15 Awesome Things to Do in Bratislava for First-Timers

15 Best Things to Do in Bratislava

1. Walk Through Michael's Gate

Michael's Gate is a historic gate in the city of Bratislava, named after the archangel Michael. It is the only surviving gate from the city's fortification since medieval times.

The first thing you will notice when you enter Bratislava's historic old town is the gate, and I highly recommend you start your exploration from here.

At Michael's Gate, you will find an armory museum inside and you will also have access to the top of the gate, where you will be able to admire the beauty of Bratislava's old town from above.

Unfortunately, it was under renovation when I was there in 2022, and it looks like it will be closed for about 2 more years. So, if you are lucky enough to be there when the renovation is completed, be sure to check out the gate while you are in Bratislava.

2. Visit the Old Town Hall

Old Town Hall is another historic building in Bratislava that you should not miss. The building was constructed in the 15th century and has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, while retaining the old complex features we can see today.

The place is currently served as a museum and exhibition space, showcasing the history of the city and its culture, making it a great place for you to visit if you want to learn a bit more about this unique city and the country's culture.

You will also have access to the top of the tower, where you will be able to enjoy an incredible panoramic view of Bratislava's main square and its surroundings.

The Old Town Hall is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day except Monday. The entrance ticket is 7 EUR, but if you only want access to the tower, it should cost you about 3 EUR per person.

3. Admire the Beauty of Primate's Palace

Primate's Palace is a baroque-style palace that was built in the 18th century right in the middle of the old town. It was originally used as the residence of the archbishops of Esztergom.

Its beautiful pink-colored façade is a great example of how prosperous the city was during its golden years before the city lost its status as the capital of Hungary in 1784.

Today, the palace serves as a museum, displaying art and historical artifacts such as tapestries and old statues, as well as a music hall and a mayor's office. Only the first floor of the palace is open to the public, where you will be able to see the 17th-century English royal tapestries, the highlight of the museum.

The museum opens from 10 AM to 5 PM every day, except Monday. The admission fee to the museum is 4 EUR per entry, but you can walk around its beautiful courtyard and admire the palace from the inside for free.

4. Climb Up to Bratislava Castle

Bratislava Castle is, hands down, one of my favorite places to visit in Bratislava. Located on a hilltop overlooking the historic old town, Bratislava Castle offers a great opportunity for you to escape the bustling city and enjoy a nice walk through the hillside park and up to the castle.

The castle itself has recently been renovated, so you won't get that old medieval feel like other hilltop castles in Europe, but it still retains its baroque-style layout and colors that stand out from other castles you've seen elsewhere.

The Museum of History is located inside the castle, where you will be able to access its content, as well as one of the four 47-meter-high crown towers. From there, you can see all the way to Austria and Hungary for about 10 EUR per person.

Even without paying the entrance fee to get in, you will still be able to see the castle's courtyard, as well as the intricately designed garden and the castle's wall. Here, you will be able to enjoy a similar panoramic view of the city. It is worth visiting, no matter if you are planning to go inside or not.

The castle gate opens between 8 AM and 10 PM every day. You will have to wait for the gate to open to get access to the castle's courtyard and the city's wall, so be sure to plan accordingly. To escape the crowds, I highly recommend being there at 8 AM. Head over to the entrance, and you will have the whole place to yourself. Definitely one of the best things to do in Bratislava.

5. Check Out St. Martin's Cathedral

The largest and most important church in the country, St. Martin's Cathedral, is a Gothic-Romanesque-style cathedral built in the 13th century. It is known for its rich history as the place where more than 10 kings from the Habsburg dynasty of Hungary were crowned.

As the city grew, the cathedral was integrated into the city's wall in the late 13th century, while the cathedral's bell tower was also used as a defense tower. Hence, it is located right on the outskirts of the old town.

The interior is well-preserved with many beautiful Gothic decors and colorful mosaic stained glass waiting for you to discover. Unfortunately, you do not have access to the tower at the moment, but there is no shortage of other high towers you can climb in Bratislava.

The cathedral is free to enter and it opens from 9 AM to 11:30 PM and 1 PM to 6 PM every day except Sunday. On Sunday, the church is open to visitors from 1 PM to 6 PM.

6. Hang out at Maximilian Fountain

Maximilian Fountain is a 16th-century fountain located right in the middle of the main town square of Bratislava's Old Town. Despite being financed by King Maximilian II, there is still a myth behind the intricately designed statue, whether it's dedicated to King Maximilian II himself or the legendary defender of rights, Knight Roland.

Due to the statue wearing knight armor, many lean towards the latter, but no one really knows for sure whom the statue was intended to represent.

With the fountain having a mysterious origin, the legend around it evolves over time. Some stories claim that the statue will come to life on Good Friday as well as during New Year. At the stroke of midnight, the statue would turn around and bow to honor the lives of councilors who saved the city.

It is an important landmark in the city, but it's not very big, and you might miss it completely, so be sure to keep an eye out for it. The statue is located in the spacious main town square, which is a tourist attraction in and of itself.

