The Slovakian Capital of Bratislava is perhaps not the most obvious of city break destinations, often overlooked in favour of it's buzzier neighbours Prague and Budapest. However the small city (it holds just 450,000 residents compared to London's 8 million) has plenty to offer, from a thriving hipster brunch scene to lively nightlife that has put it on the stag do map.
It's not just British lads in shorts getting sozzled down the Irish Pub though. There's secret cocktail bars, intimate fine dining venues, and cosy cafes for coffee and cake breaks aplenty.
Admittedly, when you're sufficiently fed and watered there isn't a huge amount to actually do. There's a few sights worth checking out, but on a nice day a leisurely stroll around the picturesque Old Town will while away the time.
I've put together a few top sights as well as places to eat and drink into one handy Bratislava guide. Let me know if you've been and have any other recommendations, or if you check any of these out I'd love your feedback!
Things to do in Bratislava
Primate's Palace
In the heart of the Old Town you'll find the Primate's Palace, a grand building decked out in millennial pink. For only a couple of euros you can have a look round the inside of the Palace, which houses a collection of tapestries and boasts a Hall of Mirrors. Honestly, compared to the grandeur of some of the royal homes of its neighbours it isn't the most exciting Palace, but it's quiet and pretty enough that it's worth a nosey.
Primate's Palace
Primaciálne námestie 2
811 01
Bratislava Castle
Sitting atop a hill overlooking the city, Bratislava Castle is an impressive sight, and worth the short but steep hike up to the grounds. Have a wander round and admire the views, plus the interior has been converted into a museum. It's not the most fascinating museum ever (and the history is a little confusing to follow), but if you're keen to know more about the country's royal past it's worth a spin round. However if you're just here for a day, I'd say skip the inside and just do the grounds.
Bratislava Castle
811 06
Church of Saint Elizabeth
Bratislava's cutest sight (and no.1 Instagram destination!) looks more like an icing topped sweet treat than a real building, but therein lies its appeal. Around 15 minutes walk from the Old Town centre, the Church of Saint Elizabeth is an art nouveau building painted almost entirely blue, with white accents. It's more popular as a selfie spot than a religious pilgrimage, so you may have to battle crowds of smartphone wielding teens for the perfect gram.
Alžbety
Bezručova 2
811 09
Where to eat in Bratislava
Urban Bistro
Bratislava is a surprising hipster paradise, with plenty of cool 'urban' all day hangout spots that serve up hefty brunches in the morning and cocktails and casual dining in the nights. Urban Bistro is one such spot, all exposed brick, industrial style lighting, and plenty of avocados. It also has the added bonus of having a secret upstairs cocktail bar (featured below). We popped by for brunch, choosing the full breakfast and pancakes with egg and avocado. Both were delicious, with perfectly poached eggs and a generous portion of fluffy pancakes.
Urban Bistro
Michalská 5
811 01
Urban House
Yes, another 'urban' spot! Urban House is a sprawling all day cafe/restaurant/bar that serves brunch by day and pizzas in the evening. It's the kind of place that has room for everyone - when we visited it was a mix of families, students working on laptops, and all sorts in between. I'd definitely recommend the brunch, with a menu full of strong classics and more interesting options. I went for the bean shakshuka, which had a really rich unique flavour (usually shakshuka is made with a base of crushed tomatoes rather than beans). Skip the pizzas though - they were dry and lacking in toppings. Also service can be slow, so it's definitely a leisurely option!
Urban House
Laurinská 213/14
811 01
Bistro St Germain
One of my favourite foodie stops in Bratislava was the gorgeous French-inspired cafe and restaurant Bistro St Germain. About 10 minutes outside the Old Town, it's not in the most obvious location but is worth hunting down for cosy reading corners and a simple menu of French dishes. We popped by one afternoon for hot drinks and snacks, so I can only comment on the quality of the parmesan chips and hot chocolate (delicious), but everything looked really good - if you go report back!
Bistro St Germain
Rajská 7
811 08
Sky Bar Restaurant
A swanky rooftop restaurant, Sky Bar makes the cut for the epic view (first photo) over Bratislava Castle and the Old Town, but is also worth mentioning for the menu, a mix of Thai food and modern European. It's a little on the pricier side, but aren't most meals with a view? It's totally worth it, and even though Thai isn't my favourite I really enjoyed the food, which was well presented and full of flavour.
Sky Bar
Hviezdoslavovo námestie 7
811 02
Modrá Hviezda
The best dinner meal we had in Bratislava was undoubtedly at Modrá Hviezda, a cosy restaurant serving up traditional Slovak cuisine in unique settings (we ate in a candlelit cave room - very ambient!). It's definitely more inclined towards meat eaters, with a menu of hearty meat dishes including plenty of game, served alongside ample portions of fresh veg and dumplings. We tucked in to the duck, served crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the rabbit leg flavoured with a red wine and mushroom sauce. Both were well cooked and super filling - though it's a little on the pricey side it's worth it for the portion size and overall experience.
Modrá Hviezda
Beblavého 292/14
811 01
Drinking in Bratislava
Michalska Cocktail Room
Okay it's probably super pretentious, but I love secret speakeasy style cocktail bars, where you have to enter through disguised doors using secret passwords. Michalska Cocktail Room, hidden above Urban Bistro on a route to the loos, has all of that and more. Head through what looks like an unassuming cupboard door into a dimly lit space decked out in cosy armchairs, and home to an extensive menu of innovative cocktails. They're probably expensive by Slovak standards but standard prices compared to London, and there's so many exciting options to try, from local spirits to cocktails with peanut butter and smoking drinks. I honestly can't remember what we had (I know, I'm an awful blogger) so can't offer recommendations, but half the fun is choosing weird and wonderful options off the menu anyway!
Michalska Cocktail Room
Michalská 370/5
811 01
KC Dunaj
If you're looking for nightlife that doesn't revolve around stag dos and gentleman's clubs, KC Dunaj is a former warehouse turned in to a bar, club and events space that caters for every subculture, with parties, theatre events, and different musical nights. It's gritty around the edges, but oh so cool (in case you hadn't got the memo by now, Bratislavan's are into all things 'urban'), with a big main bar space serving up cheap drinks, and an outside area lit with festoons for warmer nights.
KC Dunaj
Nedbalova 435/3
811 01
Wine Not!?
Bratislava has a thriving drinking scene, and no, it's not just Irish pubs (though they have those too, obvs). For those with a more refined palate, there are plenty of wine bars and craft breweries to explore in the Old Town. We went to Wine Not?! a cosy wine bar on one of the main squares, which boasts an extensive menu of both local and international wines and liquors which you can browse and order via an iPad. I am not a connoisseur in the slightest but can confirm that my prosecco was very enjoyable (though I say that about all prosecco!).
Wine Not?!
Hlavné námestie 354/3
811 01
I'd love to know if you've been to Bratislava, and have any recommendations? Or let me know if you check any of these out! If you're visiting as a day trip from nearby Vienna, make sure to take a look at my Vienna guide!
Such a beautiful post. I’ve wanted to visit Bratislava for a while and would love to explore the Palace and Castle!
xoxo
Jess
The Crown Wings | UK Travel & Lifestyle Blog