About Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia and the fourth largest of all cities on the river Danube. Officially, the population of the city proper is about 479,000, with the wider Bratislava Region exceeding 732,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1.3 million.
Places to visit in Bratislava
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Bratislava Castle
HistoricA large rectangular castle with four corner towers, sitting on a hill above the Danube. Walk the baroque gardens for river and city views, and visit the Slovak National Museum exhibits inside.
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St. Martin's Cathedral
ReligiousA Gothic cathedral where Hungarian kings and queens were crowned for more than two centuries. Look for the gilded replica crown atop the spire, and visit the crypts if they are open.
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Old Town
NeighborhoodA compact historic center of pastel buildings, squares and cafes that is easy to explore on foot. Look for the quirky bronze statues, including Čumil peeking out of a manhole, and Michael's Gate.
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Devín Castle
Historic · 6 mi from centreRuins of a castle on a cliff at the meeting of the Danube and Morava rivers. Take a bus or boat from the city for a scenic half-day trip.
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Most SNP
LandmarkA cable-stayed bridge over the Danube known for its UFO-shaped tower holding a restaurant and observation deck. Ride the elevator up at sunset for panoramic views of the castle and Old Town.
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Blue Church
ReligiousThe Church of St. Elizabeth, an Art Nouveau church painted pale blue inside and out, from its tiles to its roof. It is often closed outside service times, so plan your visit around mass if you want to see inside.
Things to do in Bratislava by type
18 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 10 experiences Bratislava City Tours Presporacik Oldtimer - Panoramic Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Carpathian Wine Experience - Full-Day Small Group Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Bratislava by Speedboat
- 1-3 hours 6
- Over 6 hours 3
- Up to 1 hour 3
- 3-6 hours 1
- Private 2
- Small group 1
Top experiences in Bratislava
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 18 available.
Walking Tour in Bratislava
From $175 per adult
Bratislava City Tours Presporacik Oldtimer - Panoramic Tour
From $26 per adult
Presporacik Oldtimer City Tour - Castle Tour
From $18 per adult
Bratislava Private Walking Tour
From $244 per adult
City tour by Presporacik Sightseeing Vehicle
From $28 per adult
Discover Cicmany with Thermal Bath Acess - Full-Day Tour
From $254 per adult
Wine Tasting with a Sommelier
From $22 per adult
Craft Beer Tasting
From $83 per adult
Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour
From $29 per adult
Culinary Tour of Bratislava
From $128 per adult
Classical and Historical City Tour - Walking Tour
From $29 per adult
Carpathian Wine Experience - Full-Day Small Group Tour
From $266 per adult
Where to stay in Bratislava
Popular hotels in Bratislava, out of 131 properties you can book.
Mamaison Residence Sulekova Bratislava
From $89 per night
Clarion Congress Hotel Bratislava
From $99 per night
NH Bratislava Gate One
From $95 per night
Loft Hotel Bratislava
From $121 per night
Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava
From $151 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava
From $137 per night
Radisson Blu Carlton
From $139 per night
Vienna House Easy By Wyndham Bratislava
From $114 per night
Lindner Hotel Bratislava
From $118 per night
Aplend City Hotel Perugia
From $125 per night
Hotel Set
From $152 per night
Crowne Plaza Bratislava
From $103 per night
Best time to visit Bratislava
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bratislava is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 69–83°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Bratislava weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 70° 47° 93%
- Thu 22 Oct 56° 45° 88%
- Fri 23 Oct 62° 44° 3%
- Sat 24 Oct 57° 38° 14%
- Sun 25 Oct 60° 39° 25%
- Mon 26 Oct 59° 48° 31%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Slovak
- Calling code
- +421
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/BratislavaUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Slovakia
- All Saints’ DaySviatok Všetkých svätých
- Christmas EveŠtedrý deň
- Christmas DayPrvý sviatok vianočný
- St. Stephen's DayDruhý sviatok vianočný
- Day of the Establishment of the Slovak RepublicDeň vzniku Slovenskej republiky
- EpiphanyZjavenie Pána
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Bratislava
These are the airports closest to central Bratislava. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BTS M. R. Štefánik Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
Getting around Bratislava
Generally, Bratislava is a walking city, though as of the early 2020s with increasing number of cycling lines. The centre is very small and cosy and you can easily walk from one side to another in a few minutes. The city centre is a pedestrian zone, but be aware of cyclists and occasional cars that can sometimes drive rather quickly in between the pedestrian area and outdoor cafes.
Public transport
If you want to travel outside of the centre, use the trams or trolley buses if you need to get from one point to another quickly. Bratislava has a rather good public transport system mainly operated by the city transport company DPB (website in Slovak only). Buses tend to be the slowest means of transport. Stops typically have to be requested, except for trams. To enter bus/trolleybus one has to be standing visibly on the bus stop.
Taxis
Do not take taxis waiting outside of major transfer points and tourist areas, such as main railway station, airport, bus station, Petrzalka train station, in front of Alizee nightbar at the northern corner of the city centre, etc. as they will rip you off. Taxis are cheaper in Bratislava when called in advance than when hailed on street. As a tourist, your best bet is to use one of the apps - Uber and Bolt are both present in Bratislava, although sometimes with longer waiting times compared to other cities.
Bratislava travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bratislava?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bratislava is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 69–83°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Bratislava?
August is usually the warmest month in Bratislava, with average highs of 83°F (28°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 130 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Bratislava?
M. R. Štefánik Airport (BTS) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Bratislava.
What currency is used in Bratislava?
Bratislava uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Bratislava in?
Bratislava uses the Europe/Bratislava time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Bratislava?
Generally, Bratislava is a walking city, though as of the early 2020s with increasing number of cycling lines. The centre is very small and cosy and you can easily walk from one side to another in a few minutes.
What are the best places to visit in Bratislava?
Top sights in Bratislava include Bratislava Castle, St. Martin's Cathedral, Old Town and Devín Castle. A large rectangular castle with four corner towers, sitting on a hill above the Danube. Walk the baroque gardens for river and city views, and visit the Slovak National Museum exhibits inside.
What are the top things to do in Bratislava?
Popular experiences you can book in Bratislava include Walking Tour in Bratislava, Bratislava City Tours Presporacik Oldtimer - Panoramic Tour and Presporacik Oldtimer City Tour - Castle Tour. Destina Holidays offers 18 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Bratislava?
The most popular types of experiences in Bratislava are city tours (10), gastronomy & nightlife (5), day trips & excursions (3) and transport & rentals (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Bratislava?
Popular areas for hotels in Bratislava include Bratislava. Well-reviewed options include Mamaison Residence Sulekova Bratislava and Clarion Congress Hotel Bratislava.
How many hotels can I book in Bratislava?
Destina Holidays currently lists 131 properties in and around Bratislava, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
