One Day In Bratislava Itinerary: A Hidden Gem

So, you only have one day in Bratislava, or maybe less than 24 hours in Bratislava? 

That’s a shame as there is so much the capital of Slovakia has to offer. 

When we first thought about visiting Bratislava, we too thought that there will not be much, but we were so wrong. 

But fret not! 

We are here to help you plan a day trip to Bratislava Slovakia! 

For clarity, prices mentioned are in Euros. 

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Who is Bratislava for?

Welcome to Bratislava, Slovakia!

If you are the sort who is looking out for quirky cities, cultural exploration and somewhere off the well trodden tourist path, then Bratislava will be perfect for you. 

The architecture is unique, and consists of many styles like Baroque and Art Noveau.

Not forgetting delicious food varieties at super reasonable prices, this combination is a winner! 

Recommended: 10 of the Cheapest Places to Visit in Europe​

Some background about Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, or officially known as the Slovak Republic. 

The country has a rich and tumultuous history, and was part of Czechoslovakia along with Czech Republic. 

Since splitting up, they have done well for themselves and today, Bratislava is a high income advanced economy and enjoys a high standard of living. 

That does not mean that prices are inflated though, as you can easily find reasonable deals all over the city. 

For most travellers, this part of Europe is often ignored for its bigger neighbours like Prague, Vienna and Budapest. 

Although Bratislava is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, its charm is present everywhere you turn. 

You will discover the beauty of a small city, witness remnants of the communist period and make friends with the warm locals. 

And there is no need to squeeze with huge amounts of human traffic! 

We took a Vienna to Bratislava day trip, so read on to find out more of our one day itinerary of Bratislava!

Recommended: 15 places to travel for under $30 per day

How to go to Bratislava?

By Air

Bratislava is easily accessible from many parts of Europe, where you can fly into its main airport (Bratislava Airport) using budget airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and smartwings. 

From international locations, you can fly into Vienna Schwechat airport which is just a short 40 km to the city center. 

There are bus services running pretty regularly, from every 30 minutes to every hour, that brings you into the city. 

You can choose from Regiojet, Slovak Lines or Flixbus. We like Regiojet best as the seats are comfortable, runs on time, and provides free wifi and hot drinks on board. 

Many times you will also encounter a steward or stewardess on board to assist you. 

Our experience with Flixbus left a sour taste in our mouth due to a bus not coming into the bus terminal, choosing to drop off its passengers OUTSIDE of the terminal and expecting boarding passengers to know about it. 

And they charged us $5 cancellation fee per person! What the fishing frying pan!

No comments about Slovak Lines though, but it seems the reviews online are decent. 

Prices range from $5 to $9.90 (Flixbus is most expensive!) 

By Bus

Again, the 3 lines mentioned above are the operators that you should choose from. 

They are available in most major cities around Europe so it will be very easy to get a ticket. 

By Train

Our favourite way to travel around Europe whenever possible is by train, since the rides are generally more comfortable, less likely to give you motion sickness and the views are prettier. 

You can get your tickets from either Regiojet or Slovak Rail. 

Or if you are going from Vienna, book directly on the OBB website, which is the national carrier. 

The most common cities to depart from are Vienna, Budapest and Prague, which takes around 1 hour, 2.5 hours and 4 hours respectively. 

For this Bratislava day trip, we took the Vienna Bratislava train, where we paid $16 per person for a return trip. 

By Boat

If you would like to float along the Danube river, which is really gorgeous, you can opt to visit Bratislava by boat. 

There is one major operator at the moment, the aptly named Twin City Liner, and it costs between $30 to $35 (one way) depending on a weekday or weekend trip (the higher price of the 2). It could be cheaper during low season. 

The cruise will take you about 1 hour 15 minutes and you will arrive at the Fajnorovo Nabrezie 2 port, which is a super short walk to the Old Town. 

By Car

Of course you can drive into Bratislava, but why would you? 