Around the square, you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. When nightfall comes, the square will be dimly illuminated with street lights, while street performers will come out in droves, ready to entertain anyone who passes by.

I really enjoy my time at the main town square, especially at sunset. If you are looking to hang out somewhere in the evening in Bratislava, be sure to walk by Maximilian Fountain and the main square, and you might be surprised by what you will find here.

7. Take a Photo of Čumil

Čumil is a small bronze sculpture of a sewer worker resting on top of a manhole, peeping at passersby, and it is one of the most popular landmarks of Bratislava.

No one knows the true meaning behind the statue, except that it popped up in the 90s during the birth of Slovakia's independence at the hands of Viktor Hulik. Čumil means "watcher" in Slovak, which is a perfect description of the way the statue is posed. It is said that if you rub his head, your wish will come true, hence the bronze discoloration on him.

If you are visiting Bratislava, be sure to keep an eye out for this cool bronze sculpture on the cobblestone street, or you might miss him entirely or, worse, accidentally trip on him and hurt yourself.

8. Relax at Hviezdoslavovo Námestie

is a city park located just to the south of the old town, and it is a great place to relax if you are looking for a nice, beautiful shaded area to read or take a stroll in the city.

The park is named after the Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, who was born in the city, and you will find a statue dedicated to him in the middle of the park.

The square itself is filled with large trees, and it is a popular gathering place with many interesting outdoor events, such as the photography exhibition I saw when I was there in the summer.

There are also many cafes and restaurants where you can indulge yourself in the beautiful old European-style buildings surrounding the park. If you are looking to spend a nice, quiet time with yourself after spending all day exploring, this is the best place to be.

9. Check out Slovak National Theater

If you have visited Hviezdoslavovo Námestie, the beauty of the Slovak National Theater has probably already caught your attention. Located on the eastern end of the park, the Slovak National Theater is the oldest professional theatre in Slovakia and one of the most important landmarks in the city.

The theater is housed in a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building that was built in the early 20th century. It is home to three separate stages dedicated to drama, opera, and ballet shows which are often held here.

If you want to see the inside, you are going to have to buy a ticket to one of these shows, which are often held every day during the theatre season between September and the end of June every year. Be sure to check the program and plan accordingly before you arrive in Bratislava.

10. Be Amazed at The Blue Church

One of the coolest and most unique churches you will ever see here is the Blue Church, or as it is also known, the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

One of the most unique features of the Blue Church is, and you probably guessed it, its blue-colored exterior that matches perfectly well with its otherworldly art-nouveau architectural style reminiscent of the popular Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, but in blue.

The church is free to enter but only at a designated time from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM to 7 PM every day, except Sundays when they open from 7:30 AM to 12 PM and 5:30 PM to 7 PM. The opening time is very limited, so be sure to plan carefully.

11. Be Mesmerized by Gallerie Multium

If you are looking for a cool museum with plenty of photo opportunities or if you are traveling with kids, you are going to enjoy Gallerie Multium. It is a little museum of illusion where you will be presented with a set of mind-boggling, illusion-filled rooms that will either make you stare in wonder or stare in fear, especially if you have acrophobia.

Gallerie Multium has only a handful of small rooms, but all of them are extremely well thought out and will provide a ton of great photo opportunities for you and your loved ones.

The entrance fee to Gallerie Multium is 5 EUR per person, and the opening hours are between 10 AM and 8 PM every day. If you are looking to kill some time while you are in Bratislava, be sure to check out Gallerie Multium.

12. Hike Up to Slavín

For those of you who are looking to explore a little bit of the surrounding area of Bratislava, Slavín offers a great chance for you to step outside the old town and see Bratislava from a different perspective.

Slavin is a beautiful hilltop monument and a burial ground for Soviet Army soldiers who died in WWII. Due to its high position on a hilltop, it is popular among those who are looking for a nice scenic viewpoint to see Bratislava's old town from afar.

It is about a 30-minute walk from the old town, and you will have to walk through a park to get to the monument. The place is free to enter, and it is open 24/7. I heard that the view of the city at night from the monument is even prettier than during the day. If you have some time in Bratislava, be sure to head up to Slavin.

13. Check out the view from UFO Tower

If you are looking for a nice platform to see Bratislava's old town that is a little closer to Slavin, then the UFO Tower is perfect for you.

Located just across the Danube River from the Old Town, on the other end of the UFO bridge, the UFO Tower is a unique and futuristic representation of Bratislava. It is the world's longest bridge to have one pylon and one cable-stayed plane.

At the top, in the UFO-like tower, you will find a restaurant and an observation deck, which you can access from an elevator inside the pillar. You can reach the elevator from the walking/biking path that connects with the old town.

The access to the lift is about 10 EUR per person roundtrip, and you will get access to the restaurant, the cafe, and the observation deck. The tower is open from 10 AM to 11 PM every day.

14. Explore Devin Castle

Devin Castle is one of the most beautiful medieval castles you can see in Slovakia. The castle is situated atop a 212-meter-high rocky cliff that overlooks the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers.

