Bratislava travel guide — Bratislava tourism and travel information

Bratislava travel guide

about Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and the country's largest city, with a population of some 430,000. Bratislava lies on the River Danube, at Slovakia's borders with Austria and Hungary, and relatively close to the border with the Czech Republic. It is only 60 km (45-65 minutes by train) from Vienna. The city is the most densely populated in Central Europe. The Carpathian mountain range begins within the territory of the city with the Malé Karpaty (or Little Carpathians) mountains (part of the Carpathians).

Bratislava is the seat of the Slovak presidency, parliament and government. The city is home to universities, a relatively large number of museums, and to theatres and other cultural institutions (for example, the famous Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra).

Historically, the town has been influenced by several nations (among others, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia). As is common for former cities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bratislava had other names, which remained in common use until World War I: Pressburg, the German name, today still the official alternative German name, as well as Pozsony, its name in Hungarian or Prešporok, its old Slovak name.

Bratislava sights

Bratislava is picturesquely situated on both banks of the Danube, at the base of the outlying spurs of the Little Carpathians, in a position of strategic importance near the Devín Gate (earlier called Hainburger Pforte or Porta Hungarica), and the area includes a picturesque old town.

One of the most conspicuous buildings of the town is the Bratislava Castle situated on a plateau 270 ft. above the Danube. The castle exists since time immemorial, has been the acropolis of a Celtic town, a part of the Roman Limes Romanus, a huge Slav fortified settlement and a political, military and religious center of Great Moravia. A castle of stone was built only in the 10th century (part of Hungary), it was turned to a Gothic anti-Hussite fortress under Sigismund of Luxemburg in 1430, in 1562 to a Renaissance castle, and in 1649 a baroque reconstruction took place. Under queen Maria Theresa, the castle was turned into a prestige seat of the royal governor Albert von Sachsen-Teschen, the son-in-law of Maria Theresa, who founded the Albertina picture gallery in the castle, which was later moved to Vienna. In 1784, when Bratislava ceased to be the capital of Hungary, the castle was turned to a school for Catholic clergy, and later in 1802 to barracks. In 1811, the castle was inadvertently destroyed by fire by the soldiers of the barracks and was in ruins till the 1950s, when it was reconstructed mostly in its former Maria Theresa style.

Another castle is the Devín Castle (still in ruins) in the city part Bratislava-Devín. It is situated on the top of a high rock at the point where the March (Morava) River, which forms the boundary between Austria and Slovakia, falls into the Danube. It is one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites and has been –thanks to its excellent location –a very important frontier castle of Great Moravia and the early Hungarian state. It was deliberately destroyed by Napoleon troops in 1809 and is an important symbol of Slovak and Slavic history.

Yet another castle, built in 1813 and turned to English Gothic style castle in the late 19th century, is situated in the city part Bratislava-Rusovce, otherwise known for ruins of Roman "Gerulata" settlements.

Other noteworthy buildings are:

In general, the historic center is characterized by many baroque palaces. The Grassalkowich palace (built around 1760), for example, is now the residence of the Slovak president, and the former archiepiscopal palace (1614-1765, the former summer residence of the archbishop of Esztergom) is now the seat of the Slovak government.

Bratislava history

for a more comprehensive history (as well as historic personalities and the ethnic structure of the town)

Names of the city

The main known names of the town were as follows:

Near cities to Bratislava

• Pezinok travel guide 21 km
• Malacky travel guide 34 km
• Bruck an der Mur travel guide 36 km
• Trnava travel guide 43 km
• Galanta travel guide 45 km
• Eisenstadt travel guide 55 km
• Vienna travel guide 59 km
• Wiener Neustadt travel guide 60 km
• Sopron 55 300 travel guide 65 km
• Baden travel guide 68 km

Near webcams to Bratislava

• Bratislava - University webcam 0 km
• Bratislava webcam 2.2 km
• Pezinska Baba webcam 28 km
• Breitenbrunn webcam 38 km
• Trnava - Trojicne namestie webcam 43 km
• Neusiedler See / Rust webcam 51 km
• Vienna - A23 Tangente webcam 53 km
• Wien - Stadtpark webcam 53 km
• Wien - Highway A23 webcam 53 km
• Wien - Highway A23 webcam 53 km

back to top

Bratislava travel services

cheap flights to Bratislava

• book cheap flights to Bratislava »
• book cheap flights to Slovakia »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Bratislava, cheap flights Bratislava, also available cheap airline tickets to Slovakia and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Bratislava deals also available.

cheap Bratislava hotels

• book cheap hotels to Bratislava »
• book cheap hotels to Slovakia »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Bratislava, Slovakia hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Bratislava hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Bratislava vacations

• book Bratislava vacations »
• book Slovakia vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Bratislava, Slovakia vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Bratislava vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Bratislava

• book cheap car rental in Bratislava »
• book cheap car rentals in Slovakia »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Bratislava, car hire in Slovakia and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Bratislava car hire deals also available.

Bratislava travel insurance

• Bratislava cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for Slovakia »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Bratislava, accident health Bratislava travel insurance, all using our online Bratislava travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Slovakia. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Bratislava real estate

• Bratislava real estate guide »
• real estate listings in Slovakia »

City Travel Guide comes with Bratislava real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Bratislava property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Slovakia, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Bratislava.

back to top

Bratislava travel books

Bratislava travel guide books

• Bratislava travel guide books »
• Slovakia travel guide books »

Bratislava maps and atlases

• Bratislava maps and atlases »
• Slovakia maps and atlases »

back to top