The Old Town is where you are likely to spend a large amount of time in, and it’s perfect and small enough to walk around. 

If you need to drive, make sure to research thoroughly the driving rules over there, and to mark out a few parking spots. 

We did not use this option so we cannot share a lot more information. 

But we can tell you something with certainty, drivers in Bratislava are fast and furious!

Visit Bratislava in One Day

We arrived early in Bratislava by train from Vienna. 

Honest opinion: First impressions were not that great. 

The main train station looked like it was still living in the communist period, and certainly did not give off a positive vibe. 

It is quite rundown, and it seems from our limited interactions, the people here didn’t speak much English. 

Maybe someone in the city planning department forgot about this part of town? 

However, as you will soon find out, we were so wrong again!

We have organised this Bratislava itinerary as a self guided walking tour, so you can follow along easily. 

You will find out more about the budgeting, the best sights to visit, and how you can organise your own day in Bratislava.

If you want to know more insider tips, keep reading!

Where to stay in Bratislava?

If your trip includes an overnight stay, you will want to know where are the best places to stay in Bratislava. 

Your best bet is to stay in Old Town, since almost all the activities are centered around here.

Here are our recommendations.

• 
  APLEND City Hotel Perugia
  
• 
  Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel
  
• 
  Arcadia Boutique Hotel
  

How much per day in Bratislava?

What is the budget you will need for a day in Bratislava? 

Generally speaking, Bratislava is not an expensive city to visit. 

Prices are moderate and should not burn a hole in your pocket by any means. 

Slovakian food is similar to its neighbours, and offers excellent and inexpensive options throughout the Old Town, even though it is the center of tourism. 

A budget of $20-$25 for food should suffice for 2 persons per meal, and you can quite easily find set meals at $10 or less during lunch.

Regarding transport, the Old Town is easily covered by walking. And as you read on, you will discover exactly how.

You do not need to budget much for transport, except if you prefer to take a bus from the main train station. $4 is plenty.

There are some sights where you will need a ticket to get in, but with only one day, you may need to choose only those that you are most keen on. 

Budget $10-$15 for entrance fees for this Bratislava itinerary.

1 day in Bratislava: Morning Program

Grassalkovich Palace and Gardens

From the train station, it is an easy peasy, somewhat downhill walk to the Old Town, where we would spend most of our time exploring. 

If you prefer to delay your walking journey, you can simply take the bus 93 right outside the train station to reach the city center in about 10 minutes. 

There are self service ticketing booths at the bus stop where you should purchase a 15 minute ticket for $0.70. 

We took the walking option and were treated to some really cool buildings.

Taking this path really lets you experience and observe first hand the interaction between a modern city and its past. 

Shortly, you will come to the Presidential Palace, or otherwise known as Grassalkovich Palace, located at Hodzovo Square. 

This is not just the official seat of the President, but also a beautiful piece of architecture to welcome you into the city. 

Take a few moments to walk through the gardens at the back of the building and see the locals relaxing in the sun with their families. 

Enter through Michael’s Gate and climb up Michael’s Tower

As you head into the Bratislava Old Town, the first thing that greets you will be the Michael’s Gate, complete with the iconic Michael’s Tower. 

During the medieval times, Bratislava was heavily fortified, but that all came down during the 1770s as the capital expanded and united with its suburbs. 

This is the last remaining standing gate in Bratislava from those times, and holds high amount of significance for the people. 

It also serves as the entrance to the Old Town, so there is no way you will miss it. 

As you walk under Michael’s Gate, you will also notice the golden circle, that shows the distances to 29 other cities around the world. 

To complete your experience, you may wish to visit the Museum of Arms, which is located on the ground floor where a replica cannon sits. 

At the top of the Tower (you access through the Museum), you can have a pretty bird’s eye view of the Old Town. 

Entrance fee is $5 per adult. 

Walk to the Primate’s Square and Primate’s Palace

From Michael’s Gate, take the left side street (Zamocnicka) towards one of the best known palaces in Bratislava, the Primate’s Palace. 

