What To See In Bratislava

Bratislava Castle

The first thing one notices when arriving in Bratislava is the white Castle perched on top of the hill, overlooking the capital city.

The hill where the Castle is located has been inhabited since as early as the Stone Age. Where the Celts, the Slavs and Sigismund of Luxemburg built fortresses, castles and Palaces, nowadays stands a beautiful 17th century Castle with lots of History and offering panoramic views of the city.

Since Slovakia's independence, Bratislava's Castle has been serving as a venue for Slovakia's Parliament, as well as it contains the Slovak National Museum of History. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, visitors of the Museum can learn more about the History of the country. During summer months there are English guided tours of the museum on Saturdays.

If you are visiting the Castle, make sure to take in the privileged views of the river and the city of Bratislava, as well as to check the beautiful gardens at the back of the Castle.

Another unique opportunity while visiting Bratislava's Castle is to see the Historical entrance gates: Sigmund's Gate, Vienna Gate, Nicholas Gate and Leopold Gate.

Bratislava's Castle

Holy Trinity Plague Column

To start exploring the city center, head to the unmissable Holy Trinity Plague Column. The beautiful sculpture in Baroque-style dates back to the 18th century and it was built to celebrate the end of a plague that hit the city hard enough to kill almost half of its population.

While admiring the column, tourists can notice the seven beautifully made saints that it includes. Another noteworthy detail is the name of Cardinal Christian August of Saxony, who went to great lengths trying to stop the disease from spreading.

From there, continue walking into Hviezdoslav. During that stroll you will be able to enjoy a beautiful tree-lined street and the charming surrounding buildings, as well as interesting statues such as the one of Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish writer who authored "The Little Mermaid".

Holy Trinity Plague Column in Bratislava

Konditorei Kormuth

The Konditorei Kormouth café is hands-down the most beautiful place I visited in the city of Bratislava.

When I was walking down the street, I noticed a beautiful building with big windows which allowed everyone too see the extremely ornamented interior of this local café. When I spontaneously went in, I didn't expect it to be as astonishingly beautiful as it ended up being.

Apart from the great-looking and mouth-watering cakes that visitors can see when they walk in, the atmosphere of that place was extremely special. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but all I can say is: if you are ever in Bratislava, don't miss out on this treasure hidden in the city's charming streets.

The beautiful Konditorei Kormuth

"Man at work" statue

This curious statue of a man peaking from underground is one of the most iconic things to see in Bratislava.

The name of that man is Čumil, which means "the watcher" in Slovakian. It is not entirely obvious why the statue has received that name, but the most likely explanation is that he symbolizes a typical uninterested worker from the communist era - hence the positioning of his head resting on his hands while he gazes at the street.

Legend says that your wish will come true if you touch his head and then keep it a secret. Believe it or not, the fact is that it is one of the most popular attractions in the city and the most photographed place in Bratislava.

While visiting this unique and quirky attraction, notice the sign above it saying "Man at Work" - it had to be placed there after the statue got beheaded twice by passing-by cars.

Main Square

Hlavné námestie (Slovakian for "Main Square") is located in the Old Town of Bratislava and it's often considered the center of the capital. Being one of the most important and popular squares in the city, this is a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the charming surroundings. A curious fact about it is that during the 2nd World War it was named after Adolf Hitler, which remained so until the city was liberated by the Red Army in 1945.

At Hlavné námestie, visitors can find the Roland Fountain. Dating back to the 16th century, this fountain was ordered by the King of Royal Hungary - Maximilian II - with the goal of having a public water supply. At the top of the Bratislava's most famous fountain, visitors can admire a beautiful statue of Maximilian II - legend says that he is the city's protector.

Apart from Roland Fountain, visitors to the Main Square of Bratislava can also see the beautiful Old Town Hall, which is the one of the oldest stone buildings in the whole country.

The building complex dating back to the 14th century, houses the Bratislava City Museum. By visiting the Museum, tourists can learn more about Bratislava's History since the earliest periods in which it was inhabited and until the 20th century.

For visitors wishing to get a good panoramic view of the capital, it is also possible to go up to the Old Town Hall tower and get great photo opportunities of Bratislava and its surroundings.

Old Town Hall Tower in the Main Square of Bratislava

For those looking for the beautiful colorful roof of the Town Hall, go around the building to Primate's Square where you will get a good view of it.

The Old Town Hall's iconic building

Michael's Gate

Back in Medieval Times, the city of Bratislava was surrounded by walls, so entrance was only possible through one of the four city gates: Laurinc Gate, Fishermen's Gate, Vydrica Gate and St Michael's Gate. The now famous St Michael's city gate is the only one of the medieval fortifications in the city to have been preserved until today. Having been built in 1300, it is among the oldest buildings in Bratislava, but it is worth it to note not the entire building is quite as old: the dragon and the St Michael statue were placed at the top during the 18th century.

Visitors wanting to explore the tower's interior can visit the department of Bratislava's City Museum that has the Exhibition of Weapons.

What nowadays is a beautiful and iconic buildings that tourists are eager to take a photo of, has seen lots of History pass him by, including 19 Kings who were crowned in the city and then proceeded to St Michael's Gate to pledge his king's oath to the archbishop's hands.

St Michael's Gate in Bratislava

Presidential Palace

Grassalkovich Palace, also commonly known as the Presidential Palace, is a summer Palace in Rococo and Baroque style which nowadays serves as the residence of Slovakia's President.

Located slightly outside the city center, it is worth heading there to see the beautiful building arquitecture, as the fountain framing its front view and symbolizing freedom, as well as the beautiful French garden that is one of the most popular parks in the whole city. The public park is accessible at the end of Banskobystrická street and visitors can head there simply to relax or to admire the many modern sculptures that are spread around the gardens.

Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava

Blue Church

The Church of St Elizabeth, commonly known as the Blue Church, is probably the most famous Church in Bratislava.

Both the interior and exterior of this impressively unique Church are very special. The beautiful blue colors dominate not only in the exterior, but also in the Church's charming interior. With a unique oval ground floor, the Church's interior is also painted in a lovely baby-blue and other pastel colors. But, since the Church isn't always open, most tourists only get a glimpse from the outside - which is well worth it!

The Blue Church in Bratislava