In October of 2017 , George and I were wandering in the streets of Budapest ( blog post on that one is on the way), thinking about where to go for a daily trip since we had spent almost a week in Hungary ‘s capital. I opened a map and spotted the beautiful and small capital of Slovakia , just 2.30 hours away from us , so the next day we were on the train station , getting comfortable in our seats and on our way to Bratislava!
Our journey lasted almost three hours , passing through Hungarian nature and reaching Bratislava’s Train Station , a pretty small one I have to say , got our bags and headed to our hotel for the day the mesmerizing Austria Trend Hotel Bratislava , located conveniently near the center! Check in , quick change of clothes , and out in the streets for new adventures!
Slovakia’s capital is small and easy to explore! It kind of reminded me of Warsaw’s old town but in a smaller edition! Colorful buildings everywhere , almost similar language and a fairy-tale old town , waiting for you to explore it!
MUST SEE IN BRATISLAVA
Explore the old town
Get lost in the alleys , enjoy the beauty of the buildings , feel the magic. Probably my most favorite part of every new destination i reach , is just getting lost and discovering secret corners! Bratislava’s old town is a perfect place to wander around and the imposing castle on the top of the hill is waiting for your photos! Bratislava used to be the city , where Hungarian kings were crowned so don’t be surprised by the small crowns you will see on the pavements. Follow them , from the S. Michael’s gate ( where the old town entrance is) and you will end up right in front of S. Martin’s Cathedral.
Find the Blue Church
It is kind of hidden , outside the old town , so you will have to search for it. The best part about it , is that it’s totally blue ,inside and out , but other than that there is nothing really special to see about it, The church is dedicated to Elisabeth of Hungary , born here in Bratislava in 1207 and was declared a saint after her death in 1235 , and it is preferred by most of locals for weddings and ceremonies!
Visit The Castle ( Bratislavksy Hrad)
This medieval castle was built in the 10nth century , destroyed by fire in 1811 and was rebuilt in 1953. It has Gothic and renaissance details and is now home to the National Museum , the Treasury and Folklore Music Museum. On your way down the Castle , start from the Michalska Ventruska street , where you can find numerous cafes and baroque buildings!
Have a coffee in the UFO Tower
As you approach Danube’s yards , you cant miss the spectacular UFO Tower , almost touching the sky at 95 meters high! We crossed the bridge , climbed up the stairs , paid about 8 euros each and got in the elevator that would take us to the top of the tower. The view of the town was breathtaking , ideal for countless photos! Enjoy the cafe below or if you have more money to spend have your lunch at the highest point of Bratislava!
Discover the brass statues
Hidden allover the old town , the brass statues of Bratislava are one of the most iconic sights. The most famous of the them , is the worker that emerges from the sewers , Kamil! Those statues were added to the town in 1997 , just to give this extra something! Can you trace them all?
What to eat in Bratislava
GULLASH: A dish you have probably met in other central European countries as well , originated in Slovakia and Czech Republic . It is basically red spicy soup with vegetables potatoes and meat. All you will need after a walk in the cold town.
HALUSKY: Potatoes dumplings , with melted cottage cheese and pieces of bacon on the top! Tasty but maybe too salty for me!
So Bratislava got me from the first glimpse! Maybe because of the fairy tale old town , colorful buildings and amazing history or maybe because i always have a thing for small towns , that can be explored without even a map! There are galleries , cool museums , and lively nightlife for those who want to spend more days in this beautiful country and the countryside is also amazing for you who love nature! Slovakian people were also the best and one thing is for sure , that i will be definitely coming back!
Evita.
Watch our Slovakian adventure!