Before getting there, it offers you a walk through a less populated street and get to have a look at the Church of the Annunciation, before reaching the Primate’s Square.

Contrary to what some may think, the Primate Square is actually the center of the city, rather than the Main Square where the Old Town Hall is. 

Situated on the South side of the Primate’s Square, the Palace is awash in a pale shade of pink, and stands out from the rest of the buildings beside it as its neoclassical style shines through. 

In here, you will find beautiful art from the 18th century as well as grand interior designs featuring large chandeliers, tall columns and intricate tapestries. 

Take note though that photography is allowed only in one room, the Hall of Mirrors, so make sure not to whip out your camera and risk getting kicked out! 

Entrance fees to the Primate’s Palace is $3 for an adult.

Explore Old Town Hall and Main Square

Just a few steps away on the opposite side of the square lies the Old Town Hall, where you will find bustling sidewalks, vendors selling their wares and buskers plying their trades.

This area is home to the Old Town Tower, where you can climb to the top to get panoramic views of the city. 

Get ready to be fascinated by the red roof tops and small alleys that make up the Old Town.

The Main Square is where history buffs should make a pit stop to learn about the oldest town in Slovakia, or visit the oldest Museum in Bratislava (Museum of the City History, among others). 

Entrance fee is $5 per adult. 

During the year end, the Main Square serves as the location for the Christmas markets. 

Too bad we did not visit during December as the Christmas markets will be out here in full force and the festive mood is at its best. 

Make sure not to miss out the Maximilian Fountain standing elegantly in the Main Square too. 

It was built in 1572 and is better known as Roland’s Fountain. 

There are a couple of legends behind the knight in the middle of the fountain, and he could be either the knight Roland, a defender of the city’s rights, or the Hungarian King Maximilian II.

Hunt down the Man at Work

One of the cute things you can find in Bratislava are the statues at random spots. 

And probably the most famous and most photographed of all is Cumil, also known as Man at Work. 

Cumil means ‘watcher’ in Slovak, and he is a bronze statue that is peeking out at the street from beneath a man hole cover. 

Some people say he is hard to find, or rather easy to miss, but we will tell you it’s rather fun trying to locate him whichever way. 

Among the busy streets and crowds, he is lying right below a road sign that says “Man at Work”. 

Apparently, he has gotten his head knocked off a few times, and the government finally stepped in to install the road sign to warn drivers! 

Make sure to find him and snap a pic! 

Hint: he is not far from the Old Town Main Square!

One Day in Bratislava: Afternoon Program

Check out the Slovak National Theatre

Kick off your afternoon in Bratislava at The Slovak National Theatre, a well preserved piece of architecture that is not just an important location for lovers of the arts, it is also an important cultural institution to Slovakia. 

Come here to watch an opera, ballet or play, as the theatre is filled with programs almost every day of the year. 

Check out the programs here. 

Even if you may not have enough time to sit down for a performance, you should still pay a visit to admire the neo Renaissance decor and its stunning interiors.

Near the entrance of the building, you can find a glass covered hole in the ground that showcases medieval structures. 

Don’t forget to walk along the promenade where Hviezdoslav’s Square is, where you will find the National Theatre. 

Say a prayer at St Martin’s Cathedral

Being the oldest and biggest cathedral in the city of Bratislava, it is hard to miss the beautiful St Martin’s Cathedral. 

Just a few steps away from the main road and the Hviezdoslavovo Square, this Gothic structure was first completed in 1452 (!) and consequently added on with new wings and a presbytery. 

The imposing cathedral stands at 85 metres tall, and dominates the skyline of the Old Town. 

In here, you will be able to witness some incredibly stunning stained glass windows, vintage artwork and its massive organ. 

It is an amazing feeling when you step in, with the knowledge that this place crowned 10 kings, 1 queen and 7 royal wives during the Habsburg Dynasty. 

More info on its opening hours on its website, and you may submit an application to celebrate mass here too. 

