Discover Bratislava: Must-See Attractions, Castle, UFO Tower & Local Cuisine
Bratislava is not a usual capital city with many unmissable icons. It's a perfect place to wander and walk around its small streets surrounded by calm. It's worth to visit during a tour of Central Europe or a Slovakia. It's a small, quiet city.
But of course, travellers not only want to visit Bratislava to wonder, but also to visit some specific places. I will try to give you the best of what I've visited during the trip across Slovakia.
Bratislava Castle
Called also Bratislavský hrad. Probably this will be one of the first places you will see during your stay in Bratislava. Castle just dominates the whole capital and also the Danube River and can be seen from almost every part of the city.
History of the Bratislava Castle starts up in ancient times when there was a Celtics settlement here. In 10th century stone castle was build here, changed for the much bigger fortress 500 years later. It was for centuries the place where Austria-Hungary monarchs kept the Crown of Saint Stephen. Burned by Napolean, reconstructed not far from now, because in the 1950s. In last few years castle has been painted white. You can see breathtaking views of the city and the Danube river from the Bratislava Castle.
Bratislava San Martin's Cathedral
Build in Gothic style, Bratislava cathedral is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. He was born in the ancient Roman province called Sabaria (today Szombathely). In the medieval times this church was served as a coronation temple: here eight royal consorts and eleven Hungarian kings were crowned between XVI and XIX century. Recently this Bratislava church was restored and also the statue of St. Martin built.
If we are planning to visit this cathedral, you must remember to visit also an underground crypt where a lot of treasures are stored and the archbishops of Esztergom are buried.
Bratislava botels
If you want to have a bit more fun, it's a good idea to book your room in one of the botels places across the Danube river. Sleeping on a boat can be an awesome experience, especially with a tasty Slovakia breakfast.
Bratislava Central Square
Called also Stara Radnica. For many, many centuries this old historic central square was the main part of the Slovakia's capital. It was the main place of Medieval executions, filled with markets and fairs. Many military parades and plays happened here. Like in many other cities, now it's more a tourist attraction than a real city centre, but it's worth to see for sure. There is plenty of good restaurants and places where you can drink a beer or if you like, a vodka. On the middle of the Bratislava's Central Square, you can find the Roland Fountain, which was the gift from King Maximilian in 1570.
Bratislava City Hall
City hall of Bratislava is actually a few buildings that look like they are built in different times and using different styles. The first part of it was built in the 13th century and it was the bell tower. That times it was a possession of Jakob, the first mayor of the Slovakia's capital. Town hall was rebuilt plenty of times, mostly before World War I. Nowadays you can find here City Archives and Municipal Museum.
Bratislava primate's palace
One of the most beautiful palaces of Bratislava placed in an Old Town. It was an official residence of the primacy of Esztergom, who was the head of the Catholic Church in whole Hungary. A curiosity: this is the biggest house in Bratislava.
Bratislava St Michael's Tower
Called also Michalska Veza. Top of this 14th-century tower is a city symbol. This is one of the most beautiful spots in Bratislava Old Town, especially if you will notice a small bridge on the north. If you want, you can climb to the top to see the magnificent view over the city.
Bratislava UFO
The UFO restaurant is located on the top of the New Bridge over the Danube river, and it's one of the most unusual restaurants I've ever seen. If you want, you can eat here both traditional Slovak and international cuisine. For me (as a photographer) the most important thing was to go to the head of the UFO to see an awesome view of the whole city including Bratislava's Castle. As far as I remember access to the lift costs about €6.50 (if you eat something it's for free), but it's worth every euro.
Bratislava Blue church
An Art Nouveau temple designed by Odon Lechner just before World War I. It's dedicated to St. Elizabeth and it's the perfect example of Hungarian Jungendstil architecture.
Bratislava statues
Wondering through Bratislava small streets in the Old Town you cannot miss some of the statues. They are some kind of a way to forget about a grey communist city Bratislava became in XX century. You can find Napoleon's soldier, paparazzi with a camera or a sewer worker.
