From rich musical heritage to charming palaces, quaint cobbled streets, and cool bars, you can explore a lot here. And, it’s not Prague if you imagined so. This is Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia that deserves a place on your to-visit list.
From among the trio of capitals, this city is the least recognized among travellers. This gem in Slovak is a peaceful and gorgeous vacation spot while Budapest and Vienna are known to attract tourists.
Bratislava has evolved rapidly into a city with a distinctive sense of style since it broke from its Czech neighbour. The place is gradually emerging as a rival to its Austro-Hungarian counterparts.
The terracotta-topped castle in the city is a must-see for anyone who enjoys architecture. With its Baroque Garden and tree-lined grounds, the building looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie, but getting there will require a steep walk.
A visit to the Bratislava City Museum is also recommended. It is behind the central square Hlavne Namestie and offers a quick tour of the city’s communist history. If you climb the clock tower, you’ll get a great view of the city’s rooftops.
In addition, the space race fascination also makes the city popular. And, you can explore the same in the UFO Bridge and tower in Bratislava. A skywalk constructed in 1967 lets you navigate your way around the structure. However, if you don’t like heights, you should skip this one.
The food scene in Bratislava is unique. The beautiful Bistro St. Germain is a great place to enjoy butter-fried croque monsieur sandwiches and homemade cordials. Paris faces a lot of tough competition here.
Modra Hviezda is a great place for lunch if you’re looking for amazing fine dining options. Crispy-skinned rabbit and potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese are two of their popular dishes. Moreover, the dining room is designed to look like an Alpine farmhouse. The drinks scene in the city also deserves a mention. When you go to the Antique American Bar, white-suited bartenders will serve you a wide variety of cocktails that look like jewels. Beer, thankfully of the highest quality, is also less expensive here than water.
Bratislava is unquestionably a Bohemian treasure that is awaiting discovery. It has beautiful, chocolate-box-like old town squares that rival those in Old Europe and is unspoiled.
Take a flight to Vienna from London Heathrow or Gatwick (2 hours 10 minutes), followed by a bus to reach the city (45 mins). Direct flights to Bratislava from Stansted or Luton are the quickest methods to get there.