Melih Kağan Özel I hope you enjoy my Bratislava Travel Guide. During my Europe trip, which I took on a very limited budget, I did not allocate a high budget for accommodation and, like many other young Europeans, I experienced staying in a hostel for the first time in my life. The nightly rate of the hostel I stayed in was only 6 euros, and I definitely think it was worth the money.
Although the room was described as a 10-bed dorm, it was actually divided into two separate sections inside, split into 4 and 6 beds. I stayed in the 4-bed section. I also noticed that there were many Turkish students staying at the hostel. You can use this link to check out the hostel I stayed at.
Affordable Food & Dining Options
Reštaurácia Divný Janko
This restaurant is a budget to mid-range option for those who want to try traditional Slovak cuisine. It has an authentic atmosphere and also offers local beers on its menu. It can be a good choice for a pleasant dinner.
Bratislava Flagship
You can try Slovakia’s national dish, Bryndzové Halušky (11–12 euros), at this restaurant.
- Halušky: Small dough pieces made from potatoes and flour (similar to gnocchi)
- Bryndza: A slightly sour, salty, and creamy cheese made from sheep’s milk
In the original recipe, pork bacon is added on top, but if you ask, they will serve you a version without pork.
Basilico
A good pizzeria for those who want to step outside Slovak cuisine. It was no different from the Neapolitan pizzas I had eaten in Italy. Since it is quite difficult to find this quality in Türkiye, I try to dedicate one dinner to pizza on every European trip. Basilico met my expectations. It was a simple, no-frills place. I chose the pizza called “Margherita 2.0”; the difference from a regular Margherita was the addition of cherry tomatoes on top. I paid 10 euros for the pizza. Water was served in a small carafe and they did not charge for it.
Must-See Places in Bratislava
Bratislava Castle
Although I found the exhibition items inside rather limited compared to many other castles and museums, I liked its interior for being far from a Gothic atmosphere, with red carpets and white walls. There was also a small room displaying some weapons used during World War II, which may be interesting for history enthusiasts.
Since the castle is located on a high hill above the city, it offers a spectacular view overlooking the Danube River and the Old Town. For this reason, many people come up to the castle not only to visit the interior but also simply to enjoy the city panorama.
As for its history, the castle was first built in the 9th century during the period of the Great Moravian Empire. It gained its current appearance in the 17th century. After coming under the control of the Habsburg dynasty for a period of time, the castle was almost completely destroyed in a major fire in 1811. It was restored to its present form through extensive restoration works carried out in the second half of the 20th century.
Entrance fee:
14 euros for adults, 7 euros for students. They accepted my Turkish university student card, although unfortunately some places do not.
Blue Church
You have probably never seen a church like this before. It has a shade of blue that makes you realize how well a single color can suit a church. Entry is free, but visiting hours are limited, so it’s a good idea to check before you go.
Sunday: 7:30–12:00, 17:30–19:00
Other days: 6:30–7:30, 17:30–19:00
St. Martin’s Cathedral
St. Martin’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Bratislava and also holds great historical significance. After the Ottomans captured Buda, the Kingdom of Hungary moved its capital here, and the cathedral became the main church for coronation ceremonies. In total, 11 kings and 8 queens were crowned here. A crown symbol on the roof of the cathedral represents its role as a coronation church. Entry is free.
Visiting hours: 7:30–18:00
UFO Tower
A tower shaped like a UFO; people go up to enjoy the city view, and there is also a café inside. I didn’t go up, and honestly, it’s not a structure that interested me much. However, since it is closely associated with the city, I wanted to mention it.
Čumil & Schöne Náci
There is a very popular statue in Bratislava’s city center. This bronze statue of a sewer worker is interpreted differently by people: some think he is working, while others believe he is slacking off and observing his surroundings. Despite the different interpretations, it is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Schöne Náci
Another famous statue, Schöne Náci, was actually a real person. After a difficult childhood and an unrequited love, he wanted to become a circus clown like his grandfather. In a way, his dream came true, and he became a symbol of the city. Dressed in an elegant suit and a top hat, he smiles at people in the city. He used to greet women with great courtesy and respect. After spending the final years of his life forgotten in a tuberculosis treatment center, his remains were transferred in 2007 to the historic Ondrejský Cemetery in Bratislava’s city center.
Hlavné námestie
Located in the area known as the Old Town, this square is considered the city’s main center. Many activities take place here, including street performers, cafés, winter Christmas markets, and official ceremonies. It can be described as the heart of the city. There is also a statue in the square representing a Napoleonic soldier.
Transportation: How to Get to Bratislava
There are direct flights from Türkiye to Bratislava. From the airport, you can reach the city center by bus number 61 or the night bus 61N.
You can travel from Vienna to Bratislava by bus or train. I chose the bus operated by RegioJet because it was cheaper. In addition, they offer a lounge service at the bus terminal one hour before departure, where water, tea, and coffee are served.
Within the city, there are many tram and bus lines. Night lines also operate on Fridays and Saturdays. I recommend checking the official websites for up-to-date information. Since I stayed in a central location, I did not need to use public transportation much.
Nightlife
If you’ve come to Bratislava, your travel route most likely also includes Prague. For this reason, I would recommend not spending too much time in clubs here and instead heading to Prague. Even though I went to a venue on Friday that had many positive Google reviews, it was almost empty. Maybe I didn’t choose the right place—I’m not sure—but personally, I didn’t have a good experience. That said, there are many cheap and nice pubs in the city that are worth visiting.
10 prstov Cafe-Bar (Budget-Friendly)
This might be the cheapest bar in Bratislava. They sell beer for 2 euros, and cocktails range between 4 and 7 euros. It’s a small place and not easy to find from the outside, but I’d still recommend checking it out.
Žil Verne craftbeer pub
They offer more than twenty varieties for those who want to try craft beer. There are also aromatic options such as chocolate, vanilla, and fruit-flavored beers. Prices range from 3.2 to 5.5 euros. You can also choose tasting boards with eight or twelve beers. For those interested, non-alcoholic beer options are also available.
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