It is located right by the border between Austria and Slovakia, making it one of the most popular places to visit as a half-day trip from Bratislava.

Devin Castle has a long and rich history that dates all the way back to the Bronze Age when it was first settled, to the fortification that was built in the 17th century, and the ruin we see today. It is considered to be one of the oldest castles in the country.

Most of the structures you will find here are left as is, with no extension or significant renovation, which I prefer over the ones that are newly renovated, like Bratislava Castle.

Inside, you will find beautiful open courtyards, staircases, and gardens surrounded by well-preserved stone walls and defensive towers that you can climb. From these towers, you will be able to enjoy the incredible panoramic scenery of the sprawling landscapes around the castle.

Inside many of the structures here, you will also find archaeological museums, exhibitions, and displays, all dedicated to telling and preserving the history of Devin Castle. From stunning views of nature to the rich history of the castle, this place really has it all.

Since the castle is about 14 km away, you can either get there by car, taxi, or a local bus. If you want to take the bus, you are going to have to catch bus #29 from a bus stop under the bridge as shown in the photo above.

The bus runs every 20 minutes both ways, and it will take you to Štrbská where you will have to walk to the parking lot and uphill for about 13 minutes before you arrive at Devin Castle.

Be sure to get the bus ticket from the yellow machine at the nearby bus station (this is not where you get on the bus to Devin!) before you get on the bus. You can't buy a ticket from the bus driver.

Also, get 2 tickets for both ways as there won't be any yellow ticket machine at the other end. The bus ticket is 1.5 EUR, and once you get one, make sure you validate it once you are on the bus.

It should take about 20 minutes to reach Devin Castle from the Old Town, and it should take you about 3-4 hours to explore the castle. For the bus schedule, you can use Google Maps, get the direction to Devin Castle, and it will automatically recommend the time you should be at the bus stop.

Definitely one of the best things to do in Bratislava, Devin Castle opens between 10 AM and 4 PM every day except Monday, and it costs about 6 EUR per person. If you want to have the place to yourself, be sure to get there early!

15. Spend a day in Vienna

Last but not least, if you are still looking for a day to kill, Vienna is only an hour away from Bratislava, and it offers so many cool things you can do. You can spend an entire day or a week there, and you will not get bored of it.

There are way too many things to do in Vienna to list in this article, but here is the gist of it. The city is home to some of the prettiest attractions out there like Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace. Alternatively, you can spend the day at the historical city center and admire the beauty of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

To find a bus from Bratislava to Vienna and vice versa, you can find the latest bus schedule here, or if you prefer trains, you can find the train schedule here.

What to Eat and Drink in Bratislava?

1. Try Local Dishes at U Sedliaka

U Sedliaka is a local restaurant with a lovely vibe, a great selection of local cuisine, and it is easily accessible right at the Obchodná tourist strip, not too far from the old town.

They serve tasty local dishes like Pierogi, Schnitzel, and my favorite, roast pork loin with steamed dumplings, all at a very reasonable price of around 6 - 9 EUR per dish. If you are looking for a place to try local cuisine, I highly recommend U Sedliaka.

2. Relax with a coffee at Schöndorf Bio Cafe

For a nice and quiet cafe that serves a delicious and tasty cup of latte, I can't recommend Schöndorf Bio Cafe more.

Located right on the main Obchodná tourist strip under a hostel with the same name (Schöndorf Hostel), this place is a little pocket of coziness and comfort that I always look forward to coming back to every afternoon after a long day of exploration.

The coffee is good, the atmosphere is homely, and the wifi was speedy. What more can you ask for in a cafe? Schöndorf Bio Cafe opens from 8 AM to 7 PM on weekdays, 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays.

Further Reading for Central Europe

I hope you found this Slovakia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Slovakia and Central Europe, here are a selection of articles you might like:

• Kosice is the second largest city in Slovakia, and it is probably one of the country's best-kept secrets. The city is much more peaceful and laid-back than the capital. The creative scene is flourishing, and it has a lot to offer for those who are looking to get off the beaten path. Here are our 13 Best Things To Do In Kosice.
• Planning to visit Slovenia soon? Check out: 7-Day Backpacking Slovenia Itinerary.
• Ljubljana is one of the most romantic and charming capital cities in Europe. With its small size, beautiful medieval architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Ljubljana comes highly recommended. If you are wondering what there is to do here, here are the 16 best things to do in Ljubljana.
• Lake Bled is definitely the highlight of visiting Slovenia, and with so many cool things to do, both outdoors and indoors, you are going to need this guide: 10 best things to do in Lake Bled.
• Everybody raves about Budapest, and for good reasons. The city is vibrant, affordable, and offers a ton of things to do, from its rich history to all the awesome nightlife spots that rival those in Berlin. If you are planning to go there, here is a complete travel guide to backpacking Budapest.
• Poland is also a great country to visit while you are exploring Eastern Europe. If you are heading north, be sure to check out our 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland.
• Are you traveling to Slovakia as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Slovenia, visit the Slovakia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Central Europe Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, or The Balkans Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.