition, the Czech Republic is only 62 kilometres away. The Austrian capital Vienna is only 60 kilometres distant, making them among the world's closest capital cities. Thanks to this favourable position it was always a commercial centre. Today the historic places are witness to the rapid development of the young Slovak Republic.
In spite of its exciting history, Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in the world and its population is also very young. The modern metropolis is open to Europe and to the world as proved by the increasing number of foreign visitors from many diverse countries. They are attracted to the cosiness of the rather small city that nevertheless possesses a throbbing social life and historic charms combined with the most recent trends. Palaces, modern shopping, works of art by Slovak chefs and brewers, friendly people and various international cultural or sport events, exhibitions, and business opportunities are the reasons why it is worth of visit.
Bratislava is not just the political but is also the cultural and sporting capital of Slovakia. Owing to its historically multi-ethnic character, the city's cultural scene is a product of various influences: German, Slovak, Hungarian, and Jewish, among others. Bratislava boasts numerous theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs, and foreign cultural institutions.
It also has the country's biggest football and ice hockey teams, a purpose-built white-water rafting centre on the Danube, and numerous walking and cycling trails in or near the city. High-quality spa and relaxation facilities are increasingly popular throughout Slovakia and easily accessible. Bratislava has numerous coffee shops and restaurants, offering international as well as Slovak cuisine, including lively bars and clubs.
Traditional Christmas Markets
Post-Socialist City Tour
Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
Bratislava goes classical
Biofarma Príroda - Stupava
National Saloon of Wines
Nedbalka Gallery
Running tours in Bratislava
Bratislava Castle
St. Martin’s Cathedral
Michael’s Gate & Tower
Old Town Hall (Stará radnica)
Primate’s Palace
Grassalkovich Palace
Blue Church
Slavin
Devin Castle
Museum Shop
Local specialities include Halusky, small dumplings topped with cheese and bacon. Hungarian influences have added much needed spice to traditional Slovak cuisine. As far as international cuisine goes, there is plenty to choose from, as Bratislava builds a reputation as an eastern European capital of gastronomy.
Slovak Pub
Bratislava Flag Ship Restaurant
UFO watch.taste.groove.
Traditional Christmas markets
Restaurant Hradná Hviezda
Restaurant Modrá Hviezda
Zylinder
Despite being a relatively small city, Bratislava is rich with cafés, from grand coffee houses to trendy student hang-outs. Most of the best cafés are in the centre of town, especially around the Main Square. During the summer, many have outdoor tables, perfect for relaxing after exploring the Old Town.
Roland Café and Restaurant
Kaffee Mayer
Gremium
Bratislava Café Franz Xaver Messerschmidt
Café & Souvenirs Zeppelin
Gorila Urban Space
Urban House
Bratislava has a growing number of good places to go and is building a reputation as a nightlife capital. If you are having a night out, just ask the locals. Top Slovak beers that are definitely worth a few rounds include Zlaty Bazant or Kelt.
In recent years, Bratislava’s club scene has completely reinvented itself. In came DJ's and funky cocktails, out went the go-go dancers and burly doormen. Listings detailing what’s going on can be found throughout town.
The Dubliner
Subclub
Cocoloco Cocktail Bar
Nu Spirit Bar & Lounge
IceBar Bratislava
Virtual Reality and Gin&Tonic Bar
Cuba Libre, Bratislava
Bratislava offers a wide variety of shopping possibilities. Ranging from small boutiques, designer outlets, open-air fresh produce markets to big and modern shopping malls which are open 7 days a week. Small open-air markets can be found on Polna near the Medical Garden and Sancova, Mlynarovicova on Petrzalka. The liveliest market is the one on Mileticova Street, which sells lots of well-made but affordable clothing.
There are numerous shopping malls throughout Bratislava, including Aupark on the right side of the Danube next to Sad Janka Kráľa Park. Polus City Center is on Vajnorska, 10 minutes away from the city centre, and the newest Eurovea is situated in the city centre, right next to the river bank.
Aupark Shopping Centre
Avion Shopping Park
Eurovea
Polus City Center
Shopping Palace
Central
Retro Shopping Gallery
Bratislava Airport - M.R.Štefánik
Airport Bratislava is located approximately 9 km from the city center and about a 50 minutes drive from the International Vienna Airport Schwechat.
There is a regular bus service from both airports to Bratislava city centre:
From Bratislava Airport: outside the arrivals/departure terminal operated by the Municipal public transport - bus Nr. 61, transfer at Hlavna stanica (Main railway station), change to Bus Nr. X13 - get off at Nam. SNP - to get to the city centre. The journey would take approximately 30 minutes.
By taxi it will take around 15 minutes, you will find the taxi stand in front of the Arrival terminal.
Airport Bratislava offers also several car rental services, which you can find in the public area of the Arrivals terminal: Avis, Sixt, Eurocar, Alamo, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget and Europcar.
From Vienna International Airport Schwechat: daily shuttle bus Blaguss or Slovak Lines, leaving every 30 minutes from 6:20am until 12:45am.
www.blaguss.sk
Tel.: +421 2 43 63 72 57
www.slovaklines.sk
Tel.: +421 2 55 42 27 34
Address: letisko Bratislava, Ivanka pri Dunaji
Email: info@bts.aero
Phone: +421 2 3303 3353
Website: www.bts.aero/en/
Public Transport
Most sights and places of interest to tourists can be found in the city centre, or within walking distance of the pedestrianised old town. If you need to travel further afield within the city, the best way to do so is by public transport.
Bratislava has a comprehensive network of public transport lines running at regular intervals according to defined timetables. Departure times and a list of destinations, with the journey time to each, are posted for each service at every stop it serves.
Daily operation: buses, trams and trolleybuses run from 5am until 11.30pm.
Tickets:
-one-way ticket valid for 15 min
-multiple-ride ticket valid for 60 min
-weekend multiple-ride ticket valid for 90min
-touristic ticket valid for 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours - unlimited travel
-children under 6 years of age travel for free
Night operation: on selected bus routes from 11:30pm until 3:30am.
Tickets:
-night ticket valid for 90 min, multiple ride
-prepaid tickets (PCL) 30-, 90- and 365-day ticket (personal chip card is needed)
-touristic ticket valid for 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours – unlimited travel
Passengers are required to buy a ticket in a yellow ticket machine at a bus stop, at a newspaper kiosk or at a DPB shop before getting on board. Right after boarding the vehicle, passengers must stamp their ticket in the nearest stamping machine. A ticket that has not been stamped is not valid.
Ticket inspection
A passenger who cannot provide a valid ticket to the inspector will have to pay a fine in accordance with the currently valid public transport code.
Lost and found
In case of loss of personal belongings, the passenger must contact Dopravný podnik Bratislava, at: +421 2 5950 5950.
www.dpb.sk or www.imhd.sk
Website: www.imhd.sk
Taxi
Unlike cities in other countries, in Slovakia, it is cheaper to order a taxi by phone than to hail one on the street. The price per kilometre varies from 0,50 Euro-cents and up. When getting one on the street, the price might be double or more. We highly recommend to agree on the price before getting in the car. Short distance trips are charged at minimum 4 EUR.
Post
Slovenská pošta Bratislava
Address: Námestie SNP 35, Bratislava
Phone: +421 2 5443 0381
Website: www.posta.sk/en
Pharmacy
Lekáreň BENU
Address: Sedlárska 12, Bratislava
Email: benu40@benulekaren.sk
Phone: +421 2 206 341 45
Website: www.benulekaren.sk
Telephone
Country code: +421
Area code: 2
Electricity
220V AC