How to Spend 1 Day in Bratislava!
Bratislava may just be one of the most underrated cities in Europe. We had just over 1 full day there and think it’s an amazing addition to your European bucket list! Now only is it well connected to other major cities in Europe (Vienna, Budapest etc), it’s incredibly charming, very walkable and has a lot to do! Come check out the perfect 1 day itinerary for Bratislava, Slovakia!
Morning
Good morning from Bratislava! We recommend getting an airbnb right in the center of Old Town, so when you wake up, you’re seconds from strolling the beautiful streets. We stayed at this airbnb which is in a perfect location and has views of the castle from the balcony. It’s reasonably priced and very roomy. Airbnb in Bratislava. If you’re looking for a great hotel also, we almost stayed here: Crown Plaza Bratislava
Our favorite time to explore is early in the morning when there are hardly any people out. We recommend getting some early morning pictures by the beautiful Michael’s Gate, a large clock tower and blue dome, before heading to breakfast. You can go up into the tower for a small fee if you’d like. It is the only preserved medieval city gate in Bratislava, dating back to the 14th century and it has a statue of St. Michael slaying a dragon at the top.
We got breakfast steps from Michael’s gate, along the main pedestrian street. The prices are more expensive here than elsewhere, but we loved the food and the atmosphere. We tried out Urban Bistro and loved it. We tried the mini-crepes which had a citrus filling, the French Toast with blueberries and the Syrnki – which is a more traditional pancake filled with ricotta and topped with salted caramel and pistachio drizzle. Wow. Delicious.
While it’s still early, spend some more time wandering Old Town. Check out the famous Cumil statue – The bronze figure peeks out of a manhole. Locals say touching his head brings good luck. We enjoyed grabbing a cup of coffee and enjoying the quiet morning and the picturesque squares.
Two final stops on your walking tour of Old Town: The Blue Church and the Presidential Palace.
The Blue Church is basically exactly as it sounds – a blue church and is very unique in it’s design. There were services going on while we were there so we could not enter, but seeing it from the outside it worth it, and a very easy, quick stop.
Finally, stop by the Presidential Palace. It’s really interesting because you can get up very close to the palace with basically no crowds at all. It serves as the residence for the president of Slovakia, and while visiting you can even see some small changing of the guard ceremonies.
Afternoon
After a fun morning, grab a bite to eat at a traditional Slovakian restaurant. Check out Slovak Pub, right in Old Town for some local food with a lot of various offerings. Take a quick break at a local square and enjoy some people watching.
Next – head up to the Bratislava Castle, a quick walk from Old Town. For about $30 you can get a family of 4 into the Castle to visit. It’s also free to go up to the Castle gardens and grounds and just see the overlook. This turned out to be the best part anyway, so if looking to save money, you could just visit the grounds and see wonderful views of the city. It was originally built in the 9th century, rebuilt several times, and burned down in 1811 before being fully restored in the 20th century. Its hilltop location gives some of the best views over the Danube.
The Castle itself was stunning from the outside. Inside, it looked very remodeled, and had a variety of exhibits – things related to Slovakian history, art and even some more current sports memorabilia. It did have one bell tower you could visit at the top, which was interesting. Overall, the outside of the castle was the best part.
Evening
In the evening, head back out to see the city at night. We loved seeing everyone out on the street listening to street musicians, grabbing a drink at a local pub and generally enjoying the beautiful summer nights. The castle lights up at night and glows from atop the hill. We enjoyed some Italian food at the Farmhouse Restaurant, and chimney cakes for dessert.
One final thing you could do is visit the UFO Building and take an elevator to the top. This would be a really fun activity as well!
Final Thoughts
Bratislava was an amazing town to spend a day in. There’s a lot more to do in the surrounding area, but if you only have 1 full day, it’s worth a visit. We enjoyed everything about the beautiful, walkable, interesting capital city. Add Slovakia to your bucket list!
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