Hike up Bratislava Castle

Perhaps one of the most plain looking castles you will lay eyes on, a hike up to Bratislava Castle does offer some rewards that is worth the effort. 

Firstly, we suggest that you hike your way up. 

But just in case this is not an option, you can also sign up for a guided tour where buses will bring you to the top. 

Or you can take the public transport, in which case you will board the trolley bus 203 or 207, and alight at Zamocka, right in front of the castle. 

To walk from the Old Town, take the underpass beside St Martin Cathedral to cross to the opposite side of the road. 

At this point, you can stop to have a look at the UFO Bridge and UFO Tower in the distance, or you can walk towards it on the Novy Most bridge (takes you around 20 minutes to walk).

We skipped the UFO Observation Deck as we felt that it was rather odd looking, and we were worried we do not have enough time. 

If you are considering it, the cost is $7.40 per adult. 

Across the road is where your little hike will start, and it is our favourite experience in Bratislava, as you walk up tiny streets and let yourself get lost a bit. 

If you need a break, there are many small cafes and bars that will quench your thirst and let you rest your tired legs.

Recommended: 8 Best Cafes in Bratislava according to TripAdvisor!

A baroque garden sits at the foot of the castle, and the entrance is free.

There is not much to see here though, as it is pretty small and the prize is on top at the castle.

So continue on up to the castle, and get the best view point in Bratislava. 

You can enjoy panoramic views of the Old Town, or take in the flowing waters of the Danube River, or just wander around the huge compound, where there are lots of green space to relax.

There are many benches and street lamps that adds to the romantic surroundings, and you should definitely not miss it with your loved ones. 

Within the castle, you can find the museum of History, which offers different exhibits of paintings, statues and sculptures.

Bratislava castle hours can be found on its website along with its programs.

Entrance fee to the castle is $10 per adult. 

Obchodna Street and Vysoka Street

If you still have time left for dinner and drinks, we suggest making your way to Obchodna street, and its side street Vysoka. This is slightly out of the Old Town, and takes about a 10 minutes walk.

While it seems that the area is a bit rough around its edges, it does offer some great dining options as well as lively entertainment. 

For those seeking nightlife in Bratislava, this is the place to be at with numerous bars and night clubs to scratch your dancing itch. 

This area is relatively close by to the main train station, where you can depart from Bratislava to Vienna, or wherever your destination is.

Logistics before visiting Bratislava Slovakia

Find cheap flights.
Air tickets are usually the bulk of your expenses. Set up an alert and snag cheap fares with Skyscanner.

Find the best accommodation.
Book a place ahead of time to get good rates. Booking.com has transparent fees and excellent rates. 

Handy travel guide.
For the old school kid in you, get a travel guide book and get lost exploring the city.

Photos.
Your mobile phone can do a pretty good job, but if you need an upgrade, we recommend the Sony A6000 (US) (International)

Travel insurance.
You don’t need us to teach you to be a responsible adult, do you? Get a quote here.

Planned for you activities in Bratislava.
Need a guide to show you and your group around? Lots of operators here to choose from here. You know who they are and how they are reviewed. 

More resources to help you.
What other useful travel resources we use when we book our trips.

One Day in Bratislava: Is Bratislava worth visiting?

ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT A SHRED OF DOUBT. 

Although it does remind us of some other old towns such as Cesky Krumlov or Salzburg, it feels incredibly authentic and the atmosphere is calm and pleasant. 

We traveled there after the end of the summer holidays, and the crowds were mostly gone, so it was an awesome experience! 

(P.S. we later discovered the Blue Church that we missed out, saving it for next time! Together with the this list, you will have the top 10 places to visit in Bratislava!)

It is so convenient from the major cities around it especially Vienna that there should not be any excuse not to visit! 

We hope this Bratislava itinerary helped to answer questions on your mind, so start planning your trip soon!

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Are you in Vienna? Check out our 2 day Vienna itinerary or the day trip we took to Salzburg!

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