Things to do in  Bratislava

Perched atop a forested hill on the north bank of the Danube River, overlooking the Old Town (Stary Mesto), Bratislava Castle(Bratislavsky Hrad) is the city’s most distinctive landmark. Visible from all over the city, the grand Renaissance palace dates back to the 16th century and now houses the Museum of History, part of the Slovak National Museum.

The Old Town (Stare Mesto) of Bratislava is the historic heart of the Slovakian capital. The neighborhood consists of a medieval castle, restored buildings, cobblestoned alleyways, and beautiful palaces. This small district is also packed with history, nightlife, eateries, and shopping for visitors to explore and discover.

An important institution of Slovakian culture and a symbolic landmark in Bratislava, the Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské Národné Divadlo or SND for short) is a splendid Neo-Renaissance building in the city’s Old Town. Since 1886 it has hosted performances of opera, ballet, and drama within its plush, red velvet, and gilded auditorium.

With its 279-foot (85-meter) spire, St. Martin’s Cathedral is Bratislava’s largest church and a defining fixture of the Old Town’s skyline. The current Gothic cathedral was built over an earlier basilica and consecrated in 1452. A crown atop its spire symbolizes the 11 Hungarian monarchs crowned inside the cathedral between 1563 and 1830.

Bratislava’s UFO Observation Deck isn’t quite as it seems: rather than a place to spot visitors from outer space, it’s a restaurant and observation deck on top of the New Bridge (Nový Most spanning the Danube River. Its circular design, though, does in fact resemble a UFO.

Just outside Bratislava, Devin Castle (Devinsky Hrad) shows Slovakia’s oldest traces of Slavic settlement, from the ninth century. The castle changed hands many times and was renovated until it was blown up during the 19th-century Napoleonic wars. The castle remains are now a Slovak national symbol and feature stunning panoramic views from the towers.

Right in the heart of Bratislava is the neoclassical Primate's Palace (Primaciálny Palác), with its pink facade. What was once the archbishop’s residence now serves as the seat of Bratislava’s mayor and hosts the city council. This architectural jewel is where Napoleon signed the Peace of Pressburg in 1805 after the Battle of Austerlitz.

Once home to aristocrats and now home to the Slovakian president, Grassalkovich Palace on the northern edge of Bratislava’s Old Town has been a vital landmark of the city since its construction in 1760. Its white-washed Baroque exterior and monumental modern fountain make a bold statement, as do the surrounding formal French gardens.

As Bratislava's main square, Hlavne Namestie is the hub of life in the city. It's a great place to sit and sip coffee while watching passersby or browse for souvenirs at market stalls. Those interested in local history may want to pop inside the Bratislava City Museum in the Old Town Hall building.

Built in the 14th century, Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana) is the only remaining medieval gate in Bratislava that has been preserved. The tower was reconstructed in the 18th century, at which point it was crowned with a statue of the archangel Saint Michael famously slaying a dragon. These days, the gate's tower houses the Museum of Arms, part of the Bratislava City Museum.

In the heart of Bratislava’s Old Town lies Stara Radnica, the city’s Old Town Hall. Rather than having just one building, the Old Town Hall is a complex composed of a tower and several historic buildings, the oldest of which dates back to the 15th century. Since 1868, the complex has been home to the Bratislava City Museum.

Looming on a hill over the village of Oravsky Podzamok, Orava Castle is one of the finest castles in Slovakia. This immense castle structure incorporates a medley of architectural styles, both inside and out, that visitors see as they climb up 754 stairs to visit just some of its 154 rooms.

Outdoor exhibits surround a long and dark mining tunnel at the Open-Air Mining Museum near Banska Stiavnica. See exhibits on the mine’s history and a short movie before heading underground to experience what was once the lifeblood of central Slovakia. It is an interactive experience that is quite popular among families with kids.

A 14th-century gate for Bratislava’s city walls, Michael’s Tower is the last remaining of the original four, with additional construction increasing its height until the 18th century. The gate is a landmark of Bratislaval’s Old Town, and today is a popular tourist attraction.

In the heart of Bratislava's compact Old Town, Franciscan Square (Frantiskanske Namestie) is home to the historic Franciscan Church, whose baroque façade belies the fact that it was constructed in the late 13th century. The square is lined with old baroque rowhouses, and there's a small café with indoor and outdoor seating on one side.