How To Spend 24 Hours In Bratislava

In all honesty, I had expected Bratislava to be boring. I suppose I just didn’t know much about it, given that it’s overshadowed by neighbouring European capitals Vienna, Budapest and Prague. But I found Bratislava to be stylish and affordable, and definitely not boring. Surrounded by vineyards and mountains, with the Danube river flowing through, Slovakia’s capital is surprisingly picturesque. A mix-match of gothic, baroque and communist architecture, the city is incredibly alluring, and a great destination to spend a day or two exploring.

Fortunately, most of the main sights in Bratislava are located in the pedestrian-only, 18-century Old Town, making it easy to see lots in a short space of time. You could definitely spend 2 or 3 days exploring Slovakia’s capital, but 1 full day is ample to get a taste.

Bratislava 1 day itinerary

Spend your morning exploring the Old Town. It really is beautiful, and there is lots to see. You can’t get too lost either; if you get to a road with trams or cars, you’re leaving the Old Town, so you can just turn back to stay in the pedestrian area.

You can either explore the Old Town on your own, or you could opt for a free walking tour. I always like to do free walking tours when visiting a city because you learn a little about the history and get to understand what it is you’re actually looking at. I went with Be Free Tours; the guide, Simona, was very knowledgable and enthusiastic, and I learned a lot about Bratislava’s past.

Michael’s Gate serves as the official entry to The Old Town. Originally built in the 14th century, it’s been modified significantly over the years, such as the addition of a baroque-style bell-shaped roof in the 1700s.

Primate’s Palace has a pretty, pink exterior, and inside, you’ll be wowed by 17th-century tapestries and a fabulous Hall of Mirrors.

Dating back to the 14th century, the Old Town Hall is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the Old Town. You can climb to the top of the clock tower for a panoramic view of the city. 

As you walk through the streets of the Old Town, you may notice a variety of quirky statues. My favourite, though, was Man at Work, as he is known as. He appears to be a sewage worker peering up from a hole in the ground.

St Martin’s Cathedral is perhaps the most imposing architectural landmark of the Old Town. Dating back to 1492, this cathedral served as a coronation site for royals of the Austro-Hungarian empire. 

While it can only be viewed from the outside, Grassalkovich Palace is a magnificent building. There is also a beautiful French garden located behind the palace.

The Blue Church (St Elizabeth’s Church) is located just slightly outside of the Old Town, but it’s well worth the short detour. It’s so beautifully and ornately decorated, with a blue exterior and intricate detailing on the inside.

Phew, I told you there was a lot to see in the Old Town. Time for a coffee break, perhaps?

At the turn of the 20th century, Bratislava had a very strong coffeehouse culture. Coffeehouses were the place to be, and aristocrats would meet in them to enjoy coffee and cake with both friends and business acquaintances. After World War II, the communist rulers of Czechoslovakia frowned on social networks, and the people of Bratislava retreated to drink coffee at home. Today, now that Czechoslovakia has been split for almost three decades, and the communist rule has ended, the coffeehouse scene is making a huge comeback. As you walk through Bratislava’s Old Town, you’ll notice that the air is filled with the aroma of coffee beans – there are now 160 cafes around the Old Town.

Urban House on Laurinska Street is modern and pleasant, attracting artistic types, whereas Kaffee Mayer, one of the oldest coffee houses in Bratislava, is as traditional as it comes, featuring dark wood furniture.

After you’ve enjoyed your cup of joe, take the walk up Zámocká Street to reach the city’s most recognised landmark: Bratislava Castle. Venture inside the castle, and you’ll find a history museum depicting the development of Slovakia over the centuries. From the castle, you’ll also be met with spectacular views over the Danube river. You’ll be able to see the UFO Bridge and a large ensemble of colourful buildings. This is Petržalka: one of the largest prefabricated housing estates in Central Europe. Petržalka was built during the Communist regime of Slovakia (1948-1989); the idea being that it would provide lots of cheap and equal housing.

Now we’ve explored the Old Town, let’s explore the rest of the city a little.

As you’ve just seen the UFO Bridge and Petržalka from the castle, why not head into the neighbourhood itself? Soviet-style blocks and remnants of communism are to be found here; it was an interesting area to explore. You can also take the elevator up to the top of the UFO structure itself, where you’ll find a viewpoint offering fabulous views over the city and castle. There’s also a restaurant up there, but be warned: it’s not budget-friendly.

Right here in Bratislava, you’ll find a building which The Telegraph listed as one of the ugliest buildings in the world. Slovak Radio, a rust-coloured, pyramid-shaped building; it really is an eye-sore, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Hungry? Perhaps it’s time for dinner. I suggest you try halushky, which is a traditional Slovak dish. It consists of potato dumplings combined with sheep cheese and bacon. As a vegetarian, I asked for it without bacon, and this was no problem, although I think they thought I was a bit weird. The dish is warm and hearty, and will keep you full for a long time! A huge range of restaurants serve this national dish, so you’ll be able to find it almost anywhere. I would advise eating outside of the Old Town, though, as you’ll be hit with tourist prices here.

After you’ve enjoyed dinner, I recommend you head to Sky Bar and Restaurant. This upmarket yet relaxed cocktail bar will treat you to gorgeous views across the city and castle. Get there just before sunset if you want to see the sky turn orange behind the castle. Oh, and I recommend the Vodka Lychee – absolutely delicious.

Additions and alterations to your Bratislava itinerary

If you have more time or some of my suggestions don’t appeal to you, I’ve got some more:

• If you’re super interested in communism and Soviet history, then I recommend taking the Communism Tour by Be Free Tours. The guide goes into detail about what life was like in Communist Slovakia, and takes you to see Soviet remnants and propaganda from the time. I really enjoyed exploring Bratislava from this perspective.

• Just 10km outside of the city centre lies Devin Castle. Standing atop a huge rock hill, the castle is very impressive. I actually think it’s a little more impressive than Bratislava Castle itself, and it boasts fabulous views of the Danube river.

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